NRDC Launches Renewable Energy Site With Mapping Tool

Today, NRDC is launching a new feature on our website (http://www.nrdc.org/renewables/) and I’d like to know what folks think of it. This new tool is designed to help regular people from farmers to politicians, financiers to reporters understand that renewables are here now and poised to become major players in our energy mix. This site will help you determine whether renewable energy systems such as wind turbines, anaerobic digesters, solar installations and biomass energy facilities make sense for you or your community, and to help you understand how legislation being debated right now could help you adopt one.

Of course, the resources available to you depend on your site specifications. That’s why the central feature of the new site is a mapping application. You can find your county on the appropriate map; select the different map layers to see current renewable energy sites and resource potential; and then read about the latest technologies to see which mix of energy opportunities might work for you and your community.

And if you live in Florida, Ohio, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, or Tennessee, you can get even more detail about what’s going on with renewables in your state. We’ve started with these five states because we had to start somewhere and these states are key battlegrounds in the debate about what sort of action our country should take to stop global warming. By being able to see actual projects and renewable resource potential in each state, we hope everyone—and especially the folks in these states—will realize that renewables and other solutions to global warming are not something that someone else somewhere else will be worrying about but really opportunities for all of us often right in our own backyards.

Now, more than ever, America needs the ingenuity and resil­ience of our farmers, builders, engineers and business people to meet the growing energy chal­lenges shaped by the issues of global warming, national security and domestic job loss. Climate change threatens all of us with more unpredictable weather, stronger storms, more pests and diseases, and longer and more intense droughts. Reliance on foreign oil also puts us at the mercy of political affairs and currency exchange rates.

Fortu­nately, local action can make a difference. Each technology featured here can contribute to better air quality, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, add good jobs to the economy and protect environmental values such as habitat and water quality. When these technologies are combined to use the by-products of one system as the input for another, the economic and environmental benefits are even greater. Across the country, we are poised to tackle these problems and reap the myriad benefits of homegrown power generation: clean energy can bring jobs back to America, enhance our national security, promote conservation practices and reduce harmful pollution. Working together, farmers, investors and policymakers can forge these connections to help build a sustainable future for America and the planet Earth as a whole.

The site was designed to show the enormous potential for new energy systems that reduce global warming emissions, protect critical environmental values and move the United States toward energy security. Please check it out. Poke around. Try the maps. And let me know if you think it’s cool or helpful or maybe even inspiring. And then check back in regularly. We’re going to be adding details on more states, more technologies, and more of the critical policies need to stop global warming and build our supply of clean, home-grown renewable energy.

NRDC Launches Renewable Energy Site With Mapping Tool

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Wireless Electricity is Real and Can Change the World

A revolution in the method of transmitting and receiving power is taking place, and the results as it pertains to the everyday consumer may not be far behind. In fact, some forms of the technology will be made available this year.

Picture yourself never having to worry about recharging your phone, IPod or laptop as long as you were inside a wireless energy zone. That zone can be located in your house, on the train, in the airport, or at your workplace.

“Laptop batteries are always burning out and always need a charge. What we did was build a coil into a standard laptop computer and it gets its source from behind a wall in your office,” said Eric Giler, president and CEO of WiTricity. “You could move them around the room and the laptop will continue to charge.”

With major competition along many different technological avenues of bringing wireless power to the market, it’s almost assured that some form or another will be used in the mainstream before too long.

Companies such as Sunnyvale, Calif., based PowerBeam, showcased their wireless lamps and picture frames which were powered by technology that can beam optical energy into photovoltaic cells using laser diodes, at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Although not successful at the time, Nikola Tesla is considered to be the first to try out the wireless electricity approach when he attempted it in 1890.

Another method is the eCoupled wireless electricity technology, created by Fulton Innovation, that utilizes a technique which by leveraging the physics of near-field inductive coupling eliminates the need for power chords by creating an electromagnetic conduit.

The ramifications of such technology hitting the market are endless.

Businesses, both large and small, would be sure to purchase such technology once proven that it can run in an efficient and dependable manner. Cluttered work-spaces often caused by a tangle of wires can be completely cleaned up when the technology is installed in an office with multiple desks and workstations.

