140 Search Results for "energy"

• Delaware's New Solar Energy Co

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    Delaware Solar Energy Coalition, LLC (DSEC) was founded to represent the interests of solar PV installers, manufacturers, customers, and concerned citizens in the State of Delaware. The organization will advocate for effective public policy solutions on issues affecting the distributed solar energy industry.
    
    The founding member include six of the major solar PV installers in Delaware: Blue Skies Solar & Wind Power, Clean Energy USA, CMI Electric, Eclipse Solar Specialists, Flexera, and KW Solar Solutions.
    
    DSEC's six member companies have contributed more than $27 MM to Delaware's economy since 2007, employ over 130 full and part-time jobs, and installed more than 3,269 KW of clean, renewable, solar power.
    
    To learn more about DSEC, please visit the organization's website at www.delsec.org

     

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• Delaware City Refinery to Clos

  • From: GreenDelaware
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    DOVER - At the direction of Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin P. O’Mara has assembled a team of environmental scientists and engineers to oversee the safe and orderly shutdown and stabilization of the Delaware City Refinery in response to an announcement this morning that owner Valero Energy Corporation is permanently shutting down the facility.
    
    “We have mobilized a team of experts in our air, waste and water programs and are also coordinating with environmental health staff with the Department of Health and Social Services and our counterparts at the Environmental Protection Agency to assure that public health and the environment are protected during this transitional period,” said Secretary O’Mara. “We have been working with the refinery on issues associated with a planned maintenance shutdown of the entire refinery for weeks and are prepared for it. The orderly shutdown of the equipment has already begun with the shutdown in October of one of the refinery’s major processing units.  The remaining units have been operating at reduced rates and will be taken offline in a manner protective of health, safety and the environment.  DNREC staff has been in constant contact with the refinery personnel and have been monitoring the shutdown activities and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of this period.”
    
    “The near complete shutdown of the refinery earlier this year was accomplished without incident. The decision not to restart the equipment presents us with a list of questions and environmental concerns in the long term.  We plan to assess the impacts thoroughly and coordinate with refinery personnel.  Our goal is to ensure that all short and long term risks to our air, water and land are considered and addressed appropriately,” said O’Mara. “Beyond our environmental concerns our thoughts are with the employees and their families as they face this challenging time.”
    
    In addition to closely coordinating with refinery personnel during the shutdown period, DNREC and Department of Health and Social Services staff will be on standby with monitoring and response equipment should any environmental incidents occur.  Longer-term issues associated with permitting, on-going cleanup, removing petroleum products and operational status of the equipment will, in part, depend on the future use of the facility which is obviously unknown at this time. The DNREC team will be assessing these issues in a coordinated, comprehensive fashion.
    
    --source: NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL,  Nov. 20, 2009, Vol. 32, No. 455, For more information contact Melinda Carl or Michael Globetti, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

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• The Shrinking American Home

  • From: susanp
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    During the real estate boom, new home construction became a game of ever increasing square-footage. That had a certain logic to it: if you saw your house as an investment to make you rich, bigger could only mean better: as a contractor a bigger home meant more profit.
    
    Now that the economy has changed and people are realizing the reality of flat home prices, houses are getting smaller - and more efficient (for many reasons). Ninety percent of homebuyers are very concerned about energy prices and most big homes are energy hogs.  Architects and homebuilders are hopefully now considering to how families actually spend time and use space.
     
    What does the new American home look like?
    As soon as you step through the front door the grand entryway usually a two-story foyer (it is very expensive to heat and cool empty space) is giving way to a more modest entrance. Stairs are less about architectural flash and more about getting upstairs (if there is even an upstairs). The new buyer wants the room not the empty space.
     
    The shift in buyers is driving the changing home. People in their 20s-30s want rather simple starters that put minimal space to efficient use. And those who have retired and are no longer interested in high energy and high maintenance homes may want the same thing with. for them we are also seeing high function efficient homes that are also high style.  The big-box house is no longer the market favorite.
     
    The inside of the house is also changing. The great room that first caught on in the early 1990s is undergoing a revival - a large, undelineated family room-breakfast nook-kitchen combination meshes well with attitudes of casualness and flexibility. The formal living room and dining room have become dinosaurs.
     
    Meanwhile, outdoor living space is growing in popularity. There is an increased demand for things like outdoor kitchens and fireplaces so there are no longer the strict divides between how people live inside and outside.
     
    The housing that has been built doesn't fit the market well any longer Which is part of the reason that, even with so many existing homes sitting unsold, we keep building. 
    

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• How Do I know Something is Gre

  • From: susanp
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    HOW DO I KNOW SOMETHING IS GREEN? 

    Now that "green has become such a buzzword we are continually being flooded with  products, building materials, buildings, and services advertising their green product. 

    This now requires the buyer to do due diligence in order to insure that the product or service is really as advertised.

    Fortunately there are now groups (usually non-profit) who offer strict third party certifications Looking for seals such as these can help insure your product is truly green. For consumer products the best option would be Good Housekeeping Green. It still can be a challenge to find the right builder since LEED and NAHB do not have builders listed on their site. 

    ENERGYSTAR                                                                               This blue and white symbol can be found on products, applainces and now homes that have qualified as more energy efficient. To earn the ENERGY STAR, products must meet strict energy criteria that have been set in place by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Department of Energy. These products include refrigerators, dish washers and light bulbs. You will see many builders advertising themselves as EnergyStar, to check this go to the website where you will find a list of all builders who are currently rated as EnergyStar. It is also important to understand that many ES products are only as good as the people who install them
     

    USGBC  (LEED)

    The United States Green Building Council is an internationally recognized green building certification system,  providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. There are four levels of certifications certified, silver, gold and platinum. There are only a few of these in lower Delaware (look at the Center for the Inland Bays). Unless you are passionately commited to building a completely sustainable home, this designation carries larger costs.

    
     

    NAHB GREEN

    NAHB's National Green Building Program is the first residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive American National Standards Institute approval. The four threshold levels - Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald - allow builders to achieve entry-level green building, or the highest level of sustainable "green" building incorporating energy savings of 60% or more. Single-family & multi-unit homes, residential remodeling projects, and site developments are all covered in the Standard.You will find that many of the fine builders in this area have added NAHB Green to their credentails.
    
    

    Good Housekeeping Green Seal - This label bares a strong resemblance to its famous counterpart with the distinction of it's color (green). The Green Good Housekeeping Seal will debut later this year, after the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and a consultancy firm complete development of product evaluation criteria. To be eligible for the green seal, a product must meet the criteria for the original seal of approval, as well as meet standards related to product composition, manufacturing and packaging.

