Stay current with Chicago, regional and global efficient and renewable energy news and trends. In this rapidly changing energy market, the Connexion Green Scene is your connexion between energy news and business solutions.
Prices for crystalline-silicon (c-Si) solar photovoltaic (PV) modules fell below the $1/W mark in January 2012, and in some cases well below even that, marking the first time that global average prices have fallen below this milestone, according to IMS Research...
As they've done for some Bears, Cubs and White Sox. games last year, Constellation Energy has announced that they will secure renewable energy credits (RECs) to match the electricity usage generated at the United Center with wind power before, during and after all Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks games.
As a prelude to Earth Day, Constellation will sponsor "green" games for the Blackhawks on April 1 and the Bulls on April 2 by purchasing Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Utility deregulation has ushered in fierce competition for ComEd. With nearly 200 suburban communities moving to purchase power on their residents' behalf at prices up to 16 percent cheaper than ComEd's, it shouldn't come as a surprise that ComEd is now scrambling to recover these lost residential rate revenues. ComEd contends that a key justification for hiking the charge soon is to ensure that departing customers pay for at least some of the power the utility has purchased on their behalf...
Advancements and innovations in green energy technologies could lead to a surge in demand for electrolytic manganese metal. With 98 percent of the global manganese output coming from China, demand for electrolytic manganese may in turn lead to a renaissance in the metal’s production in North America...
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized six research and development project teams at "Transformations in Lighting," its ninth annual Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop, held this year in Atlanta. The three-day event brought together nearly 300 researchers, manufacturers and other industry insiders and observers interested in keeping up to date on the latest solid-state lighting technology developments...
Growing concerns about energy and emissions are driving a revolution in the lighting sector, according to a new report from Digitimes Research. Advances in technology and falling prices will see the global penetration rate of LED lighting rise from a mere 1.5% as recently as 2009 to 11.6% in 2012, reaching 25.8% by 2014...
Renewable Energy stakeholders had hoped to include a one-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for renewable energy in the proposed bill but were unable to make it happen in the end. AWEA hopes to extend the PTC by February 29th so that construction of wind farms is not delayed...
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (2/13/2012)
Presents average weekly retail on-highway diesel fuel prices for the U.S., 8 regions, and the State of California and average weekly retail gasoline prices at the national and regional levels, and for selected cities and States.
This Week in Petroleum (2/15/2012)
Provides analysis, data, and charts of the latest weekly petroleum supply and price data.
Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (2/16/2012)
Contains weekly estimates of natural gas in underground storage for the United States and three regions of the United States.
Natural Gas Weekly Update (2/16/2012)
Contains weekly updates of natural gas market prices, latest storage level estimates, recent lower 48 NOAA weather data, and other market activity or events.
Ohio's fuel mix for power generation is changing (02/16/2012)
Although coal remains the dominant fuel for Ohio's electric power generation, accounting for 81% of total statewide generation during the first 9 months of 2011, the amount of natural gas-fired electric generation in Ohio is up markedly over the past decade (see chart below). Natural gas fueled 8% of Ohio's total generation during the first 9 months of 2011, up from only 1% during the 2001-2004 period.
Yemen Country Analysis Brief (02/15/2012)
Yemen is located along the Bab el-Mandab, a strategic world oil shipping route. Yemen seeks to attract more foreign investment to boost exploration efforts and reverse its declining crude oil production. Yemen began exporting liquefied natural gas in November 2009.
What is shale gas and why is it important? (02/14/2012)
Shale gas refers to natural gas that is trapped within shale formations. Over the past decade, the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has allowed access to large volumes of shale gas that were previously uneconomical to produce.
What were the key energy commodity price trends in 2011? (02/14/2012)
Energy commodity price trends varied widely during 2011. This article provides an overview of key energy commodity price trends in 2011 based on prices seen in futures markets.
Retail gasoline prices in the Rocky Mountains fall as U.S. average prices rise (02/14/2012)
The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Rocky Mountain region fell from $3.35 per gallon just after Thanksgiving to $3.03 per gallon at the end of January, a drop of 32 cents. Over the same period, the average gasoline price for the United States as a whole increased 13 cents, from $3.31 per gallon to $3.44 per gallon. In general, prices in the Rocky Mountain area have been lower than the national average for much of the past year due to relatively low crude oil input costs to refineries in a region that is fairly self-sufficient in meeting its demand for gasoline and other petroleum products.
U.S. coal production rises slightly in 2011 amid lower domestic demand and higher exports (02/13/2012)
U.S. coal production increased slightly during 2011 for the second year in a row, rising about 0.4% from its 2010 level, after falling sharply during 2009. Exports drove gains in production, as U.S. coal shipments to other countries climbed to their highest level in two decades, while domestic coal consumption for electricity generation fell.
Natural gas and renewable shares of electricity generation to grow, coal still largest (02/10/2012)
Over the next 25 years, natural gas and renewable fuels gain a larger share of the U.S. generating mix of electricity, according to the Annual Energy Outlook 2012 (AEO2012) Early Release Reference case. Coal remains the dominant source of electricity, but its share drops from 45% in 2010 to 39% in 2035. The Reference case assumes no changes in current laws and regulations or major technology breakthroughs, either of which could significantly change that outlook.
Introducing EIA's Beta site (02/09/2012)
Beta encourages public testing and comment on the agency's latest product enhancements, and review of other users' comments. As a first offering, three products on the beta site allow users to easily create graphics that show and compare energy data from petroleum, natural gas, and electricity.
U.S. natural gas inventories at end of winter heating season expected highest since 1983 (02/09/2012)
The amount of U.S. working natural gas in underground storage at the end of March 2012 is expected to be the highest since 1983 for the close of the month, the traditional end of the winter heating season. A combination of warmer-than-normal temperatures this winter that reduced gas heating demand and rising domestic gas production has contributed to high inventories.
Electricity Wholesale Market Data (02/09/2012)
Wholesale electricity price data from ICE (IntercontinentalExchange) has been updated through February 3, 2012. Data include peak prices, volumes, and the number of transactions at five electricity trading hubs covering most regions of the United States.
As the American solar industry readies itself for a possible trade war with China, factions of the divided industry are battling among themselves. Some argue that China is killing American solar manufacturers by illegally dumping cheap solar panels on the U.S. market, while others fear that tariffs against China would curtail solar adoption here and provoke a wider trade war with China...
More and more restaurants in Chicago are producing their own ingredients – up on the roof. These restaurants are converting standard urban rooftops to green gardens to help reduce their environmental impact and support local food production...
Nate Kipnis isn't the sort of architect who builds eco-friendly houses for the sake of bragging about the latest green bells and whistles he's added. In fact, he makes a bigger deal about employing ancient energy-efficient design techniques, such as slanting roofs and overhangs and positioning windows to maximize a home's access to the sun's passive energy...
Silver Spring Networks, a leading smart grid networking platform and solutions provider, today announced it has finalized agreements with Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, to deploy its Smart Energy Platform to network nearly 4 million homes and businesses and Distribution Automation devices under the recently enacted Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA), a key initiative for the state of Illinois...
Environmental engineering professor Christopher Cherry knew he was in for it when American conservative radio talk show pundit Rush Limbaugh cited the study Cherry had co-authored about electric vehicles in China and their potential health impact on the population...
The Grundy Economic Development Council (GEDC) is again partnering with ComEd to conduct the Business Retention and Outreach Program designed to retain jobs and investments in the community...
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced new voluntary energy-saving specifications for LED and fluorescent lighting troffers used in indoor commercial buildings. Specifications have also been updated for LED parking-lot luminaires and various types of parking-structure lights...
You thought Solyndra’s green energy taxpayer rip-off was something? Well there are plenty more equally colorful crony catastrophes where that came from. I’ll mention just a few that haven’t gotten much attention.
Of the stimulus grants so far, more than 80 percent have gone to wind farms (covering up to 30% of all project costs)...
Beijing, Feb 18 (IANS) Chinese authorities have halted operations of hundreds of illegal coalmines in the country's resource-rich Inner Mongolia region, officials said Saturday.
About 9,000 mines were checked as part of an investigation. A total of 467 mines were ordered to halt operations, while 73 mines were permanently closed.
The government had ordered the safety watchdogs to strengthen supervision of coalmines to ensure workers' safety and protection of the environment, China Daily reported.
Inner Mongolia holds the country's largest coal reserves -- estimated at 770.3 billion tonnes. It also has rich deposit of iron ore and rare earth metals.
A mining boom in recent years has brought prosperity to the region but concerns have been raised on the ecological damage.
Toshiba International Corporation (Toshiba) announced today that it is launching energy-efficient, long-lasting LED luminaires for roadway, area, and high- and low-bay lighting applications.
Conventional High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting, such as high-pressure sodium or metal halide, requires frequent maintenance and high wattage usage. In contrast, Toshiba’s LED luminaires have a rated life of 60,000 hours or 12 to 14 years, six times as long as metal-halide and twice as long as high pressure sodium products. As a result, LED luminaires provide one of the lowest life cycle costs of any lighting technology...
Following comprehensive stakeholder discussions in Bonn, Detroit and Beijing, Ernst & Young has today launched an in-depth report highlighting the global challenges and opportunities facing today’s electric vehicle (EV) market.
The Global Ignition Sessions report brings together these geographically diverse groups of stakeholders to focus on the critical, real-world issues facing the fleet, consumer and infrastructure segments and identifies ways in which to accelerate EV adoption in the coming years globally...
Farmington contracted with Ameresco Inc. to design and implement energy- and water-saving measures at selected schools and municipal buildings in town. The $3.3 million contract, the result of an energy audit conducted in 2011, will cover the cost of energy-saving projects at 22 school and municipal buildings. And it will not cost the town a dime. According to the town, the savings incurred from the projects will offset the costs...
The physicists at Fermilab usually don't pay much attention to the hums and growls and other mechanical sounds emanating all around them. It's the sort of background noise one tends to block out in the workplace. But to contemporary composer Mason Bates, those sounds were music to his ears.
Currently composer in residence for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Bates found inspiration in the sound of Fermilab for his latest symphony, "Alternative Emergy," commissioned by the CSO, which performed the piece for the first time on Feb. 2...
Legislators' failure to renew a tax credit for the wind power industry means trouble for a once promising environmentally friendly growth sector. The wind power industry is predicting massive layoffs and stalled or abandoned projects after a deal to renew a tax credit failed Thursday in Washington. The move is expected to have major ramifications in states such as Illinois, where 13,892 megawatts of wind projects...
Revealing your environmental impacts -- and your plans to address them -- has become table stakes for corporate sustainability. But it's still a big project, and can be a tough sell within the...
As part of the Administration's support for innovations in American manufacturing, the Energy Department today highlighted a recent breakthrough in residential window manufacturing that cuts down production time, while creating better-insulating, highly energy-efficient windows.
This innovative manufacturing design was partially funded by DOE and developed by GED Integrated Solutions, Inc. (GED), a worldwide supplier of insulating glass and vinyl window and door manufacturing systems. The Energy Department partners with companies like GED to help harness American ingenuity to commercialize and deploy cutting-edge building technologies that will help boost competitiveness in the U.S. manufacturing industry, create jobs for American workers, and save money for families.
"Offshore wind holds incredible potential for our country, and we're moving full-steam ahead to accelerate the siting, leasing and construction of new projects," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement. On top of unveiling the environmental assessment, the department also formally asked wind-power companies to specify which tracts they might want to lease...
As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to strengthening partnerships with Tribal Nations and supporting tribal energy development, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that 19 clean energy projects to receive more than $6.5 million. These competitively selected projects will allow Native American Tribes to advance clean energy within their communities by assessing local energy resources, developing renewable energy projects and deploying clean energy technologies. These projects will help Tribal communities across the country save money and create new job and business opportunities.
"As President Obama highlighted in the State of the Union, the Administration is committed to building an American economy that lasts and leverages our nation's clean energy resources," said Secretary Chu. "The awards announced today will help Tribes across the country advance a sustainable energy future for their local communities, spur economic development, and advance innovative clean energy technologies."
Even some of the biggest hotels have unwittingly passed up greater energy and cost savings despite aggressive sustainability agendas, according to new research conducted by the Harrah College of Hotel Administration and the Cannon Survey Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas The report outlines how the industry can step up its efforts in energy management. Schneider Electric, which commissioned the research, released highlights of the study findings today...
As part of the President's blueprint for an American economy built to last, the Energy Department and the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program have announced up to $1.3 million for training programs to provide commercial building professionals with critical skills needed to optimize building efficiency, reduce waste, and save money.
By offering valuable workforce training, these programs will help to reach the Better Buildings Initiative goal of improving energy efficiency nationwide in commercial and industrial buildings by 20% by 2020, reducing energy costs by nearly $40 billion and creating American jobs...
The European Steel Association, or Eurofer, Monday joined a call from other business interests urging the European Commission to oppose a pending parliamentary bill to "set aside" 1.3 billion allowances under the European Union's emissions trading scheme...
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG) today announced a significant expansion of its solar energy services capabilities and an enhanced commitment to sustainable property ownership through the launch of CBRE Solar.
CBRE Solar will provide services to the Company's clients, initially in the United States and Canada. Its service offering encompasses a broad range of solar energy solutions for clients, including solar power purchase agreements, roof leases, advisory services, project development services, project management services and solar project investment opportunities.
"As the world's largest commercial real estate services firm, we will play a leading role in the solar distributed generation market. CBRE Solar puts us in an ideal position to assist our corporate services and asset services clients in understanding and navigating the complexities of the solar market to efficiently maximize their real estate and achieve their sustainability and energy-cost reduction goals," said Mike Lafitte, president of the Americas for CB Richard Ellis.