The eCoupled technology has garnered widespread support in the form of partnerships with some major corporations. The company website lists Motorola, Bosch, Energizer and Texas Instruments as partners in the development of their technology.

“By integrating our wireless power technology into partners’ products, we continue to prove that there are no boundaries for the application of eCoupled technology,” said Dave Baarman, Director of Advanced Technologies for Fulton Innovation.

While the eCoupled method is extremely high-tech — it is capable of transmitting digital messages between the power source and electronic device in order to convey important information such as power requirements, batter remaining, and if the device is capable of being recharged, using the same magnetic field used to power the devices — the downside is, that it can only operate at close range.

Nikola Tesla was the first to experiment with wireless electricity, but ultimately failed after losing his key financial backing in the late 1800's.

A similar technology, but one that works at a longer range, is the WiTricity concept.

Designed by Marin Soljacic from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), it utilizes what Soljacic calls a “highly coupled magnetic resonance.”

Not dependent on line-of-sight, WiTricity is capable of powering an entire room, and even an entire house.

Magnetic resonance can launch an energetic response in something far away, much like a professional vocalist can shatter glass with sound waves alone.

All in all, the wireless electricity industry has taken off.

According to a study by the Department of Energy, more than 700 million power-supply devices (chargers, charging stands, transformers etc.) will be sold in the U.S. in 2010, a $6 billion market. Worldwide, the market runs to about $30 billion.

“As far as we can tell,” says Andrew Fanara, the team leader for the EPA’s Energy Star Products Group, “there are at least two external power adapters in the world for every man, woman, and child on the planet — about 12-to-15 billion of them.”

Eliminating the cost of purchasing various products to charge electronic devices will continue to assist in the push for this new technology - that is, if the savvy tech itself isn’t enough of an encouragement.

Another perk, is the fact that the new technology is more ‘green’ compared to the current charging methods. According to the Department of Energy, electronic devices consume on average 75% of their energy when the device is not in use.

Wireless Electricity is Real and Can Change the World

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Energy Efficient Appliances and Electronics

When shopping for appliances and electronics look for the Energy Guide and Energy Star Label. Here's the difference:

Energy Star Label: When you see this label on appliances and electronics, strict energy saving guidelines have been met. These guidelines have been established by the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Energy Guide Label: This label provide very useful information regarding energy consumption and energy efficiency. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requires these labels be placed on most appliances but excluding ovens, strove ranges and home electronics (examples: computers, televisions). By comparing labels you are able to determine short-term and long-term costs.

And remember, the amount of energy appliances and electronics consume is a major factor in the lifespan of the product.

Save Energy This Summer

Below is a simple list of energy saving tips that cost little or nothing to start saving energy & money this summer.

1) Water Heaters - Adjust the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees. Water heating accounts for up to 25% of your energy costs in the home.

2) Air Conditioning Unit - Maintain your a/c unit with professional care. If you live in an area where you just survived the winter and summer is coming, have your a/c unit checked out before those hot days kick in. For all areas, routine maintenance is necessary, not only for energy efficiency, but for the life of your a/c unit.

3) Seal Doors And Windows - Hot air can leak in through cracks around doors and windows. Check all doors and windows in your home or business for leaks. Apply caulking and weatherstripping where necessary.

4) Ceiling Fans and Proper Ventilation - By using a ceiling fan with your a/c unit the temperature of a room can increase about 4 degrees. Be sure to turn off the fan when you leave the room. Ventilation - Make sure all your ventilation systems (bathroom and kitchen) vent to the outside of the house and not to the attic. Use these ventilation systems while cooking and while taking a shower or bath to draw the heat outside otherwise the heat goes into the house.

5) Thermostat - Adjust your thermostat to a higher setting without causing discomfort to yourself. Make adjustments for when you're away from home. Programmable thermostats can help a great deal to make your home more energy efficient.

6) Appliances - Take advantage of the warm days of summer and grill outside. This reduces any amount of heat the stove or oven produces. When you cook inside, use the stove instead of the oven. Using a microwave oven helps reduce heat. With dishwashers, wash only full loads.

For other great energy saving tips keep checking back or subscribe to this blog. If you have any energy saving ideas/tips/news please share them with us.

