Written by Alex Schultz, ERS Did you know that the United States produced 278 million tons of municipal waste in 2017 – equivalent to 4.51 pounds per person, per day? Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, which makes now a great time to reflect on ways we can make more sustainable choices in our everyday … Read more
This article was originally published on utilitydive.com on April 6, 2020. In an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, at least 20 states have stopped retrofits under the federal low-income Weatherization Assistance Program, according to the National Association for State Community Services Programs. Remaining states have left the decision up to local coordinators, some … Read more
Written by Jan Aengenvoort, Next Kraftwerke Welcome back to the second part of Zondits’ exploration of virtual power plants! Part 1 of the series provided a brief introduction to VPPs. In part 2, we answer the following question: What is the Business Model of a VPP? For a couple of years now, the role of the virtual … Read more
Written by Jeff Perkins, ERS In this two-part series, Zondits will explore virtual power plants as an emerging technology that serves as a dynamic and boundless collection of resources. Part 1 will focus on defining what exactly a VPP is and how it is unique from the common microgrid concept. Part 2, brought to us … Read more
This article was originally published on ammonia21.com on 3/24/20. An ammonia (NH3) heat pump installed last year by Aurivo, Ireland’s second largest milk producer, has increased processing capacity by 80% while cutting its CO2 emissions by 80% by improving efficiency and downgrading oil-burning boilers. The heat pump, from GEA, is installed at the company’s Killygordon site, … Read more
This article was written by Brian McCowan, ERS, on April 1, 2020. New Hampshire history buff repurposes Trebuchets for peak load shaving energy storage Florent “Fritzy” Fritterman was hurling pumpkins at the reproduction castles he had built when he was struck by an idea. “I had read on Zondits,” said Fritterman, “about the growing need … Read more
This article was originally published on energynews.us on 3.17.2020. Public schools in Maine this month can get extra financial assistance to install LED lighting. Aside from being a cleaner source of energy, efficiency experts say the new technology can save a lot of money in the long term for schools, where lights are one of … Read more
This article was published on renewablenergyworld.com on March 23, 2020. A St. Louis firm specializes in getting environmentally challenged properties ready for reuse, including coal plants. As coal-fired power plants become uneconomic and are shut down for good, a new sort of recycling industry is taking shape: the repurposing of those plants. Utilities across the … Read more
This article was originally published on news.usc.edu on Feb. 27, 2020. On a misty Saturday morning, a giant crane lifted 1,100-pound pallets loaded with solar panels on top of the Galen Center. The heavy lift is a first step toward sustainability for the 14-year-old venue. Unlike many of the University Park Campus’s venerable Romanesque revival … Read more
Written by Max Ma, ERS In the pre-industrial world, those seeking refuge from the blistering summer heat might have turned to ice harvested from mountain tops or caves. Such a precious form of cool technology was made obsolete with the advent of mechanical air-conditioning. However, now that electric demand charges make us sweat more than … Read more