Do you want to be more connected with the OpenEI community? Announcing a weekly, public telecon with the OpenEI community at large! Find out how your fellow researchers, students, teachers and energy professionals are using OpenEI, and let us know what needs to change!Please forward this public meeting on to any interested colleagues – we have 100 call-in lines ready and waiting for this telecon! When: Occurs every Monday 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time Please use the following information to call in to this meeting:866-459-9997 #9645075Town hall schedule:30 minutes5…
Energy
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Most Topular Stories
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OpenEI town hall meeting on Mondays!
OpenEI Blog14 May 2012 | 10:29 am -
Lessons learned: Pepco's path to an integrated network operating center
SmartGridNews.com16 May 2012 | 4:52 pmThe stakes get high once a utility installs an AMI communications system. Communications failures can negatively affect reliability. Ouch. And negatively affect the cash register. Ouch, ouch. That's why a fully integrated network operating system may be a smart - though challenging - solution, as Pepco discovered. -
IBM Research Boosts Battery 500 Project with New Materials Partners
IBM Press Releases - Energy & Utilities - United States19 Apr 2012 | 11:02 pmIBM today announced that two industry leaders -- Asahi Kasei and Central Glass -- will join its Battery 500 Project team and collaborate on far-reaching research with the potential to accelerate the switch from gasoline to electricity as the primary power source for vehicles. E-mail this page Save to del.icio.us Digg this -
Top Ten Highlights of Cleantech in Rhode Island
CleanTechies Blog - CleanTechies.com16 May 2012 | 1:00 pmWhile Rhode Island, known as the Plantation State or the Ocean State, is one of the smallest states in the United States, it still looks to pack a punch when it comes to renewable energy and energy efficiency. It is listed as having some of the best potential for water power and offshore wind farms because of its proximity to the ocean. As well, it is known for having a very green conscious society. No one should underestimate Rhode Island in terms of its renewable energy and energy efficient capabilities. Listed below are just ten of the many highlight of clean technology throughout Rhode… -
Stump the Scientist: Nuclear Fusion
GE Global Research15 May 2012 | 3:01 pmThanks again for taking the time to submit your Stump the Scientist questions! We had some great questions submitted this week, hope you enjoy this one! Question from fan Nicolas Roux: “How close are we to making nuclear fusion a reality?” Response from Chief Scientist Jim Bray: Nuclear fusion is the process whereby 2 lighter atoms combine (fuse) their nuclei to produce a heavier atom. This process often produces a lot of energy for lighter combining atoms, since some mass is converted to energy during the fusion process. We can say that nuclear fusion is certainly a reality now,…
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OpenEI Blog
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OpenEI town hall meeting on Mondays!
14 May 2012 | 10:29 amDo you want to be more connected with the OpenEI community? Announcing a weekly, public telecon with the OpenEI community at large! Find out how your fellow researchers, students, teachers and energy professionals are using OpenEI, and let us know what needs to change!Please forward this public meeting on to any interested colleagues – we have 100 call-in lines ready and waiting for this telecon! When: Occurs every Monday 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time Please use the following information to call in to this meeting:866-459-9997 #9645075Town hall schedule:30 minutes5… -
An Intro to Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Pt. 2: Challenges
10 May 2012 | 4:41 pmThis article courtesy of NREL's Renewable Energy Project Finance websiteToday, BIPV only claims about a 1% share of total PV installations worldwide [1], but several analysts foresee good times ahead for this niche technology. Below is a summary of the challenges and barriers that may block or complicate the pathway to those good times unless they are addressed by the relevant stakeholders. These challenges can be classified into four categories: price, performance, codes and standards, and market limitations.To recap: BIPV comprises a group of solar PV technologies that are built into… -
Meet Anup Bhagat, 3rd place winner @ the Boston Cleanweb Hackathon
8 May 2012 | 11:15 amI had the pleasure of going out to the Boston Cleanweb Hackathon on behalf of OpenEI.org and NREL, representing open data across the map - from OpenEI, energy.data.gov, REEGLE and the upcoming Apps for Energy challenge. Through the 36 hours of coding, I assisted Anup Bhagat of Divya Energy find open datasets for his team's work to develop a Cleanweb energy app. This was a proof of concept application to assist with Divya Energy's business offerings.This was a shining moment for open government data: an up-and-coming entrepreneur building a great app with open data and open APIs. -
An Intro to Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Pt. 1: Market Outlook
7 May 2012 | 5:57 pmThis article was originally published on NREL's Renewable Energy Project Finance website.Form has long played second fiddle to function in the world of solar PV, but building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are out to change that paradigm. BIPV encompasses a group of solar technologies that are built directly into the envelope of the host building, instead of mounted on the building's exterior. Whether it's a roof, a window, a façade, or a curtain wall (an outer covering to a building that doesn't carry any structural load; see bottom-left photo), BIPV modules can actually replace… -
Meet Matthew Liebhold: OpenEI @ the Boston Cleanweb Hackathon
6 May 2012 | 12:07 pmOpenEI is at the Boston Cleanweb Hackathon! Meet Matthew Liebhold (@CleanTechBOS), CleanTech Boston founder. Interview by Ryan McKeel.Matthew is a cleantech strategy, marketing, and sustainability consultant to a wide variety of early stage and established companies. Additionally, Matthew is the founder of CleanTech Boston, a website dedicated to bringing together cleantech entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors in the Boston area.
