Archive for the 'Technology' Category
September 1st, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Columbia University researcher Shahzeen Attari conducted a survey of 505 Americans in 427 different zip codes, and 34 states, about energy conservation. Her study indicated that the sample group was not aware of the most effective measures they could take to save energy. Turning lights off was selected as the best choice by the survey participants. Options such as purchasing fuel efficient cars, energy conserving appliances and weatherizing homes, which actually do make an impact, were not popular with the participants. Attari said that many people in the study seemed to believe in taking steps like turning off lights or unplugging cell phone chargers. 2.8 percent of the participants said that sleeping more and relaxing more would reduce their energy consumption.
Continue reading ‘Americans in the Dark about Energy Conservation’
August 28th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Industry survey reveals challenges of smart grid conversion efforts. As efforts to modernize the electricity grid role out across America, there’s evidence that using smart grid technology will prove a tough sell to consumers, according to “Smart Grid: Achieving Customer Buy-in” a new report by Energy Business Reports.
Continue reading ‘Achieving Customer Adoption of the Smart Grid is Key to its Success’
August 26th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
It appears the business community is closer to having standards set up for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, as more than 60 global firms have finished testing new a new technique for reporting emissions. 62 businesses from 17 countries, including 3M, IKEA, and PepsiCo. tested standards developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Continue reading ‘Global Businesses Trial GHG Emissions Standards’
August 26th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Whiskey, the much loved alcoholic beverage, may become a major source of biofuel production in the near future. Scientists at Edinburgh Napier University have developed a method of producing biofuel from the two main by-products of whiskey distillation: “pot ale,” the liquid from the copper stills, and “draff,” the spent grains.
Continue reading ‘Whiskey Biofuel May Soon Be on the Market’
August 25th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
One of the biggest obstacles with heating a building in the winter time is that the fresh air drawn in through the ventilation system is cold and must be warmed to make it comfortable. Thirteen percent of American energy is used to heat residential and commercial buildings.
Continue reading ‘Innovative Solar Air Collector Reduces Heating Costs’
August 24th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Although Vestas’ big second-quarter losses might point to the contrary, investor confidence in the cleantech sector is bullish. A report, compiled by IMAP, a global network of merger and acquisition advisory firms, shows that the number of mergers and acquisitions in the alternative energy sectors rose 54% last year. IMAP’s research shows that mergers and acquisitions in renewable energy’s three major sectors — solar power, wind energy, and biofuels — was worth US$20.4 billion last year.
Continue reading ‘Mergers & Acquisitions Point to Renewable Energy Growth’
August 23rd, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Beacon Power Corporation has finalized a $43 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy for an innovative flywheel energy storage project in Stephentown, NY. The 20 megawatt Flywheel Plant is the latest step by New York State toward improve its electric grid management, and is the first of its kind in the world.
Continue reading ‘Improving New York’s Electric Grid’
August 20th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
A Danish architectural firm is taking a well-known method of energy storage and applying it to renewable energy, turning unused land surrounded by water into Green Power Islands. The firm, Gottlieb Paludan, is setting up solar and wind farms on these islands then using the surrounding water as energy storage via pumped hydro.
Continue reading ‘Green Power Islands: A Solution for Renewable Energy Storage Problems?’
August 20th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
The country’s first utility-scale wave power project is moving forward in construction. The 1.5 megawatt wave energy park will generate enough energy to power 375 or more homes. The park will likely be located 2.5 miles off the Oregon coast near Reedsport, and use ten electricity-generating buoys. PB150 PowerBuoys will be used to generate power, and the first one has been constructed at Oregon IronWorks. Oregon’s governor approves of the project, and has said, “The manufacture of the first buoy has already created dozens of green-energy jobs in Oregon and when the 10-buoy wave power project is built, a whole new industry will be created to benefit our coastal communities.”
Continue reading ‘Wave Energy Project Coming to Oregon’
August 19th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Belgium is considering whether to allow a new method of disposing of human remains that is being billed as a greener, less carbon-intensive alternative to cremation. Funeral directors in northern Belgium want the country to give the green light to resomation, a water and alkali-based process that turns bodies into a mix of liquid and minerals. Resomation uses less energy than cremation and emits significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Continue reading ‘Belgium Considers a Greener Alternative to Cremation’