"Given the unparalleled breadth and depth of our relationships, we are in a unique position to aggregate solar projects and achieve economies of scale in equipment, installation and financing costs for the benefit of our clients," said Dave Pogue, national director of sustainability at CB Richard Ellis...
Executives from the hydropower, geothermal and biomass industries have called upon the U.S. Congress to extend the production tax credit through 2016 for hydropower, geothermal and biomass...
Auburn Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today after years of losses. As part of its reorganization plan, the maker of solar panels plans to sell its United Solar Ovonic LLC subsidiary and its 39 percent stake in Ovonyx Inc., a joint venture between ECD and Intel Corp...
The Energy Department today announced new voluntary energy-saving specifications for lighting troffers – rectangular overhead fixtures used in commercial buildings – as well as parking lot and parking structure lighting.
The new performance criteria were developed by the Department of Energy’s Commercial Building Energy Alliances (CBEAs), which bring together major U.S. companies from a wide range of sectors to identify and implement successful energy efficiency and cost-saving practices. Building operators can voluntarily adopt these specifications for new buildings or building upgrades to reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions...
The Energy Department today applauded the opening of GE Appliance's newly revitalized manufacturing facility in Louisville's Appliance Park that will produce its highly efficient new water heaters.
GE moved the operation from China, where it had been producing a former version of the appliance, to the newly opened plant – the first to open in the Lousiville Appliance Park in over 50 years. The plant revitalization was partially funded through a manufacturing tax credit of $24.8 million under the Recovery Act, and will produce the company's new GeoSpring Hybrid Water Heaters, which were finalized and performance tested in partnership with the Department...
SWITCH Lighting(TM), the first company offering a beautifully designed LED bulb with true incandescent quality light, will have their SWITCH60 bulb displayed at two distinct exhibitions starting this month. On February 10th, the SWITCH60 can be viewed at the Pratt Gallery's "Bright Future: New Designs in Glass" exhibition. Starting on February 17th, the SWITCH60 will also be on display at the Chicago Architecture Foundation's "Loop Value: The HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Shop" exhibition...
Metropolis Strategies has announced the release of their report on the Chicago Region's Green Economy. The report explains how the Chicago region's energy efficient lighting sector could achieve rapid growth due to its predominance of lighting industries and mature assets in research, design, and commercial and energy efficient building practices.
The report serves two of Metropolis Strategies' current interests: growing the Chicago regional economy and promoting sustainable practices in the region. This report offers a disciplined way to analyze the green economy opportunities best suited to the Chicago region. It uses economic analysis to see where we might have a competitive advantage over other metropolitan regions in growing new firms or expanding markets for existing firms. The report identifies 12 sectors that look promising for Chicago and delves more deeply into one promising opportunity for growth -- energy efficient lighting.
In addition to the extensive drill down on energy efficient lighting, the report also provides insights on other energy sectors including: biofuels/biomass, green chemicals, organic farms and food production, recycled content products, smart grid, solar thermal energy, vehicle electrification, water purification and treatment, wind energy, and green building including building energy management.
"We must challenge and encourage talented students who show interest in math, science and engineering, because these will be critical skills for the leaders of tomorrow," said Frank M. Clark, Exelon Foundation board member and chairman and CEO of Exelon subsidiary ComEd. "As part of our support for innovative approaches to math and science education, the Exelon Foundation is pleased to help bring the STEM Partnership School yet another step closer to opening its doors..."
Today, it's not enough for a company to offer a mere one or two services to be a contender in the business of sustainable technology. The leading global firms must offer a range of solutions that go well beyond the initial vision of green IT in the context of data center applications, said David Metcalfe, CEO of the independent analyst firm Verdantix...
Dr. Energy Saver, are helping local homeowners identify and solve the sources of energy deficiency and high energy costs. Scott Stolzenburg, owner of Dr. Energy Saver® Fox Valley says that, "Increased prices for energy to heat and cool our homes are not going down any time soon. Matter of fact, we should look for this cost to continue to go up..."
Corporate espionage always makes for a tantalizing read, and here is a new script that pits a veteran solar company against an upstart: SunPower is suing five former employees and SolarCity over what it says a misappropriation and use of confidential data...
For years, environmental and health organizations have called for the closing of the 83-year-old coal-fired State Line Power Station, one of the Chicago area’s top polluters...
Bridgelux Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of LED lighting technologies and solutions, today announced that Kaistar Lighting (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. has agreed to invest $25 million in the company. Bridgelux will use the equity investment to further accelerate research, development, and production of LED chip and packaging technology for general illumination applications...
The Aurora City Council will vote Tuesday on proposed zoning code changes that would modify regulations for solar and wind energy systems. City planner Tracey Vacek said the intent of the regulations is to encourage the use of new alternative energy technology while minimizing neighborhood impact...
“Based on our analysis, we do agree that these metals should be considered critical and we believe that these metals run the risk of being in critical short supply in the near future,” Lara Smith, managing director of Johannesburg-based Core Consultants, told the conference...
Electric cars, heralded as environmentally friendly, may cause more harm to the environment than their gasoline-burning counterparts, a new study found. The study examined 34 major Chinese cities and found that electric cars caused 19 times more particulate matter pollution, which consists of acids, organic chemicals, metals, and dust, than gasoline cars...
Ecova, an energy and sustainability management firm, was commissioned by The Institute for Electric Efficiency to determine the market's best LED reflector lamps. TopTenUSA.org, a nonprofit organization that ranks products for energy efficiency, posted the findings on its website earlier this month.
The overall winner was a 17-watt PAR 38 lamp made by Technical Consumer Products (TCP). The lamp has a lifetime cost savings of $200, produces a soft, warm light that is similar to a haolgen incandescent and dims smoothly, according to the study released earlier this month. At the cost of $42, the lamp has a payback period of 4.1 years and an estimated useful life of 23 years...
Philips CEO Frans van Houten this morning indicated that the Dutch company could soon cut prices on LED light bulbs, which he acknowledged are too expensive for the average consumer. “The price point for LEDs in the consumer space is still a little bit out of reach,” van Houten said during a conference call with analysts to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter and year that ended Dec. 31, 2011..
Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300 and other members of the School Wind Consortium Joint Action Renewable Energy Agency, also known as the SWCA, have dropped plans to purchase and sell energy produced by wind turbines leased from an existing wind farm. The consortium also includes Keeneyille Elementary District 20 and Prospect Heights Elementary District 23...
The U.S. Energy Department is throwing a lot of money at solar power recently, with California seemingly getting the bulk of the federal money. President Obama last year set some pretty ambitious renewable energy targets, by American standards, and this year called for an "all-of-the above" strategy for domestic energy. But why put so much political energy into solar? Should there be a bulk renewable energy initiative...?
ComEd on Sunday unveiled its state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center designed to better deal with the aftermath of severe storms — like the ones that knocked out power to a record 3 million customers between June and August of last year...
“In my professional opinion, ComEd’s failure to adhere to consistent and adequate vegetation management practices in a uniform manner has resulted in subpar reliability performance and extensive customer outage periods caused by tree damage,” stated George Owens, an expert witness and engineer who testified in the report...
A jump-start for the U.S. rare earth elements industry starts with a three-credit course at Iowa State University.
Professor Vitalij Pecharsky's class is aimed at developing a workforce to help strengthen U.S. production of rare-earth elements crucial to modern energy, transportation and communication technologies...
“The Smart Lighting ERC functions as an advanced research and innovation engine for future solid-state lighting systems to bring a wide range of new capabilities to lighting,” said Rensselaer Professor and ERC Director Robert Karlicek. “Our annual Industry-Academia Days allow for industrial partners and other important stakeholders to hear directly from the leaders, faculty, and students who are in the lab every day working to solve technical challenges and invent new approaches for achieving the most efficient, highest quality lighting systems possible...”
When demand for power is high and supply is low, "the general public doesn't really know what's going on, but you have folks behind the scenes who are getting notice to shut off their power," said Carolyn Pengidore, CEO of ClearChoice Energy in Allison Park. "The lights stay on, so no one knows there was an issue.."
“We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by ending the subsidies for oil companies and doubling down on clean energy that generates jobs and strengthens our security,” Obama said today in a speech on at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Virginia...
"It's one of those sad ironies of a global economy that a gift that we give with love often has misery behind it," Dara O'Rourke, the co-founder and chief sustainability officer of GoodGuide, said of chocolate...
At the turn of the year, photovoltaics manufacturers are faced with difficult choices: continue selling at prices that do not allow for positive margins, or shutter production and wait for the current situation to settle down. With significant inventory on the supply side, and expectations on the demand side for continued low pricing, the correction is likely to be long and painful...
“By agreeing to the proposed settlement, Nicor is implicitly admitting they schemed to overcharge consumers,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. Nicor Gas ratepayers will see a refund at some point in a dispute that has dragged on for more than 10 years, after Nicor agreed to pay a $64 million settlement over a performance-based rate program...
Forget China - there seems to be no shortage of rare earth metals in Michigan. Richard Rosenbaum, a seller of coin and jewelry believes he’s the first Michigan retailer to sell a full line of REMs, which are sold individually or in sets...
Jack Lifton adds, “Unless you’re willing to build a total supply chain outside China, all you’re doing is supplying China.” The Founding Principal of Technology Metals Research declares, “How will we benefit if China maintains its lock on demand? The Chinese state is not making investments here to make a profit. They don’t want to build dollars to buy Bentleys. What they want is materials to go back to China....”
First Solar said the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has not released funds for its 230-megawatt Antelope Valley project in California due to construction permit issues, a development that could undo the sale of the project to Chicago-based Exelon Corp...
National Engineers Week, or EWeek, starts next Saturday (February 19 to 25) and it is a great opportunity for ASHRAE members to get out there and show your communities – and your local public policymakers – the value of engineering to society.
Initially recognized in 1951 and now governed by a coalition of more than 70 engineering and other societies and more than 50 corporate and government partners, EWeek promotes a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of, and interest in, engineering and technology careers.
Here are a handful of ways ASHRAE grassroots champions can actively participate in influencing policymakers during EWeek:
Meet with local policymakers and tell them what challenges you face on a day-to-day basis and what opportunities you see for moving forward. This can be done on an ad hoc, one-by-one basis or as a coordinated effort to hold a “Day at the Capitol” or “Day at City Hall.” However, if you go this route, please remember to clarify your speaking role. Chapters, sections, and their members may not speak for ASHRAE Society without prior approval by ASHRAE’s Advocacy Committee and except as permitted by the Rules of the Society Board of Directors, but may promote documents approved by the Board (e.g., standards, position statements, briefs). In addition, please note that members may speak for themselves on issues – in particular, relative to their professional credentials and technical expertise – or represent themselves as private citizens.
Encourage your city/town councilors, mayor, state legislator(s), or governor about issuing a resolution or proclamation acknowledging EWeek and the importance of engineering. Many bodies of government are very open to citizen input as far as congratulatory or recognition-based proposals. If your state legislature is in session or if your local government council is meeting before or during EWeek, ask a member (preferably one of whom you are a constituent) to introduce a resolution celebrating EWeek. Another tack is to contact your governor’s office and inquire as to whether he/she might issue a proclamation commemorating EWeek. In some cases, there may be a deadline by which requests for proclamations must be submitted, so please be understanding if the deadline has already come and gone.
Recognize – perhaps, through an award – policymakers who have worked on behalf of engineers in the past year. If you know of any local or state officials who have worked to preserve and enhance the engineering sector – particularly if related to HVAC&R issues – send them a certificate of merit or present them with a plaque; a little good will goes a long way.
If you are interested in organizing activities such as those listed above, or have any questions about other possible grassroots avenues for celebrating EWeek, please contact ASHRAE’s Government Affairs Office at your earliest convenience.
U.S. Congressmen Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) and Donald Manzullo (R-IL) to Introduce Resolution Supporting Goals and Ideals of National Engineers Week
As noted above, National Engineers Week begins the week after next. In recognition of the importance role that engineering careers play in the U.S. economy, U.S. Representatives Daniel Lipinski and Donald Manzullo will introduce a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives supporting the goals and ideas of National Engineers Week.
President Obama Announces $100 Million Commitment to Prepare 100,000 STEM Teachers at White House Hosts Science Fair
Earlier this week, President Barack Obama unveiled plans commit $100 million and take other steps to recruit, support, retain, and reward 100,000 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers to help improve students’ ability to compete in the current and future job markets. Details of the President’s proposal are available at http://1.usa.gov/wp8xuC
The President made this announcement at the White House Science Fair, which was an attempt to showcase the importance of STEM, and encourage students to become involved in these careers.
The Science Fair celebrated over 100 students from over 45 states, including the Paul Robeson/Malcolm X Academy student team, who competed in the National Engineers Week Future City Competition.
Additional information on the White House’s Science Fair, including pictures and video, can be found at http://1.usa.gov/wI42EC
President Obama to Release Budget Request to Congress on Monday, February 13
Next Monday the President will rollout his policy priorities for the coming fiscal year in his budget request to Congress for FY 2013. This guiding document is used by Congress to frame funding discussions, and this year will be used to bolster political election-related arguments.
Even though scant details are available on what may be contained in the President’s request, as a result of the politics of a Republican-controlled House and Senate-controlled Senate, the largest proposals in the President’s budget are fairly likely to be considered dead on arrival. Likewise, the possibility of Congress passing funding bills through the regular processes is unlikely to occur as Members of Congress clash over philosophical differences and vie for political dominance. Additional information on the President’s request will be included in the next Government Affairs Update.