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SmartGridNews.com
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Lessons learned: Pepco's path to an integrated network operating center
16 May 2012 | 4:52 pmThe stakes get high once a utility installs an AMI communications system. Communications failures can negatively affect reliability. Ouch. And negatively affect the cash register. Ouch, ouch. That's why a fully integrated network operating system may be a smart - though challenging - solution, as Pepco discovered. -
McAfee and Intel concoct recipe for energy infrastructure protection
16 May 2012 | 4:33 pmTo help protect utility infrastructure from cyber attacks, McAfee and Intel have created a recipe for system-wide consumption - from SCADA and control systems to generation and T&D. The idea is to create layers of security using commercially available products that operate together. -
Mexico's plan to ride the wind to a secure energy future
16 May 2012 | 4:17 pmMexico is climbing the ranks of wind power-producing countries fast in its efforts to establish a secure energy future - and the numbers tell the tale. The country produced only 3 megawatts of wind energy in 2005 but now boasts almost 400 times that much and expects to generate 2 gigawatts by the end of this year. -
5 Dutch smart grid demos - hot on the trail of sustainable power
16 May 2012 | 4:03 pmA high-powered energy collective is moving into the design phase for five smart grid demonstration projects in the Netherlands. The group intends to design, implement and study smart grid operations and concepts - and also focus on thousands of technology-related standards. -
Smart Grid Events and Smart Grid Conferences
16 May 2012 | 3:30 pmIndustry events and conferences can help you stay on top of industry trends and technologies and make important contacts. Our calendar is loaded with upcoming events, with links for further details. And be sure to jump to page 2, where you can see the conferences Smart Grid News Chief Analyst Jesse Berst will be attending.
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IBM Press Releases - Energy & Utilities - United States
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IBM Research Boosts Battery 500 Project with New Materials Partners
19 Apr 2012 | 11:02 pmIBM today announced that two industry leaders -- Asahi Kasei and Central Glass -- will join its Battery 500 Project team and collaborate on far-reaching research with the potential to accelerate the switch from gasoline to electricity as the primary power source for vehicles. E-mail this page Save to del.icio.us Digg this -
IBM, Honda, and PG&E Enable Smarter Charging for Electric Vehicles
11 Apr 2012 | 11:01 pmIBM today announced that it has teamed with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on a new pilot project that will allow communication between electric vehicles (EVs) and the power grid. This project will demonstrate and test an electric vehicle's ability to receive and respond to charge instructions based on the grid condition and the vehicle's battery state. With visibility into charging patterns, energy providers will have the ability to more effectively manage charging during peak hours and create consumer-friendly programs to encourage… -
IBM and ZSE Create Virtual Green Highway for Electric Vehicles
8 Apr 2012 | 11:01 pmIBM today announced it has teamed with Západoslovenská energetika, a.s. (ZSE), the largest distributor and supplier of electricity in Slovakia, on a smart energy “feasibility” study that will help prepare the capital city Bratislava for electric vehicles (EVs). E-mail this page Save to del.icio.us Digg this -
IBM and Hydro One Team to Improve the Power Grid in Ontario
27 Mar 2012 | 6:46 amIBM and its Business Partner Telvent announced that they have been selected by Hydro One, the largest distributor of electricity in Ontario (Canada), for a new smart grid project that will help transform the province's electrical system. Together, the companies will run simulations and tests to determine the smart grid technologies that have the potential to improve power efficiency and reliability. E-mail this page Save to del.icio.us Digg this -
IBM to Help Oil and Gas Companies Monitor and Reduce Environmental Impact
1 Feb 2012 | 1:43 amIBM has been selected for a global research project to develop the world’s first integrated environmental monitoring system aimed at helping oil and gas companies minimize the environmental impact of their operations. IBM researchers, developers and a team from IBM’s Centre of Excellence for Oil and Gas in Stavanger, Norway, are collaborating with experts from Statoil, Kongsberg Group and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) on developing a solution that will use industry frameworks combined with advanced streaming analytics technology to enable real-time monitoring of environmental data, and early…
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CleanTechies Blog - CleanTechies.com
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Top Ten Highlights of Cleantech in Rhode Island
16 May 2012 | 1:00 pmWhile Rhode Island, known as the Plantation State or the Ocean State, is one of the smallest states in the United States, it still looks to pack a punch when it comes to renewable energy and energy efficiency. It is listed as having some of the best potential for water power and offshore wind farms because of its proximity to the ocean. As well, it is known for having a very green conscious society. No one should underestimate Rhode Island in terms of its renewable energy and energy efficient capabilities. Listed below are just ten of the many highlight of clean technology throughout Rhode… -
How to Embed Sustainability Into the Business Enterprise
16 May 2012 | 10:30 amFor consumer products companies like Avon, there is often a quick assumption that sustainability will focus on the products themselves – products that are green, organic, natural or similar designations. But at Avon, and many peer companies, the sustainability imperative is embedded organically (no pun!) into the business enterprise, with a commitment to identify and leverage sustainable opportunities in the processes required to develop, create and deliver products to the consumer. Historically these processes have been invisible to the stakeholder, but with the increased demand for… -
U.S. Military Not Retreating on Clean Energy
16 May 2012 | 6:00 amWhile many government officials nervously await the outcome of the November elections and speculate as to its implications for the cleantech sector, one federal department is likely to be relatively unaffected regardless of the outcome: Defense. According to panelists at the recent “Mission Critical: Clean Energy and the U.S. Military“ event in Denver, the military’s growing commitment to reducing its use of fossil fuel, for both national security and economic reasons, will not waver regardless of who’s in charge in the White House or the Congress. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado… -
U.S. Companies Use Steel Linked To Amazon Destruction, Greenpeace Finds
