Ask the Expert: Pneumatic or Electric Actuation: Which is Better?

Compressed Air and Actuation Technologies Bryan Kilgore, ERS, for Zondits Pneumatic actuators have had widespread use in the industrial space, particularly the food packaging industry. Pneumatic actuators offer low upfront costs for mechanical actuation. Electric actuators, however, are more energy efficient and are often seen as the more economical option when considering long-term energy costs. … Read more

ALDI Is the Number One User of Advansor Transcritical C02 Refrigeration Systems

utility demand response CO2 condensing

Leader of the Rack r744.com, October 2, 2017 When Hillphoenix introduced the AdvansorFlex – a smaller capacity, less costly version of its Advansor transcritical CO2 booster refrigeration system – in December 2015, the Conyers, Ga.-based OEM had in mind small-format stores as the primary end user. Enter ALDI US, the fast-growing chain of nearly 1,700 value-oriented supermarkets in 35 U.S. states. … Read more

Massachusetts and Boston Take Top Spots in 2017 ACEEE State and City Scorecards

M&V Data 2017 ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

Lisa Markowski, ERS, for Zondits It’s a tie no more, as Massachusetts has edged California to claim the sole number-one position atop the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. The council determines the rankings by evaluating states’ energy efficiency programs, policies, and practices across six categories. As an ongoing effort, … Read more

Canadian OEM Has Deployed 14 Transcritical CO2 Systems With Its Own Ejectors

Transcritical CO2

Carnot cites 14 CO2 locations with ejectors r744.com, August 28, 2017 Canadian manufacturer Carnot Refrigeration has installed 14 transcritical CO2 booster systems with its own ejector and parallel compression in Ontario and Quebec at Sobeys and Costco stores as well as an industrial plant, according to Carnot President Marc-André Lesmerises. The ejectors were part of the original … Read more

New Technologies Give Contractors Numerous Options for Refrigeration Systems

Refrigeration

Supermarket Refrigeration Systems Are Constantly Evolving achrnews.com, September 4, 2017 When it comes to talking about emerging refrigeration system architectures for supermarkets, it’s good to start by taking a deep breath. The days of centralized direct-expansion (DX) systems aren’t necessarily over, but those systems have been joined by a host of new technologies, including distributed … Read more

Horticultural LED Job in Russia Is the Largest in History

Horticultural LED

Russian project is ‘largest horticultural LED job in history’ Luxreview.com, September 1, 2017 A MASSIVE installation of LED lighting designed to boost food supply in Russia will be the largest horticultural LED lighting project in history. Over 120,000 luminaires will illuminate a greenhouse growing area of 25 hectares, equivalent in size to about 40 soccer … Read more

London Is Using Wireless Mesh Controls to Connect Street Lights

London connects another 28,000 street lights to wireless mesh controls LEDs Magazine, August 11, 2017 London is connecting another 28,000 LED street lights to wireless mesh controls based on Internet protocols, using a system provided by Silver Spring Networks. Silver Spring said London’s financial district, known as the City of London, as well as the … Read more

Sensor Suitcase Allows Business Owners to Identify Energy Saving Opportunities

This ‘Sensor Suitcase’ Developed by National Labs Helps Trim Energy Use in Commercial Buildings greentechmedia.com, August 21, 2017 Say you just bought a 15-year-old convenience store. You learn that the HVAC system has never been serviced. Digging into a stack of old utility bills leaves you wondering if your already slim margins are being eroded … Read more

Is Carbon Capture the Solution for Climate Change?

David Harary, ERS, for Zondits Catastrophic hurricanes, raging forest fires, flooding and drought. The last two months of summer have shown America glimpses of a new era of climate. The environmental, social, and economic costs of this problem are simply too high to turn a blind eye. Mitigating the adverse effects of climate change starts … Read more

Innovative Technologies Businesses Should Be Aware of That Increase Sustainability

sustainability

Three tips for businesses to improve energy conservation Colorado Biz, August 17, 2017 Commercial and residential buildings are responsible for a considerable amount of energy consumption in the United States, but there are actions that businesses can take to reduce their environmental footprint. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, the commercial and residential building … Read more