WindLBNL
Date: 2019-08-14
Wind Technologies Market Report, a just released U.S. DOE report prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) notes that with prices averaging below 2 cents per kWh for newly built projects, wind energy is competitive with other generation sources.

"Wind energy prices -- particularly in the central United States, and supported by federal tax incentives -- are at all-time lows, with utilities and corporate buyers selecting wind as a low-cost option," according to LBNL Senior Scientist Ryan Wiser.

Report highlights include: wind power capacity additions continued at a robust pace in 2018; larger turbines are enhancing wind project performance; low turbine pricing continues to push down installed project costs; wind energy prices are at historical lows; the grid-system value of wind has declined over the last decade but rebounded over the last two years; and the domestic supply chain for wind equipment is diverse.

BNL's contributions to this report were funded by the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. BNL is a multiprogram national laboratory, managed by the University of California for the U.S. DOE Office of Science.

Download the Wind Technologies Market Report HERE (Source: US DOE LBNL, Aug., 2019) Contact: DOE Office of Science, www.energy.gov/science/office-science; LBNL, emp.LBNL.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Wind Energy,  

Green Roof
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Big Apple, a new green-roof tax abatement is giving some building owners an added incentive to create a green space on their roof. The new abatement triples the previous tax break from $5 to $15 per square foot in community districts where sewers overflow during rainstorms and that lack green spaces. The new abatement runs through July, 2024.

Although initially expensive to install, green roofs absorb stormwater, lower heating and cooling costs and increase a building's energy efficiency and thus reduce carbon emissions. (Source: Nature Conservancy, Public News Service, 14 Aug., 2019) Contact: Nature Conservancy, Emily Nobel Maxwell, NYC Program Director , 212-997-1880, www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-york

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nature Conservancy news,  Green Roof news,  Energy Efficiency news,  Green Building news,  

Ameresco
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Golden State, Framingham, Mass.-based energy efficiency and renewable energy specialist Ameresco is reporting completion of an energy efficiency project with Lynwood Unified School District. The completed project is expected to cut the district's utility costs roughly $234,000 per year.

The two-phased project began in August 2015 and reached commercial operations in February 2019. Seven of the district’s least energy efficient elementary schools, along with its administrative office building, were retrofitted with LED lighting, web-based energy management, wireless lighting control systems and upgraded HVAC systems. (Source: Ameresco, Renewable Energy, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Ameresco, Bob Georgeoff, VP, (508) 661-2288, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  Energy Efficiency,  

Waterloo
Date: 2019-08-12
In Ontario, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo reports it is aiming to join other regional centers -- the cities of Guelph and Markham -- in reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2050. To that end, in 2013 Waterloo developed Climate Action WR, a Climate Action Plan aimed at cutting the municipality's GHG emissions by 6 pct from 2010 levels by 2020 and 80 pct by 2050.

Waterloo's 2015 emissions breakdown identified the transportation sector is the largest emitter of CO2 at 49 pct, followed by industrial, commercial, and institutional work places at 27 pct, residences at 18 pct, agriculture emitted 5 pct and waste management picked up the remaining 1 pct.

Between 2010 and 2015 the Climate Action WR plan spearheaded 5.2 pct reduction in GHG emissions, the equivalent of 235,935 tonnes of CO2 emissions or 58,000 cars removed from the roads.

Th meet its transportation-related GHG reduction goals, Waterloo has instituted a community bike and car share program, a light rail electric transit system and reduced bus traffic in the city. The municipality also established "green" building and energy efficiency standards, retrifited street lights to LED which are expected to reduce GHG emissions by 920 tpy. (Source: Municipality of Waterloo, Alternatives Journal, 3 Aug., 2019) Contact: Sustainable Waterloo Region, Tova Davidson,Executive Director, Samantha Tremmel, Acting Climate Action Manager, (519) 603-2223, www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  GHG,  

energyOrbit
Date: 2019-08-12
San Francisco-based energyOrbit is reporting the launch of its Application Management Services (AMS) to support customers using its existing cloud-based management platform.