16 May 2012 | 4:00 amU.S. car makers such as General Motors, Ford, and Nissan are purchasing steel made from pig iron that is smelted using large amounts of illegally logged timber from the Amazon rainforest, according to a two-year investigation by Greenpeace. The environmental group also said that the pig iron smelting, fueled by charcoal produced from tropical forest trees, has resulted in virtual slave labor and illegal logging of indigenous lands in northeastern Brazil. The Greenpeace investigation said that Brazil’s Carajas region — where three-quarters of the forests have been cleared, mainly for… -
New Solar Light Adds Artistic Touch to Clean Energy
15 May 2012 | 12:30 pmWe have seen several initiatives regarding the use of solar power to help people who live in off-grid regions to have access to modern electricity services. LuminAID, Solar Pebble, and the amazing work that SELF does to bring solar power to emergency areas. Now, Olafur Eliasson, an Icelandic artist known for his light-based installations, is joining the solar power revolution with the beautifully designed Little Sun, a collaboration with engineer Frederik Ottesen. They presented their solar solution last Friday at the World Economic Forum in Addis Baba, Ethiopia. Little Sun is a LED light…
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GE Global Research
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Stump the Scientist: Nuclear Fusion
15 May 2012 | 3:01 pmThanks again for taking the time to submit your Stump the Scientist questions! We had some great questions submitted this week, hope you enjoy this one! Question from fan Nicolas Roux: “How close are we to making nuclear fusion a reality?” Response from Chief Scientist Jim Bray: Nuclear fusion is the process whereby 2 lighter atoms combine (fuse) their nuclei to produce a heavier atom. This process often produces a lot of energy for lighter combining atoms, since some mass is converted to energy during the fusion process. We can say that nuclear fusion is certainly a reality now,… -
Science as Art: Images from the Materials Characterization Lab Part 3
8 May 2012 | 7:37 amOur next image in the series was submitted by Srinivasan Swarminathan. This is one of the more compelling and interesting photos to look at it if you ask me. The structure is incredibly intricate and interesting. Srinivas told us that what we are looking at is: “A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a bamboo plant’s broken surface. The image reveals numerous channels (with different sizes) for water transport by capillary motion that enables the bamboo plant to grow. A porous “composite” structure as seen in the image would help in engineering structural materials… -
Science as Art: Images from the Materials Characterization Lab Part 2
3 May 2012 | 11:30 amFor our next image in the “Science as Art” series, Michelle put together a complete blog for us to explain her images. I will turn it over to Michelle now! Have you ever been sitting in your car in the parking lot of the grocery store, minding your own business, when suddenly you see a rogue shopping cart go rolling at full speed, only to be abruptly stopped when it runs into some poor unsuspecting stranger’s car door? For most normal people, their first thought is, “Oooo. Bummer. That’s gonna leave a mark!” For me, my second thought is typically, “Hmm. I… -
GE invention significantly reduces electrical hazards
1 May 2012 | 3:17 pmRecently, technology developed at GE Global Research received high praise from industry leaders for its ability to shield industrial – workers from explosive and deadly arcing current. Plant Engineering magazine named GE’s Arc Vault its ‘Product of the Year.” Conceptualized at the company’s India Technology Center by Asokan T, a Chief Scientist at the Center, the Arc Vault represents a breakthrough in the area of electrical safety. The arc vault works on the principle of transfer of an open arc flash to a safe containment. The transfer of arc flash energy is accomplished by… -
Quick Feasibility Analysis for Waste Heat Recovery Potential using GE In-House Simulation Tool
25 Apr 2012 | 3:32 pmAn incredible amount of up to 50% of the total energy input in the industrial sector is lost in the form of heat released to the surroundings. Just imagine how much fossil fuel could be preserved along with emission reduction by more efficient energy utilization! In one of his blog entries (‘Waste heat recovery – the hidden source of energy’), Thomas Frey highlighted the potential efficiency gains in energy intensive industrial sectors such as refineries, steel and metal manufacturing plants, glass production processes, cement plants, furnaces, gas and pipeline stations and power plants…
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FINalternatives
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Prisma In Talks To Sell Stake To KKR
16 May 2012 | 11:41 amPrivate equity giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts may buy its way into the fund of hedge funds business. KKR is in talks with Prisma Capital Partners about buying a stake in the New York-based firm. It is unclear how large a stake KKR is seeking in the ongoing talks, or whether a deal was imminent. read more -
Gottex Acquires Hong Kong Fund Of Funds Penjing
16 May 2012 | 11:36 amGottex Fund Management has agreed to buy a Hong Kong fund of hedge funds, nearly doubling its assets in Asia at a stroke. read more -
Carlyle Profit Drops As Firm Plans 11 New Funds
16 May 2012 | 11:22 amThe Carlyle Group's first quarterly report as a public company was a forgettable one, indeed. read more -
Contractor Charged With Stealing From Citadel
16 May 2012 | 11:21 amA New York City contractor has been charged with ripping off Citadel Investment Group to the tune of $1.2 million. read more -
Ex-Treasury Official Backs Elliott In Argentina Debt Battle
16 May 2012 | 11:20 amWith President Barack Obama's Justice Dept. opposing his efforts to be paid in full on defaulted Argentine debt, Elliott Management Corp.'s Paul Singer has turned to a former official from a more congenial administration. read more
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Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Blog
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CCIA Announces Cleantech Fellows Institute
10 May 2012 | 11:32 amThe Colorado Cleantech Industry Association has announced the creation of the Cleantech Fellows Institute designed to create new and robust leadership for emerging cleantech markets. This 17-week intensive program is the first of its kind in the nation and will focus on transforming C-level executives to lead near-market cleantech companies. Applicants strongly encouraged to apply are former executives from the aerospace, biotechnology and enterprise technology industries who have a desire to transition to the cleantech industry. Those accepted into the program will receive… -
Brookings Report Raises Eyebrows and More