HPBCCC Holds Congressional Briefing on the Design, Construction, Operation & Maintenance of High-Performance Federal Buildings
The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC), which ASHRAE chairs, held a briefing on Capitol Hill last week entitled “Reducing Taxpayer Dollar Waste by Improving Federal Building Design, Construction, Operation & Maintenance: The High-Performance Federal Buildings Act (H.R.3371)”. As its title suggests, this briefing focused on the how the federal government is seeking to reduce its energy consumption and reduce the burden on taxpayers by improving the federal building stock.
Representative Russ Carnahan (Co-Chair of the High-Performance Buildings Caucus) spoke at this briefing, as did the following:
Kevin Kampschroer; Federal Director; Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, U.S. General Services Administration
Tim Unruh, PhD, P.E., LEED® AP, CEM, CSDP; Program Manager; Federal Energy Management Program; U.S. Department of Energy
Christopher P. Hodges, P.E., CFM, LEED® AP; IFMA Fellow; International Facility Management Association
Civilian Property Realignment Act Passes House with Life-Cycle Costing Requirement Included
The Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA) (H.R.1734) passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 259 to 164. The CPRA would help the federal government reduce unutilized space. Included in the bill is a requirement to use life-cycle cost analysis in the design or lease of federal buildings receiving at least 50 percent federal funding, and which construction cost is over $1 million, or the space to be leased is over 25,000 square feet. This provision was offered (and accepted) as an amendment to the CPRA by Rep. Russ Carnahan.
According to a press release on the passage of the bill, the bill could result in the generation of “$15 billion in revenue from property sales, in addition to the billions more generated from future cost avoidance from simply owning less property. Within the first 180 days after the commission is set up, H.R. 1734 will generate $500 million in taxpayer savings.” For additional information visit http://bit.ly/AejstQ
An association in China’s major rare earth reserve region on Wednesday denied Japanese media reports claiming that it has agreed to cooperate on mineral business with its Okinawa counterpart. Reports of a signed agreement of cooperation in the rare earth industry are “seriously fraudulent,...”
Intematix, a leading innovator of patented phosphors and phosphor components for high-quality LED lighting, was named the number one phosphor supplier in China in 2011, according to respected LED market research company Gaogong LED. Intematix was also named one of the seven most recognizable LED lighting brands by the China National Semiconductor Lighting Association, alongside some of the largest global component and production equipment brands in the LED industry. These accolades highlight Intematix's position as the top phosphor company in China...
Using technology developed by the blue LED pioneer Shuji Nakamura and his UCSB colleagues, and now led by the highly-regarded ex-Intel and Samsung executive Eric Kim, Soraa has coined the term “LED 2.0” to describe its approach to solid-state lighting...
A Stanford University research team has designed a high-efficiency charging system that uses magnetic fields to wirelessly transmit large electric currents between metal coils placed several feet apart. The long-term goal of the research is to develop an all-electric highway that wirelessly charges cars and trucks as they cruise down the road...
Forging ahead with its green power agenda, IKEA is expanding its solar commitments in the U.S. yet again and installing more charging stations for electric cars. IKEA now plans to bring rooftop solar power to 85 percent of its stores and distribution centers in the United States. Installation of arrays and EV charging sites continues apace with one each completed since the first of the year...
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (2/6/2012)
Presents average weekly retail on-highway diesel fuel prices for the U.S., 8 regions, and the State of California and average weekly retail gasoline prices at the national and regional levels, and for selected cities and States.
This Week in Petroleum (2/8/2012)
Provides analysis, data, and charts of the latest weekly petroleum supply and price data.
Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (2/9/2012)
Contains weekly estimates of natural gas in underground storage for the United States and three regions of the United States.
Natural Gas Weekly Update (2/9/2012)
Contains weekly updates of natural gas market prices, latest storage level estimates, recent lower 48 NOAA weather data, and other market activity or events.
U.S. natural gas inventories at end of winter heating season expected highest since 1983 (02/09/2012)
The amount of U.S. working natural gas in underground storage at the end of March 2012 is expected to be the highest since 1983 for the close of the month, the traditional end of the winter heating season. A combination of warmer-than-normal temperatures this winter that reduced gas heating demand and rising domestic gas production has contributed to high inventories.
Wholesale Market Data (02/09/2012)
This site contains spreadsheets with wholesale electricity price data from ICE (IntercontinentalExchange) through February 3, 2012 (latest website update: February 9, 2012). The files contain peak prices, volumes, and the number of transactions at five electricity trading hubs covering most regions of the United States.
Tight oil, Gulf of Mexico deepwater drive projected increases in U.S. crude oil production (02/08/2012)
EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2012 Early Release Reference case, providing updated projections for energy markets through 2035, projects increased domestic crude oil production driven by development of tight oil resources onshore and deepwater resources in the Gulf of Mexico.
Short-Term Energy Outlook (02/07/2012)
"EIA expects the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil to average about $100 per barrel in 2012, almost $6 per barrel higher than the average price last year. Based on recent futures and options data, the market believes there is about a one-in-fifteen chance that the average WTI price in June 2012 will exceed $125 per barrel, and about a one-in-fifty chance that it would exceed $140 per barrel.
PADD regions enable regional analysis of petroleum product supply and movements (02/07/2012)
The Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADDs) are geographic aggregations of the 50 States and the District of Columbia into five districts. The PADDs help users of EIA's petroleum data assess regional petroleum product supplies. Considering the United States as five discrete areas, refinery production or inventories can be assessed on a regional basis.
Short Term Energy Outlook - Market Prices and Uncertainty Report (02/07/2012)
EIA expects the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil to average about $100 per barrel in 2012, almost $6 per barrel higher than the average price last year. Based on recent futures and options data, the market believes there is about a one-in-fifteen chance that the average WTI price in June 2012 will exceed $125 per barrel, and about a one-in-fifty chance that it would exceed $140 per barrel.
Renewable electricity generation in California includes variable and non-variable sources (02/06/2012)
Hourly electric power generation data illustrate the variability of wind and solar generation relative to the comparatively smooth output from other generation sources. The California ISO, which operates the electric power system for most of California, provides these hourly data for generation sources that are eligible renewable resources under California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
Most states have Renewable Portfolio Standards (02/03/2012)
Renewable portfolio standards (RPS) are policies designed to increase electricity generation from renewable resources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. While there is no National-level renewable portfolio standard, 30 States and the District of Columbia had enforceable renewable portfolio standards (RPS) or other mandated renewable capacity policies, as of January 2012. In addition, seven States had voluntary goals for renewable generation.
Domestic Uranium Production Report - Quarterly (02/02/2012)
Fourth quarter 2011 update of uranium production in the United States and operating status of U.S. uranium mills and plants.
The US wind industry, seeking to prolong its decade-long construction boom, wants renewable energy subsidies added to any deal between Congress and the White House that extends a payroll tax cut through the rest of this year...
The Energy Department recognized six research and development project teams last week at "Transformations in Lighting," its ninth annual Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop, held this year in Atlanta. The three-day event brought together nearly 300 researchers, manufacturers, and other industry insiders and observers interested in keeping up to date on the latest solid-state lighting technology developments...
The worldwide LED market grew 9.8% to $12.5 billion in 2011, with 44% growth in the lighting sector, according to Strategies Unlimited, who revealed the top-ten LED suppliers for the year. However, the outlook remains roughly flat for the next 5 years, peaking in 2013...
Discounting objections from human rights activists related to a December riot in Kazakhstan, Germany had forged on Wednesday a rare earths and technology agreement swap with the Central Asian nation, where the European giant gains access to the latter's abundant rare earths and other raw minerals in exchange for technological advancement and investment...
Most policy ideas for reducing demand for energy rely on one of two claims about why consumers need to be steered toward using less of it. Call these claims Flawed People and Flawed Markets. Flawed People consume too much energy if they do a poor job of considering energy prices in their decisions, and thus make bad choices about which cars and other energy-intensive products will suit their tastes in the most cost-effective way...
Legendary singer Bonnie Raitt and her band will be performing at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago on Saturday, May 19th. She will hosting a special benefit reception following her show with singer songwriter Marc Cohn, in support of the Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS)...
Exelon Corporation today announced the next level of executives leading what will be the largest competitive energy provider in the nation upon the closing of Exelon's merger with Constellation Energy Group The appointments reflect leaders who will assume senior leadership roles in the combined organization, effective upon closing. They follow prior announcements of senior leadership within the Constellation business unit and the Exelon risk and finance teams...
China is not keen to give up the fight in justifying its rare earths export policy recently thumbed down by the World Trade Organization. China is also set not to give in to pressure from developed nations to loosen export restrictions on its rare earths exports and are ready to face a deluge of counter petitions, an officer of the Ministry of Commerce said in a report...
The U.S. Department of Energy will be hosting a webinar today, Thursday, February 9, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, titled "Conversion Technologies for Advanced Biofuels Workshop (CTAB) Report Out."
During the webinar, DOE biofuels experts will discuss the outcomes of a recent workshop, which helped lay out a plan, or roadmap, for technology development for producing advanced hydrocarbon biofuels from cellulose. Slated for publication in late 2012, the new technology roadmap will examine the technical challenges that must be overcome to commercially develop interchangeable, "drop-in" replacements for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel made from biomass.
E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) North America announced today it has secured $122.2 million of institutional equity financing from JPM Capital Corporation (JP Morgan) and Wells Fargo Wind Holdings LLC (Wells Fargo) in exchange for a partial interest in its recently completed Settlers Trail Wind Farm. JP Morgan acted as lead investor in the financing...
Microsoft got the attention of the tech world last Wednesday when it took another step in the Windows 8 launch process - and it's not at all like the Windows operating systems you've come to know over the past 25 years.
"Minimizing the power consumption of your PC while maximizing the responsiveness and utility (making it “fast and fluid”), is a significant engineering challenge." says Sharif Farag and Ben Srour, lead program managers on the Fundamentals and User Experience teams at Microsoft. The new operating system will reportedly increase energy efficiency in the operating system’s applications.
Windows 8 will feature a "desktop activity moderator" for devices that allow the "connected standby" mode, to help manage desktop apps by putting them into sleep mode...
Siemens and Johnson Controls Inc. have won energy performance contracts from the US Army totaling more than $60m for solar, wind and retrofit projects to improve efficiency.The Army announced the deals last week, a month following President Obama`s call to all federal agencies to make better use of energy performance contracts - arrangements that enable efficiency projects to be paid for using savings realized from the improvements so that there are no upfront costs to taxpayers. The president directed all federal agencies to pursue at least $2bn in energy upgrades in the next two years.Siemens...
The Village Board this week contracted with an energy broker to help Orland Park residents and businesses collectively take advantage of cheaper electric rates now offered by more than a dozen suppliers in the wake of deregulation...
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan on Wednesday announced it has earmarked some $65 million in subsidies in a bid to encourage Japanese manufacturers to reduce their reliance and consumption of precious rare earth metals and minerals, as well as spur the development of new technologies, to aid in their various products and services...
If the referendum passes, Evanston's government will replace ComEd as the price negotiator. The city will be able to negotiate prices on behalf of all residential and small business customers that do not opt to remain with ComEd. Presenting customers in bulk to energy producers could give the producers an incentive to lower prices...
Whether it’s ceiling tiles that absorb heat, or a thermostat that can 'learn’ people’s behaviour, the challenges posed by getting our buildings more energy efficient is throwing up some exciting innovations. Louise Bateman finds out from the experts the energy efficiency innovations showing the most promise...
While there are several software tools and applications that have proven beneficial for building operations and energy management, the software application with the best verified results and cost effectiveness is fault detection and diagnostics. It’s the killer app of the building automation and building energy management industry...
The light emitting diode (LED) market is booming as consumers switch from incandescent bulbs to more energy efficient LEDs. Lighting designers and manufacturers are looking for materials to help make the bulb transition a smooth one. Bayer MaterialScience LLC is launching a new grade of thermally conductive plastic to help lighting manufacturers meet consumer demand quickly and cost-effectively...
An industry leader in smart energy products, Noribachi announces pricing revisions for LED and solar lighting. The superiority of LED lighting is indisputable and its delayed mainstream adoption is the result of prohibitive up-front costs. In a goodwill action to advance LEDs as the lighting standard, Noribachi has streamlined its pricing, resulting in significant reductions of up to 31% across the product line. The new prices are expected to bolster both interest and investment in LED lighting...
As part of the Obama Administration's blueprint for an American economy built to last, today U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced over $12 million to speed solar energy innovation from the lab to the marketplace through the Energy Department's SunShot Incubator program.
The funding will accelerate American innovation in solar energy and manufacturing by supporting advancements in hardware, reductions in soft costs, and the development of pilot manufacturing and production projects...
A zero-energy building is one that produces as much energy as it consumes, making it a net-zero energy property and eliminating energy bills for its owners. Although zero-energy homes and buildings are quite rare today, increasing concerns about energy waste have set the stage for a growing market. The Pike Research report predicts huge reductions in the cost of technologies required to make zero energy buildings possible, such as energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, improved insulation and solar panels...
Microprocessor based loads for computer hardware need high fidelity voltage for continuous fault-free operation. For more than 20 years that power quality profile has been mandated by the CBEMA curve (Computer Business Equipment Manufacturers Association) that was embodied in IEEE466 and the Emerald edition of the IEEE Colour Series Books...
“Any Motor manufacturer without a compelling line up of electric vehicles [by 2025] is signing its death warrant.”
This is an unequivocally bold assertion, not made by any government, EV manufacturer, media source or advocacy group, but rather, by the independent consulting and research organization IDTechEX, who claim to be the only analyst with 18 current reports – continuously updated – forecasting sales of electric vehicles and their components...