Tim
Greenwise Power Solutions
greenwisepower.com

How much energy could you get from solar or wind at your home or business?

If you have ever wondered how much solar or wind generated power you could get at your home or business then you may be interested in the IMBY tool from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. IMBY is the short version for In My Back Yard. You can learn more about the IMBY tool here. Just type in your home or business address, choose solar or wind and you're on your way.

Tax Credits for Your Energy-Efficient Purchases

As April 15th draws nearer, no doubt taxes are on your mind. You may be wondering whether the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the "Recovery Act") will affect your taxes for 2008. While the IRS says that the tax provisions in the Recovery Act won't affect most people's 2008 tax returns, you may already be planning an energy-efficient purchase in 2009 that will be eligible for a tax credit.

Back in October, I wrote about energy tax incentives available in 2009. The Recovery Act amended the energy tax credits, and the good news is that those tax credits are still available. The even better news?

• The credits for items such as windows and doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, water heaters (non-solar), and biomass stoves are now available for improvements made in 2009 AND 2010 (previously they were only available for 2009).
• The credits have been raised from 10% to 30% of the cost. Those items that had a specific dollar amount have been changed to a 30% credit.
• The maximum credit over two years has been increased to $1,500 (up from $500).
• Improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar electric systems, small wind systems, and fuel cells are not subject to the $1,500 maximum and are still available through 2016 for both existing and new homes.
• The $200 cap on tax credits for windows has been removed, but note that the requirements are more stringent and not all ENERGY STAR windows qualify for a credit.

For more details on the energy tax credits available, see the summary of federal tax credits for energy efficiency on the ENERGY STAR® Web site. Also be sure to check out the tax credit FAQs for answers to more specific questions, including which credits are available for 2008.

Don't forget that tax credits aren't the only way to offset your energy costs. You can reduce your energy costs by finding help from your state, city, or utility; or by purchasing energy-efficient products. For more ways to find assistance with energy costs, check out the blog entries "Six Places to Find Help with Your Energy Costs" and "Help with Energy Costs for Low-Income Families."

Allison Casey is a senior communicator at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which assists EERE in providing technical content for many of its Web sites.

Source: Energy Savers Blog

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Existing Windows

No one would dispute the undeniable beauty of soft, dappled light shining through a window in the early morning. Unless, of course, you happen to be one of the many Americans whose windows are letting in more than just light. Poorly fitted or sealed windows can be a major frustration during the winter months, letting in cold drafts that blur the lines between indoors and out. Unfortunately, this isn't just an issue of comfort. Windows with air leaks pose a real energy efficiency problem as well. Not only does the cold air that seeps into your home through these leaks force your heating system to work that much harder to maintain a stable and comfortable temperature; poorly fitted and sealed windows also make it that much easier for the warm air inside your home to get out. In fact, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that as much as one third of the average home's heat loss occurs through windows and doors.

Long-term fixes for air leaks typically involve the purchase of replacement windows. However, replacement windows aren't an option for everyone. For some, the cost is prohibitive; and for renters, replacement windows might not even be a possibility. Luckily there are a variety of options for consumers who are looking to improve the energy efficiency of their existing windows. Used individually or in combination, the following tips can help to mitigate heat loss, reduce drafts, and generally make your home a more comfortable place to be this winter:

Caulking and Weatherstripping
Caulking and weatherstripping are two of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce leaks and drafts due to small cracks and gaps around window frames. They are so cost-effective, in fact, that the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that when used correctly, the cost of caulking and weatherstripping will be offset through lower utility costs within one year. Use caulk to seal cracks less than ¼ inch in width on the non-movable parts of your window, mainly around the frame and where the trim meets the wall. Slightly larger or irregularly shaped gaps might better be filled with a small can of spray foam that will expand to fill the space.

Several of our more recent blog posts have mentioned weatherstripping, so I won't repeat the many good tips already provided on this topic. Suffice it to say that weatherstripping should be reserved for use on a window's movable parts, such as where the lower sash meets the sill. If you're worried that caulking or weatherstripping might be too permanent, there are products on the market labeled as temporary caulking. They seal the window for the season, but can be removed once warmer weather rolls around and you're ready to throw open the windows to the spring.