8 May 2012 | 10:00 amIf you haven’t seen the most recent Brookings Institution report Beyond Boom and Bust: Putting Clean Tech on a Path to Subsidy Independence,” you should give it a read. Despite the numerous negative headlines the past week, this report provides a suggested pathway for weaning cleantech off of subsidies to empower the United States' manufacturing and capacity, and that is a good thing.What the report reaffirms is that clean tech is only going to be sustainable if its cost is at parity with traditional energy sources. This means energy deployment policies and subsidies should reward… -
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper Signs Bill to Allow More Electric and Natural Gas Vehicle Fueling Stations
4 May 2012 | 2:55 pmNew law will increase the use of domestic energy sources and expand statewide economic opportunities for alternative fuel vehicles Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed HB-1258 into law making it easier for prospective locations, such as grocery stores and shopping malls, to install and sell alternative fuels to electric and natural gas vehicles. HB-1258 will enable retail, fleet and community venues to host locations for electric and compressed-natural gas vehicles to refuel. HB-1258, titled “Concerning Regulation of Public Utilities in Terms of Alternative Fuel Vehicles,” will… -
Colorado’s Cleantech Market Expansion for 2012 Part 3: Colorado Cleantech Community’s Rising Stars
3 May 2012 | 10:00 amIn the final installment of a three-part blog series on the market outlook for 2012, recruiter and entrepreneur Dave Mayer offers an glimpse into the growing Colorado cleantech community. Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the presence of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden and the wealth of new ideas and research coming out of the lab and its partner organizations. NREL, and its hundreds of scientists focused on the development of solar, biofuels and wind solutions in Colorado, is a huge boon to the state. Another truly prominent and successful example… -
Investments, Taxpayers and Cleantech
27 Apr 2012 | 10:00 amTaxpayers doubting the prudence of investing in new clean technologies are one of the major roadblocks in the widespread adoption of cleantech. Recently, President Obama has come forward to reiterate his support of the US becoming a major player in the global cleantech market. During a recent visit to Buckley Airforce Base the President said he intended to “double down on a clean-energy industry that’s never been more promising.” Conversely, a recent article by the National Legal and Policy Center explored the option that private investors, not taxpayers will be the major players in…
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Alagasco | Energy Efficient Natural Gas
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Payments Made Simple
15 May 2012 | 12:46 pmAlagasco strives to make the payment process simple and easy for everyone, whether you prefer to pay all your bills online or by mail, there’s a payment option for you. Alagasco offers the following options for payment: eBill: Each month, we’ll notify you via email when your bill is ready for viewing. When you receive your electronic bill, you can log into eBill and make a payment. Through eBill, you can either pay with Discover, Visa, MasterCard, debit card or from a bank account. ePayment: Make an electronic payment as often as you like with Western Union Speedpay® and still receive… -
Win a Natural Gas Grill at Mudbugs & Music 2012
7 May 2012 | 3:25 pmThe seventh annual Mudbugs & Music will be held Saturday, May 12th at Avondale Brewing Company. Mudbugs & Music is a family-friendly event with one focus – raising money to increase awareness of arthritis and help to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis, the nation’s No.1 cause of disability. All proceeds go to the Arthritis Foundation to help various arthritis initiatives throughout the state, including the Juvenile Arthritis Initiative. So, pack up the kids (and pups too!) and come out and enjoy a day filled with music, a silent… -
Managing the Unimaginable: Alagasco’s Response to the April 27th Tornadoes
27 Apr 2012 | 11:58 amOne year ago today, Alagasco, along with much of the state of Alabama, faced an unimaginable disaster: 62 tornadoes barreled across the state, killing 248 people, damaging or destroying 14,000 homes, and scarring landscapes and minds for years to come. For Alagasco, it tested the strength of our people and our processes and ultimately made us a better company. The tragedy also highlighted what we already knew: Our workers are dedicated to our mission and to our community. Alagasco received more than 3,000 emergency leak calls in three hours following the tornadoes, 4,500 meters were out of… -
Secret Stages 2012 – Are you ready?
24 Apr 2012 | 12:36 pmSecret Stages is coming back to Birmingham for its second year. Are you as excited as we are? If you’ve never heard of it…you’ve got to check it out. Last year, over 80 bands and a dozen comedians performed on 11 different stages. Will this year’s event be even better? It sure will. New bands are being added to the lineup daily. It all starts the evening of May 11th and doesn’t stop until May 12th. It will be held in the Historic Loft District of downtown Birmingham. This year Alagasco will be adding a little something extra to the festivities… It’s not for the weak… -
Nest Review: Part 2
17 Apr 2012 | 2:32 pmGood things come to those who wait…I hope! When I knew I wanted a Nest thermostat to control my Natural Gas furnace and electric air conditioner, I went to the Nest Website only to find out that there was a wait list. The Nest is so popular, in order to buy one, you must register on their wait list. Nest says that as soon as products are available, you will receive an email. Then you have a certain amount of time to order, and can order up to 5 Nests at one time. I searched the website just to see if the Nest would be compatible with my thermostat wiring at home. If it’s not, you won’t…
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FT.com - Energy
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Veolia chief wins support to stay at helm
16 May 2012 | 2:33 pmShareholders vote in favour of three directors who will replace those believed to be sympathetic to the former chief who tried to oust Antoine Frérot -
Turkey close to Azeri gas deal
16 May 2012 | 2:01 pmEU officials had hoped a bigger pipeline, named Nabucco, would provide substantial alternative supplies to Russian gas -
Shell warns on US natural gas bounce
16 May 2012 | 1:36 pmChief executive Voser predicts strong recovery from the 10-year lows the fuel has hit as a result of the boom in shale gas production -
Eon: load-shedding
16 May 2012 | 12:10 pmThe German utility’s third big disposal relieves it of Open Grid’s high capital spending needs and of another low-return outpost of its empire -
Eon sells gas distribution unit for €3.2bn
16 May 2012 | 11:34 amThe German utility offloads Open Grid Europe to a group of infrastructure investors led by Australian bank Macquarie
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ExxonMobil's Perspectives Blog
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Which teacher had the most significant impact on your life and career?