Making its debut in the U.S. market, the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV has knocked the Honda Civic Natural Gas car from its eight-year reign as No. 1 on the annual Greenest Vehicles List compiled by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy...
The U.S. has reversed a two-decade-long decline in energy independence, increasing the proportion of demand met from domestic sources over the last six years to an estimated 81 percent through the first 10 months of 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg from the U.S. Department of Energy...
SavWatt USA, Inc., pioneers in LED lighting and the Green Revolution, today released a business update summarizing some of the company's initiatives: Due to the nature of the market SavWatt will enter the market creating "SavWatt Depot," a one-stop shop for contractors and homeowners to pick up energy-efficient home products including LED lights, solar panels, solar water heaters, solar pool heaters, battery storage and other energy efficient products. A 12,000 square foot facility in San Marcos, California is currently being renovated for this launch...
Acuity Brands, Inc., a market leader in innovative energy efficient lighting and control solutions, is pleased to announce that its nLiGHTR Network Lighting Control System from Sensor Switch recently received a 2011 Top Products Award for lighting controls from Building Operating Management, the most preferred publication among building owners and facilities executives...
Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE), a global provider of electrical solutions, today announced the acquisition of Fifth Light Technology, Ltd. ("Fifth Light"). Fifth Light is a privately owned company based in Oakville, Canada that specializes in the design, sale and implementation of digitally addressable lighting interface (DALI) solutions and a suite of centralized building management software applications. This portfolio of solutions enables facility management to measure and control energy consumption across individual fixtures, as well as provide for the integration and control of other building management systems...
No matter what the WTO decides, the world’s appetite for rare earth material will continue to grow. Whether or not the restrictions are eased, rare earth consumers around the world will be affected by the oldest business rule around: supply and demand. If supply opens up even a little, look to see the first impact on Aluminum Corporation of China, which is subtly working behind the scenes to consolidate the Chinese rare earth industry...
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said Wednesday it has developed a device that extracts rare earth elements from used household air conditioners and hopes it will help in coping with shortages of rare earth elements and their high prices. The apparatus will be installed at a factory run by Green Cycle Systems Corp., a Mitsubishi Electric subsidiary in the city of Chiba and begin operations in April...
The list of once-obscure metals and minerals that are becoming "strategic" seems to be growing daily. However, population growth and rising living standards in developing countries are driving demand for most raw materials. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security Senior Fellow Jack Lifton explains how increasing demand and harder-to-mine deposits are raising prices on these essential materials...
The North American solar photovoltaic (PV) market tacked on nearly another full gigawatt (GW) of installations in 4Q11, echoing a late-year surge seen in other markets (think Germany and Asia), says NPD Solarbuzz. New Jersey, California, Arizona, and Ontario accounted for two-thirds of that demand; more than half (59 percent) was for large-scale ground-mount systems...
"In about five-years' time the infrastructure side of the business will be a billion dollar business," Hans Streng, head of electrical vehicle charging infrastructure at ABB, told Reuters in an interview. The current global market is worth about $50-$100 million he said. Both companies together can offer fast-charging technologies for electric vehicles, since ABB has direct current (DC) charging capabilities and RWE already provides alternating current (AC) charging infrastructure and IT-solutions for customer data management and billing to their commercial and private e-mobility customers...
Interest in materials known as rare earth elements surged when China temporarily blocked exports in 2010. Manufacturers started looking everywhere for new supplies of rare earth metals - including the moon. Scientists speculate that there may be more than a million tons of the isotope due to the moon's lack of atmosphere...
Renewable energy in the United States is at a crossroads. With several federal tax grants set to expire by the end of 2012, utilities are trying to decide if the falling prices of solar and wind technology makes renewable energy competitive enough to invest in despite vanishing federal aid. Lindsay Morris recently discussed the future of renewable energy with four renewable executives...
With this expiration looming, the future of the industry in Illinois — one of the top producers of wind energy in the nation — could leave the state struggling to meet its renewable energy requirements, even as the state exports more wind energy than it uses. With 1,500 turbines in operation and about the same number in permitting stages, Illinois's wind industry also has thrived because of an electric grid ideal for carrying power into Chicago and exporting it to Midwestern and Eastern states and the state’s renewable-energy requirements...
Toyota Motor Corp has developed a way to make hybrid and electric vehicles without the use of expensive rare earth metals, in which China has a near-monopoly. Japan accounts for a third of global rare earth demand and is aiming to cut consumption, providing subsidies for recycling and investing in new ways to limit their use...
China's premier said Friday that the country does not discriminate against foreign companies in terms of rare earth supplies, stating that policies and quotas for both domestic and foreign companies are the same...
If you are going to transform American energy to address the national security and economic risks associated with our OPEC oil dependence, there is only one solution: move our natural gas reserves into transportation, with an emphasis on the heavy-duty truck and fleet-vehicle markets. Free-market advocates argue that's bad public policy...
The results of TheChargingPoint.com poll are in, and they reveal purchase price is the thing holding most people back from buying an electric vehicle, not worries over how far the car can go on a single charge...
This week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued its much anticipated ruling on whether China’s export policies for critical metals violated the agreement it first entered in 2001 to be part of the WTO. The highest court within the WTO, known as the Appellate Body, found China was in violation of WTO requirements and had breached its original agreement. The decision marks a huge victory for the many automotive, high tech and alternative energy manufacturers globally that rely on China’s rare earth metal deposits to produce their goods...
The wind turbine is more than 400 feet tall, the tallest structure in Fall River, and is expected to make the plant more competitive, said Zia Eftekhar, chief executive of Philips’s North American lighting division. Once connected to the region’s power grid, it is expected to produce up to 70 percent of the Fall River plant’s electricity needs - or enough to power about 500 homes. "The Lightolier turbine is part of a new era of renewable energy development in Massachusetts," said Governor Deval Patrick. "Through projects such as this, Massachusetts is building energy self-reliance, breaking free from the price volatility and pollution of fossil fuels and creating jobs for our residents...”
Republican politicians launched their light bulb war in Washington last year. While they failed to get this year's federal regulations phasing out most types of incandescent light bulbs overturned, the battle plods on. As of Jan. 1, manufacturing or importing 100-watt lights for sale in the United States is illegal, and 75-, 60- and 40-watt bulbs will reach that point by 2014, but six states have pending legislation that could free them from the new energy guidelines...
Cooper Lighting, an industry leader committed to delivering innovative products and driving transformational technology in the lighting industry, is pleased to announce that its Halo H4 LED Adjustable Gimbal Series has been named a winner in Electronic House magazine's 2012 Product of the Year competition. Announced this month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the competition awards products based on their innovation, aesthetics, technological advances and lifestyle benefits to the customer...
More than 45 auto manufacturers are expected to be competing globally in the electric vehicle market with approximately 75 models by 2015, according to a study from IHS Automotive Supplier Business. Depending on the strength of the global recovery of automotive markets and the speed with which the electric vehicle (EV) models are marketed and the supporting infrastructure, cumulative sales are expected to total 700,000 to 1 million...
Texas based GreenStar, an LED lighting manufacturer, has signed a contract with Houston-based Toshiba International Corp. The dollar amount of deal was not disclosed. However, Mark Altomare, vice president of business development for Toshiba LED Lighting Systems Division, says Toshiba’s agreement calls for GreenStar to produce and market LED luminaires for use as roadway and area lighting, and in high- and low-bay applications....
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (1/30/2012)
Presents average weekly retail on-highway diesel fuel prices for the U.S., 8 regions, and the State of California and average weekly retail gasoline prices at the national and regional levels, and for selected cities and States.
Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (2/2/2012)
Contains weekly estimates of natural gas in underground storage for the United States and three regions of the United States.
Natural Gas Weekly Update (2/2/2012)
Contains weekly updates of natural gas market prices, latest storage level estimates, recent lower 48 NOAA weather data, and other market activity or events.
Domestic Uranium Production Report - Quarterly (02/02/2012)
Fourth quarter 2011 update of uranium production in the United States and operating status of U.S. uranium mills and plants.
Petroleum Marketing Monthly (02/01/2012)
Crude oil and refiner No. 2 distillates prices rose appreciably in November, while refiner prices for gasoline continued to decline. Data covering prime supplier sales of finished petroleum products for local consumption show gasoline sales were flat in November, while distillate sales increased slightly.
Global natural gas production doubled between 1980 and 2010 (01/31/2012)
Global dry natural gas production increased 110% between 1980 and 2010, from 53 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in 1980 to 112 Tcf in 2010. The combined share of North America and the Former Soviet Union-the top two producing regions during the time period-fell from 72% in 1980 to 49% in 2010. While all regions increased natural gas production between 1980 and 2010, the Middle East grew most rapidly, increasing more than eleven-fold.
Company Level Imports (01/30/2012)
Imports data at the company level collected from the EIA-814 Monthly Imports Report.
Solar Photovoltaic Cell/Module Module Shipments Report 2010 (01/30/2012)
Despite a sluggish U.S. economy in 2010, the U.S. photovoltaic (PV) industry saw strong growth. Total shipments of PV modules in 2010 more than doubled compared to total module shipments in 2009, rising from nearly 1.2 peak gigawatts to more than 2.6 peak gigawatts.
Natural Gas Monthly (01/30/2012)
The January issue of the NGM, featuring data through November 2011, has been released. The preliminary estimate of net imports of natural gas in the United States totaled 119 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for November, the lowest level since August 1991. This was caused by a significant increase in exports and a similar decrease in imports. Exports totaled approximately 128 Bcf, a 31 percent increase from October's volume. Imports totaled about 246 Bcf, a 7 percent decrease from October's volume and the lowest level since June 1998. Total exports now include volumes exported to Chile using LNG vessels, in addition to the countries previously reported.
Renewable Energy Annual 2009 (01/30/2012)
The Renewable Energy Annual (2009), presents five chapters covering various aspects of the renewable energy marketplace, along with detailed data tables and graphics. Particular focus is given to renewable energy trends in consumption and electricity; manufacturing activities of solar thermal collectors, solar photovoltaic cells/modules, and geothermal heat pumps; and green pricing and net metering programs.
DOE provides detailed offshore wind resource maps (01/30/2012)
Wind Powering America (a DOE initiative) publishes a series maps showing the potential to generate electricity from offshore wind resources in the United States. Factors other than wind resource availability, including the future availability of subsidies for wind generation, the cost of natural gas and other competing technologies, and issues surrounding the allocation of costs for transmission projects that could connect wind-rich regions with major load centers, will likely play a dominant role in determining the future use of wind power.
Electric Power Monthly (01/30/2012)
The latest Electric Power Monthly (EPM) is now available. This is the second January issue. The first contained October 2011 data. The data in the current issue are for November 2011, during which net generation in the United States decreased 0.6 percent from the November 2010 level. Consumption of coal for power generation fell 8.2 percent compared to November 2010. The average retail price of electricity for November 2011 was 9.67 cents per kilowatthour, 1.3 percent higher than November 2010, when the price was 9.55 cents per kWh.
Monthly Natural Gas Gross Production Report (01/30/2012)
Monthly natural gas gross withdrawals estimated from data collected on Form EIA-914 (Monthly Natural Gas Production Report) for Federal Offshore Gulf of Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, Other States and Lower 48 States. Alaska data are from the State of Alaska and included to obtain a U.S. Total.
Petroleum Supply Monthly (01/30/2012)
Supply and disposition of crude oil and petroleum products on a national and regional level. The data series describe production, imports and exports, movements and inventories.
Electricity Monthly Update (01/30/2012)
The Electricity Monthly Update introduces a new EIA product that replaces the Monthly Flash Estimates for Electric Power Data. This release contains data for November 2011 with new feature stories, enhanced and interactive graphics, a new presentation flow, and new electricity industry data sources.
State Electricity Profiles updated for 2010 data (01/30/2012)
The annual report contains data tables describing the electricity industry in each State. Data include generating capability, electricity generation, fuel use and prices, retail sales, emissions, and net interstate transfers of electricity.
Monthly Energy Review (01/27/2012)
EIA's most comprehensive report on recent integrated energy statistics. Preliminary data indicate that in October 2011, U.S. natural gas consumption totaled 1.8 quadrillion Btu, which represented 23 percent of U.S. total primary energy consumption.
New Northeast natural gas pipeline capacity comes on-line (01/27/2012)
Four interstate natural gas pipeline projects in the Northeast U.S. began commercial service in 2011, adding nearly 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of capacity (see map) and over 181 miles of new pipe. The new projects are already having a significant impact on prices received by natural gas producers in the region by providing improved access to major demand centers.
Domestic supply of liquid fuels projected to increase, resulting in fewer imports (01/26/2012)
U.S. dependence on imported liquids declines through 2035 in the 2012 Annual Energy Outlook Reference case projection, primarily as a result of growth in domestic oil production, an increase in biofuels use, and slower growth in consumption of transportation fuels. In this projection, net petroleum imports as a share of total U.S. liquid fuels supplied drop from 49% in 2010 to 36% in 2035.
Wholesale Market Data (01/26/2012)
This site contains spreadsheets with wholesale electricity price data from ICE (IntercontinentalExchange) through January 20, 2012 (latest website update: January 26, 2012). The files contain peak prices, volumes, and the number of transactions at five electricity trading hubs covering most regions of the United States.
A new program designed to incorporate wind energy topics into middle and high school classrooms is slated to begin during the 2012-2013 school year. Illinois Wind for Schools is an initiative sponsored through a partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, the Western Illinois University Department of Engineering Technology, the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, and the College of Education at Illinois State University.