     

    GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality                                           These planet-toting logos can be found on building materials that are manufactured to help "improve indoor air." The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is a nonprofit organization that oversees the certification programs for building materials and indoor products. These logos let a consumer know that the products are regularly tested to meet chemical and particle emissions acceptable under IAQ pollutant guidelines and standards.

     

    Scientific Certification Systems -  This independent company gives certification of environmental, sustainability, food quality and food purity claims for products across the globe. Their extensive network covers consumer goods such as produce, fisheries, forestry, eco-products and floral.

     

    ARE YOU BAFFLED YET?

    If this seems a little baffling.... that's because it is and it has taken me quite a while to get a handle on it. As part of the services Green Realtors offer their clients is the ability to help them decide what kind of home they want and recommend those professionals who would be the best person to help them.

    The myth that an energy efficient home or green home is only for those who can spend a lot of money is really...just a myth

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• Geothermal Savings Negate Upfr

  • From: GreenDelaware
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    Geothermal Savings Negate Upfront Costs
    Posted By: Jamie  on 11/16/2009
    

    It's too soon to know how much he'll save on his monthly energy bills, but Dave Maas has been pleased so far with his home's new geothermal heating and cooling system.

    "It seems to have heated the house on cold days and seems be cooling our house much better than our old system on warm days," said Maas, New Palestine.
    
    November 14, 2009, by Angie Hicks
    Published by Indianapolis Star 
    Photo: Dave Maas says the only drawback to installing a geothermal system was having his backyard torn up. Credit: Indianapolis Star
    
    Geothermal units tap into energy that comes from heat sources deep in the earth, eliminating the need for fuel to heat or cool a home. The units use a loop system in which piping is buried underground and brings heat from the earth into the home during the winter. In the summer, it does the reverse and draws heat from the home back into the earth.
    
    

    "The only downside I've experienced with the system had to do with the fact they had to tear up my backyard in order to put the loop in," Maas said.

    Geothermal units actually produce more energy than it takes to operate them. It's clean energy with few carbon emissions, and delivers up to $5 of energy for every $1 used. That translates into an efficiency rating of 500 percent. By comparison, the best gas furnaces are about 95 percent efficient.

    Maas began researching heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems after deciding it was time to replace his 23-year-old furnace and air conditioner.

    Geothermal systems cost more than traditional systems -- Maas estimates he spent about $15,000 for his. But homeowners can recoup 30 percent of a unit's cost through an energy federal tax credit. Lower energy bills also mean year-round savings.

    "It made the number come out a lot closer between a traditional heat pump furnace system and a geothermal system," Maas said of the savings. "I thought for the long run, the geothermal made more sense for me, so I went ahead and paid the higher price -- with the understanding that next year I'll get the tax credit applied to my tax return."

    The U.S. Department of Energy says 43 percent of the typical homeowner's energy bill goes toward heating and cooling. Geothermal heat pumps are highly efficient and cost little to operate.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates homeowners with geothermal systems can save 30 percent to 70 percent on heating and 20 percent to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems.

    Not every heating and cooling company installs geothermal units, so it's important for homeowners to do their research before making a purchase. Loop installers are certified by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.

    Industry experts estimate that geothermal units, which also heat water in homes, will average twice the lifespan of traditional heating and cooling units.

    The units are self-contained, so there is no separate air-conditioner, and they operate more quietly than conventional units.

    "It's considered green technology," said Rusty Burch, owner of Plainfield-based Total Comfort Solutions. "It's really a super quiet operation. You can hardly hear it running."
    
    Source: IndyStar

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• Energy Star Homes Reach 1 Mill

  • From: GreenDelaware
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    Energy Star Homes Reach 1 Million, EPA Says
    
    One million energy-efficient homes qualifying for the Energy Star rating have been built in the U.S. since the program was launched in 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency said.
    
    This year, Energy Star households will save $270 million -- or an average of $200 to $400 each -- on utility bills. The homes, which tend to be at least 15% more energy efficient than standard homes, will also avoid more than 4 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
    
    Nearly 17% of all single-family homes built in 2008 qualified for Energy Star, compared with 12% the year before.  Across the country, more than 6,500 are building to the program’s standards.
    
    The EPA also released a list of the top 20 cities for Energy Star homes, lead by the Houston area, with 144,420 total homes built. Following were Dallas, Las Vegas and Phoenix regions, with the Los Angeles sprawl rounding out the top five with 53,673 homes.
    
    1.Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas: 144,420
    2.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas: 102,872
    3.Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev.: 79,929
    4.Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.: 73,021
    5.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario: 53,673
    6.New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.: 25,168
    7.Tucson: 18,970
    8.San Antonio: 18,847
    9.Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, Calif.: 18,208
    10.San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos: 17,515
    11.Columbus, Ohio: 17,396
    12.Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa: 16,400
    13.Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.: 13,675
    14.Austin-Round Rock, Texas: 13,232
    15.Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.: 12,454
    16.San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont: 10,523
    17.Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass., and N.H.: 10,192
    18.Denver-Aurora, Colo.: 7,809
    19.Orlando-Kissimmee, Fla.: 7,619
    20.Oklahoma City, Okl.: 7,498
    
    

    Energy Star is run jointly by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.
    
    Posted By: Jamie--GreenBuildingTalk.com on 11/10/2009  - Source: Los Angeles Times

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• Know Your Options When Insulat

  • From: GreenDelaware
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    We’re just about ready to insulate our basement game room and have been exploring a number of options for achieving maximum efficiency. I thought our research might help a few of you out there who are looking to tackle this job on your own.  For those of you who haven’t been following along with the project, here’s a brief summary of where we are today, with several pictures of the unfinished wall space.  (If you want to see the layout, follow that link to see the finished basement layout).
    
    One Project Closer
    Basement Wall Construction & 2×4 Wall Studs
    
    The basement walls are constructed of stacked cinder block.  The front half of the house is completely underground, while the back of the house is mostly at ground level, with a small area about 2-3 feet underground.  The house has decent grading that keeps water away from the foundation, but moisture was still a problem in a few sections.
    
    We used a combination of Super Thoroseal and SunnyDry foundation waterproofers to seal out the remaining moisture, and regraded the gardens in the front of the house.  Together, the results have yielded good results, we haven’t had any moisture problems since.
    
    
    
    While we’ve taken precaution to ensure the wall seal is tight and that no water is leaking, we still want an insulation product that is mold resistant, since I have a lingering fear that moisture could seep back in at some point in the future (say, due to settling of the foundation and a break in the seal).
    