9 May 2012 | 5:31 pmFor former astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, it was her high school science teacher, Dr. Mommaerts. In an op-ed featured this week on Mashable.com, Ride celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week by talking about Dr. Mommaerts’ efforts to not only teach her about science, but to give her the confidence to believe she could do anything – including becoming the first American woman to travel in space. It’s that all-important combination of competence and confidence that teachers must possess in order to pass it along to their students. And as Dr. Ride mentions in her op-ed, those are the skills we want… -
Imports, exports and U.S. energy security
7 May 2012 | 4:16 pmWe’re currently having an interesting discussion in the United States — one that few would have thought possible a decade ago. Americans are talking about the recent upswing in U.S. oil and natural gas production – and how it can benefit the U.S. economy and U.S. energy security. Technology developed by the industry has opened up vast energy resources across the country, from shale gas and tight oil to deepwater oil and gas. They’re also talking about what these new supplies mean for the United States when it comes to energy trade – what we import and what we export. And… -
ExxonMobil’s first quarter 2012 earnings results
26 Apr 2012 | 5:50 pmEarlier today, we announced our first-quarter results, which included global earnings of $9.5 billion. This is a large number, but it’s only when you compare it to our revenues that you get a more accurate picture of our profitability relative to other industries. Our global revenues were $124 billion in the first quarter, which means ExxonMobil earned 7.6 cents for every dollar of sales. That includes every unit of oil, petroleum products, natural gas and chemicals we produced, refined, manufactured and sold. In fact, our profits per dollar are actually at or below those of many other… -
Stats you need to know about gasoline, crude oil and the companies producing it
24 Apr 2012 | 5:03 pmA U.S. election season … the summer driving season … political instability in some parts of the world … and upcoming earnings results for oil companies. This is the backdrop against which consumers are hearing a lot of commentary about gasoline prices and energy policy. It can sometimes be tough to tell reality from rhetoric. So I thought I would recap a few key stats about gasoline, crude oil and the companies producing it. Gas prices fluctuate because the global price of crude oil fluctuates. About 67 percent of the average price consumers paid at the pump in March was due to the… -
What you don’t know about shale gas may surprise you
20 Apr 2012 | 4:08 pmYou don’t have to look far these days to find news articles talking about how natural gas from shale is boosting domestic energy supplies, creating jobs and revitalizing energy-intensive U.S. industries such as manufacturing. But some recent articles also shed light on some lesser-known aspects of this shale gas “revolution” – ones that may not be as obvious, but are just as important: Today’s shale gas “revolution” actually was decades in the making. In its cover story this week, “The United States of Natural Gas,” Fortune magazine shows how…
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FPL Blog
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How to prepare for hurricane season
7 May 2012 | 1:04 pmHurricane Preparedness Week is May 27 through June 2 – a perfect time for you to do what it takes to prepare for Florida’s summer weather. Having lived in Florida for 25 years, I can tell you that preparing for hurricane season is one item that should top your summer to-do list. Doing all I can to keep my family and home safe before a major storm hits brings me great peace of mind. Have a Plan Your first step to keep your family safe is to put a plan into writing. Outline evacuation routes for all family members and address critical needs such as medications and medical equipment. If… -
How does FPL restore power after a major outage
7 May 2012 | 12:55 pm -
FPL employees flex their “Power to Care”
16 Apr 2012 | 3:07 pmAs part of FPL’s 2012 Power to Care Week, I recently had the chance to go out into my community and volunteer. It’s hard to put into words how good it felt, especially the joy of working alongside 900 of my colleagues and friends! This wonderful brigade of volunteers fanned out across Florida to volunteer during the fourth annual FPL Power to Care Week in March. By the end of the week, we planted dozens of flowering plants and bushes, spread hundreds of bags of mulch, applied too many gallons of paint to count and collected thousands of pounds of trash and debris. And, thanks to a lot… -
FPL – A Real Value for Business Customers
12 Apr 2012 | 6:31 amSummer is nearly here which we all know means pushing your A/C even harder to keep your employees and customers comfy. This is also a time when many businesses see their FPL bills go up. But did you know it’s not the price of energy that’s changing, we’re all just using more of it in the summer. In fact, FPL’s typical business customer bill has gone down by 14 percent since 2006, while other necessities like food and health care continue to skyrocket. Don’t just take my word for it. Check out the chart below to see how we compare to the other essentials in your life. Another… -
FPL – A Real Value