The program will offer curriculum development resources, teacher professional development, on-site technical assistance, and instructional equipment to middle school and high school teachers across the state. All training, curriculum, and equipment will be offered at no charge to schools selected for the program. Applications and guidelines are available at the Illinois Wind for Schools website. Schools selected for the program will be notified by April 2. Although Illinois is not one of the official 11 DOE-funded Wind for Schools project states, it is eligible to take advantage of the Wind for Schools Affiliate Project.
This new app from GreenCharge synchronizes with data from your Nissan LEAF or Chevrolet Volt. The download price ($10) is approximately the average cost of electricity for driving an electric vehicle 240 miles (the distance that an average American drives in one week).
GreenCharge monitors your battery data, charging speed, efficiency of recent journeys and environmental impact and keeps it to hand in handy graphical form. The app was developed by Xatori Inc, creators of PlugShare, the largest electric vehicle charging network in the United States. See video below:
Last Friday, the California Air Resources Board voted to support an Advanced Clean Cars regulatory program for vehicles produced from 2018 through to 2025. The program, which was launched three years ago, is designed to help build the future market for lithium battery electric vehicles...
China's Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday it was prepared to defend its rare earth export policies at the World Trade Organization, days after the global trade body ruled against its export restrictions on raw materials exports...
Royal Philips Electronics has reported a 70% increase in sales of LED lighting products (excluding chips) in 2011, as the industry entered the early stages of its solid-state revolution. The diversified Dutch industrial giant rates itself as the largest lighting company in the world, with its 2011 sales of €7.64 billion close to double that of its nearest rival...
Today OCG Lighting, the LED specialists, launch a new product - NeoBulb Escort ATEX - designed specifically for hazardous and explosive environments. NeoBulb Escort ATEX lighting fixtures bring all of the environmental benefits of high quality LED lighting – long, maintenance-free life, excellent efficiency and incredible durability – to heavy industry applications...
Clean Energy Alliance, Inc. (CEA), the national association of clean energy business incubators, announced the membership of both the William J. Von Liebig Center for Entrepreneurism and Technology Advancement at the University of California, San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, and the Clean Energy Trust of Chicago, IL.
CEA, founded a decade ago by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focuses on developing practices and resources to support clean energy technology commercialization. Incubator members of CEA provide incubation services, including both physical and virtual mentoring and business counseling, to assist emerging clean energy technology companies in the commercialization process...
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wrapped up Jan. 13, after a typically splashy convention that unveiled numerous new gadgets. Although some of the items are perhaps less useful than others – automated unicycle, anyone? – many of the consumer electronics displayed are notable for their practical embrace of energy efficiency measures. To insiders, this signals that manufacturers are cementing energy efficiency as a part of their business models going forward.
Here are some of the more notable energy-efficient innovations from CES...
Navistar International Corp. will start manufacturing big-rig trucks to burn liquid and compressed natural gas by early next year, and it is partnering with gas magnate T. Boone Pickens’ Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to set up a national system of natural-gas fueling stations...
Federal officials notified U.S. importers of solar panels and parts used to make solar panels from Wuxi Suntech Power Co., Ltd.; Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd.; and all other Chinese producers or exporters that a tariff could be imposed on imports retroactive to early December.
The State Line Energy Station in Hammond is a hulking huge red structure on the shores of Lake Michigan. The landmark is the first thing or last thing motorists see in Indiana coming or going from Chicago...
Philips Lighting and the US Department of Energy (DOE) have jointly presented a webcast on the LED lamp that won the L-Prize competition to find a replacement for 60W incandescent lamps. Philips is assembling production versions of the solid-state lighting (SSL) retrofit lamp in the US, and plans to ship them into distribution in February. The company has set a $50 retail price, although utility incentives will reduce that cost in many cases...
The network of fueling stations selling compressed natural gas, or CNG, in Wisconsin is expanding.
TrilliumHD of Green Bay said Tuesday it will open the Green Bay area's first CNG fueling station in March. The station will be off U.S. Highway 41 at the De Pere Superstore...
The Appellate Body, reviewing an earlier decision by a W.T.O. dispute settlement panel, said the panel had gone too far in defining why more than three dozen Chinese policies violated free trade rules. But the appeals group said on Monday that the overall effect of China’s export restrictions was harming international trade and the policies would have to be scrapped...
A Japan-China friendship group in Okinawa Prefecture has agreed to cooperate on procuring rare earth metals with a local goodwill group in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, sources familiar with the matter said Sunday. The region is a major production base for rare earth minerals...
A new report designed to spark electric vehicle (EV) usage in Illinois calls for a $1 boost in the state license plate fee to help bankroll rebates and grants for alternative fuel vehicles, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph.
The additional fee, which would hike the state's standard license plate renewal cost to $100 annually, is among a lengthy list of recommendations contained in a report forwarded to members of the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pat Quinn by the state's Electric Vehicle Advisory Council. The panel was formed last year as part of a legislative initiative designed to make Illinois a center for electric vehicle use and manufacturing. The panel says its recommendations are designed to meet the goal of 100,000 electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2015...
There are two ways that you can handle the federal government’s phase-out of traditional incandescent light bulbs: You can stockpile them in fear of the forthcoming lighting apocalypse, or you can learn to embrace the more energy-efficient CFL and LED bulbs...
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd), one of the largest utilities in the United States, has taken delivery of the first digger derrick featuring an advanced Odyne plug-in hybrid propulsion system that will lower fuel costs up to 50%, reduce emissions and help create a quiet, safe working environment with good work site communications.
The plug in hybrid system uses energy from a large advanced battery system to improve efficiency and power during driving, operate quietly in an all-electric mode at the job site, and is recharged using cleaner domestically produced electricity from the grid. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. The Terex Commander 4042 digger derrick features a DUECO, Inc. flatbed on an IH 4300 chassis and will be used to maintain the electrical grid within the City of Chicago...
The Dragon Fire Thermo Recovery Filter combines a grease filter and trap with a heat exchanger to convert heat created from the kitchen grill into energy for heating water or make-up air. The patented and patent-pending Dragon Fire Thermo Recovery Filter converts up to 60% of the cook line heat normally lost in the exhaust hood into heat for water or make-up air. The filter has passed muster with Nicor, a northern Illinois utility company, which recently awarded an energy-savings subsidy to a restaurant that installed a Dragon Fire. For now, though, Galvin and Prasser continue to beat the drum for their reborn device...
Three years have passed since the Holland-based Twist Inc. spun off a new company TwistHDM with its LimeLight, a new technology for wirelessly controlling outdoor lights, so they use less energy. This week, TwistHDM announced an exclusive alliance with Netherlands-based lighting giant Philips. Under the agreement, LimeLight technology will be married with Philips Outdoor LED luminaries...
The falling cost of LED lighting, batteries, and solar panels, together with innovative business plans, are allowing millions of households in Africa and elsewhere to switch from crude kerosene lamps to cleaner and safer electric lighting. For many, this offers a means to charge their mobile phones, which are becoming ubiquitous in Africa, instead of having to rent a charger...
A failed electrical insulator blamed for a power loss to a nuclear reactor in northern Illinois was replaced Tuesday, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission began a special inspection into how some equipment responded to the outage, officials said...
Shortages of a handful of rare minerals could slow the future growth of the burgeoning renewable energy industries, and affect countries' chances of limiting greenhouse gas emissions, business leaders were told at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week...
Rare earth metals, along with the related exchange traded fund, have been in the news in recent years due to supply concerns. However, the sub-sector has been a weak performer, and now Toyota (NYSE: TM) is developing technologies that could side-step the demand for rare earths all together, in which case China’s influence on prices will diminish...
Last week Nissan, makers of the fully electric Leaf, announced plans to partner with ABB to test the feasibility of creating an energy storage network from used batteries. Rather than dismantling and disposing or recycling the battery's individual components after the vehicle's life Nissan or another company could buy the old battery and use its remaining charge capacity to storage energy for use on the grid...
Cleantech analyst firm Kachan & Co. was among a number of voices in Washington this week advocating American lawmakers support new safer, cleaner nuclear power options in the face of growing Chinese enthusiasm for the technologies...
At the GreenBiz Forum in New York City last week, Ernst & Young offered a preview of fall 2011 survey results of sustainability program and reporting trends at leading companies in 24 sectors. Of the more than 270 respondents, 85 percent are based in the U.S. The session, led by E&Y assurance and sustainability and climate change practice experts, highlighted six trends...
Philips Lumileds introduced LUXEON K today, its illumination grade array that charts a new direction for downlights and retrofit bulbs so that solutions can come to market more quickly and at a price that drives market adoption. LUXEON K arrays provide thousands of lumens of light output and will be available in three different CCTs with a typical CRI of 85, and with five configurations of 4-24 emitters per array, in early Q2 of this year...
In a survey conducted in 4Q11, IMS Research asked more than 400 PV installers, distributors, and engineering/procurement/construction (EPC) firms about their purchasing habits for solar inverters: brand and product preference, product features, microinverters and power optimizers, service/warranty, and pricing, and what customers want to see improved in inverter technology. The survey covered several major global markets, with responses parsed by country and customer type...
Residents of Elgin and 13 other area communities be asked to vote on a nearly identical question: “Shall the (municipality) have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program?...”
Requesting the LED Lighting Facts label from your suppliers is the first step in confirming performance values. Unfortunately, not all labels are legitimate LED Lighting Facts labels. You should never assume that all labels presented by suppliers are accurate. Always use the program website, www.lightingfacts.com/default.aspx?products to verify whether:
Items are registered with the program
Performance values provided match values listed with the program
The new policy revoking the partnership status of manufacturers who do not submit products for approval went into effect June 16, 2010. Thus, some suppliers will no longer be LED Lighting Facts partners, making your efforts to verify all labels even more important.
Gone will be the costly operating model where all assets, including servers, lighting and cooling, are powered at full capacity 24×7. The new operating model will match server capacity with demand in real-time, and energy efficiency will become a key consideration for all data center assets. Here are 12 trends that data center and facility managers can expect to see beginning in 2012...
About 40 percent of the 92 million residential thermostats in the United States are programmable, which would be a great thing for energy saving, except that only about 10 million of devices are actually programmed...
In 2011, Illinois topped the nation in the number of new wind turbines installed here — 404 — and ranked No. 2 behind California in the total amount of the turbines’ power capacity , according to a report by the American Wind Energy Association...
If the 'Think' name sounds a little familiar, it came rolling in on the EV bubble back in 2008; Think Global announced a strategic partnership with General Electric on March 5, 2008 and GE has also become a significant investor in Think Global. Also, on April 22, 2008 Think Global announced plans to create Think North America for sales and eventual production of Think City's in the United States. Now the Chicago Tribune reports that a Russian investor who recently purchased the bankrupt parent of the Think electric car company has been silent about its future. And government-backed Indianapolis battery-maker that was to supply Think declared bankruptcy on Thursday. ...
Prolonged outages that at one point left more than 800,000 people in Northern Illinois without power during last summer's storms were not unpreventable acts of God, but were caused by years of neglect of equipment and lack of tree-trimming by ComEd, according to a report from the Illinois Attorney General's office...
In keeping with ASHRAE’s recent rebranding, announced during the Winter Meeting, the Government Affairs website has a new look – and a new URL. When you visit http://www.ashrae.org/government-affairs, you’ll find an easier-to-navigate, one-stop-shop resource to meet your ASHRAE public policy needs. From Capitol Hill to the city council, we’ve got you covered – and keep your eyes peeled in the weeks and months to come for updates, new material, and more.
Grassroots Activities – Regions, Chapters, and Members – Are Indispensable to Realizing Positive Public Policy
To date (January 25), 33 of the 47 legislatures (including the District of Columbia’s Council) meeting in regular session this year – the legislatures in Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas are not slated to meet in 2012 – have convened and are already discussing measures of import to ASHRAE at both a Society and chapter level – and at a stunning rate. Through utilization of a new monitoring service, nearly 800 bills have been pinpointed by ASHRAE Government Affairs staff as relating to building energy codes and standards; “green” building; engineer licensure; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; indoor air quality; “smart grid”; and more – all issues of interest to ASHRAE members.
However, success at the grassroots level requires that communication be a two-way street. While staff can serve as a clearinghouse and dissemination point of policy information in the states, provinces, or localities, we need your help in tracking what is going on – especially relative to proposed code changes or issues regularly taken up by state agencies or boards (e.g., PE licensure, continuing education). What works in Kentucky may work in Minnesota, so Government Affairs staff must be kept abreast of the goings-on so that we can provide you with the appropriate tools, contacts, coalition partners, etc., to stimulate adoption of pro-ASHRAE public policy.
This is a great means by which ASHRAE staff can help ASHRAE members “on the ground” to be kept up-to-speed on these issues. Not only is this a way for ASHRAE members to become engaged in the public policy process, but it presents a terrific opportunity for personal and professional development; you can take part in effecting positive change while, making yourself more valuable as a technical and policy expert within your community and within your firm/organization – and within your ASHRAE chapter.
If you would like to become a more complete ASHRAE member, please consider becoming a grassroots “champion.” To learn more and to be brought up-to-date on policy concerns of the greatest import to the HVAC&R professionals in your area, please contact the Government Affairs Office at washdc@ashrae.org or call (202) 833-1830 and ask for Mark Wills (Manager, State and Local Government Affairs).
Available Now! ASHRAE Issues Update Seminar: U.S. State Building Energy Codes Legislation and Regulations
In addition to the Issues Update Seminar, there are some 200 plus presentations available for on-demand viewing in the ASHRAE Chicago Virtual Conference. To view the technical program, which was presented Sunday, Jan. 22, through Wednesday, Jan. 25, go to www.ashrae.org/ChicagoOnline.