Draperies
Allison Casey's helpful post on weatherizing the windows and doors in her home noted the usefulness of window coverings as an extra thermal barrier. Keep in mind that no matter how thick your curtains, they won't stop air leaks – that's what strategies like caulking and weatherstripping are for. But appropriately hung draperies can decrease the discomfort associated with drafty windows and reduce heat loss by as much as 25%. And, as Allison pointed out, be sure to open and close your draperies depending on the amount of sunlight an individual window receives during the day.

Insulating Window Panels or Interior Storm Windows
If draperies and caulking just aren't enough, you might consider installing insulating window panels or interior storm windows. Both of these products typically consist of an insulating material encased inside a wooden or metal frame that seals tightly against the interior side of your existing window frame, usually with magnets or Velcro. As they are not permanently affixed, they can be easily removed and are completely reusable from one winter to the next. The main difference between the two types of panels is the degree to which they obstruct your view. Insulating window panels are typically made of rigid insulation; while this provides an R-Value of between 3.8 and 7, it does so by completely obstructing the window. Interior storm windows, on the other hand, are typically composed of a thin but durable sheet of plastic. R-Values for this material are not as good as for insulating window panels, but they do manage to insulate while maintaining your view.

Window Films
There are a variety of plastic window films available to do-it-yourselfers. At the more basic end of the spectrum is heat shrink film. This film looks like a thicker version of plastic wrap and is typically sold in rolls from which sheets can be cut to size to fit the dimensions of a particular window. Once attached to the window frame with double-sided tape, a hair dryer is used to shrink the film, providing a better seal around the window and removing any visible wrinkles. Since the film is clear, light is still able to penetrate into the space. However, because it is attached to the window frame, you're pretty well stuck with a closed window until you're ready to remove the film for good.

At the upper end of the spectrum, Low-Emissivity (Low-E) window films are coated with a thin and nearly invisible metallic coating that helps to reduce infrared heat transfer between the interior and exterior panes of a double-paned window. Because they must be directly in contact with the window pane to function properly, Low-E films are slightly less forgiving that heat shrink films during installation. Low-E window films are also somewhat more expensive than heat shrink films. But both are still a fraction of the cost of replacement windows.

Ready for more? The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Web site has additional tips on how to improve the energy efficiency of existing windows without breaking the bank.

Jen Carter is the Clearinghouse Operations Manager at the Washington State University Extension Energy Program (WSU EP). She oversees operations at the Message Center and answers inquiries to the EERE Information Center.

Source: Energy Savers Blog

Saving Energy Is a Lifestyle, Not a Diet

This blog has been aimed at helping you save energy. We've offered ideas on ways to fit your home for the winter months, including checklists of tasks from the easy to the not-as-easy, and we've shown how saving energy saves you money. Some of the posts here are practical advice, while others are about the why behind this whole effort.

So why are we doing this?

There are a few reasons:

1. It's something you need to know. We at the Department of Energy have a responsibility to teach the public about energy; we can't expect people to make good, informed choices about being energy efficient if we haven't spelled out why this is important. If you understand why your choices matter, you'll be encouraged to make good choices.
2. Technology needs public support. Things like solar panels for homes, wind farms and more fuel-efficient vehicles (including hybrids) need a market. Markets don't just happen—they need to be developed, by helping the buyers understand the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
3. It sounds like hard work but it's just a series of steps. Much like trying to lose weight, getting your home and family to be energy efficient is about adjusting your lifestyle. Getting used to turning off lights and lowering the thermostat isn't glamorous or exciting, but small changes add up—and getting into the habit of being energy efficient is more than half the battle.
4. You can do it. That's the most important thing.

And that's really what it's about. Huge changes happen from lots and lots of small changes being made. So make that change. You'll see that you don't have to go on an energy "diet;" you just have to adjust your lifestyle a little here and there. You'll be glad you did.

Drew Bittner is a former Presidential Management Intern (PMI) and the web content manager for EERE's corporate web pages.

Resource: Energy Savers Blog

How can I make my home more energy efficient?