11 Apr 2012 | 1:23 pmSummer is nearly here which we all know means pushing our A/C’s even harder to keep us comfy. This is also a time when many of us see our FPL bills go up. But did you know it’s not the price of energy that’s changing, we’re all just using more of it in the summer. In fact, FPL’s typical customer bill has gone down by 13 percent since 2006, while other necessities like food and healthcare continue to skyrocket. Don’t just take my word for it. Check out the chart below to see how we compare to the other essentials in your life. Another interesting note: Did you know that most of…
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eWallstreeter
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Natural gas consumption reflects shifting sectoral patterns
16 May 2012 | 1:27 pmU.S. natural gas consumption since 1997 reflects shifting patterns. Total U.S. natural gas consumption rose 7% between 1997 and 2011, but this modest growth masks bigger changes in individual sectors. Electric power is now the largest natural gas consuming sector and it shows perhaps the greatest sensitivity to price changes. - Selected by eWallstreeter.com - -
Start work now on Keystone pipeline
16 May 2012 | 1:18 pmWe should expand oil production right now for many reasons. India, China and other demands are becoming huge, the gas prices since President Obama took office have increased dramatically, and we also need the jobs to reduce unemployment. - Selected by eWallstreeter.com - -
SolarCity: Ditch Your Big Utility And Get A Free Rooftop Solar System
16 May 2012 | 12:18 pmIn states with deregulated electricity markets, power providers must compete for customers who can switch to a competitor much like they change cellphone services. That’s created an opening for renewable energy companies like Maryland’s Clean Currents. But how to lure customers away from fossil fuel rivals? - Selected by eWallstreeter.com - -
New Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential Clothes Washers and Dishwashers to Save Consumers Billions on Energy Bills
16 May 2012 | 12:08 pmMay 16, 2012New Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential Clothes Washers and Dishwashers to Save Consumers Billions on Energy Bills WASHINGTON – As part of the Obama Administration’s focus on taking sensible steps to save families money while also reducing energy consumption, the Department of Energy today announced common-sense energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers that will save consumers $20 billion in energy and water costs. The new standards for both clothes washers and dishwashers were informed by important feedback from manufacturers,… -
Jeffrey Brown responds to "U.S. energy independence is no longer just a pipe dream"
16 May 2012 | 12:04 pm"It's no pipe dream. The U.S. is already the world's fastest-growing oil and natural gas producer. Counting the output from Canada and Mexico, North America is "the new Middle East," Citigroup analysts declare in a recent report." Jeffrey Brown responds: The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) sums the reported production from Texas producers, and it has been doing so far decades, while the EIA apparently uses a sampling approach to estimate Texas production. For annual production in 2011, the RRC shows Texas crude oil production at 1.12 mbpd (million barrels per day), while the EIA shows it at…
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Advancing Education for Sustainability
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2012 Climate Leadership Award Winners
11 May 2012 | 9:00 am2012 Second Nature Climate Leadership Award Winners Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Climate Leadership at Signatory Institutions of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment ——————————————————————————————————– Second Nature and the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have announced the 10 academic… -
Save the Date: New England Campus Sustainability Forum
11 May 2012 | 8:00 amSecond Nature is pleased to announce our co-sponsorship and support of the New England Campus Sustainability Forum, a conference that will take place on September 21st at the Colleges of the Fenway in Boston, MA. The Forum is designed to leverage the collective resources of schools and colleges, and we hope to attract campus sustainability [...] -
New UNCF Publication Showcases MSI Efforts and Progress on Campus Sustainability
10 May 2012 | 2:14 pmBy Van H. Du, Program Associate, Second Nature The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) recently published Sustainable Campuses: Building Green at Minority-Serving Institutions to showcase the outstanding leadership and accomplishments achieved by many minority-serving colleges and universities in their efforts towards campus sustainability and climate neutrality. Sustainable Campuses is a collection of discussions and case [...] -
Massachusetts 3rd Annual Sustainable Economy Conference
10 May 2012 | 9:23 amOn April 30, 2012, the 3rd Annual Massachusetts Sustainable Economy Conference was presented by Integrative Sustainability & Environmental Solutions (ISES) in Boston, MA. ISES, an environmental consulting initiative led by Crystal Johnson.The conference leveraged a variety of discussions on the community and business practices that cultivate a sustainable economy. Higher education plays a critical role [...] -
William Paterson University: An Array of Sustainable Initiatives
4 May 2012 | 8:00 amBy James Shelley, Assistant Director of Facilities, William Paterson University (This article appears in the May, 2012 issue of The ACUPCC Implementer) William Paterson University is proud to provide a positive example of climate leadership for our 11,500 students while leading by example for our surrounding community. The University’s campus-wide solar panel installation is a dramatic and [...]
