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November
2008 |
1. Alternative Energy Enthusiasts Jazzed About
Barack Obama in White House - The heads of several trade
associations that promote alternative energy were enthusiastic about the
election of Barack Obama as U.S. President and hope he comes through on his
campaign promises for a greener America.
The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), Washington, D.C., urged President-elect
Obama to fulfill his campaign promise to make building a sustainable energy
future for America a key priority upon taking office in January. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy
2. What The Presidents Said About Energy - President Bush and the six
presidents before him have all called for reductions in the country's reliance
on foreign oil that has yet to be achieved: 10/31 AP
R "Let
us set our national goal ... that by the end of this decade we will have
developed the potential to meet our own energy needs without depending on any
foreign energy sources. Let us pledge that by 1980, under Project Independence,
we shall be able to meet America's energy needs from America's own energy
resources." Richard M. Nixon, Nov. 7, 1973
R "I
am recommending a plan to make us invulnerable to cutoffs of foreign oil. It
will require sacrifice, but it, and this is most important, it will work."
Gerald Ford, Jan. 15, 1975
R "This
intolerable dependence on foreign oil threatens our economic independence and
the very security of our nation. ... Beginning this moment, this nation will
never use more foreign oil than we did in 1977, never." Jimmy Carter, July
l5, 1979
R "We
must take steps to better protect ourselves from potential oil supply
interruptions and increase our energy and national security." Ronald
Reagan, May 6, 1987
R "Conservation
efforts are essential to keep our energy needs as low as possible. And we must
then take advantage of our energy sources across the board: coal, natural gas,
hydro and nuclear. Our failure to do these things has made us more dependent on
foreign oil than ever before." George H.W. Bush, Sept. 11, 1990
R "The
nation's growing reliance on imports of crude oil and refined products
threatens the nation's security because they make us more vulnerable to oil
supply disruptions." Bill Clinton 10/16/95
R "We
can promote alternative energy sources and conservation, and we must. America
must become more energy independent, and we will." George W. Bush, Feb. 7,
2001
3. New: TED GreenRoom to
Keep Electrical Industry Abreast of
Energy Efficiency Developments
- With the importance of energy efficiency taking main stage both
politically and in the B-2-B arena, the electrical industry is on the forefront
of a growing movement. Through TED Magazine's website, TedMag.com,
NAED has partnered with an association-centric supplier, MultiBriefs, to create
a new e-newsletter, TED GreenRoom.
Delivered via e-mail to the inboxes of TedMag subscribers, TED
GreenRoom will keep the industry in touch with the latest developments in
energy efficiency technologies. http://www.tedmag.com
4. New
Reports Note the Potential for Millions of Green Jobs - Global
efforts to tackle climate change could result in millions of "green"
jobs over the coming decades, according to a recent study. The study, prepared
by the Worldwatch Institute with funding from the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), found that the global market for environmental products and
services is projected to double from $1.37 trillion per year at present to
$2.74 trillion by 2020, with half of that market in energy efficiency. The
report notes that 2.3 million people have found renewable energy jobs in recent
years, and projected investments of $630 billion by 2030 would translate into
at least 20 million additional jobs. http://www.unep.org/labour_environment/features/greenjobs-report.asp
Looking closer to home, the U.S. Conference of Mayors released a report in
early October that finds the U.S. economy currently generates more then 750,000
green jobs, while over the next 30 years, an emphasis on clean energy could cause
that number to grow five-fold, to more than 4.2 million jobs. The report notes
that most of today's jobs are in metropolitan areas, led by New York City;
Washington, D.C.; Houston, TX; and Los Angeles, CA, and it lists current and
projected green jobs by metropolitan area. http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/greenjobkeyfinds.pdf
5.
EU
to Ban High-Energy Lightbulbs - High-energy
light bulbs are to be banned in Europe from the start of 2010, EU energy
ministers have agreed. Incandescent bulbs - the conventional version with a
filament - will be replaced with low-energy fluorescent bulbs. The massive
switchover, which will affect all of the European Union's 500 million citizens,
was first ordered at a Brussels summit last year as part of an ambitious energy
policy to fight climate change. The light bulb decision was particularly
welcome just days before the lifting of EU import duties on energy-saving lamps
from China. The end of the tariff regime will help bring down retail prices of
the most efficient light bulbs. 10/13
Press Association
6. The
Global Lighting Market by the Numbers, Courtesy of Philips - Lighting.
It’s not as sexy as electric cars, solar thermal plants or biofuels, but it’s a
key component of greentech. Kaj de Daas, chairman of Philips Lighting North
America, provided an overview of the lighting market at the Dow Jones
Alternative Energy Innovations conference today and here’s some of what he
said:
R $75 billion: the overall size of the global lighting market. The U.S. accounts for 20% of the total.
R 52: The average number of light sockets in a U.S. home. Put another way, there are 4 billion screw-in light sockets.
R 2012: The year, in some nations, that traditional incandescent bulbs will no longer be sold.
R 45 lumens per watt: That’s the minimum level of efficiency he’d like to see mandated.