For more information or to purchase the Chicago Virtual Conference $484 ($299, ASHRAE member, company registrations available, too), go to www.ashrae.org/ChicagoVirtual.
Building Energy Efficiency Spotlighted in President Obama’s State of the Union Address
President Barack Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address to Congress this past Tuesday. In his address, the President outlined his policy priorities in his so-called “Blueprint for America Built to Last”, which includes increasing building energy efficiency.
“Of course, the easiest way to save money is to waste less energy. So here’s a proposal: Help manufacturers eliminate energy waste in their factories and give businesses incentives to upgrade their buildings. Their energy bills will be $100 billion lower over the next decade, and America will have less pollution, more manufacturing, more jobs for construction workers who need them”, said the President during the address.
To view President Obama’s policy blueprint, which contains more detailed proposals, visit http://1.usa.gov/Ao8iI5
Congress Returns – Energy and Funding Issues Likely Contentious Hotspots as Elections Near
House and Senate members have returned to Washington, DC and are now determining the issues that will be tackled this year, as Democrats and Republicans prepare for the coming November elections, in which all House members and one-third of the Senate are up for reelection.
Among those issues that will likely be addressed this year is building energy efficiency, which could come in the form of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.1000) – a bill that ASHRAE has been closely working on. Even if S.1000 passes the Senate, it is unlikely to make it through the House; however this bill is likely to set the stage for future legislation, and is thus worth close attention.
Federal funding and the continuing debt crisis are also on the list of contentious issues this year. On February 13, President Obama is expected to release his budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2013. Although scant details are available on this statement of the Administration’s priorities, it is largely considered dead on arrival in Congress, as the Republican-controlled House will press forward with Republican’s own vision for the country.
The release of the President’s budget request kick-starts the budget and funding season in Congress, which is forecasted to result in gridlock at least until the November elections, as philosophical and priority differences persist between Democrats and Republicans. Ultimately, the ability of Members of Congress to reach agreement will determine many things, including how active federal agencies are able to be in areas such as building energy efficiency, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
The new third-party-lease business model lets homeowners save money the very first month, rather than breaking even a decade later after an initial investment of $10,000 or $20,000.
Analysts with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that the solar lease models are surging in southern California. And they’re being adopted in less affluent neighborhoods that had few customer-owned systems.
The NREL study, “The Transformation of Southern California’s Residential Photovoltaics Market through Third-Party Ownership,” is in the current edition of the journal Energy Policy.
The study indicated an attraction for third-party leasing in neighborhoods with less affluence than those most likely to go for the customer-owned option.
It found a positive correlation between customers outright buying solar energy systems and customers living in neighborhoods where the average household income was $150,000 or more.
But with third-party-leased photovoltaic (PV) panels, that positive correlation appeared in neighborhoods where the average household income was just $100,000 or more.
If what’s true in southern California proves true for the nation, it means that rooftop solar power could prove tempting for an additional 13 million Americans who live in households that earn between $100,000 and $150,000 per year.
“What is so interesting about the southern California data is that the strong decrease in PV prices – from lower retail costs and stronger federal incentives – didn’t pick up a new demographic. But the new business model – leasing – did pick up a new customer demographic,” NREL’s Easan Drury, the lead author of the report, said.
Repackaging the value of photovoltaics as a simple savings on the monthly bill is an attractive alternative to the pitch that it will pay for itself in a decade, he said. “If someone comes up to you and says you can make money next month and forever, that totally changes how people see the value of solar.”
Among Drury’s other findings:
Third-party leasing usually eliminates the need for home-equity-style financing and, thus, the need for significant equity in the home. Without the hurdle of financing, more people can adopt solar, Drury said.
Along with the lower income threshold, Drury found a surge in solar leasing in neighborhoods with younger families.
In the Los Angeles and Orange county markets, customer-owned PV was five times more prevalent than third-party owned in 2009. In 2010, the ratio had dropped to 2 to 1. And for the first quarter of 2011, the ratio was almost even.
Homeowners can put as little as $3,000 down and see an immediate drop in their electricity costs, albeit that first year the drop may be just a couple dollars a month.
The real benefits come over the next two decades, when the $40 or $50 per month they’re paying to lease the solar panels stays constant, while, presumably, the cost of electricity goes up. Third-party companies are touting potential customer savings of $10,000 to $15,000 over two decades.
Third-party leasing usually eliminates the need for home-equity-style financing and, thus, the need for significant equity in the home. Without the hurdle of financing, more people can adopt solar, Drury said.
Since Congress hasn't acted to set a clean energy standard to spur innovation, U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday he would step in. "The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change," Obama said in his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress...
Air compressors present a variety of opportunities for saving energy, from leak reduction and air intake improvements, to maintenance, monitoring, specification and design, according to guidance from the Carbon Trust. “There is a misconception that compressed air is a free or low cost resource, when – in fact – the opposite is true. Just a single 3mm hole in a compressed air system creates a leak, which can cost a business an additional 1,000 GBP - British Pound Sterling a year (= $1 570.8 U.S. dollars) in electricity costs" states Richard Rugg, Director, Carbon Trust...
Normal, Illinois, January 24, 2012 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA), today delivered six (6) brand-new 2012 Mitsubishi i electric vehicles (EVs) featuring Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV) technology to the Town of Normal and Mayor Chris Koos in a ceremony held in the hometown of Mitsubishi Motors' U.S. vehicle manufacturing plant.
In addition to Mayor Chris Koos, other speakers at the event included Jerry Berwanger, EVP & COO of MMNA Manufacturing Division and Ryan Gremore, General Manager of O'Brien Mitsubishi in Normal, Illinois...
As sales of electric cars begin to pick up, retailers nationwide are installing electric vehicle charging stations in their parking lots so customers can plug in and juice up their vehicles while browsing inside. Leading the way is drugstore chain Walgreen Co...
An evaluation has determined that none of four different LED replacement products for ornamental post-top street lights could match the performance of the existing 100W HPS fixture. In this pilot project, the study was restricted to lamp-ballast retrofit kits and complete luminaire replacements that would preserve the daytime appearance of the existing acorn-style luminaires...
At an event today in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the 20 collegiate teams selected to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 and unveiled the competition's location, the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.
The 20 teams from colleges and universities across the United States and from around the world will now begin a two-year process to build solar-powered, highly energy-efficient homes that combine affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence. Throughout the two-year process, the teams will design, construct, and test their homes before reassembling them at the Solar Decathlon 2013 competition site. As part of the Solar Decathlon, teams compete in ten different categories—ranging from best architecture and engineering to energy production for heating and cooling—while gaining invaluable real-world experience in a growing global industry.
"As President Obama made clear in the State of the Union address this week, we need to ensure that the next generation of America's architects, engineers and entrepreneurs have the hands-on experience and training they need to lead our nation's clean energy future," said Secretary Chu. "The Solar Decathlon will unleash the ingenuity, creativity, and drive from these talented students to demonstrate new ideas for how families and businesses can reduce energy use and save money with clean energy products and efficient building design."
Asia-Pacific markets together added 2.8-gigawatts (GW) of solar PV installations in 4Q11 on the way to a total of 6GW for the entire year, an eye-popping 165% growth, thanks in large part to a massive run-up in China's domestic sector, according to calculations from Solarbuzz...
In an industry first, General Motors' Chevy brand has created a green label for its cars and will roll out the sticker bearing environmental data next month starting with the 2012 Chevy Sonic....
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (1/23/2012)
Presents average weekly retail on-highway diesel fuel prices for the U.S., 8 regions, and the State of California and average weekly retail gasoline prices at the national and regional levels, and for selected cities and States.
Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (1/26/2012)
Contains weekly estimates of natural gas in underground storage for the United States and three regions of the United States.
Natural Gas Weekly Update (1/26/2012)
Contains weekly updates of natural gas market prices, latest storage level estimates, recent lower 48 NOAA weather data, and other market activity or events.
Domestic supply of liquid fuels projected to increase, resulting in fewer imports (01/26/2012)
U.S. dependence on imported liquids declines through 2035 in the 2012 Annual Energy Outlook Reference case projection, primarily as a result of growth in domestic oil production, an increase in biofuels use, and slower growth in consumption of transportation fuels. In this projection, net petroleum imports as a share of total U.S. liquid fuels supplied drop from 49% in 2010 to 36% in 2035.
Wholesale Market Data (01/26/2012)
This site contains spreadsheets with wholesale electricity price data from ICE (IntercontinentalExchange) through January 20, 2012 (latest website update: January 26, 2012). The files contain peak prices, volumes, and the number of transactions at five electricity trading hubs covering most regions of the United States.
From 1980 to 2010, most regions contributed to growth in global crude oil production (01/25/2012)
Global crude oil and lease condensate production increased 24%, or over 14 million barrels per day, between 1980 and 2010. Although the Middle East was the largest regional producer and grew by 23% over that period, the region's share of global crude oil production was at 31% in both 1980 and 2010.
Turkmenistan Country Analysis Brief (01/25/2012)
Turkmenistan has vast hydrocarbon resources, particularly natural gas, but insufficient transmission infrastructure to export markets and limited foreign investment are obstacles to monetizing the reserves. The country is seeking to expand its export markets as well increase oil and gas production.
Prime Supplier Report (01/24/2012)
The latest Prime Supplier Report presents data collected through November 2011 on Form EIA—782C, "Monthly Report of Prime Supplier Sales of Petroleum Products Sold for Local Consumption." These data measure primary petroleum product deliveries into the States where they are locally marketed and consumed.
U.S. energy use projected to grow slowly and become less carbon-intensive (01/24/2012)
Both energy consumption and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions fell during the recent economic recession. Projections contained in the Early Release Reference case of the Annual Energy Outlook 2012 show the United States' primary energy consumption only exceeding its pre-recession peak early in the next decade. However, due to the shift towards less carbon-intensive fuels, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with U.S. energy consumption are not projected to exceed their 2007 peak by the end of the projection in 2035.
EIA issues AEO2012 Early Release (01/23/2012)
Today, EIA issued the 2012 Annual Energy Outlook (AEO2012) Early Release Reference case, which provides updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2035. In addition to a press release and tables that summarize the new projection, an Overview report is provided that addresses key findings and major changes in assumptions and results from the previous year's projection. The Early Release Overview specifically highlights the Reference case, which assumes no changes in current laws and regulations. The complete AEO2012 will be released this spring.
AEO2012 Early Release Overview (01/23/2012)
The Annual Energy Outlook 2012 (AEO2012) Reference case released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) presents updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2035. The Reference case projections include only the effects of policies that have been implemented in law or final regulations.
Arctic oil and natural gas resources (01/20/2012)
Despite the size of the Arctic's potential oil and natural gas resources, consideration of these resources as commercially viable is relatively recent due to the difficulties and costs associated with Arctic exploration and production.
DOE provides detailed onshore wind resource map (01/19/2012)
Wind Powering America (a DOE initiative) publishes an onshore wind resource map for the United States, at 80 meters above ground and with resolution down to 2.5 meters. This map was updated in March 2010, the first comprehensive update of U.S. wind energy potential since 1993. Factors other than wind resource availability, including the future availability of subsidies for wind generation, the cost of natural gas and other competing technologies, and issues surrounding the siting and allocation of costs for transmission projects that could connect wind-rich regions with major load centers where there is strong electricity demand, will likely play a dominant role in determining the future use of wind power.
Uzbekistan Country Analysis Brief (01/19/2012)
Uzbekistan holds sizeable hydrocarbon reserves but face a myriad of challenges to increase and export production. The country lacks sufficient foreign investment, is highly energy-intensive, and inadequate transportation infrastructure to ship oil and gas to other markets.
Effect of Increased Natural Gas Exports on Domestic Energy Markets (01/19/2012)
This report responds to an August 2011 request from the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy (DOE/FE) for an analysis of "the impact of increased domestic natural gas demand, as exports." Specifically, DOE/FE asked the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to assess how specified scenarios of increased natural gas exports could affect domestic energy markets, focusing on consumption, production, and prices.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today invited energy efficient product manufacturers, manufactured housing experts, and other home performance industry stakeholders to review and comment on its Standard Work Specifications for Manufactured Housing. Developed under DOE’s Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals project, the specifications are voluntary guidelines that outline minimum requirements for high-quality energy upgrades in manufactured housing. The industry review period will remain open through February 3, 2012.
The Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals project is a collaboration between DOE and the home construction and energy upgrade industry to support high-quality home energy upgrade work through voluntary standard work specifications, accredited training programs, and a national worker certification program. In addition to the Standard Work Specifications for Manufactured Housing, specifications are under development for single-family and multifamily housing.
Gartner, the largest technology market research firm, is forecasting 100,000 electric car sales in 2012 in the United States. Yesterday, I took in the presentation at the SV Forum and then talked with Thilo Koslowski, Vice President of Gartner’s Automotive and Vehicle Practice. He acknowledged that 100,000 is quite a jump from the 18,000 sold in 2011 which included 9,674 Nissan LEAFs, 7,671 Chevrolet Volts, and 655 other plug-in cars...
Global market for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is expected to grow at a rate of 155% during the period 2011-2020 according to a new report by GlobalData. The report, Electric Vehicles Charging Stations - Market Analysis and Forecast to 2020, provides an analysis of the global market for electric vehicle charging stations with insights on key countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and Japan...
The Chinese government has lashed out against the US investigation into exports of wind turbine towers, warning that the escalating trade spat runs counter to global efforts to curb carbon emissions and could damage clean-energy co-operation between the two countries. "This investigation will not only be harmful to the development of Sino-US new-energy cooperation; it will harm the interests of the U.S. industry, and is not in line with global efforts on climate change and energy security," China’s Ministry of Commerce released in a statement...