Through this service energyOrbit utility customers work directly with energyOrbit to manage key energy efficiency (EE) program areas, such as system maintenance, routine enhancements, real-time troubleshooting, and data manipulation. While utilities can still opt to fully manage the energyOrbit platform internally, AMS is ideal for utilities with resource constraints, or large deployments that may otherwise require additional staffing.

Powered on the Salesforce platform, the energyOrbit cloud-based software solution provides an integrated user experience to streamline reporting and free up program administrators workloads, resulting in a higher focus on articulating and executing program strategy. Now, with the addition of AMS, utilities will have yet another layer of support on the personnel side to support staff, and ensure workflows are optimized. (Source: energyOrbit, newkerala,com, 10 Aug., 2019) Contact: energyOrbit, Jason Adge, VP Business Development, Energy Orbit, Udi Merhav, CEO , (866)628-8744, www.energy-orbit.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News energyOrbit,  Energy Efficiency,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-08-12
In Maryland, both the city of Frederick and Frederick County are reporting receipt of LEED Silver certification under the US Green Building Council's LEED for Cities catagory for their commitment to sustainable growth and progress.

The City of Frederick's sustainability plan includes; targeting sustainability, carbon reduction, disaster preparedness, electrical vehicles, stream restoration, historic preservation, composting and recycling initiatives, as well as the watershed master plan and Frederick Community Action Agency services. The city of 65,000 +- residents is also purchasing renewable energy credits and continues to upgrade its lights to LEDs. (Source: City of Frederick, Md., Pr, Com. Property Exec., 10 Aug., 2019) Contact: City of Frederick, www.cityoffrederick.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Green Building Council,  Energy Efficiency,  Sustainability,  

PACE
Date: 2019-08-12
In Michigan, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners reports it is considering the Monroe County Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for energy efficiency and renewable energy financing for both residential and businesses and is holding hearings to that end.

PACE provides long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects. Funding from PACE can be used for commercial, industrial and nonprofit properties for either retro fitting or new construction.

If adopted, the county would administer the voluntary program that finances up to 100 pct of an energy efficiency or renewable energy project's hard and soft costs for terms up to 25 years. PACE financing is repaid as an assessment on the property. (Source: Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Commission, Monroe News ,9 Aug., 2019) Contact: Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Michael Bosanac, Administrator, CFO, (734) 240-7267, michael_bosanac@monroemi.org, www.co.monroe.mi.us/officials_and_departments/officials/board_of_commissioners/index.php;

More Low-Carbon Energy News PACE Financing,  Energy Efficiency,  

U.S. DOE Office of Science,BEM Controls
Date: 2019-08-12
In Washington, the U.S. DOE Office of Science is reporting the issuance of $1.05 million in grant funding to energy company ComEd, the University of Denver, Virginia Tech and software specialist BEM Controls. The funding is to support development of an energy internet that will enhance building energy management. occupants.

The award provides funding to commercialize a blockchain-based transactive energy platform developed by BEM Controls with funding from the DOE. Blockchains use multiple servers that operate like decentralized record-keeping and verification systems.

The BEM Controls software incorporates time-based energy management and control of interior spaces in buildings to achieve greater energy efficiency, reliability and resiliency. ComEd will use its Grid of the Future Lab to demonstrate the functionality of the system, which will be developed over three years. (Source: U.S. DOE Office of Science, PR, Crypto Economy, 9 Aug., 2019) Contact: U.S. DOE Office of Science, (202) 586-5430, www.energy.gov/science/office-science; BEM Controls, www.bemcontrols.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. DOE Office of Science,  Energy Management ,  Building Energy,  

Chevron
Date: 2019-08-09
In the Land Down Under, Perth-based energy major Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. and its JV partners at the Gorgon LNG project, in Western Australia, are reporting the launch of the Gorgon carbon dioxide (CO2) injection system -- the world's largest greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation project. When fully operational, the CO2 injection facility will cut Gorgon's GHG emissions by about 40 pct or more than 100-million tonnes over the life of the project.

