Green Channel
Lighting is the word this week, with the DoE estimating that use of
LEDs and OLEDs over a 20-year period starting now could save 1,448
terawatt-hours (a lot) of electricity. Plus: A video on a new
NECA-IBEW’s 3rd windmill training facility. Also in the Channel – Electronic House looks at other ways LEDs might be used; the technology makes more creative options possible. More...
Eco-Power
Thinking about energy storage and geothermal? No? You will after a
brief browse of this section – which includes info on integrating
storage, wind, and solar; 2009’s 6% installed geothermal gain . . . and
the intersection of geothermal & earthquakes! Also Powerful –
someone figured out states could institute FITs. FERC asks if it should
changes it rules to accommodate solar, wind, etc. And: Greenpeace vs.
Facebook. More...
Energy Efficiency
EE news is made in Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, the Pacific
Northwest, and via Volkswagen’s new $1 billion plant in Chattanooga,
Tenn. Plus, what Quaker Oats is doing to save energy and earn rebates
by making savvy moves on motors. Also Efficient – there are
changes in the new LEED, and one of them was reported as being the
possibility that USGBC would “decertify” underperformers. Wrong? More...
Sustainability
If you could build a house for $99,000, and use green considerations in
designing it, you’d have an affordable, sustainable house, the AIA
said. If a company wants to “green” itself, there’s no better way than
to educate and engage employees, a Foundation said. Also of Sustenance
– Texas doesn’t like what EPA plans to do on greenhouse gases (overlook
the fact that Massachusetts sued the EPA to get it to regulate GHGs). More...
Green Data Points
Bad news roundup: legislation in Arizona could hurt solar;
budget-balancing in New Jersey could hurt renewables there; “some
buildings are not living up to the green label;” and wind project legal
issues that might be considered. Also Pointed – code,
labeling, and standards issues include what’s going on in California, a
federal effort on data centers, a roundup of three green codes and
lighting. More...