What impact can real-time sensors and systems have on facility energy use?
Increasingly large corporations are taking a strong look at their energy use, not just to be greener, but to drive down energy expenses. The rising cost of energy has created the incentive to look for greater efficiency. Harnessing real-time sensors in your facility or campus can provide dramatic cost savings that quickly repay this investment. The next wave of wireless IP-addressable temperature and control sensors are making a big impact. With these wireless devices, there’s very little installation hassle or cost. The system is designed, sensors are put in place, and immediately an organization has a much better understanding of their ...
Bringing Back a Time of Great Energy Innovation
Electricity was first harnessed successfully in the "Golden Age of Invention" by Thomas Edison and a number of innovative peers. This age of invention saw the creation and proliferation of the automobile and a great many other devices, largely of a mechanical nature, to improve the quality of everyday life. Since that time, mechanical skills have flagged as we've put more energy into software and system development in our current Information Age. The rise of the Internet has led smart minds on a frenzy of software invention that have dramatically changed our outlook on the world. One could certainly equate the ...
How do green roofs factor into energy efficiency?
Cities are beginning to promote the use of green roofs as part of their planning ordinances, because rooftop plantings play multiple roles in making a city more environmentally friendly. A green roof can reduce the energy needs of the individual building while also reducing the overall impact of buildings on the heat island effect of cities. The insulating properties of soil and plants adds considerable energy savings that is beneficial in both hot and cold seasons. During hotter summer months the soil and plant layers reflect and absorb the suns rays with less intensity than the traditional black roof, driving down ...
More Featured Posts
Can clean energy be achieved without mandates and incentives?
Unfortunately, there’s very little evidence that cleaner energy technology will take hold without mandates and incentives. Suppliers and consumers are comfortable with the status-quo of fossil fuel dependency when the alternative would mean a large upfront cost. The near-sighted vision prevails that places more importance on next quarter’s bottom line over long-term cost savings with an... [Read more]
The Sustainable Energy Future – Educated or Legislated?
There is little doubt that energy related issues are dominating much of the sustainable future discussion today. On one side of that equation a large number of people think that more awareness, education and discussion is the way forward. Alternatively, others consider legislation as a driver toward action and bringing about the changes that would create a sustainable energy future. Which is it? While... [Read more]
$555 Billion DESERTEC Deal Signed
CleanTechnica blog describes the recent signing of the DESERTEC proposal, an action that will see the sun of Africa power that continent and 15% of Europe, it is anticipated. You can learn more about the DESERTEC Project here. Read More →
EnergyPlus 4.0 Energy Simulation Software
A new version of EnergyPlus Energy Simulation Software has been released. The software is created by the U.S. Department of Energy and is used to model heating, cooling, lighting, ventilating, and other energy flows as well as water in buildings. This product also interfaces OpenStudio, a product that links to Google SketchUp software which is used for 3D building design. Read More →
Stimulus Boosts Smart Grid Adoption
The $3.4Billion in grants for smart grid technology that were awarded yesterday are the single largest one-day award from the stimulus bill. There are 100 companies involved in the projects that are within 49 states, excluding Alaska. The funds will go into the accounts of awardees within 60 days, and the projects are projected to take between 12 and 36 months. The largest technology element of this... [Read more]