The Gorgon facility incorporates features aimed at maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing GHG emissions, and in steady-state operations, is anticipated to have the lowest GHG emissions intensity of any LNG project in Australia. (Source: Chevron Australia, Mining Weekly, Creamer Media NZ, 8 Aug., 2019) Contact: Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, +61 8 9216 4000, www.chevron.com/about/contact

More Low-Carbon Energy News LNG,  Chevron,  Carbon Storage,  CO2,  

University of Buffalo
Date: 2019-08-09
Engineers at the University of Buffalo are reporting a way to cool buildings via thermal radiation, without electricity.

The system consists of an inexpensive polymer/aluminum film that's installed inside a small box at the bottom of a specially designed solar 'shelter.' The film helps keep its surroundings cool by absorbing heat from the air inside the box and transmitting that energy into outer space.

The researchers report that the system "helped reduce the temperature of a small, enclosed space by a maximum of about 6 degrees Celsius (11 degrees Fahrenheit). At night, that figure rose to about 11 degrees Celsius (about 20 degrees Fahrenheit)." Multiple units would be needed depending upon the size of the build and roof to be cooled. (Source: University ofBuffalo, Science Daily, 5 Aug., 2019) Contact: University of Buffalo, Lyu Zhou, www.linkedin.com/in/lyu-zhou-985b30128, www.buffalo.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

U.S. Green Building Council
Date: 2019-08-09
In its recently released LEED in Motion: Residential report, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) notes that green, LEED-certified homes have grown 19 pct since 2017 and are at an all-time high with nearly 500,000 single family, multifamily and affordable housing LEED-certified units globally -- with more than 400,000 units in the U.S. with California leading the pack with 40,000 LEED certified residential units, followed by Texas with more than 24,500.

LEED-certified homes use an average of 20 to 30 pct less energy than a traditional home, with some home owners reporting up to 60 percent savings. (Source: US Green Building Council, PR, Boston Real Estate Times, Aug., 2019) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Green Building Council,  LEED Certification,  Energy Efficiency,  

Moody Air Force Base
Date: 2019-08-09
The USAF Moody Air Force Base in Lowndes County, Georgia reports inking an $11.2 million energy efficiency and infrastructure improvement project energy savings performance contract (ESPC) contract with Schneider Electric that is expected to generate more than $21 million in energy savings over the next 23 years.

The project includes a 2.5 MW on-site solar array that will allow the base to move away from nuclear, coal and gas energy sources, as well as:

expands the base's energy management controls system (EMCS) for increased visibility of energy use;

upgrades and replaces current interior and exterior lighting systems with LED technology;

updates HVAC/Variable Frequency Drive systems to improve air quality and comfort for airmen;

replaces transformers for enhanced energy efficiency and added resilience and reliability.

The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.(Source: Moody Air Force Base, PR, Aug., 2019) Contact: Moody Air Force Base, Don Montgomery, Energy Manager, 229-257-4211, www.military.com/base-guide/moody-air-force-base/contact/welcome--visitors-center/7293; Schneider Electric, Mark Nolan, Director, Marketing, www.schneider-electric.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency ,  Schneider Electric,  Solar,  Energy Management,  

UK National Grid
Date: 2019-08-09
According to the UK National Grid's latest Future Energy Scenarios (FES) report, Great Britain could reach net-zero carbon in its electricity grid by 2050 -- if "immediate action" is taken across all key energy technology and policy areas, such as increased energy efficiency and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and "at a significantly greater scale than assumed."

The report outlines five "credible pathways and scenarios for the future of energy" over the next 30 years. Two of the scenarios meet the country's old 2050 target of an 80 pct reduction in GHG emissions by 2050, and a new "standalone sensitivity analysis on how net-zero carbon emissions could potentially be achieved by 2050."