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Dahn Yoga and Tai Chi
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Tai chi’s energy healing techniques may help COPD patients
30 Apr 2012 | 8:22 amTweetMore than 12 million Americans live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that blocks the airways and makes breathing difficult, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Although there are some medications that could manage symptoms, regular physical activities, such as Dahn Yoga and tai chi, may help condition the body to use oxygen more efficiently. "Tai chi and qi gong are some of the many activities I encourage people with COPD to do," Chelsea Randall, M.S., OTR/L, an occupational therapist at National Jewish Health in Denver, told… -
Tai chi’s energy healing techniques may help COPD patients
30 Apr 2012 | 8:22 amTweetMore than 12 million Americans live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that blocks the airways and makes breathing difficult, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Although there are some medications that could manage symptoms, regular physical activities, such as Dahn Yoga and tai chi, may help condition the body to use oxygen more efficiently. "Tai chi and qi gong are some of the many activities I encourage people with COPD to do," Chelsea Randall, M.S., OTR/L, an occupational therapist at National Jewish Health in Denver, told… -
Restorative tai chi exercises may provide relief from menopause
10 Apr 2012 | 8:15 amTweetWomen who enter menopause initiate an unfamiliar plateau in life, in which one chapter ends and an exciting new one begins. Of course, those who are annoyed by hot flashes and trouble sleeping may be hard pressed to see the excitement in everything. Fortunately, tai chi exercises can help them on their journey! The hormonal shifts of menopause can have different effects on the body, including changes in energy as well as bone and muscle mass. For women who are not physically active, this can spell trouble for both the bones and joints. Weak muscles and excessive weight gain are two… -
Delaware town accommodates tai chi exercises
4 Apr 2012 | 7:53 amTweetStaying physically active is essential to the ability of senior citizens' to live independently. However, some may feel more comfortable within smaller, intimate settings instead of a large, fancy gym. Seniors can enjoy classes that teach tai chi exercises, which are often taught at community centers or public parks. For example, the Town Council of Bethany, Delaware, was inundated with requests from residents to accommodate tai chi, yoga and Zumba classes at the Bethany Beach Bandstand. Well, ask, and you shall receive! The Council recognized the value of these mind-body regimens… -
FarmVille game makers relax with tai chi exercises, other perks
30 Mar 2012 | 8:58 amTweetIf you're on Facebook, chances are you've run into friends' requests to join them in games like FarmVille or Mafia Wars. How did these games get so popular? It may be the work ethic behind their creators at Zynga, who are lucky enough to work in a facility that offers them tai chi exercises and other perks. "When my niece and nephew came to (the old) Zynga and saw people sitting around, working on computers, that was a letdown," chief executive Mark Pincus told USA Today. "We're trying to help our players socialize and have community, so it never sat…
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engerati.com
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Oceania Regional Roundup: 7 – 11 May 2012
15 May 2012 | 6:54 pmEnergyBusinessNews.com: New South Wales biodiesel plant ago Lachlan Colquhoun announced that NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, gave the green light to a US$273m soybean processing and biodiesel production facility. The Port Kembla, south-Sydney factory will produce soybean meal, used in stock feed, and also soy biodiesel, to be used as fuel. read more -
North American Regional Roundup: 7 – 11 May 2012
15 May 2012 | 5:39 pmSmart Grid Sherpa – Power grid changes from Japan to California – the inevitable shift in our energy industry read more -
Latin America Regional Roundup: 7 – 11 May 2012
15 May 2012 | 3:36 pmVentyx: Closes Multimillion Dollar Network Control Deals with Leading Utilities in Latin America Ventyx reports that it has signed multimillion-dollar contracts with power utilities: read more -
Oceania Regional Roundup: 7 - 11 May 2012
15 May 2012 | 3:24 pm -
EU Regional Roundup: 7 – 11 May 2012
15 May 2012 | 3:16 pmChina Daily: China seeks to expand green energy ties Lan Lan of China Daily reports that China and the European Union (EU) will work more closely in the alternative energy industry, in terms of: read more
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Fuel Cell Nation
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MIT Sloan Clean Energy Ventures Thoughts
16 May 2012 | 11:45 amSome of the most interesting numbers out of my recently-completed MIT Sloan program Clean Energy Ventures: Creating Innovative New Businesses Through Entrepreneurial Management involve Massachusetts, as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT.) Regarding Massachusetts, I learned that there are currently 5,000 clean energy companies here, which currently employ 1.5% of the state's work force! I had no idea that there was that much clean energy development going on locally! Regarding MIT, over 26,000 startups have been spun out over the years. Annual sales from these… -
MIT Clean Energy Prize Audience Choice
30 Apr 2012 | 9:33 pmAs a part of the MIT Sloan Clean Energy Venture program I'm attending, I am just back from attending the final awards ceremony for the 2012 MIT Clean Energy Prize. Here's Spindrift Energy, winners of the Audience Choice Award, hamming it up after the along ceremony, along with their check for $10,000. Spindrift Energy is an MIT startup helping to solve the world’s energy problems by way of their patent-pending wave energy device. Earlier in the evening, Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, and currently at the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers,… -
29 Apr 2012 | 8:01 pm
29 Apr 2012 | 8:01 pmDone with the first night of my MIT Clean Energy Ventures class - should be a great week! -
TED 2012 and Batteries for the Smart Grid
25 Apr 2012 | 7:20 pmAs part of the pre-program reading material for my upcoming MIT Sloan Clean Energy Ventures class, we had a variety of required reading and video posts to review. One of the most interesting videos was the 2012 TED Talk of MIT's Professor Donald Sadoway, "The Missing Link to Renewable Energy". In the talk, he discusses reinventing the battery. Without dumbing-down the subject matter too badly, he is able to describe the advanced work that he undertook at MIT making an economical liquid metal battery. He doesn't mention it, but Bill Gates is a financial backer of his… -
Attending Next Week's MIT Sloan Clean Energy Ventures Program
23 Apr 2012 | 6:54 pmI'm excited about taking the MIT/Sloan Clean Energy Ventures: Creating Innovative New Businesses Through Entrepreneurial Management program next week as part of their executive education offerings. So far there are 21 people taking part, including many international executives (Mexico, Denmark, Singapore, ...) The instructors include Bill Aulet (managing director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship), Daniel Nocera at Harvard University (a founder of Sun Catalytix and the ex-Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy and ex-Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of…
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P-2 Energy Efficient Lighting Blog
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[P2]’s Randy Breske Appointed to NALMCO Board
3 May 2012 | 2:24 pmRandy Breske, one of our sales reps. for the North Central region, has been appointed Associate Board Member for the interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO). Randy will act as the Associate Representative, a position previously held by Ray Pustinger, former [P2] president/ceo. If you’re unfamiliar with NALMCO, here’s a little background. The association provides lighting management resources, networking opportunities and training to its members. At [P2], we value the professionalism and expertise that NALMCO and its members bring to the lighting management… -
Have You Seen Our New Video?