    We framed the basement walls using traditional 2×4 stud walls fastened to a pressure treated 2×4 bottom board.  We briefly considered metal stud framing, but still like the solidity and rigidity of wood, so we stuck with what we knew. The walls are not fastened to the cinder block (as that would penetrate the water tight seal). Instead, the walls are fastened to the joists above, and we used powder charge nailer to fasten the bottom board in place.
    
    We left about a 1 inch gap between the cinder block and the stud wall to provide extra space for wall insulation, figuring we’d need that to get maximum efficiency.

    
    R-13 Fiberglass Basement Wall Insulation
    
    The first option up for consideration is fiberglass batting: the traditional R13 pink fiberglass available at the big box store.
    
    Fiberglass Pros: Fiberglass is good because it’s relatively cheap; it doesn’t require any special installation tools; it can be brought to the house using a standard pickup truck; and, it can be installed by hand in a single day.
    
    Fiberglass Cons: The drawback of fiberglass is that it doesn’t provide great R-value (about R3 / inch), and it can be susceptible to mold with unfavorable moisture conditions.  Fiberglass is considered a mold resistant product; however we’ve seen several instances of molding fiberglass batting, including the fiberglass we removed from this basement when we started working it.  Fiberglass also doesn’t fill every nook and cranny of the walls, leaving gaps for air to circulate, which ultimately contributes to energy loss.  These air gaps are not considered in the reported R value of the insulation, making the effective R value much lower.
    
    We ultimately decided against fiberglass because we’ve had a pretty significant draft in the basement and even with fiberglass installed, this draft will still be leaching energy from the room.

    
    Wet Cellulose Wall Insulation
    
    The second option up for consideration is wet cellulose insulation.  We looked at products like NuWool Wall Seal Insulation, a sprayed-in wet cellulose insulation.
    
    Wet Cellulose Pros: Wet cellulose is a sticky cellulose product sprayed into the stud walls.  The R-value is slightly higher than fiberglass at about R4 / inch. The main advantage of wet cellulose over fiberglass is it’s ability to fill the cracks and voids that fiberglass batting leaves open, providing a much tighter building envelope.  It has a number of other advantages including being highly fire resistant and eco-friendly. It Provides a slightly more cost-effective solution than spray foam products, but does not offer as tight a seal.
    
    Wet Cellulose Cons: Higher cost than fiberglass (but worth it considering the added insulation value and energy savings); requires special installation tools and entails a somewhat “messy” installation.  Would be best performed by a contractor, although DIY kits are available and we considered these.  Cellulose is mold resistant but still susceptible to mold in the least ideal environments.
    
    We decided against wet cellulose insulation because spray foam offered a better alternative.  If you’re looking for cellulose installation instructions, Todd provides them at that link.

    
    Spray Foam Insulation: Open Cell Insulation
    
    The third and fourth options up for consideration are spray foam insulation products.  I’m starting with open cell insulation because it’s less expensive and not the option we ultimately chose. That said, open cell insulation is a good product that can be very cost efficient for many installations.
    
    Open cell spray foam insulation is a chemical product that is sprayed onto the wall and then expands to fill the space.  The term Open Cell refers to the cell structure of the resulting foam, which cures to a sponge-like material with millions of tiny open bubbles. The consistency is similar to angel food cake. The chemicals are mixed on site using a special compressor and gun system.  The compressor may heat the foam to a required temperature.  When sprayed on the walls, the foam sticks and expands in place.
    
    Open Cell Foam Pros: Open cell foam is sprayed in place and expands to fill the space.  It creates a better seal that spray cellulose and provides a comparable R-value in most installations (about R4, slightly higher than fiberglass).  Spray foam is nice because it can be sprayed blindly into a cavity and will fill the space of that cavity.
    
    Open cell foam expands to 100 times its spray-on size, making it extremely good for filling voids and relatively cost efficient.  It is also nice because it stays somewhat flexible, which is good for ensuring flat drywall installation.
    
    Open Cell Foam Cons: Open cell foam does not provide as tight a seal as closed sell foam because the bubbles are broken and it is easier for air to flow between the cells.  Unlike closed cell foam products, open-cell foam products are generally filled with air.  Closed cell products can be filled with a chemical that is much less efficient at transferring heat that air, leading to greater energy efficiency.  Also, closed cell products can nearly double the insulation performance of open cell products.

    
    Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation (Selected Option)
    
    Closed cell spray foam is very similar to its open cell counterpart, with the exception that the bubbles in closed cell foam are ‘closed’ and so do not permit any air flow.  You can think of closed cell foam as a very tight honeycomb of closed cells that are waterproof and air tight.
    
    Closed cell foam can come in a range of different cured hardnesses, all the way up to foam that can support human weight.  Closed cell spray foams can also be designed so that they cure with bubbles filled with non-air chemicals that improve energy efficiency.
    
    Closed Cell Foam Pros: Closed cell foams offer very high R-values (R7.5 per inch!).  Closed cell foam completes the building envelope and tightly seals gaps to prevent air flow.  Closed cell foam is highly mold resistant and also provides a vapor barrier for the installation.
    
    Closed Cell Foam Cons: Best performed by a professional installer, although DIY kits do exist.  Significantly higher price than fiberglass, but offers a superior seal.
    Recommended Method
    
    While closed cell spray foam is slightly more expensive than other methods, it offers high R-value with the best mold resistance.  Given that we’ve invested thousands of dollars in radiant floor heating, we believe that the higher cost is justified and would recommend this method.
    
    Continue at One Project Closer   

    
    By: Jamie  11/10/2009 - source:GreenBuildingTalk.com

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• U.S.-China Clean Energy Announ

  • From: GreenDelaware
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    Beijing, China - Today, President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy.   Please see the attached fact sheets for additional details on each of the U.S-China clean energy announcements.
    
    1.  U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center.  The two Presidents announced the establishment of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center.   The Center will facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies by teams of scientists and engineers from the United States and China, as well as serve as a clearinghouse to help researchers in each country.  The Center will be supported by public and private funding of at least $150 million over five years, split evenly between the two countries.  Initial research priorities will be building energy efficiency, clean coal including carbon capture and storage, and clean vehicles.  The Protocol formally establishing the Center was signed in Beijing by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang, and Chinese National Energy Agency Acting Administrator Zhang Guobao. U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Clean Energy Research Center
    

    2.  U.S.-China Electric Vehicles Initiative.  The two Presidents announced the launch of the U.S.-China Electric Vehicles Initiative.  Building on the first-ever US-China Electric Vehicle Forum in September 2009, the initiative will include joint standards development, demonstration projects in more than a dozen cities, technical roadmapping and public education projects.  The two leaders emphasized their countries’ strong shared interest in accelerating the deployment of electric vehicles in order to reduce oil dependence, cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth. U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Electric Vehicles Initiative
    