The report notes that achieve net-zero, British homes would need to use at least one-third less energy for heating by 2050 than today, while the electricity system would need to operate using only zero-carbon generation, and the power sector would need to deliver negative emissions, using technologies like biomass and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS).

Report details HERE. (Source: UK National Grid, July, 2019) Contact: UK National Grid, Kayte O'Neill, Head of Strategy and Regulation, www2.nationalgrid.com/uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News UK National Grid,  Net-Zero Carbon,  CCUS,  CCS,  CO2,  

Royal Dutch Shell
Date: 2019-08-07
Reuters is reporting oil giant Royal Dutch Shell is considering the installation of solar panels to power its 500,000 bpd B Pulau Bukom refining subsidiary site in Singapore, a company spokeswoman told Reuters on Tuesday.

The possible switch to solar at this and other sites is in keeping with the company's plans to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. To that end, Shell has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Energy Market Authority of Singapore to jointly work on energy storage systems.

Globally, Shell is installing solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs of seven lubricant plants in China, India, Italy, Singapore and Switzerland. (Source: Royal Dutch Shell, Reuters, Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Royal Dutch Shell,  Solar,  

Georgia Power,Pulte Group
Date: 2019-08-07
The utility Georgia Power is touting the launch of a new "Smart Neighbourhood" in Atlanta.

Each of the new community's 46 townhouses is equipped with solar panels, batteries and energy efficiency components such as heat pump water heaters (HPWH) connected to a neighborhood microgrid. The microgrid-linked townhouse resources will be managed and optimized with a "grid-interactive control system" developed by the US DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory, supported by the national Buildings Technology Office.

The "Smart Home" technology in each of the town houses was developed by Atlanta-based home builder Pulte Group Inc. in partnership with with Georgia Power. Thermostats, security systems, appliances and other features can be controlled via the Pulte controls suite and through phone app and voice activation. According to Pulte, the energy optimization platform can schedule the use of appliances in coordination with the solar and battery and thus lower energy costs. (Source: US DOE, Pulte Group, Energy Storage, 6 Aug., 2019)Contact: Pulte Group Inc., www.pultegroupinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Georgia Power,  Energy Efficiency,  Smart Energy,  Smart Neighborhood,  

TEAM ZERO,Net Zero Energy Coalition
Date: 2019-08-07
According to the recently released Zero Energy Residential Buildings Study from Richmond, California-based TEAM ZERO -- fka Net Zero Energy Coalition -- the market for residential zero energy buildings grew 59 pct across the United States and Canada in 2018,

The report findings include:

Larger multifamily buildings are increasingly dominating the zero energy housing stock;

More projects are seeking zero energy performance with integrated renewables;

The report shows a 7.2 pct increase in the percent of projects pursuing zero energy over zero energy-ready -- 73.8 pct and 21.7 pct in 2017, now 66.6 pct and 29 pct, respectively);

California leads in number of projects with 6,828 followed by New York with 3,022;

The Southwest is a stronghold with California, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas claiming a total of nearly 9,600 units;

In Canada, there was a 240 pct increase in the number of zero energy units over 2017. The study notes a city or region's dominance is often driven by a single major project;

Multifamily projects now represent 71 pct of the total zero energy residential stock. Although multifamily zero energy has shown steady gains over single-family since 2015;

In Canada, multifamily is even more dominant than in the U.S., with 90 pct of its zero energy units in multifamily projects, versus 67 pct in the U.S;

future trends to watch include community micro-grids, electrification, grid integration and harmonization, and zero carbon.

TEAM ZERO is working to unify stakeholders involved in promoting different 'paths to zero' with a common agenda and collaborative efforts that accelerate market adoption of zero energy and zero carbon homes, commercial buildings, developments, communities, and retrofits across North America. The goal is to build awareness about the value of zero energy and ensure zero harm homes and buildings are accessible and affordable to home buyers, renters and businesses in all communities.

