Clean Coal Technology

Coal Powered Plant Even the most ardent anti-environmentalist will acknowledge that coal is among the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. It produces emissions that are believed to have some impact on climate change, create acid rain, and pollute water. Given the recent positive resurgence of interest in nuclear power, hydropower, and various forms of renewable energy sources, one might deduce that...

Solar Air Heater – Supplement to Conventional Heating

Solar Panels As homeowners are considering measures to reduce energy consumption solar energy invariably becomes a topic of discussion. The challenge in taking the discussion to the next step is that building a new solar home or implementing an extensive retrofit of an existing home is extremely expensive and it is particularly daunting given the uncertainties regarding economic payback. There...

Home Energy Audits

Renewed interest in energy conservation is driven primarily by skyrocketing oil prices and societal emphasis on environmental stewardship. This focus has resulted in an increase in home energy audits. Making one’s home more energy efficient reduces its carbon footprint and potentially reduces the energy bill by as much as 30 percent. These audits are proving invaluable in identifying air leaks,...

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are an integrated photovoltaic (PV) product that directly generates electricity from sunlight and in some cases converts electricity to heat. They are made of the same material used in conventional solar panels: Wire Photo sensitive waterproof product Material to generate electric current in sunlight Like solar panels, solar shingles generate electricity. But, unlike solar...

Mobile Communications with Home Energy Management Systems

In previous articles we have addressed the topic of reducing home energy consumption by applying good insulation, installing double-paned glass and weather stripping; installing alternative energy technologies such as solar panels, and simply lessening the use of energy by turning off basic electronics and air conditioners when not needed. An important part of managing the use of energy includes...

LED Streetlights

Streetlights are an important public safety service that is expensive to maintain and consume a significant quantity on energy. Consequently, a number of U.S. cities, most notably Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, are embarking on programs to convert traditional street lights to light emitting diode (LED) lighting. These LED lighting systems are attractive because they: Do not consume as much...

Low Cost Suggestions to Improve Home Heating and Cooling Efficiency

With the continuing increase in energy costs, homeowners are increasingly aware of the importance of maximizing the energy efficiency of their heating and cooling systems. There are a number of tips and changes that do not require major investments that can be applied in support of this universal desire: Start with the Thermostat Figure 1- Typical Thermostat Ensure the thermostat is not...

Cellulosic Ethanol – Is it an Alternative Fuel?

Cellulosic Ethanol-The Source According to the U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA) the average daily use of petroleum in the U.S. is 20.7 million barrels per day. More than half of this daily intake is imported, leaving the U.S. dependent on foreign petroleum to meet its energy needs. For that reason, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was passed to require that 36 billion...

Hybrid Cars – Improved Mileage and Reduced Emissions

Hybrid Car The hybrid-car, designed to counter the high price of gasoline and the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment, is a cross between a gasoline-powered car and an electric car. A gas-powered car has a fuel tank that supplies gasoline to the engine. The engine responds by turning a transmission which ultimately turns the wheels. An electric car uses a set of batteries to provide...

Introduction to Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicle As the name implies, electric vehicles are powered by an electric motor rather than a gasoline engine. Certainly, more silent than conventional gasoline powered vehicles, the primary reason why there is such interest in further developing this technology is its potential to positively impact the environment. Electric vs. Gasoline-Powered Vehicles There are obviously significant...