    3.  U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action Plan.  The two Presidents announced the launch of a new U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action Plan.  Under the new plan, the two countries will work together to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, industrial facilities, and consumer appliances.  U.S. and Chinese officials will work together and with the private sector to develop energy efficient building codes and rating systems, benchmark industrial energy efficiency, train building inspectors and energy efficiency auditors for industrial facilities, harmonize test procedures and performance metrics for energy efficient consumer products, exchange best practices in energy efficient labeling systems, and convene  a new U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum to be held annually, rotating between the two countries. U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Energy Efficiency Action Plan
    
    4.  U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership.   The two Presidents announced the launch of a new U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership.  Under the Partnership, the two countries will develop roadmaps for wide-spread renewable energy deployment in both countries.  The Partnership will also provide technical and analytical resources to states and regions in both countries to support renewable energy deployment and will facilitate state-to-state and region-to-region partnerships to share experience and best practices.  A new Advanced Grid Working Group will bring together U.S. and Chinese policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and civil society to develop strategies for grid modernization in both countries.  A new U.S.-China Renewable Energy Forum will be held annually, rotating between the two countries. U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Renewable Energy Partnership
    
    5.  21st Century Coal.  The two Presidents pledged to promote cooperation on cleaner uses of coal, including large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects.  Through the new U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, the two countries are launching a program of technical cooperation to bring teams of U.S. and Chinese scientists and engineers together in developing clean coal and CCS technologies.  The two governments are also actively engaging industry, academia, and civil society in advancing clean coal and CCS solutions.  The Presidents welcomed: (i) a grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to the China Power Engineering and Consulting Group Corporation to support a feasibility study for an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant in China using American technology, (ii) an agreement by Missouri-based Peabody Energy to participate in GreenGen, a project of several major Chinese energy companies to develop a near-zero emissions coal-fired power plant, (iii) an agreement between GE and Shenhua Corporation to collaborate on the development and deployment of IGCC and other clean coal technologies; and (iv) an agreement between AES and Songzao Coal and Electric Company to use methane captured from a coal mine in Chongqing, China, to generate electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. U.S.-China Fact Sheet on 21st Century Coal
    
    6.  Shale Gas Initiative.  The two Presidents announced the launch of a new U.S.-China Shale Gas Resource Initiative.  Under the Initiative, the U.S. and China will use experience gained in the United States to assess China’s shale gas potential, promote environmentally-sustainable development of shale gas resources, conduct joint technical studies to accelerate development of shale gas resources in China, and promote shale gas investment in China through the U.S.-China Oil and Gas Industry Forum, study tours, and workshops. U.S.-China Fact Sheet on Shale Gas Initiative
    
    7.  U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program.  The two Presidents announced the establishment of the U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program.  The program will leverage private sector resources for project development work in China across a broad array of clean energy projects, to the benefit of both nations.  More than 22 companies are founding members of the program.  The ECP will include collaborative projects on renewable energy, smart grid, clean transportation, green building, clean coal, combined heat and power, and energy efficiency.
    
    --November 17, 2009 - source:Energy.gov

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• Book Review: Sustainable Energ

  • From: GreenDelaware
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    Book Review: Sustainable Energy -– Without the Hot Air, by David JC MacKay
    
    I recently finished reading  a book I strongly recommend to anyone interested in sustainable development and energy. It is packed with figures and findings that I believe will easily start discussions among CleanTechies.
    
    The author, David JC MacKay, is Professor in the Department of Physics at Cambridge University and was recently appointed Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change responsible for the Low Carbon Transition Plan.
    
    One of the main findings of this book is that electrifying our cars and installing heat pumps in our buildings would enable us to cut significantly both our greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Both solutions are much more efficient than the current traditional ones and could benefit from massive electrification to answer all our energy needs.
    
    Below is a selection of the book’s key findings:
    
    Sustainable Electricity: MacKay believes that the UK and Europe in general can’t count solely on renewables. He shows that wind, biofuels, hydro, solar PV and other energy sources don’t add up enough energy to answer our current needs and will do so to an even lesser extent in the future, once we have a strong electrified transport sector.
    
    So we need a plan that provides additional resources, for example concentrated solar (like the Desertec project), or nuclear, or a combination of both. Clean coal may also add up enough electricity if proven viable.
    
    North American Energy Consumption: The author notes that the continent should first and foremost decrease energy consumption from 250 kWh per person per day to the current European or Japanese levels of 125 kWh. This could enable the continent to rely solely on renewables with the installation of concentrated solar in its deserts.
    
    European Energy Consumption: With Europeans consuming the equivalent of 125 kWh per day per person, we see a breakdown of transport accounting for 40 kWh per day, and heating for another 40 kWh. Delivered electricity amounts to 18 kWh but due to the inefficiencies of the system, this comes from 45 kWh of energy. With improved efficiency, we could go from the current 125 to around 80 kWh, a figure similar to that of Hong Kong. (This simplification for the sake of the argument doesn’t take into certain factors that are are tackled in detail in the book.)
    
    Future Scenarios: In chapter 27, the author gives five examples for plans that add up enough electricity. The baseline plan is as follow: Clean coal 16 kWh per day per person, nuclear 16, tide and wave 5.7, hydro 0.1, waste 1.1, pumped heat 12, wood 5, solar thermal 1, biofuels 2, solar PV 3 and wind 8. The four other plans give more or less importance to each of these energy sources. In one plan, nuclear accounts for 44 kWh when in another plan, wind energy accounts for 32 kWh.
    
    Transportation: Today, electric cars need as little as 15 kWh for 100 kilometers while models running on oil need 70 to 90 kWh. Hence, electric cars are already five times more efficient than current conventional models. (Side note: SUVs – also called spaceships by the author – need around 120 kWh…) High speed rail and other sustainable alternatives also have to be pushed forward. A full high speed train only consumes as little as 3 kWh per passenger, and biking consumes even less: 1 kWh.
    
    Housing and buildings: The author is an advocate of both retrofitting and reducing the winter thermostat from 20°C to 17°C, which alone brings savings of 30% (page 292). By combining both solutions, David MacKay halved his heating bills. With a coefficient of performance (COP) of 4 to 5, heat pumps retrieve the heat contained in the outside air or soil and distribute it indoors. Another advantage of this solution is that it can bring air conditioning during hotter days.
    
    The book is available for free on the official website. You can download it in one document or read it per chapter. The paper version can be bought for around $32 / €22. Published this year, it is up to date and explains simply but most effectively (and with a good sense of humor) how we can create a low carbon energy economy.
    
    Grade : 20/20. A must read.
    