There are various ways to make your home energy efficient. Some cost nothing and are self-reliant, such as unplugging items that don't need to be plugged in all the time and others mentioned throughout this blog. And many have a price, the price depends on how much your willing to invest.

Solar energy, for example, is an excellent resource for using the suns energy to power your home. With solar you can substantially reduce and in some cases eliminate your monthly power bill. Government incentives and rebates are available, these differ from state to state. The cost can be expensive, depending on your budget.

Another product- Energy Saving Kits. Not as effective as Solar but the cost is very reasonable. Let's take a look at an energy saving kit and what it can do for your home:

Energy Saving Kits are comprised of 4 products, a 90 day money back guarantee and savings of 35% or more monthly on energy costs:

1) Radiant Barrier: Radiant barriers are installed in homes—most commonly in attics—to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, which helps lower heating and cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.

How Radiant Barriers Work
Heat travels from a warm area to a cool area by a combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flows by conduction from a hotter material to a colder material when the two materials touch. Heat transfer by convection occurs when a liquid or gas is heated, becomes less dense, and rises. Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from the hot surface and heats anything solid as the wave of energy hits it.

When the sun heats a roof, it's primarily the sun's radiant energy that makes the roof hot. A large portion of this heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy into the cooler attic (some of the roof's heat will radiate in other directions too). A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the roof to the attic space.

Fiberglass re-enforced (perforated)aluminum foil insulation; Fire retardant; Reflects 95% of radiation heat Perforated aluminum foil radiant barrier to eliminating sweating; Use for attics, roof and walls; Easily stapled into place in attic on ceiling joists orafters, sealed with aluminum tape; Adhesion Good on clean and dry surface; No Discoloration Resistance Excellent resistance to water, water vapor, oxidation and weathering.

(2) Duct Seal System: Duct sealing is a combination of Radiant Barrier and Duct Seal

Leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling system efficiency by as much as 20 percent. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers your energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings.

Plus, if you’re planning to install new heating and cooling equipment, a well-designed and sealed duct system may allow you to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better humidification.

1) Tape all seams in duct work
2) Wrap all duct work with radiant barrier
3) Use same tape to attach radiant barrier to duct work and seal all seams

(3) The Solar Attic Fan: Saving energy in your home must start at the top. As warm air rises, it collects in the attic making your entire house hotter and your air conditioning less efficient. This costs you valuable dollars and unnecessary wear and tear on your cooling equipment.

The Solar Attic fan removes hot air from the attic keeping your home cooler while maximizing your air conditioner's efficiency. The solar powered fan draws no electricity from the utility and will cost you nothing to operate!

Removes Hot Attic Air; Solar Powered; Up to 850 CFM Air Flow; Optional Thermostat; Proudly Made in USA; 10/5/25 Year Warranty.

(4) Power Save 1200 Energy Saver: A small gray box that fits neatly next to your breaker panel, saves you money year after year and protects the entire home.

The Power Save 1200 was designed with the homeowner in mind, providing lower energy bills, increased motor and appliance life, for all of the equipment inside of your house. Residential customers throughout North America could see a realized savings of 8% - 10% typically and as much as 25% on their electrical usage (and thus power bills). The Power Save 1200 is UL Certified as the Cat. No. ABET 2201 and CSA certified.



The cost of an Energy Saving Kit depends on the square footage and whether your home is a one or two story home. To view pricing and more detailed information about energy saving kits visit: Energy Saving Kit. Any product in the Energy Saving Kit can be purchased independently.

Stop Paying for Energy You Aren't Using

Back in October, we heard a lot about "energy vampires." A very convenient holiday metaphor, to be sure, but you're probably not in the Halloween spirit in January. Nonetheless, you may be in the mood to reduce your energy costs, and standby power is something worth considering all year round.

Standby power is the minimum power used when a product is plugged in. That doesn't necessarily mean the product is "on" or "attached to your cell phone"—yup, just plugged in. Obviously, a lot of products need to stay plugged in even when you're not using them; you wouldn't, for instance, unplug your digital clock when you leave the room and plug it back in and reset it each time you re-enter.

But how many items do you leave plugged in that don't need to be? Almost all of them are using electricity—and you're paying for it. How about those chargers for your cell phone, mobile device, or mp3 player? What about your DVD player, stereo, or video game system? And think about your office--computer, monitor, printer, scanner, and computer speakers... the list goes on. And if your house is anything like mine, you may have two or more of each of these items!

