Articles for September 14, 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
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to Energy Newsbriefs archives at
http://www.energy.wsu.edu/library/newsbriefs.cfm.
Please be aware that although every URL is checked for accuracy prior to
the publication of Energy Newsbriefs, URLs are, for various reasons, subject
to change. Further, servers sometimes fail to connect to working URLs.
BUILDINGS
"The Power of Synergy," by staff, is a discussion
of the far-ranging energy efficiencies incorporated into the new LEED Platinum
headquarters of an electric
co-op in Minnesota. See this article in ED+C
(Environmental Design + Construction),
August 2009, at http://www.edcmag.com/Articles/Article_Rotation/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000635210.
EDUCATION
"Energy Kids Have a New Place to Play and Learn: Kick
Off the New School Year with Puzzles, Games, and Fun!" is a September 8,
2009, press release from the Energy Information Administration of the U.S.
Department of Energy. It describes the Energy for Kids website which may
be an excellent resource for K-12 teachers. The press release links to
the website and to several web pages within it. See the press release at http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/press/press324.html.
GREEN ROOFS
"Pollination Opportunity Aplenty atop Tacoma Building's New Green Garage" was written by Kathleen Merryman, the News Tribune.
This article describes the very interesting phenomenon observed on a new green
roof. See it in the News Tribune, September 5, 2009, at http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/868446.html.
POLICY -- COGENERATION
The following articles appeared in the July-August 2009 issue of Cogeneration
& On-Site Power Production:
- "Prospects for CHP in North America: States Are Still
the Biggest CHP Boosters" was authored by Elisa Wood, Staff Writer, Cogeneration
& On-Site Power Production. This is a very good review of the
states most active in the development of combined heat and power (CHP).
The large federal boost from Recovery Act monies has not yet been
realized. See this article at http://www.cospp.com/display_article/367729/122/CRTIS/none/none/1/Prospects-for-CHP-in-North-America:-states-are-still-the-biggest-CHP-boosters-/.
- "Prospects for Cogeneration in Europe: How CODE Monitoring Will Assist," was written by Fiona Riddoch. CODE
(Cogeneration Observatory and Dissemination Europe) is the mechanism by which
the European Union (EU) monitors adherence to its CHP Directive as its member
states adopt combined heat and power systems. This article describes
possible successes and discusses CODE in depth. See this article at http://www.cospp.com/display_article/367730/122/CRTIS/none/none/1/Prospects-for-cogeneration-in-Europe:-how-CODE-monitoring-will-assist/.
HVAC (HEATING, VENTILATION, and AIR CONDITIONING)
The following three articles appeared in the August 2009
issue of Engineered Systems (ES):
- "Bronx Zoo's Green Effort Gets Assist from
High-Density Plastic Cooling System," by staff, describes the advantage of
plastic cooling towers that avoid metal cladding and the corrosion and high
maintenance that goes with it. See this article at http://www.esmagazine.com/Articles/Case_In_Point/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000635644.
- "First Steps for Sustainable Bio/Pharma
HVAC" was written by Norman Goldschmidt, Managing Director and Founder of
Pharma Engineering Advisors. This is an in-depth and technical article
which outlines the history of the lack of sustainability in pharmaceuticals
manufacturing and explains the role that HVAC must play moving the industry to
sustainability and energy efficiency. See this article at http://www.esmagazine.com/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000636592.
- "It's No Illusion: VFD Technology
Boosts Chiller Performance in Las Vegas Resort," by staff, describes the
role that variable frequency drive (VFD) technology played in the improved
energy efficiency of an HVAC system. See this case study at http://www.esmagazine.com/Articles/Case_In_Point/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000635650.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)
"Special Requirements for Environments," by Mandi
Joyner, LEED AP, Communications Manager, GREENGUARD Environmental Institute,
discusses two particularly sensitive environments: hospitals and schools.
Regarding hospitals, the author lists the products which are responsible for
the compromised environments inside the buildings. With schools, she
explains the particular vulnerability of children to a toxic indoor environment
and urges positive changes via the remodeling of schools. See this article
in ED+C (Environmental Design + Construction), August 2009, at http://www.edcmag.com/Articles/Article_Rotation/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000634042.
SOLAR
"New
Solar Electric System Comes Online at East Portland Natatorium," by Abby
Haight, the Oregonian, describes this LEED Platinum facility's dramatic
energy saving features, its use of renewable energy, and more. See this
article in the Oregonian, July 30, 2009, at http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/07/new_solar_electric_system_come.html.
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.
© 2009 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.
