Daily updates on America's move to cleaner energy
Sign up for our
Weekly newsletterfree by email |
Heat/Efficiency in Brief
Latest brief news items:
September 3, 2010
Free energy audit training in San Bernardino, CA
Job seekers in San Bernardino, California, are being offered a free training program to gain the skills to become energy auditors. The San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board and training specialists CleanEdison are providing the program to help boost job skills. Starting September 20th, the course will see students becoming Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Building Analysts, trained to perform energy audits on homes.
More information: http://www.cleanedison.com/free-training-application.htmlAugust 31, 2010
Recovery Act funds two million ‘smart grid’ meters
Two million "smart grid" meters have now been installed across the country, funded by federal stimulus money. US Energy Secretary Steven Chu visited smart grid technology firm Battelle yesterday to see work with American Electric Power on a smart grid demonstration project in Ohio. Secretary Chu said smart grid meters would allow people to monitor and reduce their consumption and energy costs. More information: http://www.energy.govAugust 31, 2010
San Diego supermarket opts for fuel cell power
A new Albertsons supermarket opening tomorrow in the Clairemont area of San Diego is to boost its energy efficiency with a fuel cell system. UTC Power, part of United Technologies Corporation, will supply a 400-kilowatt fuel cell unit that will provide 90% of the 55,000-square-foot store's electricity. Heat from the hydrogen-powered fuel cell will be used in the store, allowing a 60% efficiency in energy conversion - twice that of grid power. More information: http://www.utcpower.comAugust 13, 2010
New Mexico releases guide to clean energy incentives and permitting
Green businesses looking to move to New Mexico can now find information on clean energy incentives available in the state within a new guide. The New Mexico Environment Department released the guide on Wednesday, including information about all permitting requirements as well as incentives. The manual includes information on renewable energy, energy efficiency and green building projects. More information: http://bit.ly/amTisQAugust 11, 2010
Pike Research launches green IT advisory service
Market research and consulting firm Pike Research has launched a new service to help companies seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their information technology operations. The firm based in Boulder, Colorado, said its new Green IT Advisory Service would highlight opportunities for greener data centers, telecommunications systems and other electronics, as well as IT systems for use in energy management and smart grid systems. Investment in green data centers is forecast to reach 28% of the total worldwide data center market within the next five years, reaching $41.4 billion by 2015. More information: http://www.pikeresearch.com/August 10, 2010
Connecticut submarine base to receive CHP fuel cells
The US Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, CT, is to receive two new fuel cell power plants to provide baseload power and supply heat to an existing power plant. The combined heat and power systems are being supplied by local firm FuelCell Energy, to be installed and operated by fuel cell specialists LOGANEnergy. The 300-kilowatt DFC300 units boast an efficiency of almost 80% with their heat being used, 47% when using electrical energy only. More information: http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/August 9, 2010
Tennessee program cuts household power bills to $37 a month
Tennessee homes taking part in an energy efficiency pilot program have seen their monthly electricity bills slashed to as little as $37 per month. The project has tested out three similar houses in Knox County. An standard home saw monthly bills of $157.77, while a second home retrofitted with efficiency systems saw bills cut to $114.18 a month. The third building was fitted with advanced systems including solar panels, and saw its bill work out at $37.15 per month on the Tennessee Valley Authority program. More information: http://www.tva.com/campbellcreekresearchhomesAugust 5, 2010
CNA offers insurance for renewable energy contractors
The country’s seventh largest commercial insurance writer has launched a new insurance program for renewable energy contractors. Chicago-based CNA said its new program is designed for non-residential wind, solar and geothermal heat pump construction projects. Insurance is being offered to contractors who erect or service land-based metal wind turbines, install or service solar power systems, or who provide geothermal drilling operations down to 150 feet. More information: http://www.cna.com/August 4, 2010
Geothermal boreholes completed at green car park in Denver
Canadian company Greenscape Capital Group has completed seven geothermal boreholes for a new renewable heating and cooling system at an indoor car park in Denver, Colorado. Each borehole was drilled to a depth of 300 feet at the Greenpark LLC parking facility, which also boasts wind and solar energy systems. The geothermal system was completed by local firm Rogers & Sons, Inc., for Greenscape and its operating partner Propark. More information: http://www.greenscapecapital.com/August 4, 2010
Insulation firm fiberAmerica expands sales presence
Insulation manufacturer fiberAmerica is expanding its product availability to Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. The company based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, said it was leveraging the success of its Green Seal cellulose fiber insulation product line in the Northeast to make the insulation available south of the Mason-Dixon line. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newsprint, offering more thermal resistance than fiberglass insulation. More information: http://www.fiberamerica.us/July 29, 2010
Fuel cell offers frozen food maker secure, efficient energy supply
Frozen foods manufacturer Carla's Pasta is to generate its power on-site with a 300-kilowatt fuel cell system from Connecticut company FuelCell Energy, Inc. The DFC300 plant is being installed by LOGANEnergy, and will mean the company will have a reliable source of power offering both electricity and heat. The facility is expected to be operational mid-2011, delivering 60% of the factory's needs with an 80% conversion efficiency. More information: http://www.fuelcellenergy.comJuly 22, 2010
No-interest business loans for efficiency upgrades in San Antonio
Small businesses in San Antonio, Texas, are being offered help to switch to more efficient lighting systems. With interior lighting accounting for 43% of business energy consumption on average, the City's Office of Environmental Policy has launched a zero-interest loan scheme to finance efficiency upgrades. The City Lights Small Business Lighting Retrofit Program is open to businesses with at least 15,000 square feet of space and 50 employees, who are customers of utility CPS Energy. More information: http://www.sanantonio.gov/oep/citylights.aspJuly 21, 2010
Federal prisons cut costs with clean energy upgrades
