Articles for December 29, 2008 and January 5, 2009
Following is another edition of Energy Newsbriefs for the weeks of December 29, 2008, and January 5, 2009, based on material that arrived in the Library and was reviewed primarily during the weeks previous to each.
ENERGY NEWSBRIEFS is a weekly current awareness service provided by the Washington State University Extension Energy Program Library and written by Angela Santamaria, WSU Energy Library Manager, to assist users in tracking developments in the energy field. To view past issues or to subscribe to receive an email notification of the publication of a new issue, go to Energy Newsbriefs archives at http://www.energy.wsu.edu/library/newsbriefs.cfm.
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BIOENERGY
There is a good deal of interest in the energy potential of algae. Three articles follow which discuss algae in the context of biofuels and coal-firing. The second and third were in previous issues of Energy Newsbriefs and seemed worthwhile to include here:
1. "Algae Fueling the Green Revolution: Big Bucks behind the Search for New Power" was written by Lisa Stiffler, Reporter, Seattle Post-Intelligencer. It is an updated version of an earlier article. It describes some of the research currently underway and some of the financial support for it. See this updated article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 30, 2008, at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/381932_superalgae06.html?source=mypi.
2. "A Critical Assessment of Biodiesel Feedstocks," by Brian Winslett, Co-Founder, Blue Ridge Biofuels, was included in the July 14, 2008 issue of Energy Newsbriefs. It raises the issue of choosing the right sources for biofuels in terms of their being renewable (can be re-grown in a reasonable amount of time with reasonable effort), green for the present, and sustainable for future generations. While the author does represent a company that favors the re-constituting of used sources (frying oil, for example) and other sources such as algae, the issue he raises is a serious one. See this column in Biodiesel Magazine, June 2008, at http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2396.
3. "Need Fuels Algae to Biodiesel Revival," by staff, was included in the February 4, 2008 issue of Energy Newsbriefs. It describes the new interest in using algae in the quest for cleaner energy. First, there is oil in algae that can be converted to a transportation fuel, biodiesel. Second, algae live off carbon and, then, release only oxygen into the air; it is thought that, as a result, algae could "green" coal-fired, carbon-emitting power plants. See this article in the January 20, 2008, issue of ENS (Environmental News Service) at http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2008/2008-01-20-01.asp.
"Energy Freedom Program: 2008 Status Report" is an 11-page report from the Energy Policy Division of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development. The report describes the progress of the state in its effort to encourage and financially support research in bioenergy and the development of bioenergy generation facilities. See the report at http://www.cted.wa.gov/DesktopModules/CTEDPublications/CTEDPublicationsView.aspx?tabID=0&ItemID=6698&MId=863&wversion=Staging.
BUILDING SCIENCE
"Overview of Commercial Buildings, 2003" from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been published and is available electronically. It has the collection of data for the 2003 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), which includes energy end-use consumption data and buildings characteristics. See the document on the web page at http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/cbecs2003/overview1.html.
COMMISSIONING
"Continuous Commissioning," by Steve Harrell, Manager of Continuous Commissioning, SSRCx LLC, makes the case for working to hold building performance, including energy efficiencies, to a high standard while building systems undergo changes as they wear. See this article in HPAC Heating/Piping/AirConditioning Engineering – Fastrack, November 2008, at http://hpac.com/fastrack/continuous-commissioning/.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SOLAR (RESIDENTIAL)
"Umpqua Bank and Energy Trust of Oregon Launch Greenstreet Lending" is a November 12, 2008, joint press release from the bank and the Energy Trust. It describes Greenstreet, their effort to offer low-interest financing for efficiency measures and for solar installations in the residential sector. See this release at http://www.energytrust.org/news/081111_GreenStreet.pdf . Go directly to the Greenstreet Lending website at http://www.energytrust.org/news/081111_GreenStreet.pdf.
ENERGY SERVICES CONTRACT COMPANIES (ESCOs)
"DOE Awards 16 Contracts for up to $80 Billion in Projects at Federal Facilities," by staff, lists the awardees who may help federal facilities save $80 billion with energy reductions. The article includes links to other relevant information. See this article in EERE News, December 18, 2008, at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=136.
GREEN BUILDINGS
Following are three case studies; the first two appeared in the November 2008 issue of Environmental Design + Construction; the third appeared in the November 2008 issue of Engineered Systems (ES):
1. "Green by Nature," by David Duff AIA, LEED AP, describes the addition to the Environmental Nature Center in Southern California, which is expected to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. See the case study at http://www.edcmag.com/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000460063.
2. "Living Center -- Institutional, Non-Profit, Healthcare Building Category Winner" is a case study of an award-winning facility that embodies energy efficiency and sustainability. The Design Living Center & Gardens is located in Las Vegas. See this case study at http://www.edcmag.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000461840.
