Articles for January 12, 2009
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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AGRICULTURE
"Northwest Project to Build Tire-Filled Digester," by Ryan C. Christiansen, describes a waste-to-onsite-energy project where stacked tires, which capture bacteria but do not plug up the digester, dramatically reduce the cost of the digester. The dairy farm that is the source of the cow manure used in the fixed-film anaerobic digester captured the resulting energy for its own farm operations. The technology for the digester, which was developed with research assistance from Washington State University, is described. See this article in Biomass, Web-posted December 19, 2008, at http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2318.
ELECTRICITY GRID
"Grid in the Crystal Ball" was written by Timothy Michael Toy and Dan Watkiss, both Partners, Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP. This article discusses possible ways the nation’s electric grid might function in the years to come. Topics covered include vertical integration, the REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) financial mechanism, which is well-explained here, and other mechanisms that are part of the financing picture. This article is in Public Utilities Fortnightly, via SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition), December 2008, at http://www.fortnightly.com/exclusive.cfm?o_id=143.
GREEN BUILDINGS
"Branchburg Building Is First in Country with Its Type of Green Technology," by Martin C. Bricketto, Staff Writer, MyCentralJersey.com, describes the energy efficiencies and green technologies that resulted in a 41,500 square foot commercial building that uses less power than it generates onsite. See this article, Web-posted December 21, 2008, at http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20081221/NEWS/812210317/1010/newsfront.
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
"Green Movement Grows in Global Hospitality Industry: Report," is an article, by GreenerBuildings Staff, about the 16-page, 2008 report, Hospitality Going Green, from Ernst & Young. The researchers of the report examined the greening efforts of hotels and resorts around the world. See the article (which includes a link to the report) about the report in GreenBiz, December 18, 2008, at http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/12/18/green-hospitality . Alternatively, go directly to the report at https://eyaprimo.ey.com/natlmktgaprimoey/Attachments/hospitality_insights_DF0052.pdf.
HVAC (HEATING, VENTILATION, and AIR CONDITIONING)
"Commercial Geothermal Heating and Cooling System Design" is an article by Peter D'Antonio, PE, LEED AP, and President, PCD Engineering Services. It focuses on geothermal systems designs. It describes several in general and then, in helpful detail, explains the design process. See the full text only of the article in Consulting-Specifying Engineer, November 2008, at http://www.csemag.com/article/CA6616190.html . To see the valuable diagrams that accompany the story, go to http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/reed/cse1108/index.php and select the article title from the cover page.
LIGHTING
There may be a newer light bulb on the market in April 2009. Vu1 (pronounced “view one”) is the name of the Seattle-based company that is developing the bulb, which relies on technology that is actually a blend of several technologies. The product is an ESL (Electron Stimulated Luminescence™) bulb that has no mercury and, according to the company, can be manufactured much more cheaply than LEDs (light emitting diodes). Here are two articles about the ESL:
1. "Turning out the Lights on CFLs," by Charles Redell, appeared in the January 2009 issue of Sustainable Industries, suggests that ESL bulbs, which are still being tested, may replace other bulbs where CFLs are not satisfactory such as in recessed cans or as dimmables. This article can be read at http://www.sustainableindustries.com/breakingnews/36588119.html?viewAll=y.
2. "Vu1 Tech. Creates an Affordable ESL bulb," by Susan Wilson, describes how electron stimulated luminescence works. Read this August 11, 2008, article on Tech.Blorge at http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2008/08/11/vu1-tech-creates-an-affordable-esl-bulb/.
"Commissioning Lighting Controls," by Tom Hudson, PE, LEED AP, and John Riley, PE, CCP, explains the value of lighting controls and the importance of their being appropriately designed, installed, and maintained by trained staff. The authors also emphasize the need for commissioning. See this article in Consulting-Specifying Engineer, November 2008, at http://www.csemag.com/article/CA6616189.html. To see the valuable diagrams that accompany the story, go to http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/reed/cse1108/index.php and select the article title from the cover page.
HOMES
"New Homes Being Built Smaller" is an article by Wendy Koch, USA TODAY. Larger homes, even very energy efficient ones, use more energy than smaller energy-efficient homes. Energy-professionals will be interested that the trend toward larger homes appears to have reversed, and, apparently, not simply because of the current recession. See this article in USA TODAY, posted January 8, 2009 (updated January 11, 2009) at http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-01-08-homesize_N.htm.
POLICY
"Report Discusses Energy Consumption" was authored by Barb Checket-Hanks, Staff Writer, Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News. It describes the Annual Energy Outlook 2009 Report from the EIA (Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy). It lists EIA projections concerning energy demand and consumption and then, in more detail, explains several important issues including demand-control power generation. See this article about the report in Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News, December 15, 2008, at http://www.achrnews.com/CDA/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000487873. The summary of the report is available at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/gas.html, and the full report will soon be loaded on the same Web page.
ZOOS
"Ambitious Green Goals Set for Metro Parks Tacoma," by Ian Demsky, describes the changes already in place and more that are likely to come that will make Metro Parks Tacoma a leader among its fellow organizations. See this article in the News Tribune, December 21, 2008, at http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/574123.html.
Past issues of Energy Newsbriefs are available at http://www.energy.wsu.edu/library/newsbriefs.cfm.
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© 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.