Download the Zero Energy Residential Buildings Study 2018 Inventory of residential projects on the path to zero in the U.S. and Canada HERE. (Source: TEAM ZERO, PR, Aug., 2019) Contact: TEAM ZERO, Richard Willingham, (416) 524-2380, 219371@email4pr.com, www.teamzero.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net Zero Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  Building Energy Efficiency,  Net Zero Energy Coalition,  

American Water
Date: 2019-08-07
In the Garden State, water and waste utility American Water reports receipt of US Green Building Council LEED is has been awarded LEED Platinum certification for its new corporate headquarters building in Camden, NJ. Notable environmentally friendly and energy efficient building features include:

A water reuse system, providing water for the building toilets and landscaping;

LED lighting through the building and solar shades on the windows to maximize the use of natural light;

High-efficiency glass windows to reduce the heat impact inside the building;

Low-flow toilets, sinks and showers to reduced water usage;

High-efficiency HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption.

American Water's new headquarters is the first and only building in Camden, NJ to be certified LEED Platinum. (Source: American Water, PR, 6 Aug., 2019) Contact: American Water, Susan Story, CEO, www.amwater.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED,  USGBC,  Energy Efficiency,  

Date: 2019-08-05
The Belarusian State Committee for Standardization in Minsk is reporting the European Union will provide up to €15 billion to support energy efficiency and water resources projects in Belarus. The funding is part of the recently agreed EU4Belarus: Resource Efficiency Facility for Belarus joint program.

The program will help develop and support energy efficiency, more effective management of resources, modernization of municipal and private infrastructure. (Source: EU, BelTA, 5 Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

University of St. Andrews
Date: 2019-08-05
Scotland's University of St. Andrews has embarked on a £3.75 million energy conservation overhaul that is expected to cut £650,000 from the school's annual energy operating costs.

Energy saving measures include: a new district heating network to supply heat and power to University buildings; new energy efficient LED lighting; installation of solar energy arrays on select buildings; smart building management systems; HVAC system upgrades, and others.

The project is funded through the Scottish Government Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency (NDEE) Framework and will be completed by sustainable energy, energy efficiency specialists Vital Energi. (Source: University of St. Andrews, Renewable Energy, Aug., 2019) Contact: University of St. Andrews, +44 (0) 1334 47 6161 , www.st-andrews.ac.uk; Vital Energi, +44 0 1254 296 000, sales@vitalenergi.co.uk, www.vitalenergi.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Eversource
Date: 2019-08-05
Eversource New Hampshire reports it has partnered with Southwestern Community Services (SCS) and Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. (CAPBMCI) to upgrade energy efficiency in more than 75 affordable housing units. The two agencies expect to collectively save approximately $16,000 -- about $210 per unit -- in annual energy costs while also reducing carbon emissions.

Eversource and SCS worked to weatherize 40 affordable seniors housing units in Winchester and 36 units in Warner. Energy efficiency work included: sealing air leaks; improving insulation; replacing inefficient refrigerators; new LED lighting and upgrading HVAC systems. The work was completed through the state's Income Eligible Home Energy Assistance program. (Source: Eversource, Londonderry News, Aug., 2019) Contact: Eversource NH, Tilak Subrahmanian, VP Energy Efficiency, Allison McLean, Community Relations Manager, (800) 662-7764, www.eversource.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eversource,  Energy Efficiency,  

Bresaer
Date: 2019-08-05
According to the Eu news agency Cordis, buildings account for around 40 pct of energy consumption and revamping existing building envelopes -- facades and roofs -- for maximum energy-efficiency, when combined with a smart energy management system, can significantly cut energy consumption and costs.

One expert who has been working at the heart of this topic is Gonzalo Pinto Quijano, an architect specializing in sustainable buildings at Acciona. As part of the EU project BRESAER, he has helped design and test a pioneering lightweight structural mesh to boost the energy-performance building facades.