    Readability: Maximum as it brings a lot of data.
    
    Further information: MacKay in a recent article on the BBC – most interesting.
    
    
    --by Edouard Stenger - source: blog.cleantechies.com

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• Green Window Treatment by Red

  • From: Livingwellmagazine
  • Description:

    If you want green window treatment for your home or office.. Call Brian at Red Star Decorating! 302-454-7827. From wood, to shutters, to custom drapery. Energy efficent products at reasonable prices for your home. Email redstardecorating@comcast.net

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• Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creat

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    Senators Introduce Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act

    Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. and Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., have introduced the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act. The legislation will provide a tax credit to support solar manufacturing in the U.S.
    
    Currently, a 30% solar investment tax credit (SITC) exists for the investment in or installation of solar power technology, Stabenow's office notes. Under the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act, equipment and facilities used to manufacture solar power technology would be added to the eligible property list for the SITC.
    
    Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., plans to introduce the companion legislation in the House later this month, Stabenow’s office says.
    
    "Not long ago, the U.S. was the leading global manufacturer of photovoltaic solar cells," said Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch in a statement of support for the bill. "But we've fallen behind Europe and Asia because we didn’t have the right policies in place.
    
    "By extending and expanding the solar manufacturing tax credit, we’ll have the support necessary to compete with other countries and continue creating jobs in the solar industry," Resch continued.
    
    SOURCES: Office Of Sen. Debbie Stabenow; Solar Energy Industries Association

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• Home Energy Tax Credits to Sav

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    Home energy tax credits are available for solar energy, energy efficiency, biodiesel and hybrid cars, home solar panels and more. See which federal home energy tax credits you can claim in 2009.

    When Congress passed the financial bailout bill late last year, it included a range of federal tax credits and cash gifts for businesses -- but also a suite of new and renewed tax credits for individuals who want to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their home or cars. When President Obama signed the economic stimulus bill in February, the federal government expanded and extended some of those credits.

    So what's in it for homeowners and other regular taxpayers? There are several important provisions anyone can take advantage of (changes made by the economic stimulus bill are in bold). This list includes:

    $1,500 Home Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

    You can claim a home tax credit for energy efficiency improvements made in 2009 (but not for improvements made in 2008) if you installed new insulation, energy-efficient windows or an energy-efficient furnace, boiler or air conditioner.

    A tax credit of up to $500 that expired in 2007 has been renewed for 2009 by the bailout bill, and expanded to $1,500 by the economic stimulus bill. It covers up to 30% (expanded from 10% by the economic stimulus bill) of the cost of a range of projects that meet certain specifications. Do $5,000 worth of qualifying work, and you not only get a $1,500 rebate, but also savings on energy bills for years to come.

    The economic stimulus bill also stripped out most caps on individual home improvements, which had applied to windows, heating equipment and other energy efficiency improvements.

    Note that the tax credit applies only to equipment, not labor.

    Find more information about these home energy efficiency tax credits at the Alliance to Save Energy or Energy Star or Department of Energy Websites. Note that much of this information reflects the tax incentives in place in 2006 and 2007; for the most part, the 2009 tax credits are identical, but check updated criteria for which products qualify, for instance.

    30% On Home Energy Tax Credits for Geothermal, Solar, Wind Turbines or Fuel Cells

    The economic stimulus bill removed the $2,000 cap that had applied to geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and other home renewable energy technology. The 30% tax rebate on qualified solar energy systems remains in place on geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and fuel cell systems.

    Ground-source heat pumps are installed underground and use the constant 50-degree subsurface temperature to cool air or water in the summer, and heat it in the winter — both of which reduce the cost of heating or cooling year round.

    In addition, the solar energy tax credit, which had been set to expire, is now good through 2016. $500 Home Energy Tax Credits for Fuel Cells or Microturbines

    The tax incentive that had covered 30% of the cost of fuel cell or microturbine systems in homes, which lapsed in 2008, has been restored for 2009 and through 2016. It covers up to $500 per 0.5 kw of capacity.

    $7,500 Energy Tax Credits for Plug-in Hybrid Cars

    The first 200,000 buyers of plug-in hybrid vehicles from each manufacturer now qualify for a $7,500 tax rebate.

    A similar tax credit for hybrid vehicles had been capped at $3,500 before the bailout bill.

    $2,500 for Plug-in Electric Motorcycles or Low-Speed or Three-Wheeled Vehicles

    The economic stimulus bill established a 10% tax credit through 2011 with a cap of $2,500 for new electric plug-in motorcycles, low-speed and three-wheeled vehicles. There's also a 10% tax rebate and a $4,000 cap for converting an existing vehicle to a plug-in.

    $50,000 for Installing a Clean Fuel Refueling System

    While few homeowners may be ready to take advantage, those who want to install a clean fuel refueling system, like a natural gas refueler or a recharging system for a plug-in electric vehicle, can now qualify for up to $50,000 -- up from $30,000 -- if the system is installed in 2009 or 2010, thanks to the stimulus bill. Go with hydrogen and the credit increases to $200,000, and you have until 2014 to take advantage of it.

    Wildcard: State Energy Tax Credits

    Keep your eyes out for new incentives from your state, since the bill also authorizes an $800 million government bond program that encourages states to create incentives for new and existing energy conservation and related programs. Some of that money is likely to be used toward state tax breaks and other incentives that will vary by location. Among the incentives to watch for is up to $6,500 per qualifying home in the Weatherization Assistance Program. The Department of Energy's Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which provides grants to states and local governments that trickle down to individuals, had its budget increased nearly 10-fold. Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy & Efficiency for more federal, state and local grants, rebates and incentives.

     

    --source --TheDailyGreen.com

    
    
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• 8 Ways To Bring Some Eco-Roman

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    8 Ways To Bring Some Eco-Romance Into Your Fall
    
    Enjoy a good vintage. In the mood for a festive and romantic drink? Try sipping a glass of organic champagne. Nothing will put you in a romantic mood faster than sharing a taste of champagne together. The demand for organic champagne is growing quickly, so there are several good choices available. Try NV Pascal Doquet Premier Cru Rosé with its hints of rose and strawberry. Or NV Albert Mann Crémant d’Alsace which has apple, citrus and floral notes.
    
    Take a walk. Take advantage of the cooler temps to walk hand-in-hand with your sweetie through the tree-lined streets of your neighborhood or park. Walk to the store to pick up those last minute items for Thanksgiving. Stroll to the mailbox to drop off your holiday greeting cards or simply window shop together. In the middle of the hectic holiday season, walking together gives you time to reconnect and share your day. Now that’s romantic.
    
