All posts in Energy

Renewable energy, providing maximum benefits

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Making maximum use of renewable energy sources is not only a good way to save money, but it also helps in making the environment better.Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, water and geothermal energy are considered to be best environmental friendly energy sources that do not discharge toxic substances in the environment like Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy creates. These renewable Sources are becoming a viable alternative to burning Coal, Oil and Gas. They have become a perfect medium to render electricity along with heating and cooling our home and work area.

Complimenting the energy resources some experts developed smart fridges. These are capable to assert an average temperature and also determine the power consumption from renewable energy generators like solar panes or wind turbines. A solar panel creates ample amount of energy which is able to keep the content of fridge cold at night. Another benefit is that the usage of electricity is minimal so the need to construct more power stations is minimized.

Additionally, may the usage of Solar heating panel at your home be the perfect idea. These panels are helpful in maintaining the overall energy usage of your home and lower your monthly electricity bill. Moreover, you can also opt for a Solar Heating Device outside your home area so that you are less dependent on heating oil, gas or electricity. If you think that installing a range of renewable sources like solar panels, solar heating system, solar water tank and wind turbines are costly then probably you are wrong. These renewable technologies are available at minimal costs and save a huge amount of your monthly bills.

Global climate change is constantly affecting all of us. It can be controlled with usage of renewable sources; these sources will also provide cost advantages over fossil fuels. Presently, scientists are finding ways to make the most of renewable resources and developing effective measures to make renewable resources more widespread and easier to use. The concept of renewable energy is as old as man kind think of windmills back in the Netherlands or sail boats that use the power of the wind. Still, the re-invention of renewable energy is not as popular as it should be. Renewable resources can be utilized by anyone, anywhere. The only requirement is knowledge and means of utilizing the technology.

Its time for you to begin investing in the renewable energy sources, the more you are be informed about the technology the more it will help in making correct choices.

Potential Jobs in Creating a New Energy Infrastructure

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According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a total of 751,051 “green jobs” were created or maintained in 2006. Of those jobs, almost 127,500 of them related to renewable power generation. The majority of the jobs in question, approximately 85% were located within metropolitan areas. However, with the increasing popularity of renewable energy in today’s market, the potential for employment in these areas can increase greatly. Santa Cruz Ca, real estate benefits when people improve their home with energy efficient products.

Projected Renewable Energy Jobs and Industries

The Energy Information Administration estimates that the electric power sector generated just over 4 trillion kilowatt hours. Of that, just about 8% was generated from renewable sources. Hydroelectric power is perhaps the largest contributor to the generation of electricity, and has been a significant creator of jobs in both manufacturing and operation of various hydroelectric jobs around the country. Since hydroelectricity has been a part of the infrastructure for a number of decades, the workforce is becoming older, and the need for an influx of skilled workers will undoubtedly increase in the coming years.

One of the most promising sources for alternative energy is wind. Geographically speaking, the areas with the highest potential for employment generation with a new energy infrastructure are in the northern and western parts of the country. In considering Santa Cruz real estate for wind potential, a survey of the area winds is helpful to determine the suitability of the site. If wind energy is pursued, the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Texas would be the most likely places for wind energy generation farms, and the associated employment opportunities. They are estimated to have a total potential power generation of approximately 4,500 billion kilowatt hours, which is more then enough to power the entire United States for at least 9 months. In addition, states such as Maine, New York, and Michigan also provide many opportunities for wind generation. If wind is actively pursued as a source of alternative energy, a substantial amount of jobs can be created and maintained. Potential jobs could include construction and maintenance of the wind generation farms, construction and maintenance of new transformers for electricity transportation, and jobs to regulate the flow and amount of electricity geographically. The American Wind Energy Association is a great place to find more information at awea.org.

Another potential powerhouse when it comes to alternative energy is solar power. Solar power has the potential to generate a significant amount of jobs, as well as decrease our national reliance on fossil fuels. The basic technology has been around for years, but the widespread adoption has not occurred basically due to the higher cost of power generation compared to fossil fuels. However, with the increasing cost of using fossil fuels, as well as advancements in solar panel technology, the cost difference is becoming smaller everyday.