Baltimore firm Constellation Energy has completed two clean energy projects at federal correctional institutions in New Jersey and Virginia. FCI Fairton, NJ, was provided with a 400kW solar photovoltaic system and energy efficiency upgrades, while FCI Petersburg, VA, was installed a new on-site biomass heating system, rooftop solar PV array and a geothermal heat pump system. The projects are expected to see energy cost savings of more than $2.2 million a year. More information: http://www.constellation.comJuly 13, 2010
Missouri adopts PACE program legislation
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed a bill into law allowing cities and counties to run Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs. Despite concerns expressed last week by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (see this BrighterEnergy.org story), Gov Nixon said PACE programs were widely supported and would help many clean energy projects move forward. PACE programs allow homes and businesses to finance energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects through the property tax system.July 8, 2010
Weatherization grants available for multi-family projects in Colorado
Applications are being invited for weatherization grants for multiple-family properties in Colorado. Nonprofit organization Energy Outreach Colorado will accept applications until Friday August 13 for projects involving five or more housing units and a central heating system. The program aims to improve the energy efficiency of up to 750 homes, cutting utility costs for homeowners. More information: http://www.energyoutreachcolorado.org/geo_overviewJune 28, 2010
New Jersey Residents urged to act Fast on Efficiency Incentives
New Jersey residents are being urged to act quickly to benefit from tax incentives available from next month for energy efficiency projects in the state. Local firm BrightHome said homeowners may qualify for up to $3,000 in rebates and up to $10,000 in low-interest loans under a program from the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy expected to begin July 21 and expire December 31, 2010. An extension of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, it supports installation of insulation, air sealing, efficient hot water, heating and cooling systems. More information: http://www.brighthome.comJune 18, 2010
Federal grant supports development of efficient building facade
Silicon materials manufacturer Dow Corning Corporation has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to develop a new insulation system for commercial buildings. The funding from the US Department of Energy will help Dow Corning's work on a silicon-based insulation facade system that could be retrofitted or installed on new buildings to improve efficiency. The technology could make building facades up to eight times more energy efficient. More information: http://www.dowcorning.com/June 16, 2010
New Jersey lighting firm awarded DOE grant to boost efficiency
The Department of Energy has awarded a $99,900 grant to a New Jersey company to help improve the efficiency of its lighting panels and displays. Universal Display Corporation produces light-emitting diode technology, which offers a big increase in efficiency over fluorescent lighting because energy is turned into mostly light, rather than unwanted heat. The company now believes it can reduce the small amount of heat produced by its PHOLED system even further. More information: http://www.universaldisplay.comJune 16, 2010
Oncor expands solar hot water incentives program in Texas
Texas electricity company Oncor has extended its $1.6 million solar hot water incentives program to include businesses and the public sector. The success of the scheme among homeowners has led to the expansion of the scheme, with the Dallas company expecting its customers to install about 1,000 new solar water heating systems in the next three years. Open to Oncor customers only, the incentives program can cut the cost of a solar water heating system from $4,000-$8,000 down to $1,400-$2,700, depending on the system. More information: http://www.takealoadoftexas.comJune 15, 2010
Trenergi completes prototype microCHP system
Massachusetts company Trenergi Corp says it has completed the proof-of-concept stage of its residential combined heat and power product. The so-called Trion would provide a household's power, heat and hot water in a highly efficient manner. The fuel cell product is being developed in 1kW, 3kW and 5kW versions. Trenergi has completed a 1kW version operating on natural gas.June 14, 2010
Florida firm in talks to secure heat recovery technology
Florida company GDT TEK is in talks to secure the rights to use technology that can generate power from relatively low temperature heat sources. The company said the patented Korean technology could be used to generate electricity from waste heat in industrial plants, or at concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities. The deal could also see Orlando-based GDT picking up several power purchase agreements to sell power from heat recovery plants. More information: http://www.gdttek.comJune 10, 2010
Colorado renewable energy college appoints Glenn Wilson dean
The Ecotech Institute, a new college focused on renewable energy and electrical engineering studies, has appointed Glenn Wilson as its dean of students. The school based in Denver, Colorado, said its new dean has more than 30 years of education, engineering and sustainability experience. A former brewery industry engineer, previously Mr Wilson was program director for clean energy technology at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colorado. More information: http://www.ecotechinstitute.comJune 9, 2010
Recovery Act funds weatherization of 11,688 Ohio homes
The state of Ohio has weatherized 11,688 homes under its Recovery Act-funded program - 30% of its targeted homes so far. Under the $266 million program, a further 32,180 homes are set to gain upgrades to help cut energy consumption. According to state officials, more than 1,300 workers were employed in the scheme during the first three months of this year. More information: http://development.ohio.gov/Community/ocs/hwap.htmJune 9, 2010
Ohio jewelers switch to energy-efficient lighting system
One of the largest independent jewelers in the US has installed energy-efficient LED lighting to showcase products at its flagship store.
The Diamond Cellar in Dublin, Ohio, is using Immersion LED Display Case Lighting (pictured right) supplied by GE, installed by Benchmark Woodworks.
The system offers 80% energy savings, it also boasts a 50,000 hour rated life.
More information: http://www.diamondcellar.comJune 4, 2010
Coney Island subway depot gains solar heating system
The New York Power Authority has unveiled a new 48-panel solar thermal system at the 75-acre Subway Maintenance Facility on Coney Island.
The closed-loop facility (pictured right) uses water as a heat-exchange medium, pressurized so that it doesn't freeze in winter.
Part of a $1.1 million upgrade program at the depot, the solar heating system is expected to save $170,000 a year in energy costs.
More information: http://www.nypa.gov
Information
Contacts