    Light a fire. Turn off the furnace and heat up the old fashioned way... with a fire! What could be more romantic than a cozy blanket stretched out in front of a roaring fire. Take advantage of the romantic glow and snuggle up. If you’re hungry, add some old fashioned popcorn. Using your fireplace will save on energy consumption and when the fire has burned out, you can spread the ash in your garden to help feed your plants over the winter.
    
    Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle. Why not spend an evening gazing into each other’s eyes by candlelight? Have dinner, play a game or just talk to each other. No matter what activity you choose, everyone looks good by candlelight. Candlelight promotes conversation and intimacy. For a super-sexy choice, try 100% soy Candles By Claire. Not only do they melt into massage oil as they burn, but they are also 100% Vegan (not petroleum based) and produce 99% less soot than paraffin candles.

    
    Dine Alfresco. Who says you can’t enjoy a fall picnic. Put on your warmest sweater and carry your meal to the park or the lake. Take in the crisp air and the beauty of fallen leaves while you cuddle your significant other. Picnics are all about anticipation, so enjoy it! You really don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing for a romantic picnic. Grab a loaf of crusty bread and bottle of organic wine. (Find 5 good selections at The Daily Green.) Throw in a few other traditional aphrodisiacs like almonds and figs, if you like. Maybe add a good organic goat cheese with italian herbs from Coon Ridge Farms. And don’t forget something sweet. Perhaps some eco-friendly chocolates from Fat Turkey Chocolate in Austin, Texas. Gobble, gobble!
    
    Sleep under the stars. Grab your sleeping bag and head for the great outdoors. Time to enjoy an unobstructed view of the heavens, and get romantic. I mean, what could be sexier than two people huddled together in one sleeping bag?
    
    Take A Bath...Together. What better way to conserve water and warm up on a cold evening. You’ll be doing your part to help save the environment, and having some fun, too. Spice things up with a bath sachet. Take a small square of linen or cheese cloth. Add a cinnamon stick, a few whole cloves and some orange peels. Tie with a piece of cotton twine and toss in your warm bath water. Let steep while you bathe. Or add a few drop of Nutmeg Essential Oil from Essential Aura Aromatherapy.
    
    Volunteer Together. Doing good feels so good, doesn’t it? What could be sexier than doing it together? (Oops, almost made it through the whole article without a pun.) But seriously, all that hard work. All that helping and relying on each other to see a project though. All that feeling good about doing good. Get it? So do some good, together. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. Delivery gift baskets from your church or work at a pet adoption. But do it together. It’s the romantic thing to do. Now get busy!

     

    --source:Greenopolis.com

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• Swiss Zinc-Air Batteries Store

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    A Swiss company has introduced a rechargeable zinc-air battery that has three times the storage of lithium ion batteries and costs only half as much.
    
    ReVolt plans to commercialize a small version of the battery for use in hearing aids by next year, and then continue introducing larger versions, including batteries for cellphones and electric bicycles — and, perhaps eventually, electric cars.
    
    The technology is based on a battery designed by the Norwegian research institute SINTEF.
    
    While the typical battery contains the reactants needed to generate electricity, zinc-air batteries utilize oxygen from the atmosphere, which makes them less volatile and allows for a larger storage capacity.
    
    Company officials say the new battery overcomes one of the critical drawbacks of typical zinc-air batteries — they tend to stop working after a few charges. ReVolt has developed techniques to reduce the damage to the electrodes that convert oxygen into the hydroxyl ions that oxidize the zinc. The prototype lasts for more than 100 recharge cycles, according to James McDougal, ReVolt’s CEO. He hopes to increase that to 300 to 500 cycles before the technology is ready to be used in cellphones and electric bicycles.
    
    Article appearing courtesy of Yale Environment 360 - source: CleanTechies.com, photo credit: ReVolt

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• NRG Energy, Inc. Enters Offsho

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    NRG Energy, Inc. Enters Offshore Wind Business with Acquisition of Bluewater Wind

    —Leading offshore wind development company provides NRG with first-mover advantage and currently has the only long-term power purchase agreement in the country executed for an offshore wind park—

    PRINCETON, NJ; November 9, 2009—NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) has acquired Bluewater Wind (Bluewater), one of nation’s leading offshore wind development businesses, from Babcock & Brown and Arcadia Windpower. This acquisition combines Bluewater’s strong project pipeline of offshore wind parks in the northeast—one of NRG’s core regions—with NRG’s own successful development, engineering, procurement and construction teams. The transaction was funded with cash on hand, for an undisclosed sum.

    

    “As public policy trends toward ever-increasing renewable portfolio standards at the state and federal levels, each region of the country will seek to comply with projects that tap the best renewable resource from within that region. There is no doubt that offshore wind is the highest potential renewable resource proximate to the population centers along the eastern seaboard of the United States,” said David Crane, President and CEO, NRG Energy, Inc. “Acquiring an experienced offshore developer like Bluewater, with good projects already in the development pipeline, gives NRG first mover advantage in this potentially lucrative market.”

    Bluewater brings an experienced development team currently working on more than seven offshore projects in the Northeast, including projects in Delaware and New Jersey in advanced stages of development. Bluewater has a 25-year, 200 megawatt power purchase agreement (PPA) with Delmarva Power & Light Company that has been approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission and other state agencies. In New Jersey, the company is one of three preferred developers awarded a $4 million rebate from the state to build a meteorological tower, which collects wind data, for offshore projects. Bluewater also has proposed several offshore wind projects in other Northeast locations.

    Bluewater’s existing development team will become NRG employees, working out of Bluewater’s office in Hoboken, NJ. The company’s President and founder, Peter Mandelstam, will remain President of Bluewater Wind and also serve as head of NRG’s offshore wind development efforts. “Bluewater Wind is excited to continue developing our portfolio of offshore wind parks with a premier energy generation company like NRG,” said Mandelstam. “By joining forces with NRG, Bluewater Wind will enhance its development expertise, as well as access to capital for the development and construction of these projects. NRG’s commitment to increase its portfolio of low and no carbon generation assets, and its membership in the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, is a good fit with Bluewater Wind’s mission to provide clean, stable-priced, renewable energy.”

    

     

    About NRG NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, owns and operates one of the country’s largest and most diverse power generation portfolios. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, the Company’s power plants provide more than 24,000 megawatts of generation capacity—enough to supply more than 20 million homes. NRG’s retail business, Reliant Energy, serves more than 1.6 million residential, business, commercial and industrial customers in Texas. A past recipient of the energy industry’s highest honors—Platts Industry Leadership and Energy Company of the Year awards, NRG is a member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of business and environmental organizations calling for mandatory legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com or www.nrg-econrg.com.