The U. of Buffalo (NY) says adding quantum dots into solar cells could increase their efficiency by a whopping 45%. Their research, published in last May in the journal Nano Letters says that embedding quantum dots allows the cells to harvest infrared light, and also increase the lifetime of photoelectrons...
Though expensive and not easy to manufacture, the use of gallium nitride for solar power electronics and light emitting diodes (LED) may usher in a wave of promising, new technology. Enter Soitec and Sumitomo Electric Industries, announcing Tuesday that they have completed their lab work on producing gallium nitride wafers and are moving into pilot production. Applications for these substrates include high brightness LEDs as well as electric power devices designed for hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
As Ucilia Wang from Renewable Energy World reports, "The use of gallium nitride is more common in LEDs. It also is being investigated by many developers of power conversion devices for solar and the electric grid, a large market in which silicon dominates as the material of choice for devices that adjust the current, voltage and other characteristics of electrical power. Google-backed Transphorm made its public debut last year to discuss its gallium nitride-based power conversion technology."
“Our collaboration with Soitec will open the door to high quality, lower cost GaN substrates,” said Masamichi Yokogawa, Sumitomo Electric’s Executive Officer and General Manager of Compound Semiconductor Material Division. “We have demonstrated that the transfer of a thin layer of our high quality GaN crystal to a carrier wafer is the right approach to make our GaN material accessible for various applications such as power devices and white LEDs. We are expecting the collaboration with Soitec will enable wider use of our high-quality GaN wafer. We believe device manufacturers focused on low unit area costs will find value in the greater functionality of these engineered substrates...”
GreenSource Magazine is proud to be the media sponsor of the newly announced EBie Awards, a competition from Urban Green Council (the New York chapter of the USGBC) to recognize the unsung heroes behind improved performance in existing buildings. The national contest will honor the building operators, facilities managers, owners, engineers, retro-commissioning agents, and other professionals responsible for their contributions to retrofitting and/or improving operations at projects around the country...
Over 60,000 professionals gathered at Chicago' s McCormick Convention Center on Tuesday for the International Air Conditioning Heating Refrigerating (AHR) Exposition, where they highlighted the industry' s increasingly green technology. Experts from more than 35 countries came to share their vastly different goods.VBut for the latest technological innovations there seemed to be one thing in common: environmentally-friendly products for the future...
This week marks the commercial roll-out of Better Place's network in Israel, 100 battery swappable electric vehicles are being delivered to customers. Better Place, a private company based in Palo Alto, Calif., is building its first electric vehicle network out of Israel's former oil depot. The location is no coincidence: Agassi's ultimate goal, elegantly aligned with his business plan, is a world without oil...
S&C Electric Company, a smart grid leader shaping the future of reliable electric delivery, announces a suite of new and enhanced products for smart grids today at DistribuTECH. The expanded solution sets use intelligent devices embedded throughout the grid to improve reliability, capacity, and efficiency, a priority for electric utilities.
"Utilities today are expected to deliver ever-higher levels of electric service reliability while also reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions through improved efficiency," says Mike Edmonds, S&C Vice President--Strategic Solutions...
CALMAC, a leader in energy storage systems, today announced the installation of its IceBank(R) thermal energy storage tanks at the recently retrofitted Romeoville High School located near Chicago. School district officials worked with Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort systems and solutions and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, and Kenneth J. Kogut & Associates to design and oversee the installation of a partial energy storage system, resulting in a more efficient cooling system in the building and enhancing reliability, resiliency and redundancy...
From the c-suite perspective, a $250,000 fuel cell is essentially a “black box” posing significant operational risk, two lawyers have warned in the latest issue of Executive Counsel. Roy Palk and Samuel Brumberg of LeClairRyan write that companies may turn their fuel cells on or off, but can’t open the box to make routine repairs or maintenance...
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a report that documents the increased adoption of energy-efficient lighting products in the United States over the last decade. The 2010 U.S. Lighting Market Characterization examines the current conditions and broad trends in the U.S. lighting market, broken down by technology and sector. The report also details specific products, including comprehensive and detailed estimates of the national inventory of installed lighting products, as well as their performance characteristics, associated energy use, and lumen production – a measure of brightness. The report helps chart progress made toward the goal of transitioning to more energy-efficient lighting technologies across four sectors: residential buildings, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, and outdoor applications.
The study shows that in 2010, lighting used approximately 700 terawatt-hours (TWh), or nearly19% of the electricity produced in the United States. Of the total energy used for lighting, the commercial sector consumed nearly half, or 349 TWh, primarily with fluorescent lighting products. While there are nearly 6 billion light bulbs installed in the residential sector, far more than the approximately 2 billion lamps in the commercial buildings sector, the mostly incandescent residential lamps were not used nearly as much per day, on average, as lights in the commercial sector.
The concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) industry tenaciously pushed through these last four years, and now has 33 megawatts (MW) in the ground, with 60 more expected by mid-year 2012 and about 700 MW more in the pipeline. Not bad for a relatively new technology, but securing the pipeline and any future projects could make for a tough solar race, as bankability issues loom and cheap PV forces companies to be even more competitive...
Actress and activist Cody Horn talks with Joel Makower about the twentysomething generation: what they think about business and sustainability, what role they're willing to play, and why they're not marching in the streets about climate change...
Tari Emerson, Kohl's director of energy and capital projects, walked through how the retailer has become the nation's largest corporate solar panel owner, and how other companies can get started. She started by saying that, at Kohl's like at many companies, news about sustainability and energy projects hits the wires...
Hughey & Phillips (H&P), a global leader in the obstruction lighting industry, announces their new LED based obstruction lighting solution to meet customer needs for longer-lasting, more energy- efficient fixtures, specifically among the renewable energy industry. Slated for a January release, H&P’s new HORIZON (TM) line L-810 low-intensity products provide an LED based solution for the FAA L-810 steady burning lights and can be powered using a solar array for renewable energy applications...
Growth in the European energy efficient lighting market is being driven primarily by European Union legislation to phase out incandescent lamps and other inefficient lighting technologies. Market prospects are, however, being dimmed by concerns over the quality of energy efficient products, as well as their relatively high initial cost.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.buildingtechnologies.frost.com), European Energy Efficient Lighting Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $1.15 billion in 2011 and estimates this to reach $1.92 billion in 2018. While compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are currently the major product segment, the light emitting diodes (LEDs) segment is expected to grow rapidly as the technology improves and prices fall...
"Desperate" installers rushing to complete installations ahead of FiT reductions in key end-markets caused a 7% spike in PV module prices in December, but look for a return to familiar pricing pressure within just a month, according to IMS Research...
LG Electronics, a worldwide award-winning HVAC solutions provider, today announced new energy-efficient products designed to grow the company's U.S. commercial and residential HVAC business. Leading the 2012 line up of energy-efficient HVAC systems is LG's new Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) third generation Multi V III commercial air conditioning system for large-scale facilities...
Toyota Motor Corp has developed a way to make hybrid and electric vehicles without the use of expensive rare earth metals, in which China has a near-monopoly, Japan's Kyodo News reported...
Throughout its 117-year history, ASHRAE has been the go-to source in the HVAC&R industry for standards, education and other resources for engineers. As the role of HVAC&R has progressed to incorporate many facets of building design, construction and operation ASHRAE has changed as well. Today, ASHRAE is announcing an evolution of its brand to reflect those changes. Elements of the repositioning include a refreshed logo, a new tagline and a change to using only its acronym.
The announcement was made at the Society’s 2012 Winter Conference, held Jan. 21-25 in Chicago...
Fed by a steady stream of coal barges, the aging power plants that loom over Chicago's Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods are by far the city's largest industrial sources of climate change pollution...
Chicago-based Goldwind, a leading Chinese wind turbine maker, has acquired two 10 megawatt (MW) wind farms from Volkswind USA, Goldwind said Friday in Beijing. The wind farms, known as the Musselshell Project, are based in Shawmut, Montana...
Officials and financial consultants for the School Wind Consortium Agency met Thursday morning at District 300’s administrative office in Carpentersville to educate themselves about the risks and rewards associated with different strategic buying scenarios...
EV makers are moving in on the energy storage market, with Nissan North America and ABB partnering to evaluate the reuse of lithium-ion battery packs, and Coda Holdings launching an energy business...
The 40W LED light panel from NetLED is networkable to the cloud, allowing users to dim the lights to various intervals of brightness (and wattage) from a computer, smartphone, RFID-enabled device, or motion/light sensors. An iOS app for NetLED is already available, and according to AV Watch, an Android version is in the pipeline as well...
WASHINGTON, DC - The Annual Energy Outlook 2012 (AEO2012) Reference case released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) presents updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2035. The Reference case projections include only the effects of policies that have been implemented in law or final regulations.
"Our updated Reference case projections show natural gas and renewables gaining an increasing share of U.S. electric power generation, domestic crude oil and natural gas production growing, reliance on imported oil decreasing, U.S. natural gas production exceeding consumption, and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions remaining below their 2005 level through 2035," said EIA Acting Administrator Howard Gruenspecht. "These projections reflect increased energy efficiency throughout the economy, updated assessments of energy technologies and domestic energy resources, the influence of evolving consumer preferences, and projected slow economic growth," said Gruenspecht.
Some key findings:
Domestic crude oil production is expected to grow by more than 20 percent over the coming decade: Domestic crude oil production increased from 5.1 million barrels per day in 2007 to 5.5 million barrels per day in 2010. Over the next 10 years, continued development of tight oil combined with the development of offshore Gulf of Mexico resources are projected to push domestic crude oil production to 6.7 million barrels per day in 2020, a level not seen since 1994.
With modest economic growth, increased efficiency, growing domestic production, and continued adoption of nonpetroleum liquids, net petroleum imports make up a smaller share of total liquids consumption: U.S. dependence on imported petroleum liquids declines in the AEO2012 Reference case, primarily as a result of growth in domestic oil production of over 1 million barrels per day by 2020, an increase in biofuel use of over 1 million barrels per day crude oil equivalent by 2024, and modest growth in transportation sector demand through 2035. Net petroleum imports as a share of total U.S. liquid fuels consumed drop from 49 percent in 2010 to 38 percent in 2020 and 36 percent in 2035 in AEO2012 (Figure 1).
U.S. production of natural gas is expected to exceed consumption early in the next decade: The United States is projected to become a net exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2016, a net pipeline exporter in 2025, and an overall net exporter of natural gas in 2021. The outlook reflects increased use of LNG in markets outside of North America, strong domestic natural gas production, reduced pipeline imports and increased pipeline exports, and relatively low natural gas prices in the United States compared to other global markets.
Use of renewable fuels and natural gas for electric power generation rises: The natural gas share of electric power generation increases from 24 percent in 2010 to 27 percent in 2035, and the renewables share grows from 10 percent to 16 percent over the same period. In recent years, the U.S. electric power sector's historical reliance on coal-fired power plants has begun to decline. Over the next 25 years, the projected coal share of overall electricity generation falls to 39 percent, well below the 49-percent share seen as recently as 2007 (Figure 2), because of slow growth in electricity demand, continued competition from natural gas and renewable plants, and the need to comply with new environmental regulations.
Total U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions remain below their 2005 level through 2035: Energy-related CO2 emissions grow by 3 percent from 2010 to 2035, reaching 5,806 million metric tons in 2035. They are more than 7 percent below their 2005 level in 2020 and do not return to the 2005 level of 5,996 million metric tons by the end of the projection period (Figure 3). Emissions per capita fall by an average of 1 percent per year from 2005 to 2035, as growth in demand for transportation fuels is moderated by higher energy prices and Federal fuel economy standards. Proposed fuel economy standards covering model years 2017 through 2025 that are not included in the Reference case would further reduce projected energy use and emissions. Electricity-related emissions are tempered by appliance and lighting efficiency standards, State renewable portfolio standard requirements, competitive natural gas prices that dampen coal use by electric generators, and implementation of the Cross-state Air Pollution Rule.
Other highlights of the AEO2012 Reference case projections:
World oil prices rise in the Reference case (Figure 4), as pressure from growth in global demand continues. In 2035, the average real price of crude oil in the Reference case is $146 per barrel in 2010 dollars. World liquids consumption grows from 87.1 million barrels per day in 2010 to 109.7 million barrels per day in 2035, driven by growing demand in China, India, the Middle East and other developing economies.
Total U.S. primary energy consumption, which was 101.4 quadrillion Btu in 2007, grows from 98.2 quadrillion Btu in 2010 to 108.0 quadrillion Btu in 2035. The fossil fuel share of energy consumption falls from 83 percent of total U.S. energy demand in 2010 to 77 percent in 2035.
Net imports of energy meet a declining share of total U.S. energy demand as domestic energy production increases. The projected net import share of total U.S. energy consumption in 2035 is 13 percent, compared with 22 percent in 2010 and 29 percent in 2007.
The Reference case projections from the Early Release Overview of the AEO2012 are available at http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/er/ .
The full AEO2012 report, including projections with differing assumptions on the price of oil, the rate of economic growth, and the characteristics of new technologies, will be released in late Spring 2012, along with regional projections.
The product described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA's data, analysis, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the United States Government. The views in the product and press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the Department of Energy or other Federal agencies.
Substation No. 505 in Oak Park, with its nondescript cluster of bulky transformers and web of power lines, seems an unlikely place for Commonwealth Edison to start the $2.6 billion smart grid it says will prepare the region’s antiquated power system for the digital age. Arguments raged over legislation, approved last year over Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto, that authorizes ComEd’s 10-year investment in the grid...