R $1 to $3.50: The average price of LED chips. It’s too high, den Daas said. Technically, companies can make LED bulbs that can dim and put out as much light as a traditional bulb. Economically, it’s just not feasible right now.
R LEDs can last 50,000 hours. Thus, light bulb makers will lose their replacement market when LEDs go mainstream.
7. DOE
Reaches 50 Percent Milestone Toward Commercial Zero-Energy Buildings - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have released the first technical
support documents to show 50 percent energy savings in commercial retail
buildings. The two reports provide recommendations on how to achieve 50 percent
energy savings over the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 in grocery stores and
medium-sized retail buildings. In addition to the ASHRAE design guides, the
results of these studies will be shared with DOE's Retailer Energy Alliance, an
alliance of leading retailers dedicated to reducing the energy use and
environmental footprint of retail buildings. http://www.sustainablefacility.com/
8. Guide Addresses Financing for EnergySmart
Schools - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the EnergySmart Schools program
have released a new Guide to Financing EnergySmart Schools. The guide addresses
perceived and real financial barriers associated with construction of new
high-performance schools, as well as energy-efficiency renovations and
retrofits of existing facilities. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools/financing_guide.html
9. Building Code
Status: Commercial - BCAP unveils
the new and improved version of the commercial state code status map, located
below. Aside from the color changes, the map now includes a new level of
information, with lighter colors with an asterisk to indicate states that have
adopted a new code which is not yet effective. http://www.bcap-energy.org/node/21
10.
Telecommuting and the
Green Office of the Future - Businesses
are becoming greener, not just because it's right but because it makes sense. The greenest office may be no office at all
since facilities represent a huge expense and large source of greenhouse gas
emissions as employers heat and cool rarely-used conference rooms and
illuminate empty cubicles. Allowing employees to telecommute from home at least
part of the week could cut costs significantly. 10/27 GreenBiz.com
11. New Home Sales Up in September - Sales of newly built
single-family homes rose 2.7 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted
annual rate of 464,000 units, according to U.S. Commerce Department numbers
released Oct. 27. The report also
indicated that builders are making substantial progress in reducing the months’
supply of unsold units on the market. Regionally, sales activity gained 22.7
percent in the West and 0.7 percent in the South in September, but at the same
time declined 21.4 percent in the Northeast and 5.8 percent in
the Midwest. 10/28 HCN
12. DOE Solid-State Lighting Portfolio - The U.S. Department of Energy and
its partners are working to accelerate advances in solid-state lighting — a
pivotal emerging technology that promises to fundamentally alter lighting in
the future. No other lighting technology offers the Department and our nation
so much potential to save energy and enhance the quality of our building environments.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/
13. Military Switches to Fluorescent Lights - The U.S. Department of Energy says 84
military bases have shifted from traditional incandescent light to the use of
compact fluorescent light bulbs. As of the beginning of October, 84 bases had
installed 359,268 compact fluorescent light bulbs in 40,951 housing units, the
Energy Department said. Leading the military effort is Fort Drum U.S. Army base
in New York. The base changed 106,012 bulbs. Camp Lejeune in North Carolina
exceeded its goal to change at least one bulb in each of its 3,500 housing
units. Instead, the U.S. Marines base changed 19,020 bulbs in nearly 5,000
housing units. The Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania had pledged to switch
2,414 bulbs but ended up changing 23,158 bulbs.
10/20 UPI
14. GE and Google Clean Energy Partnership: An Overview - GE and Google are joining forces to help
develop tomorrow power generation, transmission and distribution — known as the
“smart grid” — and its interface with next generation electric transpor face
transportation. Our goal is to provide consumers with improved and expanded
energy choices, whether it’s buying renewable power, driving a plug-in car, or
reducing energy bills by managing home energy use. http://www.energyvortex.com
15. 
One Device, Many Options - The Universal Control Device represents a
true breakthrough in technology by offering a solution to control various types
of light sources. UCD-01 controls Compact Fluorescent Lamps (non-dimmable and
dimmable), Fluorescent Linear Tubes (T12, T8, T5, Circular) with non-dimmable
ballasts, Cold Cathode Lamps, Halogen, and Incandescent lights. A revolution in
dimming technology, the UCD provides comfort, ambience, and energy savings all
in one device. It is the perfect solution for
dimming dimmable CFL’s regardless of brand up to 300 W from 100% down to 10% of
light level. Additionally, the UCD is
ideal for those seeking the ability to control various light sources, easy 2-
wire installation, comfort from harsh lighting environments, and energy
savings. www.idimllc.com Contact: mcreighton@idimllc.com
or kwatson@idimllc.com
16. 