Cambridge Study into the Energy Saving Potential of SPD Glass

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The study of building physics is becoming an ever more popular and necessary direction for engineering research and development worldwide. This includes in particular the energy conditions and efficiency surrounding the usage and maintenance of everyday buildings. For the majority of commercial and domestic buildings worldwide it is a desirable requirement
to maintain a comfortable interior environment, and due to the extremes of external environmental conditions this requires energy.

Energy consumption and wastage is a worldwide concern with global warming caused by excessive greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as well as rapidly diminishing non-renewable resources. There are two important directions associated with tackling these problems; to convert energy generation to renewable ‘non-carbon’ resources and to reduce the amount of energy consumed by society.

The Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge recently released a paper outlining the results of a study into the energy saving potential of suspended particle devices for chromogenic switchable glazing (also known as “smart glass”) in comparison to regular clear glazing on glass.

This study focuses on such new ‘smart’ technologies that aim to reduce the high energy wastage in buildings. These ‘smart glasses’ have the ability to modulate optical and thermal properties, and therefore are able to adapt to prevent undesired energy flow through a glass faade.

While briefly looking at the various smart glass devices this project focused on the performance evaluation of electrotropic switchable technology, and more specifically, suspended particle device (SPD) glass. SPD glass is able to control its optical properties by the application of an electrical current to the glass, and holds great potential in being able to reject solar heat gain into an internal environment. A reduction in solar heat gain during summer months and hotter climates could result in significant energy saving in terms of
cooling and air conditioning.

Performance data was measured using SPD glass in an actual real-world environment and compared with measured data using clear float glazing. In addition to this, environmental modeling was carried out using computer software to analyze the energy performance of the SPD windows.

With such comparisons available, the performance conclusions between a real-world and virtual environment also allowed the research team to comment on the accuracy of such simulation modeling.

From the real-world performance data of the SPD windows it can be concluded that SPD glass is able to provide a much more uniform and comfortable internal room temperature than regular single float glazing. This was shown by data measurements detailing how the room temperature only fluctuated by 2C with SPD windows, in comparison to 8C in the reference office.

SPD windows were shown to be significantly more energy efficient than regular clear float glazing. The solar heat gain was reduced by 90% through SPD glass, which partially results in a 65% reduction in annual cooling loads.

This investigation into the performance of SPD glazing has shown that this switchable smart technology has important advantages over the use of regular clear float glazing. It was identified before experimental measurements that SPD glass had a lower visible light transmission, and similar solar heat transmission to other smart switchable glazing, such as thermotropic, gasotropic and electrochromic. All of which can be used to reduce energy consumption and wastage in buildings.

Home Thermal Energy – 9 Steps To Detect And Fix Heat Loss Problems

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Whether you live in a warm or cold climate, heating and cooling account for over half of the average home energy costs. Making sure your house is adequately weatherized and insulated is your first line of defense to stopping unnecessary home thermal energy loss. It will not only save you money, but reduce pollution and slow the depletion of irreplaceable natural resources.

Some obvious signs that home thermal energy is being wasted are: general draftiness; constant frost on your windows; snow melting off your roof more quickly than other nearby homes; and high heating bills. Some not so obvious signs of home heat energy loss are: inadequate wall insulation; warm air escaping around chimneys; and heat loss through glass.

Here are 9 ways to find and correct Home Thermal Energy loss:

1. Measure insulation between the joists in your attic to determine if it meets the recommended R-value standards. To figure out the total current R-value, multiply the number of inches of loose insulation by 3.7; for fiberglass insulation, multiply by 3.1 per inch. If total amounts are substandard, you need to add more insulation to meet the standard. The recommended R-value for attics in a cold climate is R38; for a moderate climate, R26.

2. Measure the temperature in different areas of a room. A room is poorly sealed if you can detect differences in temperature of one or two degrees. Saving thermal energy in this case is as easy as upgrading the weatherstripping around doors and windows.

3. Check for drafts around windows and doors. An easy way to do this is on a windy day, hold a tissue next to the gaps where your doors and windows open and close. If the tissue flutters, your weatherstripping is inadequate, and it should be replaced or upgraded. Another heat saving idea to minimize home thermal energy loss is to look for light showing from the outside around door and window jambs.

