Bringing power to the people could be more than just a 1960’s era goal for social change if promoters of localized electricity distribution systems—called “microgrids”—have their way. Seen as one approach for safely incorporating on-site renewable resources into the larger utility grid, microgrids are gaining new attention among both researchers and marketers. This article ran [...]
It’s a Small, Small World: Microgrids
Financing the Future
Renewable-energy technology is advancing at a rapid clip. What’s not widely known is that financing options for those who wish to own/operate solar, wind and other energy-generating equipment are evolving just as quickly. Making sense of your financial choices takes some homework, though, and likely more than a few phone calls, including at least one [...]
One Word: Plastics
The presence of wooden electric utility poles is, by now, such a familiar part of the U.S. landscape that many of us barely notice them anymore. For electric utilities, however, those faithful powerline supports can pose numerous problems, so some companies are looking more seriously at a modern-day alternative. Like Benjamin Braddock in the film [...]
Passive Solar Design: A Cool Idea for Hot Savings
Solar panels are getting a lot of attention lately as a way to turn the energy of the sun into electricity we can use in our homes. With another solar technology, passive solar design, builders also can create homes that require significantly less energy to heat and cool. This article was published originally in April [...]
Courting Green Design
Government agencies at all levels have made more efficient and environmentally friendly construction the law of the lad for courthouses. Meeting these demands requires a careful balancing of both green-building goals and facility-specific requirements. This article was published originally in the April issue of Architectural Products magazine.
Courting Green Design
Your Solar Energy Options
Even if you’ve never previously thought about solar (PV or thermal) as an option for your building, it’s a good time to investigate your solar-power options.
This article is one of a continuing series in the Electrical Design Library published by the National Electrical Contractors Association.
Your Solar Energy Options
Sustaining Your Business With Sustainable Design
There’s no doubt that green building is in the black, even as the overall housing market hemorrhages red ink. The value of green-building construction climbed from $10 billion in 2005 to between $36 billion and $49 billion in 2008, according to a recent McGraw-Hill Construction report. Builders in the field agree with this assessment, but [...]
Green Building Design Is in the Details
Environmentally sensitive and energy efficient construction is a hot topic among potential homebuyers today. In fact, a recent McGraw-Hill Construction report predicts the green-building market could triple by 2013. According to the report, the burgeoning green market could reach a potential value of $96 billion to $140 billion, indicating a possible bright spot in today’s [...]
Now You See Dirt – Now You Don’t
Buildings that clean themselves – the idea sounds like something out of science fiction movie or a 1950s version of the future. But, in this case, fiction is becoming reality, thanks to the nano-scale technology being incorporated into concrete mixtures and window surfaces. This story was published originally in the March 2009 issue of Architectural [...]
Begin Boosting Efficiency With an Energy Audit
Energy-efficient upgrades offer all of us the opportunity to cut both energy related emissions and energy bills, without the fuss of installing and learning to operate a new technology. An energy audit is an important first step to understanding which of these upgrades will pack the biggest energy-savings punch. This article originally was posted on [...]