Any one of these may not draw much power on its own (see the chart from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to see just how much standby power many of them draw), but a typical American home has roughly 40 of these products that are constantly plugged in and constantly drawing power. That can add up to 10% of your total electricity use.

You may not be able to cut all of your standby power (nor would you want to), but there are things you can do to reduce your use:

• Unplug all small chargers when they aren't in use
• Use a power strip to turn off groups of products all at once (for example, all of your computer equipment)
• Unplug all products you rarely use.

Check out the Tips to Cut Standby Power from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to learn more about identifying products that use standby power and reducing your stand-by energy use.

Allison Casey is a senior communicator at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which assists EERE in providing technical content for many of its Web sites.

Source: Energy Savers Blog

Energy saving products- Where did they all come from?

It can be confusing with all the "energy saving products" that seem to have crawled out the cracks since the announcement of Obama's new Energy Plan. The truth is many of the energy saving products have been available for years. It's just that consumers are becoming more "Green Energy, Renewable Energy" conscious (1) because of the economy - looking for ways to save money and, of course, high energy costs (2) because of government emphasis under Obama's Energy Plan- you hear it in the news.

If you are like many consumers you probably fall under number (1) - the economy. You need to save money and don't know which energy saving products would work best or would work at all. The best advice- Do your research, talk to family and friends, subscribe to blogs, ask questions. Many companies offer a guarantee on their products, this is a great incentive. Doing something is better than doing nothing, even if it is to save money. At least in the process your helping the environment.

Author:
Tim with Greenwise Power Solutions. www.greenwisepower.com
-Energy Saving Kit: significantly reduces electric bills by eliminating wasted electrical consumption and increasing the overall efficiency of the home.

How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance

A few weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it was investing $8 billion into weatherization and state energy grants—$5 billion of which is going directly to the Weatherization Assistance Program.

And why is that interesting? Well, the Weatherization Assistance Program provides low-income families with free-of-charge, energy efficient upgrades to their homes. A more efficient home means that you pay less every month on your energy bills—and while that's the kind of upgrade anyone can benefit from, this program helps those who need those extra dollars the most.

You can read more about what the program does on the Weatherization Assistance Program's "What are Weatherization Services?" page.And if you're curious about how to apply, then check out their page about how you apply for weatherization.

The funds announced earlier this month allow for people who make up to 200% of the federal poverty level to apply for weatherization—which is about $44,000 for a family of four in the lower 48 states, $55,140 per year in Alaska, and $50,720 per year in Hawaii. Specific regulations vary by state, which your local agency should be able to explain.

The new funding allows for an average investment of up to $6,500 in improvements per home. The Weatherization Assistance Program estimates that, on average, the value of weatherizing your home is 2.2 times greater than the cost of the weatherization process itself. And those improvements can last a very long time—and some, like insulation, will benefit you (and your energy bill!) for the life of the home.

Elizabeth Spencer is a communicator at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which assists EERE in providing technical content for many of its Web sites.

Source: Energy Savers Blog

Ask yourself: How Does Your Community Encourage Energy Savings?

Many communities offer programs or events to encourage citizens to be energy conscious and environmentally friendly.

How does your community encourage energy savings?

Please share your thoughts!

Share this blog with the people you know. There is a lot of helpful advice and news. Another great blog: Energy Savers Blog with the Department of Energy. If you have a favorite energy saving blog please let me know!

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The energy challenges our country faces are severe and have gone unaddressed for far too long. Our addiction to foreign oil doesn't just undermine our national security and wreak havoc on our environment -- it cripples our economy and strains the budgets of working families all across America. President Obama and Vice President Biden have a comprehensive plan to invest in alternative and renewable energy, end our addiction to foreign oil, address the global climate crisis and create millions of new jobs.

The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will:

• Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.
• Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.
• Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars -- cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon -- on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America.
• Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
• Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Energy Plan Overview

Provide Short-term Relief to American Families

• Crack Down on Excessive Energy Speculation.