4. Conduct a home energy audit with the assistance of your local utility company. Most power companies will provide a home energy audit kit. Some may even conduct the audit for you for a fee or in some cases, free of charge.

5. Frost buildup on windows is clear evidence of poor weatherstripping and an inadequate storm window. To inexpensively stop home thermal energy loss in this case, just upgrade the weatherstripping and add a layer of plastic sheeting on the exterior or interior side of the window.

6. Condensation or frost between windows happens when moisture builds up in the space between the window and the storm window. To save thermal energy for this problem and keep the warm, moist air on the inside, update the interior weatherstripping. Also, you need to check that there’s an outlet for moisture in the storm window. If there isn’t, you can make one by drilling one or two small holes in the lower rail of the storm window.

7. Inspect insulation and weatherstripping. What you want to check for here are signs of deterioration like crumbling foam or rubber; hardening of materials like felt or foam rubber that should be flexible; and damaged metal stripping. Replacing these materials as needed goes a long way in saving your home thermal energy and keeping your average home utility costs down.

Save Money and Conserve Energy at the Same Time

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Energy conservation is of great interest at the moment. It is pretty obvious that energy and water conservation are an issue that affects everyone of us. Also, it is a salient point that energy conservation is perfectly possible practice in your own home.

Before we list some tips to help with your energy conservation, lets list a selection of the inspirational ways that energy conservation has been defined:

* Energy conservation is protecting the earth.
* Energy conservation is our duty to our children.
* Energy Conservation is usually the quickest and most economical method of reducing your energy costs.
* Energy conservation is doing anything you are able to that results in the use of less energy.
* Energy conservation is mostly about modifying habits and understanding.
* Energy conservation is the practice of optimising the way you use energy in order to achieve increased energy output for just the same energy consumption.
* Energy Conservation is important for lots of reasons; economic, social and environmental.
* Energy conservation is an important area where people of almost any age can have an immediate, helpful impact on the earth.
* Energy conservation isnt something that need only be practiced in the workplace.
* Energy conservation is perhaps the most practical way of both decreasing the problem of greenhouse emissions and cutting costs to the consumer.
* Energy conservation is advantageous to the national economy.

If energy conservation is so wonderful, why aren’t we doing more of it?.
Governments really want to improve our record on energy conservation, and a good method they may use to obtain sizable energy conservation improvements is to increase the cost of energy sources. Currently, energy conservation is fairly cost efficient with a fairly quick payback time and reasonable investment. As heads of state increase fuel prices, the fairly quick payback time gets even shorter and the cost advantages even greater.

Consumer awareness today concerning energy conservation is massively greater than it was twenty years ago, but it still isn’t enough. Indeed, improving awareness of energy problems is becoming signficantly more urgent because our gas and electric consumption is developing much quicker than our capacity to generate energy.

What should we do?
It is clear that there are a good few people worried about the cost of staying warm this winter.
Remember that heating and pumping water can sometimes be a big portion of your power bill. The price of gas still increasing and heating oil is not reducing in price either.

So, what steps can you take to help save some of your hard earned cash and help the environment?

The most important tip is to switch things off when you aren’t using them. Television, music center, room lights etc. Don’t even leave things on ‘standby’, it still uses power without cause.

Most power is used by heating, so changing the temperatures on your thermostat is the biggest energy conservation measure you should take.
It is also worth checking the air filters on your heating and cooling system every month.
Facny a cup of coffee? Use microwave ovens instead of hotplates or kettles for heating water.

Changing your heating system? Select energy-efficient equipment when you buy new heating and cooling equipment.

If you are considering buying a gas fire, opt for an efficient flueless design. With the most recent hi-tech designs, absolutely no energy is wasted and lost up the chimney as it is with a normal flued gas fire. Because of this all the heat generated heats your house. This means reduced fuel costs and much improved energy efficiency. They are also far better for the environment, as the most modern gas technology means the fire actually cleans the air it uses.

In conclusion, energy conservation is the sum total of a lot of small things that produce a significant impact.

If you make enough of those small changes, energy efficiency and energy conservation are a win-win combination.