February 3rd, 2010 by Steve Hill
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I have just read the news about the latest initiative in the U.S. to encourage states to become more energy efficient and sooner than originally planned – this will help the environment but also the economy as it will lead to financial savings.
This should be great headline grabbing news but it is strange how often “spend, spend, spend” is regarded as sexy while being frugal and saving is regarded as nerdy or introverted.
Fortunately the U.S. is taking a lead in changing what is sexy as far as saving money through energy efficiency is concerned. They have just announced that President Obama’s administration has set up the SEE Action Network (State Energy Efficiency Action Network) to help states achieve maximum cost effective energy efficiency improvements.
» Read more: U.S. Making Energy Efficiency Sexy
January 25th, 2010 by Steve Hill
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GREEN-tech experts reckon 2010 will be dominated by investments in energy efficiency, so claims the Silicon Valley Mercury News.
The US government is certainly driving energy efficiency with US Energy Secretary Steven Chu usually describes himself as an “energy-efficiency nut.”
Venture capital investment in energy efficiency hit a record in 2009: at least 115 deals worth nearly $1 billion, according to a preliminary tally by the Cleantech Group and Deloitte. That’s an increase of 39 percent from 2008. In comparison, solar was down 64 percent from 2008, and there’s increasing talk about solar being “overfunded.”
» Read more: 2010 The Year For Energy Efficiency
January 18th, 2010 by Steve Hill
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A interesting article has appeared in Water, Energy & Environment magazine (which can be read online here) it reproduced for you to enjoy – go to the site if you wish to subscribe to the magazine:
John Osborne at BSI (British Standards Institute) Training encourages organisations to think of energy management as business critical for cost reasons, but equally important as a means to embed sustainability and change across a workforce…
» Read more: Energy Efficiency – The Key To Sustainability
January 11th, 2010 by Steve Hill
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THERE is so much advice out there to help us all save energy, which is a good thing, except myth and sound advice often get mixed. So here are a few MythBusters.
Plus a few tips for the workplace to help you start to save energy right away by dismissing the myths while taking some positive actions to save energy, save money and reduce carbon emissions.
First of all some myths regarding energy saving:
» Read more: Energy Saving MythBusters
December 16th, 2009 by Steve Hill
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A New York State board has recommended an energy plan to make energy more affordable, particularly through energy efficiency.
In an Energy Efficiency Assesment report issued on Tuesday (click here to see report) New York State provided very interesting recommendations that could move the Empire State to the lead position in the US as far as a clean energy economy is concerned and it makes financial sense as well.
The plan recommends energy efficiency as a major focus for commerce and industry and a new state building code that would also require stricter energy efficiency. Not only will this bring environmental benefits but the costing is a no-brainer, as the return on investment in energy efficiency is substantial – to quote the report:
» Read more: Energy Efficiency For Empire State
November 28th, 2009 by Ken Cheyne
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Let’s get straight -doing your part in using less energy is like having your own power generation plant right in your home or business.
Consider this; adding photovoltaic panels (solar energy panels) to your facility might be able to contribute up to 10% of your overall consumption. Given the number of variables, we will have to just assume some facts. This 10% “contributor” to your usage will come at a very high price with your initial cost being about $5 – $8 USD per Watt. Yes, per Watt. This initial expense would cost thousands of dollars. This type of device can take decades before they pay for themselves.
Now lets consider some basic steps to reduce our consumption through behavior changes, conservation and load-side (power reducing) technologies. Simple behavior changes can produce immediate results. Studies have shown that when there is an effective energy management strategy in place, a user can save between 8 – 12% of their consumption. This can be achieved without the outlay of thousands of dollars.
Now you get to decide:
» Read more: Power Generation Or Energy Efficiency?
November 20th, 2009 by Steve Hill
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The UK newspaper the Daily Telegraph ran a special report last week which is of interest to all those who want to save energy.
They interviewed Sir John Parker, who is Chairman of the National Grid in the UK, but has been involved in many other varied major industrial and commercial corporations. In most of these he has championed sustainability and has implemented many environmental and energy policies.
Andrew Cave, the writer of the piece, described Sir John as evangelical about the need for companies to invest in energy efficiency. What Sir John stated in the interview was the highlight for me and I would like to share his words with you.
Sir John told the Telegraph regarding energy efficiency:
“It’s the area that doesn’t always seem to me to get the highest attention and it’s the lowest-cost way of reducing one’s carbon footprint,
» Read more: “Start with energy efficiency” – Sir John Parker
November 17th, 2009 by Steve Hill
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Anissa S. Febrina has written and interesting article in the Jakarta Post about retrofitting buildings so they are energy efficient.
The article, most of which appears below, states how often finding the money for the energy monitoring solutions and the load-side products can be a stumbling block, but the article explains that the money saved from reduced energy bills over a fairly short period provides a great return on investment.
What is also of interest is the article does highlight how Indonesia is now realising how important it is to become energy efficient. I know from speaking to people from Indonesia that climate change, energy efficiency and security has not been a concern – hence it is good to see they are sitting up and taking notice.
» Read more: Retrofit Energy Efficiency
November 13th, 2009 by Severine
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Copenhagen will be holding the UN Climate Change Conference in December. Many feel this be the ultimate, last-chance gathering to interrupt the progression of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
If so, regardless of the financial prejudice involved, failure to cooperate and agree to compromise will mean a depressing future for our planet and its population. Wealthier nations, such as the US (who didn’t sign the Kyoto accord back in 1997 fearing their economy would suffer), have demonstrated reluctance to cut carbon emissions to avoid the financial contributions entailed.
Unfortunately, until the US decides to sign up to targets, the rest of the world will be unwilling to do so. An example needs to be set, and time is running short.
» Read more: Poor Could Pay Price For Climate Change
November 12th, 2009 by Severine
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The International Energy Agency (IEA) has calculated that a 10.5 trillion dollar global investment is required to counterbalance the effects of the recession and keep climate change threats at a distance.
This colossal investment would be assigned to developing new low-carbon technologies and funding energy efficiency breakthroughs. While energy consumption has decreased for the first time since 1981, the money invested in new low-carbon technologies has been significantly cut due to the financial crisis.
While fossil fuel demand is predicted to peak by 2020, the focus has to be put on energy efficiency, which would achieve in itself 50% of the energy savings by 2030.
That is when the crucial quality of energy saving implementations becomes blatant. Professionals all over the world, regardless of their sector of activity, all have increasing incentives to adhere and adopt cost reducing energy saving tools, as all function and operate using energy in some form (lighting, motors, refrigeration, air conditioning…).
» Read more: 10.5 Trillion Needed For Energy Savings