Eliminate Our Current Imports from the Middle East and Venezuela within 10 Years

• Increase Fuel Economy Standards.
• Get 1 Million Plug-In Hybrid Cars on the Road by 2015.
• Create a New $7,000 Tax Credit for Purchasing Advanced Vehicles.
• Establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
• A "Use it or Lose It" Approach to Existing Oil and Gas Leases.
• Promote the Responsible Domestic Production of Oil and Natural Gas.

Create Millions of New Green Jobs

• Ensure 10 percent of Our Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
• Deploy the Cheapest, Cleanest, Fastest Energy Source – Energy Efficiency.
• Weatherize One Million Homes Annually.
• Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology.
• Prioritize the Construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline.

Reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80 Percent by 2050

• Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
• Make the U.S. a Leader on Climate Change.

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/energy_and_environment/

Renewables

Renewable Energy Overview

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy resources are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. Renewable energy resources include biomass, hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action, and tidal action. In 1850, about 90% of the energy consumed in the United States was from renewable energy resources. Now the United States is heavily reliant on the non-renewable fossil fuels: coal, natural gas, and oil.

Renewable energy consumption decreased by about 1% between 2006 and 2007, contributing 7% of the Nation’s total energy demand, and 8.4% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2007.

The United States Is Second in Renewable Electricity Production

China leads the world in total renewable energy consumption for electricity production due to its recent massive additions to hydroelectric production, followed closely by the United States, Canada, and Brazil. However, the United States consumes the most non-hydro renewable energy for the production of electricity. The United States consumes twice as much non-hydro renewable energy for electricity production as Germany and more than three times as much as Japan.

What Are The Various Sources of Renewable Energy?

Geothermal

Wind

Hydropower

Solar Energy

• Solar Thermal Systems for Heating Buildings and Water
  
• Solar Thermal-Electric Power Plants
  
• Photovoltaic Systems

Biomass Energy

• Wood
• Municipal
• Solid Waste and Biogas Biofuels (Includes ethanol)

Source: http://www.consumerenergyreport.com/research/renewables/

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New Google Earth Maps Show Where Renewable Energy Projects Can Be Built

The maps, covering protected areas in 13 western states, are available for the public to view

The National Audubon Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have created maps --using Google Earth-- of restricted lands and sensitive wildlife areas in the western U.S., to help plan development projects by avoiding such areas.

Two environmental groups have teamed up with Google in an effort to help steer renewable energy development away from sensitive areas, by utilizing Google Earth maps.

The National Audubon Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council on Wednesday unveiled the new tool –which is called the Path to Green Energy– and it’s available for the public to use.

“We need to deploy clean energy on an unprecedented scale,” said David Bercovich, Google.org Program Manager. “As we decide where to build renewable energy generation plants and transmission lines, it’s essential that we protect irreplaceable wildlife and landscapes while making it as easy as possible for developers to build these projects.

The new maps pulled together endangered species habitats, national parks and other forms of protected land from 13 western states and loaded all the data on Google Earth.

The analysis covers about 860 million acres, about half the land area of the lower 48 states in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

There are currently 128 million acres, or 15 percent of the mapped out areas, that are protected. More than two-thirds of the protected areas occur in just six of the 13 states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Utah...

See Full Article: New Google Earth Maps Show Where Renewable Energy Projects Can Be Built

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Junk Cars to be Used as a Renewable Energy Source?

Cutting-edge, non-incineration advanced gasification technology will produce enough renewable electricity to power 21,000 homes and create a significantly large negative carbon footprint.

The joint venture plans on producing enough renewable electricity to power 21,000 homes.

Chinook Sciences, Ltd., the leading manufacturer and operator of advanced gasification technology, and European Metal Recycling Ltd. (EMR), one of the world’s largest recycling companies and the largest recycler of automobiles in Europe, today announced the formation of the first commercial scale joint venture to convert automobile shredder residue (ASR) into renewable electricity and recover and recycle metal in the process.

The joint venture – named Innovative Environmental Solutions UK Ltd. - will process 120,000 metric tons of automobile shredder residue per year using Chinook’s patented and proprietary RODECS^® gasification^® will gasify the ASR, destroying all harmful emissions, recover all valuable material - primarily metal - contained in the ASR for recycling, reduce greenhouse gases on a net basis (300,000 M tons) and generate approximately 30 MW of renewable electricity, enough electricity to power 21,000 homes.