Would
You Buy This Funny-Looking Bulb? Within the next several months,
several of the world’s biggest lighting companies, including Osram Sylvania and
Philips, will introduce LED replacement bulbs to various world markets,
including the United States. While the bulbs will be praised for their
energy-saving characteristics and long lives, most consumers will immediately
think, “These things look weird.” Credit
photo: Lighting Science Group Corp. Here’s an example of one LED substitute for
a standard reflector bulb used in many home ceilings. Those funny fins are a
“heat sink.” Because LED light sources generate all their heat through the
rear, manufacturers are adding heat sinks to dramatically increase the surface
area and let the heat dissipate rapidly. Without them, the LED fixture would
lose its color accuracy and have a dramatically shortened life. 11/04 NY Times
17. DOE
Solid-State Lighting GATEWAY Demonstrations - DOE GATEWAY Demonstrations showcase
high-performance LED products for general illumination in a variety of
commercial and residential applications. Demonstration results provide
real-life experience and data on state-of-the-art solid-state lighting (SSL)
product performance and cost effectiveness. These results connect DOE
technology procurement efforts with large-volume purchasers and provide buyers
with reliable data on product performance.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/techdemos.htm
18. DOE and EPA Release the 2009 Fuel
Economy Guide - DOE and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the 2009 Fuel Economy Guide last week,
providing consumers with detailed information about the fuel economy, carbon
footprint, and air pollution score for model year 2009 vehicles, as well as
information about hybrids, alternative fuel vehicles, electric vehicles, and
fuel cell vehicles. http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/overall-high.htm
|
Rank |
Manufacturer/Model |
MPG |
|
1 |
Toyota Prius (hybrid) |
48/45 |
|
2 |
Honda Civic Hybrid |
40/45 |
|
3 |
Nissan Altima Hybrid |
35/33 |
|
4 |
Ford Escape Hybrid FWD |
34/31 |
|
5 |
Smart Fortwo Convertible |
33/41 |
|
6 |
Toyota Camry Hybrid |
33/34 |
|
7 |
Volkswagon Jetta (manual, diesel) |
30/41 |
|
8 |
Volkswagon Jetta (automatic, diesel) |
29/40 |
|
9 |
Toyota Yaris (manual) |
29/36 |
|
10 |
Toyota Yaris (automatic) |
29/35 |
19. Honda Hybrid and Smart EV Unveiled at Paris Motor Show - The Paris Motor Show featured a
|
|
The concept version of the Honda Insight. |
number of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). Honda actually revived an old name, unveiling a concept version of the new and improved Honda Insight at the auto show. Although it resembles a Toyota Prius, Honda says the vehicle shares styling cues with its FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle. And while the old Insight was a two-seater, the new version is a sedan that will seat five. Honda expects to sell 200,000 Insights per year in North America, Europe, and Japan once the vehicle goes on sale in spring 2009. http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/
20. New Free Online Lighting Course Now
Available - EE102, Section 2:
Load Scheduling Automatic
shutoff is required by most commercial energy codes, and load scheduling--also
called time sweep control--is a popular compliance method. EE102: Switching
Controls, Section 2, authored by lighting industry educator and journalist
Craig DiLouie, describes load scheduling strategies, technology and the basics
of designing a load scheduling control system. This course has been valued at 0.45 CEUs for
CLEP (AEE), 4.5 LEUs for LC (NCQLP), and 30 Education Points for CLMC (NALMCO)
certification maintenance. Education
Express is free and easy to use after a fast registration, offers hundreds of
pages of information, and is accredited. http://aboutlightingcontrols.org/Education_Express/welcome.php
21. EPA Assessment Highlights Effective
Mercury-Free Alternatives - Effective mercury alternatives exist,
according to a new preliminary assessment of the uses of elemental mercury in a
number of products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
concluded switches, relays, button-cell batteries, non-fever thermometers, and
measuring devices, such as thermostats, do not have to contain mercury. 11/07 FacilitiesNet.com
22.
Learning at Light Speed - From online tutorials to multiday workshops,
there are many educational opportunities for contractors. Lighting technology is speeding forward, and
electrical contractors looking to profit from the lucrative lighting design
market are challenged to keep up.
Educational institutions, manufacturers,
distributors, as well as trade and professional associations provide an array
of on-site and online lighting courses, giving contractors an opportunity to earn
continuing education credits. Topics range from basic to highly technical
applications. 10/’08 Electrical Contractor
www.cooperlighting.com/education
www.lightingsolutionscenter.com
www.squaredlightingcontrol.com
State Energy Market News
1. Some States Win, Some Lose With Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs - Using compact fluorescent lighting can sharply reduce
energy use. However, the small amount of mercury in each CFL has raised
concerns, due to the threat of mercury exposure via broken bulbs or through the
disposal process. Now a team of Yale scientists has estimated, on a state and
national basis, the tradeoffs between reductions in mercury from coal-fired
power plants, due to less energy use, and increased use of mercury-containing
CFLs. They have concluded that eight states will end up with more local
emissions of mercury — AK, CA, ID, ME, NH, OR, RI, and VT. At the opposite end
of the spectrum, ND, NM, and WV will have the greatest net reduction in local
mercury emissions. The other 39 states will have smaller net reductions. http://members.sej.org/sej/tipsheet.php?ID=2370
2. U.S. DOE Awards
Six States $2.6 Million to Develop New Energy Codes - On September 9, DOE announced awards
for approximately $6.6 million in competitive-selected grants for innovative
state-level energy efficiency and renewable energy policies and projects. The
DOE supported, state-led projects will focus on building utility scale energy
capacity from renewables and demand reduction, as well as advanced building
energy codes. The following six states were selected for funding: http://www.bcap-energy.org/node/274