    About Bluewater Wind Bluewater Wind is one of the nation's leading developers of offshore wind energy projects, and a tireless advocate of wind as a clean, safe, and stable-priced means to meet our energy needs. The Bluewater team has many years of combined experience in the wind, energy, environmental, finance, public policy, and marine sectors. More information is available at www.bluewaterwind.com.

    Safe Harbor Disclosure This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include statements regarding Bluewater’s wind development and typically can be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe” and similar terms. Although the Company believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, weather conditions, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, unanticipated outages at our generation facilities, adverse results in current and future litigation, and the inability to implement value enhancing improvements to plant operations and companywide processes.

    NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included herein should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG’s future results included in NRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

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• Eat Local (and sustainable!)

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    One of the most popular food trends in the past year or two has been local food. So why is eating local all the rage, and what can you do to be part of this growing movement?

    What is local?

    We need to start by defining the word local. It has different meanings to different people, but I define local as being as close to home as possible. With food, that would mean buying food raised or produced as close to your home as possible.

    To purists, or locavores, local means buying food within a set radius, such as 50 or 100 miles. To others, local means as far as a day’s drive from where you live. Because geography and growing is different around the country (and world), I opt for a more flexible definition.

    Technically, this means that any food you buy close to your home is local, even conventional or industrially produced food. So inherent within the local label is the concept of sustainable. Try to avoid food from a large industrial operation, no matter how close to your home it is. The best way to tell if a farm is industrial is to find out how big it is and how diverse its products are. A very large farm producing only one crop is most likely industrial – when you plant the same crop on many acres, you attract pests, which means you have to use pesticides. So focus on smaller farms, ones that have different types of crops, and find out what their growing practices are.

    When you’re shopping for local food, look for local sustainable food from a small independent family farm. That means minimal chemical pesticides and fertilizers were used, the land and everything on it was treated with respect, and every effort was made to provide you with the most wholesome, nutritious food. In general, smaller farms are more sustainable because they tend to grow a variety of crops and undertake conservation practices such as crop rotation, so they usually have less problems with pests. But it’s always wise to find out exactly how your food was produced before you make the decision to buy and eat it.

    Why buy local?

    There are many reasons to buy local, including –

    - Taste. Local sustainable food is most often picked when ripe because transport time to market is so small. It is also usually grown with minimal inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This provides you with better tasting food.

    - Better for you. Food raised close to home will not be shipped long distances so will be harvested when ripe, giving you optimal nutrition. Industrial food shipped long distances is harvested before ripe, shipped, and sometimes sprayed with chemicals to preserve or forcibly ripen it.

     

    - Helps the environment. By not shipping food such long distances, less pollution is emitted and less waste is created. There is a debate over whether individual farms driving to markets pollutes more than shipping food in large containers on trains or ships. The key problem with long distance shipping is the processing and packaging necessary to transport the food such long distances – processing uses more energy than the shipping – so you’re still better off buying local.

    - Supports family farms. 80 to 90 percent of the money you spend at a local farmers market goes to the farmer, thus helping to provide a fair wage. Most farmers now hold off-the-farm jobs in order to pay the bills – by supporting the farmer directly, you are helping to support one of our oldest American traditions.

    - Helps local communities. Small family farms are much more likely to spend their money locally, both on feed and farming inputs, and also on regular services like restaurants and stores. Studies have shown that local farms help boost local communities. Industrial farms tend to get their farm inputs from outside the community with the owners often living off the property.

    Be local

    Below are ideas on what you can do to join the local revolution.

    - Farmers markets. Farmers markets have sprung up all around the country. According to the USDA, farmers markets in the U.S. increased from 1,755 in 1994 to 5,274 in 2009. Between 2008 and 2009 alone, the number of farmers markets increased 13 percent. Check out the USDA’s site to find a farmers market near you.

    - CSA’s. CSA stands for community supported agriculture. You purchase a share in a farmer’s crop before the season starts. This helps the farmer buy seeds and necessary supplies. You then reap a portion of the season’s bounty. Visit the Eat Well Guide to find a CSA near you.

    - Buying Clubs. Less well known but increasing in popularity are buying clubs. These are simply a group of people – from a little as a few families to 100 people – who purchase food together in order to buy in bulk at wholesale prices. You can go through a distributor or with a little extra effort, work with local farmers to set up your own distribution network. Buying club members work together to purchase, pick up and distribute the food. How to Create a Neighborhood Food-Buying Club can give you some information on how to start one up. You can also ask at your nearest health food store to see if they are involved with or know of any local buying clubs in your area. It’s usually best to join an already existing club rather than start up your own because they can take some work.

    - Farm stands. Farm stands range from a bench with tomatoes alongside the road to an enclosed structure that sells many types of produce, meats and even baked and processed foods. During the height of the summer when vegetables are abundant, you can still find small stands at the side of the road with vegetables and a cash jar, so customers can pay what they want. Some even leave signs encouraging people to take the food. Large farm stands can resemble stores and do not always sell local goods — check the labels or ask if you aren’t sure.

    - “Pick your own” farms. Some farmers, especially berry and orchard growers, allow consumers to pick their own produce. Usually for a set price by the bushel or pint, families can go into the farmer’s fields and pick their own crops. This is good for individuals interested in freezing or canning. Some farms also allow consumers to come to the farm and choose which animal they would like, before slaughter.

    - Grow your own. Probably the biggest trend today is growing your own food. From planters on window ledges to taking over a front lawn, gardens are springing up everywhere. I’ll be focusing on this in more detail in a future post, so stay tuned!

    If you can’t buy local

    If, for whatever reason, you can’t buy local, buy as close to your home as possible. If you live in Virginia and want to buy an orange, buy one from Florida, not California, or from anywhere in the US as opposed to overseas. Why would we buy an apple from New Zealand when most states can grow them also? Don’t feel pressured into labels and definitions – however you define local is fine. The point is not to deprive yourself – the point is to enjoy the freshest, best-tasting food possible, and eating local is the best way to do it.

    If you’d like to learn more about the local movement, check out Sustainable Table’s Eat Local, Buy Local, Be Local section.

    (Diane Hatz is the Founder of Sustainable Table, Executive Producer of The Meatrix movies and co-Founder of the Eat Well Guide. This is the 22nd installment in her series, Sustainable Table’s Guide to Good Food.)

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• APS Lowers Premium for Green C

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    APS, an electricity utility serving about 1.1 million customers in Arizona, announced it has lowered the price premium for its voluntary renewable energy offering, APS Green Choice Rates, from 1.0¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 0.4¢/kWh. Under the program, customers can purchase Green-e certified renewable energy from wind and geothermal resources in specific increments or as a percentage of their monthly electricity use. Customers also have the option of purchasing solar energy equivalent to half or all of their monthly electricity needs for 16.6¢/kWh.