3. "Juvenile Justice: Government Building Category (Federal, State or Local)," by staff, shows the effort involved in developing this LEED Gold certified facility in Alameda County, California, from water and energy efficiencies to the reuse of building materials. See this case study at http://www.edcmag.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000460230.
GROCERY STORES
"Grocery Stores Can Stock Up on Energy Savings," is an article on the website of the Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. It shows how that organization is helping to raise the profit margins of grocery stores in the state of Oregon by assisting them in energy saving practices. See this article at http://www.energytrust.org/existingbuildings/grocerystores.html.
HVAC (HEATING, VENTILATION, and AIR CONDITIONING)
"Cutting Humidifier Design Time with CFD," by staff, describes one application of computational fluid dynamics software where simulations show optimum design parameters for evaporative humidifiers. See this article in Appliance, November 2008, at http://www.appliancemagazine.com/editorial.php?article=2104&zone=1&first=1.
"The IAQ Top Ten," by Bud Offerman, P.E. CIH, and President, Indoor Environmental Engineering (IEE) lists and describes ten critical areas where proper ventilation techniques, approaches, and technologies are effective instruments in maintaining good indoor air quality. See this article on the IEE website from Engineered Systems (ES), November 2008, at http://www.iee-sf.com/pdf/IAQTopTen.pdf.
HYDROKINETIC ENERGY
"Federal Regulators Approve an In-Stream Hydrokinetic Project" is an article, by staff, about a new project on the Mississippi River. The technology used harnesses the energy resulting from the flow of water in the output channels of dams. The article includes links to several sources of information for further reading. See this article in EERE Network News, December 17, 2008, at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12146.
LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN)
"The Case for Modular" is an article by Bob Kobet, AIA, AP, describing a report he was commissioned to do for the Modular Building Institute. The author writes that the report shows how well modular buildings line up with LEED requirements. See this article in Environmental Design + Construction, November 2008, http://www.projectfrog.com/images/news/articles/Environmental%20Design%20+%20Construction%2011-08.pdf.
POLICY
"Proposal Would Help City Use Clean Energy" is an article by Keila Szpaller, Staff Writer, Missoulian. It provides a clear, readily understandable explanation of how green tags may be employed in a municipality to encourage green energy use and to provide the municipality with new money to encourage green energy growth. See it in the Missoulian, December 16, 2008, at http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/12/16/news/local/znews04.txt.
"In the Bag: Local Officials Hope to Promote Reusable Shopping Bags Instead of Paper or Plastic," by Jill Aho, Herald & News Staff Writer. This article includes a number of options either under consideration or already implemented by municipalities and states across the country. See it in the Herald & News, December 18, 2008, at http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2008/12/19/feature_of_the_day/doc494b3f79ecc75951605028.txt.
SOLAR
The following two articles were both written by Dan Rafter for Distributed Energy; the first appeared in the November-December 2008 issue and the second in the September-October issue:
"Building a Solar Legacy" is about solar energy developments in San Francisco. These developments are particularly notable in that they include distributed energy that is on a large scale and is financed through the commercial sector under municipal agreements. See this article in, November-December 2008, at http://www.distributedenergy.com/november--december-2008/building-solar-legacy.aspx.
"Making Solar Affordable" describes a development of condominiums and town houses that employ solar thermal for heating and cooling. The technology is described. See this article in at http://distributedenergy.com/september-october-2008/making-solar-affordable.aspx.
THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES
"Reconditioning Ceramic Insulators," by Trevor Jones, Solar Atmospheres, describes some of the research conducted to bring ceramic insulators, which become metallic and carbon-coated from being used in heat treating, back to clean and effective furnace insulators. See this article in Industrial Heating, November 2008, at http://www.industrialheating.com/CDA/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000460599.
UNIVERSITIES – ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
"Achieving Energy Independence at UW [University of Wisconsin] River Falls" is an article, by staff, which describes the effort to provide all the energy needed on the campus through energy efficiencies and the on-site generation of renewable energy. Strategies used and choices made are covered. See this article in e2 Newsletter, Fall 2008, at http://www.ecw.org/prod/e2/fall2008.pdf.
Past issues of Energy Newsbriefs are available at http://www.energy.wsu.edu/library/newsbriefs.cfm.
Generally, subscription information for the journals cited above can be found at the home page of their web sites.
© 2008 Washington State University Extension Energy Program. This publication contains material written and produced for public distribution. Permission to copy or disseminate all or part of this material is granted, provided that the copies are not made or distributed for commercial advantage, and that each is referenced by title with credit to the Washington State University Extension Energy Program. Copying, reprinting or dissemination, electronic or otherwise, for any other use requires prior written permission from the Washington State University Extension Energy Program.