Based in Warrington, England, EMR employs approximately 2,300 people and operates at 100 locations around the world. The company’s core business is the recycling of metal-rich waste streams arising from end of life vehicles, consumer products, industry and construction resulting in sales of recycled commodities of around 10 million metric tons a year.

Cranford, New Jersey based Chinook Sciences is a leading manufacturer and operator of advanced gasification technology.

The RODECS^® is capable of processing a wide range of organic-based waste streams including E-waste, MSW, and various industrial wastes. The system has been installed in 17 locations throughout the world, where it gasifies organic material without using incineration

ASR is a waste material created by shredding automobiles and comprises approximately twenty-five percent of the weight of the car. The joint venture will be the first commercial scale operation to productively process ASR, capturing the energy contained within, recovering the metals and glass, and reducing the greenhouse gases.

Dr. Rifat Chalabi, chairman of Chinook Sciences, said, “Partnering with EMR is part of the Chinook Sciences Beyond Landfill Global Initiative, which is designed to form joint ventures with environmentally conscious companies looking for advanced technology to recover valuables and convert waste into renewable energy. A unique and very attractive feature of our technology is the creation of a very large negative carbon footprint.”

Consumer Energy Report: Junk Cars to be Used as a Renewable Energy Source?

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Does Daylight Saving Time Really Conserve Energy?

First used during World War I, Daylight Saving Time was launched in an effort to conserve fuel by increasing the amount of daylight which would thereby reduce the need for artificial light.

Although the theory that the less need for artificial light, the less energy to be used, does indeed sound good, does it really hold true?

According to a 2008 Department of Energy report to Congress, Daylight Saving Time does save energy, but probably not as much as we hoped.

The study found, that the total energy savings throughout the period of Daylight Saving Time add up to 17 Trillion Btu of primary energy consumption, which is only .02 percent of the country’s total use in 2007.

Those calculations are roughly equivalent to that of merely 160,000-some households, which is about the population of Vancouver, Wash.

“There’s so many changes in lifestyle when you change to Daylight Saving Time. It’s really impossible to calculate the exact impact on energy consumption,” Dr. Sam Shelton, who runs the Strategic Energy Research Institute at Georgia Tech, told WXIA-TV of Atlanta.

“You have to make so many assumptions about how patterns change and how the change impacts energy consumption,” adds Dr. Shelton.

Many people can’t stand the change of clocks, and President Warren G. Harding was one of them. If people want more daylight, he said, they should just wake up earlier.

In fact, in 1922, President Harding issued an executive order mandating that all federal employees start work at 8 a.m. rather than at 9.

Although the stated reason for the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was in order to conserve energy, there may be other additional perks to increased daylight.

Studies show that there are fewer automobile accidents, and that crime rates tend to drop.

A federal study of expanding daylight time in the ’70s found a drop in crime in the District of Columbia of about 10 percent when daylight time is in effect.

Having more of the day lit by sunlight also reduces car crashes, since car accidents tend to spike after dark.

So while the energy savings may be meager at best, there still remains additional benefits of having the daylight remain until a later hour in the day.

Does Daylight Saving Time Really Conserve Energy?

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Consumer Energy Reports Survey: Consumers Willing to Buy Green Products, but only if Saving Money

The recession is causing consumers to value saving money over saving the environment.

Although worried about the economy, consumers are willing to buy energy-efficient products and services – but only if they see immediate savings, according to a national survey released today.

The survey found that 71 percent of consumers cited saving money as a reason to buy energy-efficient products. Far fewer chose “to protect the environment” (55 percent) and “to protect the quality of life for future generations” (49 percent).

“Americans are concerned about their jobs, their homes and their bank accounts. They’re now more focused on saving money than saving the Amazon,” said Suzanne Shelton, president of The Shelton Group, which conducted the study. “Yes, conserving energy is the greenest thing anybody can do, but consumers are not buying more efficient products because they want to save the world. They want products that can save them money in the long run.”

See Full Survey: Consumers Willing to Buy Green Products, but only if Saving Money

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