    
    The 60 percent drop in Green Choice Rates reflects the reduced difference in cost between conventional generation (mostly natural gas) and renewable generation last year when program supplies were purchased. APS expects to have enough renewable energy to meet the needs of residential customers, but may not have sufficient supplies to meet non-residential customer demand. The utility is encouraging nonresidential customers that want to participate to sign up by October 30, 2009.
    
    Full Press Release - Rate Decrease Makes Renewable Energy More Affordable for APS Customers

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• Clean Energy Jobs And American

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    Clean Energy Jobs And American Power Act Clears Senate Committee

    
    S.1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, has been approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) by a vote of 11-1. The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., will now advance to the full Senate.
    
    "S.1733 addresses a crucial issue of our time and advancing the bill is a necessary step on the road to garnering the 60 votes we need for a comprehensive bill that will be melded together from various Committees and Senators from different regions of the country," said Boxer, chairman of the EPW committee.
    
    "This bill is already being worked on by Senators Kerry, Lieberman, Graham and others," she added.
    
    Among other measures, the bill instructs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program that will provide grants and other forms of assistance to renewable energy projects in states with renewable portfolio standards (RPS), according to a summary published by Kerry's office.
    
    In addition, the bill includes a 3% overall RPS that will increase to 15% by 2021. Efficiency measures can satisfy up to 26.67% of a utility's RPS requirement - a stipulation that the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has criticized. SEIA has also expressed disagreement with the bill's exemption for utilities selling under 4 million MWh annually.
    
    S.1733 also establishes programs for awarding educational grants to train workers in green energy jobs, requires the EPA to set a comprehensive strategy on carbon capture and sequestration and introduces a greenhouse gas reduction program with cap-and-trade provisions.
    
    All seven Republican members of the committee were absent from the vote, in an effort to prevent the bill's passage. Led by Sen. James Ihofe, R-Okla., many Republican senators had called for further study of the bill, stating that its effects on the economy had not been sufficiently studied, Bloomberg reports.
    
    Boxer called Republicans' actions a stalling tactic. "We found, after questioning the EPA extensively, that the Republicans' demand for another EPA analysis now would be duplicative and a waste of taxpayer dollars," she stated. "We are pleased that despite the Republican boycott, we have been able to move the bill."

     

    --by Jessica Lillian on Thursday 05 November 2009; source: SolarIndustryMag.com

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• Green Window Treatments

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    Stay Warm, Sleep In: Green Window Treatments

    Living deep in the woods, my family has enjoyed the luxury of not needing window treatments.  The only potential Peeking Toms we’re vulnerable to are curious squirrels, woodpeckers or atypically brazen deer.  We’ve decided to look into window treatment options, however, for three reasons: 1) To create a more “finished” look in certain rooms, 2) To lengthen the time our children sleep.  When the sun rises, they do too, even on weekends; and 3) To increase energy efficiency in our home.

    So, where do eco-friendliness, functionality and aesthetics meet?  The main thing to look for is 100 percent natural fabrics and materials.  Many window treatments are made with some form of plastic, be it polyester or vinyl, which release toxic gasses when warmed by the sun.  Instead check out these resources for green window treatments:

    1.    Naturally dyed curtains or drapes made of fabrics such as cotton, linen or hemp are a great choice. Anna Sova’s  line of organic drapery includes 100 percent natural silk drapes, made with no toxic bleaches, heavy metal dyes, formaldehyde or silicon finishing.
    2.    Shutters provide insulation in both cold and hot weather.  Look for shutters made of bamboo or sustainably harvested Basswood.  Basswood shutters are widely available.
    Just make sure that if the shutters have a coating on them, it is water-based.
    3.    Shades – Earthshade’s shades are made of high quality reed, bamboo, hemp and “rapidly-renewable” grasses.  No chemical coating is used, and all shades promise a high degree of insulation.

    Before making a purchase, be sure to ask your retailer or manufacturer about the R-value of your preferred treatment so that you’ll know how much insulation it will provide.  The higher the value, the more energy-efficient the product is.  Shoot for an R-value around 3.

     

    --by Terri Hall-Jackson Nov 5, 2009 11:07 am - source: Care2.com
    

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• High Tech Greens the Internet

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    High Tech Greens the Internet: Net Neutrality and the Smart Grid

    
    The high tech industry will play a significant role in the battle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as long as the Internet remains a level playing field. The opportunities for software companies to innovate in the energy generation and energy efficiency sectors are substantial if the priority of traffic over the Internet remains neutral (i.e., the FCC adopts net neutrality rules).

    The smart grid is the main prerequisite to the Internet’s involvement in energy. The Obama Administration recently announced $3.4 billion in the development of the smart grid and related technologies. Much of these funds went directly to utilities to provide smart meters in homes and businesses. Southern California Edison has already started its rollout of smart meters under a program called SmartConnect; they hope to have 5 million smart meters active by 2012.

    The fundamental breakthrough of smart meters is the ability to communicate information bidirectionally. Like a normal power meter, the smart meters can measure the energy consumption of the consumer, but they also can send that and other information to the local utility as well as to devices located on the property of the customer (e.g. smart thermostat, smart refrigerator, etc.). A completely new market for energy efficiency products will exist when users begin connecting these smart meters to the Internet. This connection will remove the shackles from energy software outfits such as OPOWER [view some of their current clean tech job openings on the CleanTechies Job Board] and Google.org.

    The Internet has an infrastructure capable of revolutionizing energy use both at home and at the workplace. For instance, we all have widgets staring at us on our computers these days. Imagine having a widget that was giving you a real time view of the electricity consumption at your home or in your office and the ability to reduce that energy use from the convenience of your office chair. One could also schedule consumption levels based on their personal preferences and real-time electricity rates. Companies have already started sprouting up to focus on these emerging technologies and this market will only grow as utilities create the smart grid. Another dependency not often included in this discussion is a free and open Internet, more commonly referred to as net neutrality.

    The reliability of software that uses the smart grid and the Internet is dependent on net neutrality to ensure Internet Service Providers (ISP) deliver bidirectional data as quickly as possible. If the Internet did not operate on a level playing field (e.g., PG&E’s Internet traffic was given priority over data from a personal web server), then the growth of distributed generation and other electricity control options could stagnate. How can someone make his car’s batteries available for use by the smart grid if ISPs constantly push the control signals to the back of their data transfer queue?

    The free and open flow of data on the Internet is not only important for individuals and small companies looking to spread their message. Net neutrality is an important issue for those trying to combat climate change through improvements in energy generation and energy efficiency.

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