This chart shows the United States’ mind-blowing clean energy potential Grist, March 30, 2016. Image credit: Greyerbaby The United States uses about 3.7 million gigawatt-hours of electricity each year. That’s an unfathomably huge number. But the next time someone tries to make the argument that 100 percent renewable energy is out of reach for the U.S., show them this image: … Read more
Want People to Embrace Efficiency Technology? Make It Sexy Huffington Post, January 20, 2016. Image credit: skeeze An American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranked the U.S. among the least energy efficient of the world’s largest economies—13th out of 16—in its most recent international scorecard. (Get the details in Climate Central’s summary.) That’s too … Read more
Bright lights big city: do energy-efficient LED lights cause unexpected ecological damage? PLoS Blogs, March 24, 2016. Image credit: InSapphoWeTrust Planet earth runs on light energy. Light energy from the sun powers photosynthetic processes in plants and different wavelengths of light cue these plants to flower, move their leaves, and grow taller. These same cues influence … Read more
KC company’s revolutionary electric motor: 50% more efficient Kansas City Business Journal, March 21, 2016. Image credit: QM Power Kansas City-based QM Power has developed the most significant innovation in electric motors in 50 years, creating a level of energy efficiency the company expects will revolutionize the market. QM Power’s new Q-Sync Smart Synchronous Motor … Read more
R450A increases efficiency in CO2 cascade Cooling Post, March 20, 2016. Image credit: Honeywell Honeywell is having further success in deploying lower GWP HFO refrigerant blend R450A in combination with CO2 in cascade refrigeration systems. Covirán worked closely with its Logroño-based specialist partner Systemfrost to develop a solution that would combine best-in-class performance with sustainability. Systemfrost … Read more
Cash for cycling? Polluted Milan wants to pay commuters to bike to work The Guardian, February 27, 2016. Image credit: ImpronteDigitali But now Italy’s economic powerhouse, Milan, is seeking to bring back the bicicletta by paying people to cycle to work. The move follows the announcement in December of a €35m (£27m) government fund for sustainable mobility … Read more
Hydronic Zoning Offers Exceptional Comfort, Versatility ACHR News, March 21, 2016. Image credit: Caleefi S.P.A. In forced-air systems, zoning offers a way to control the indoor environment in several different areas throughout the home in order to meet the occupants’ comfort needs. Likewise, hydronic zoning grants residents control over the temperatures in their living spaces … Read more
Governor Cuomo Announces 112,000 Energy Efficiency Projects Initiated Since 2012 Governor NY, March 23, 2016. Image credit: kjubee Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that in the past four years, 112,000 residential and commercial energy efficiency projects have been completed or are currently under development through New York State clean energy programs. These projects will attract … Read more
GREENING VERMONT, BUILDING A MORE RESILIENT FUTURE The Vermont Independent, March 24, 2016. Image credit: johnoghue Here in Vermont, as everywhere, the built environment has a vast impact on the natural environment, human health, and the economy. 40% of our energy consumption comes from the building sector, and buildings also hold the greatest potential for achieving … Read more
Bringing thermal energy store vessels to life Renewable Energy Focus, March 24, 2016. Image credit: Xklaim One energy storage solution that has come to the fore is Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES), which uses liquid air to create an innovative energy reserve that delivers large scale, long duration energy storage. The Government is taking the technology’s … Read more