26 Apr 2012 | 7:10 pmWe recently created a new video that gives you an overview of our company. Though it’s a short video (under two minutes), we’ve managed to cram in a lot of cool stuff about [P2], including what we offer and the benefits of partnering with us, i.e. faster production, easier customization and industry-leading support. If you haven’t watched the video yet, we encourage you to take a look (it’s located on our homepage). We also encourage you to share it with customers, co-workers and others interested in energy-efficient lighting retrofits and upgrades. We might be able to help someone… -
Saving 2.7 Million kWh in Menlo Park
25 Apr 2012 | 6:04 pm[P2] was happy to be part of a lighting retrofit project that's expected to save more than 2.7 million kWh a year at the Menlo Business Park in Menlo Park, CA. Read below for a press release with details about the project and its ribbon cutting last Friday. Menlo Business Park Celebrates Completion of Extensive Greening Project, Receives Rebate Check from PG&E for More Than $540,000 Menlo Park, Calif. – For Earth Day 2012, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Menlo Business Park (MBP), and Progressive Lighting & Energy Solutions, Tustin & Los Gatos, CA, hosted a ribbon-cutting… -
We Made OC Metro’s Green Team
18 Apr 2012 | 6:38 pmThis month, we’re featured in OC Metro magazine as one of the top 25 green companies in the OC. We’re part of OC Metro’s Green Team – a team that includes such companies as Fisker Automotive, University of California, Irvine and Golden State Foods. We’re proud we made OC Metro’s list because it means we’re upholding our mission – to provide energy efficient lighting solutions that offer a compelling return on investment for end users while also benefitting the environment. At [P2], sustainability is at the core of every decision we make and has been since we were founded in… -
Energy-Efficient Lighting Industry Growing Steadily
4 Apr 2012 | 3:00 amOver the last few years, we’ve seen the energy-efficient lighting industry grow despite the recession. According to the lighting professionals we surveyed in December, the industry will grow even stronger in 2012. Our survey went out to more than 2,900 energy-efficient lighting professionals across the country. Of those who responded to the survey, 69% either met or exceeded their revenue expectations in 2011 and were preparing for growth in 2012. Respondents are confident 2012 will be a good year for business. Over 80% predicted more opportunities for growth this year, both for the…
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1000Bulbs.com
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Color Temperature Explained
11 May 2012 | 7:00 amEvery light source has a distinct character, from the warm, dim glow of a candle to the blue, bright beam of a street light. Brightness, measured in lumens, is one part of that character; the other part is color temperature. Measured in degrees Kelvin, color temperature is not the ambient hot/cold temperature of our surroundings. In fact, the Kelvin scale goes backwards: The higher the color temperature, the cooler light gets, and the lower the color temperature, the warmer light gets. Warm Color Temperatures (2000K to 3500K) Lighted Makeup Mirror Most homes look best in warm-toned… -
Do We Need Light Bulbs Anymore?
4 May 2012 | 7:00 amWhile we will always need light, could it be possible that in the quest to create the “perfect” light bulb, a bulb isn’t what we are looking for at all? Edison’s original invention required the familiar gas-filled bubble we call a bulb to house and protect a carbon filament, and blown glass was the best, most efficient option. Yet that was over 100 years ago, and technology has brought us all types of materials that Edison may have considered better alternatives than a glass bulb. The idea that we no longer need light bulbs is either revolutionary or absurd, but… -
How to Choose Landscape Lighting
27 Apr 2012 | 7:00 amMost homeowners install landscape lighting for safety concerns. For example, we put PAR38 Halogens above our garages and entrances so we can see at night and detect intruders. Others may install inexpensive solar powered LED lights to line their sidewalks or flower beds. However, these applications fall far short of what is possible with landscape lighting. During the day, your neighbors see everything touched by the sun, but at night, you’re given a blank canvas that you can “paint” with the right lighting design. When used thoughtfully, landscape lighting can have a… -
How to Repair a Table Lamp (Video)
20 Apr 2012 | 2:00 amRepairing a table lamp, like creating your own antique pendant lamp, is one of the easiest DIY lighting projects you can perform. In addition to making use of an old lamp, repairing a lamp also gives you the opportunity to update it to match the latest styles. The typical table lamp—shown in the photo—consists of 6 parts: The base, the spindle, the socket, the cord, the plug, and finally, the shade. 1. Remove the Bulb and Lamp Shade To begin your repair, you’ll need to disassemble the lamp. Unscrew the bulb from the socket; then remove the lamp shade. 2. Remove the Socket Most… -
How Many Lumens Do I Need?
13 Apr 2012 | 2:00 amIf you’ve been to a home improvement store within the past 6 months, you’ve noticed household incandescent bulbs have given way to new, sometimes unfamiliar technologies. You may find a couple “full spectrum” incandescents or Halogen floodlights, but other than those, compact fluorescent and LED bulbs line the shelves. Long gone are the days of throwing your favorite brand of 60-watt light bulb in your cart and being on your way. No, you may not even be sure which funny-looking 60-watt equal light bulb you need. Before buying a CFL or LED light bulb, get rid of any notions you have…
