Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

In 1998 the U.S. Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program which has evolved into the authority for establishing green building requirements for new construction and older homes, and for certifying new homes. In so doing, LEED drives the regulations to ensure that new construction is healthy and durable for both the occupants and...

Solar Powered Refrigerators

Solar power, often referred to as photovoltaics, is gaining traction as part of the overall energy efficiency solution. Applications range from powering our homes to charging cell phones and radios; and recent technological developments suggest that widespread production of solar powered automobiles will soon be a reality. Along these same lines, tremendous strides have been taken in applying...

Are Renewables Mainstream?

Figure 1-Wind Farm There is a prevailing view is that renewable electric power generation in its many forms is entering the mainstream as a viable alternative to the more traditional fossil fuel alternatives. Assisted by the ever increasing list of states with renewable portfolio standards (RPS), and continuing advancements in technology to enhance affordability, wind and solar generation are...

Introduction to Thermal Technology

With the pending threat of continually rising natural gas prices, alternative energy technologies are taking on greater significance. This article on thermal technologies explains how  the natural tendency of heat to travel from hot to cold is leveraged to turn heat into useful energy. Thermal Technology – Beyond Photovoltaic Panels Figure 1-PV Panels Photovoltaic (PV) panels are used to...

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Stewardship – Getting Started

The myth that living “green” is expensive is certainly substantiated by the seemingly higher costs for health foods, LED light bulbs, and solar panels. However, there are myriad ways to save money and improve the environmental impact of our day-to-day lives. Home Applications to Save the Environment Homeowners can decrease the carbon footprint and lower their energy bill by simply using...

Green Homes – Environmentally Friendly / Energy Efficient

Figure 1-Improved Insulation The concept of an environmentally friendly home, oftentimes referred to as a “green” home, has gained momentum since the turn of the 21st century. Though attention to “green” technologies tends to gravitate towards the more attractive solutions such as harnessing wind power or installing solar panels on our roofs, the actions related to making our homes...

The Smart Grid Defined

Smart Meters-AMI One of the more commonly used yet least understood terms in today’s electric utility vocabulary is the term Smart Grid. Much like other often-used terms, with broader use it now lacks any precision, particularly given the evolution of many related programs and initiatives. Virtually every presentation on the topic starts with a definition of what Smart Grid is relative to the...

The Value Case for Energy Efficiency

There is no questioning the notion that customer knowledge of how electricity is priced will lead to improved efficiency and conservation, and ultimately lower electricity bills. The continuing challenge to full customer acceptance of any initiative regarding energy efficiency is two-fold: Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Will investors support the programs? The Standard Approach State...

Demand Response-Opportunity and Value

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 specified that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determine the potential for demand response defined as: The ability for customers to change their electrical usage based on changes to price of electricity or in response to incentive payment programs, designed to encourage use of electricity during periods of lower demand. The desired...