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (1/17/2012)
Presents average weekly retail on-highway diesel fuel prices for the U.S., 8 regions, and the State of California and average weekly retail gasoline prices at the national and regional levels, and for selected cities and States.
Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (1/19/2012)
Contains weekly estimates of natural gas in underground storage for the United States and three regions of the United States.
Natural Gas Weekly Update (1/19/2012)
Contains weekly updates of natural gas market prices, latest storage level estimates, recent lower 48 NOAA weather data, and other market activity or events.
Arctic oil and natural gas resources (01/20/2012)
Despite the size of the Arctic's potential oil and natural gas resources, consideration of these resources as commercially viable is relatively recent due to the difficulties and costs associated with Arctic exploration and production.
DOE provides detailed onshore wind resource map (01/19/2012)
Wind Powering America (a DOE initiative) publishes an onshore wind resource map for the United States, at 80 meters above ground and with resolution down to 2.5 meters. This map was updated in March 2010, the first comprehensive update of U.S. wind energy potential since 1993. Factors other than wind resource availability, including the future availability of subsidies for wind generation, the cost of natural gas and other competing technologies, and issues surrounding the siting and allocation of costs for transmission projects that could connect wind-rich regions with major load centers where there is strong electricity demand, will likely play a dominant role in determining the future use of wind power.
Uzbekistan Country Analysis Brief (01/19/2012)
Uzbekistan holds sizeable hydrocarbon reserves but face a myriad of challenges to increase and export production. The country lacks sufficient foreign investment, is highly energy-intensive, and inadequate transportation infrastructure to ship oil and gas to other markets.
Effect of Increased Natural Gas Exports on Domestic Energy Markets (01/19/2012)
This report responds to an August 2011 request from the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy (DOE/FE) for an analysis of "the impact of increased domestic natural gas demand, as exports." Specifically, DOE/FE asked the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to assess how specified scenarios of increased natural gas exports could affect domestic energy markets, focusing on consumption, production, and prices.
Electric Power Monthly (EPM) (01/18/2012)
The latest Electric Power Monthly (EPM) issue (January 2012) is now available. Data are for October 2011, during which net generation in the United States increased 0.4 percent from the October 2010 level. Consumption of coal for power generation fell 2.0 percent compared to October 2010. The average retail price of electricity for October 2011 was 9.90 cents per kilowatthour, 0.9 percent higher than October 2010, when the price was 9.81 cents per kWh.
Gabon Country Analysis Brief (01/18/2012)
Oil production in Gabon has gradually declined by one-third since its peak in 1997. Although, new output from small fields are currently mitigating declines, the country hopes that pre-salt deepwater prospects will revive output in the future.
Liquefied natural gas meets a quarter of New England's average natural gas needs (01/18/2012)
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has met over 25% of New England's average daily natural gas demand since November 2010. Four LNG regasification facilities can provide LNG to New England—Canaport, Everett, Neptune, and Northeast Gateway. Most of New England's LNG deliveries come from the Canaport terminal in New Brunswick, Canada and the Everett terminal in Boston.
Distillate yields at U.S. refineries are rising (01/17/2012)
In October 2011, the refinery yield of distillate fuels (a category that includes diesel fuel and heating oil) reached 29.7%, matching the previous record set in December 2008. For all major products, only the distillate yield is higher now than in October 2001.
2011 Brief: U.S. average gasoline and diesel prices over $3 per gallon throughout 2011 (01/13/2012)
The average price U.S. drivers paid for gasoline and diesel during 2011 never fell below $3 per gallon, marking the first time the national pump price for both transportation fuels topped $3 per gallon throughout a calendar year. At the same time, the difference between the prices of gasoline and diesel reached its widest level on record due mostly to stronger diesel demand.
Despite the recession, inaction by Congress, and the anti-environmental actions of some elected officials, there is ample evidence to support the conclusion that the transition to green buildings and sustainable development is here to stay. Developers, owners, and investors all realize that investing in available energy- and water-saving technologies can produce low-risk returns, creating more marketable and valuable real estate assets...
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Utility deregulation has ushered in fierce competition for ComEd. With nearly 200 suburban communities moving to purchase power on their residents' behalf at prices up to 16 percent cheaper than ComEd's, it shouldn't come as a surprise that ComEd is now scrambling to recover these lost residential rate revenues. ComEd contends that a key justification for hiking the charge soon is to ensure that departing customers pay for at least some of the power the utility has purchased on their behalf...
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The physicists at Fermilab usually don't pay much attention to the hums and growls and other mechanical sounds emanating all around them. It's the sort of background noise one tends to block out in the workplace. But to contemporary composer Mason Bates, those sounds were music to his ears. 
Legislators' failure to renew a tax credit for the wind power industry means trouble for a once promising environmentally friendly growth sector. The wind power industry is predicting massive layoffs and stalled or abandoned projects after a deal to renew a tax credit failed Thursday in Washington. The move is expected to have major ramifications in states such as Illinois, where 13,892 megawatts of wind projects...
Revealing your environmental impacts -- and your plans to address them -- has become table stakes for corporate sustainability. But it's still a big project, and can be a tough sell within the...
Even some of the biggest hotels have unwittingly passed up greater energy and cost savings despite aggressive sustainability agendas, according to new research conducted by the Harrah College of Hotel Administration and the Cannon Survey Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas The report outlines how the industry can step up its efforts in energy management. Schneider Electric, which commissioned the research, released highlights of the study findings today...
SWITCH Lighting(TM), the first company offering a beautifully designed LED bulb with true incandescent quality light, will have their SWITCH60 bulb displayed at two distinct exhibitions starting this month. On February 10th, the SWITCH60 can be viewed at the Pratt Gallery's "Bright Future: New Designs in Glass" exhibition. Starting on February 17th, the SWITCH60 will also be on display at the Chicago Architecture Foundation's "Loop Value: The HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Shop" exhibition...
Today, it's not enough for a company to offer a mere one or two services to be a contender in the business of sustainable technology. The leading global firms must offer a range of solutions that go well beyond the initial vision of green IT in the context of data center applications, said David Metcalfe, CEO of the independent analyst firm Verdantix... 
Electric cars, heralded as environmentally friendly, may cause more harm to the environment than their gasoline-burning counterparts, a new study found. The study examined 34 major Chinese cities and found that electric cars caused 19 times more particulate matter pollution, which consists of acids, organic chemicals, metals, and dust, than gasoline cars...
Ecova, an energy and sustainability management firm, was commissioned by The Institute for Electric Efficiency to determine the market's best LED reflector lamps. 
Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300 and other members of the School Wind Consortium Joint Action Renewable Energy Agency, also known as the SWCA, have dropped plans to purchase and sell energy produced by wind turbines leased from an existing wind farm. The consortium also includes Keeneyille Elementary District 20 and Prospect Heights Elementary District 23...
ComEd on Sunday unveiled its state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center designed to better deal with the aftermath of severe storms — like the ones that knocked out power to a record 3 million customers between June and August of last year... 
Microsoft got the attention of the tech world last Wednesday when it took another step in the Windows 8 launch process - and it's not at all like the Windows operating systems you've come to know over the past 25 years.
While there are several software tools and applications that have proven beneficial for building operations and energy management, the software application with the best verified results and cost effectiveness is fault detection and diagnostics. It’s the killer app of the building automation and building energy management industry...
Acuity Brands, Inc., a market leader in innovative energy efficient lighting and control solutions, is pleased to announce that its nLiGHTR Network Lighting Control System from Sensor Switch recently received a 2011 Top Products Award for lighting controls from Building Operating Management, the most preferred publication among building owners and facilities executives...
No matter what the WTO decides, the world’s appetite for rare earth material will continue to grow. Whether or not the restrictions are eased, rare earth consumers around the world will be affected by the oldest business rule around: supply and demand. If supply opens up even a little, look to see the first impact on Aluminum Corporation of China, which is subtly working behind the scenes to consolidate the Chinese rare earth industry...
"In about five-years' time the infrastructure side of the business will be a billion dollar business," Hans Streng, head of electrical vehicle charging infrastructure at ABB, told Reuters in an interview. The current global market is worth about $50-$100 million he said. Both companies together can offer fast-charging technologies for electric vehicles, since ABB has direct current (DC) charging capabilities and RWE already provides alternating current (AC) charging infrastructure and IT-solutions for customer data management and billing to their commercial and private e-mobility customers...
Interest in materials known as rare earth elements surged when China temporarily blocked exports in 2010. Manufacturers started looking everywhere for new supplies of rare earth metals - including the moon. Scientists speculate that there may be more than a million tons of the isotope due to the moon's lack of atmosphere...
With this expiration looming, the future of the industry in Illinois — one of the top producers of wind energy in the nation — could leave the state struggling to meet its renewable energy requirements, even as the state exports more wind energy than it uses. With 1,500 turbines in operation and about the same number in permitting stages, Illinois's wind industry also has thrived because of an electric grid ideal for carrying power into Chicago and exporting it to Midwestern and Eastern states and the state’s renewable-energy requirements...
This week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued its much anticipated ruling on whether China’s export policies for critical metals violated the agreement it first entered in 2001 to be part of the WTO. The highest court within the WTO, known as the Appellate Body, found China was in violation of WTO requirements and had breached its original agreement. The decision marks a huge victory for the many automotive, high tech and alternative energy manufacturers globally that rely on China’s rare earth metal deposits to produce their goods...
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wrapped up Jan. 13, after a typically splashy convention that unveiled numerous new gadgets. Although some of the items are perhaps less useful than others – automated unicycle, anyone? – many of the consumer electronics displayed are notable for their practical embrace of energy efficiency measures. To insiders, this signals that manufacturers are cementing energy efficiency as a part of their business models going forward. 
The Dragon Fire Thermo Recovery Filter combines a grease filter and trap with a heat exchanger to convert heat created from the kitchen grill into energy for heating water or make-up air. The patented and patent-pending Dragon Fire Thermo Recovery Filter converts up to 60% of the cook line heat normally lost in the exhaust hood into heat for water or make-up air. The filter has passed muster with Nicor, a northern Illinois utility company, which recently awarded an energy-savings subsidy to a restaurant that installed a Dragon Fire. For now, though, Galvin and Prasser continue to beat the drum for their reborn device...
About 40 percent of the 92 million residential thermostats in the United States are programmable, which would be a great thing for energy saving, except that only about 10 million of devices are actually programmed...
If the 'Think' name sounds a little familiar, it came rolling in on the EV bubble back in 2008; Think Global announced a strategic partnership with General Electric on March 5, 2008 and GE has also become a significant investor in Think Global. Also, on April 22, 2008 Think Global announced plans to create Think North America for sales and eventual production of Think City's in the United States. Now the Chicago Tribune reports that a Russian investor who recently purchased the bankrupt parent of the Think electric car company has been silent about its future. And government-backed Indianapolis battery-maker that was to supply Think declared bankruptcy on Thursday. ...
As sales of electric cars begin to pick up, retailers nationwide are installing electric vehicle charging stations in their parking lots so customers can plug in and juice up their vehicles while browsing inside. Leading the way is drugstore chain Walgreen Co...
Global market for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is expected to grow at a rate of 155% during the period 2011-2020 according to a new report by GlobalData. The report, Electric Vehicles Charging Stations - Market Analysis and Forecast to 2020, provides an analysis of the global market for electric vehicle charging stations with insights on key countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and Japan...
The U. of Buffalo (NY) says adding quantum dots into solar cells could increase their efficiency by a whopping 45%. Their research, published in last May in the journal Nano Letters says that embedding quantum dots allows the cells to harvest infrared light, and also increase the lifetime of photoelectrons...
GreenSource Magazine is proud to be the media sponsor of the newly announced EBie Awards, a competition from Urban Green Council (the New York chapter of the USGBC) to recognize the unsung heroes behind improved performance in existing buildings. The national contest will honor the building operators, facilities managers, owners, engineers, retro-commissioning agents, and other professionals responsible for their contributions to retrofitting and/or improving operations at projects around the country...
Hughey & Phillips (H&P), a global leader in the obstruction lighting industry, announces their new LED based obstruction lighting solution to meet customer needs for longer-lasting, more energy- efficient fixtures, specifically among the renewable energy industry. Slated for a January release, H&P’s new HORIZON (TM) line L-810 low-intensity products provide an LED based solution for the FAA L-810 steady burning lights and can be powered using a solar array for renewable energy applications... 
"Desperate" installers rushing to complete installations ahead of FiT reductions in key end-markets caused a 7% spike in PV module prices in December, but look for a return to familiar pricing pressure within just a month, according to IMS Research... 
LG Electronics, a worldwide award-winning HVAC solutions provider, today announced new energy-efficient products designed to grow the company's U.S. commercial and residential HVAC business. Leading the 2012 line up of energy-efficient HVAC systems is LG's new Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) third generation Multi V III commercial air conditioning system for large-scale facilities...
Fed by a steady stream of coal barges, the aging power plants that loom over Chicago's Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods are by far the city's largest industrial sources of climate change pollution...
The 40W LED light panel from NetLED is networkable to the cloud, allowing users to dim the lights to various intervals of brightness (and wattage) from a computer, smartphone, RFID-enabled device, or motion/light sensors. An iOS app for NetLED is already available, and according to AV Watch, an Android version is in the pipeline as well...
Substation No. 505 in Oak Park, with its nondescript cluster of bulky transformers and web of power lines, seems an unlikely place for Commonwealth Edison to start the $2.6 billion smart grid it says will prepare the region’s antiquated power system for the digital age. Arguments raged over legislation, approved last year over Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto, that authorizes ComEd’s 10-year investment in the grid...