The BRESAER building mesh system is modular and flexible, allowing it to adapt to different climatic conditions and architectural constraints. The lightweight structural mesh allows other components to be easily integrated into an energy efficient building facade .

Download BRESAER system details HERE. (Source: UN Cordis, Aug., 2019) Contact: UN Cordis, www.cordis.europa.eu; BRESAER, www.bresaer,eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Building Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  Bresaer,  

Carlton University
Date: 2019-08-02
In Ottawa, the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change has awarded $5.1M in funding to Carlton University's Building Performance Research Centre (CU-CABER) and Prof. Cynthia Cruickshank's building energy efficiency work. The Minister also awarded $510,000 for Prof. Burak Gunay's Centre for Advanced Building Envelope Research project related to data analytics and energy performance metrics.

Cynthia Cruickshank, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Director of the Solar Energy Systems Lab will lead the CU-CABER project to develop and evaluate new building envelope technologies. The six-year project has $3 million support from Natural Resources Canada's Energy Innovation Program and $2.1 million from the Ontario Research Fund.

Prof. Burak Gunay is working to develop an open source software platform that will help building managers identify energy efficiency issues. Gunay and his team received $510,000 through Natural Resources Canada's Green Infrastructure Fund for his Next Generation: Actionable Building Energy Performance Metrics, Data Analytics and Visualization research effort. The researchers are partnering with CopperTree Analytics, Delta Controls, and Sensible Building Science, and BentallGreenOak will develop a suite of diagnostic algorithms and methods to help facility managers pinpoint problems, and solve them. (Source: Carlton University, July, 2019)Contact: Carlton University Building Performance Research Centre, 613-520-7838, vpri@carleton.ca, www.carleton.ca/bprc

More Low-Carbon Energy News Building Energy Efficiency,  ,  

Heartland Institute
Date: 2019-08-02
The Heartland Institute is reporting Maine State Gov. Janet Mills (D) has signed into law several energy measures as part of her commitment to fight "purported" human-caused climate change by reducing fossil fuel use.

One of the bills Mills signed into law establishes a Maine Climate Council charged with developing plans to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 45 pct by 2030 and 80 pct by 2050. Mills also signed legislation creating new energy efficiency incentives and a stiffer state renewable enrghy standard for utilities and power generators. (Source: Heartland Institute, 1 May, 2019) Contact: Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME): www.maine.gov/governor/mills/home, www.maine.gov/governor/mills/contact; Heartland Institute, www.heartland.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Heartland Institute,  Climate Change,  Greenhouse Gas Emissions,  Maine Climate Change,  

Aldersgate Group
Date: 2019-08-02
In London, only two weeks after moving into No.10 Downing Street, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being lobbied by a green policy manifesto from the Aldersgate Group. The manifesto -- Building a Competitive, Net-Zero Emissions and Climate-Ready Economy -- outlines various measures Aldergate Group members believe will accelerate the UK's decarbonisation progress while boosting environmental protections and growing the economy.

The Aldersgate Group's recommendations include: binding energy efficiency targets; fiscal incentives for energy efficient buildings; tightening of emission standards for road transport; and an outline of the powers and limitations of the nation's new post-Brexit watchdog for green standards, and others.

Earlier this week, Johnson pledged to place climate change at the "absolute core" of his Government's actions during his first appearance in the House of Commons as Prime Minister.

The Aldersgate Group currently represents more than 50 organisations from across the private, public and non-profit spaces, including Orsted, Siemens, Willmott Dixon and Cemex.

Download the Aldersgate Building a Competitive, Net-Zero Emissions and Climate-Ready Economy manifest HERE. (Source: Aldersgate Group, edie newsroom, 1 August 2019) Contact: Aldersgate Group, Nick Molho, Exec. Dir., info@aldersgategroup.org.uk, +44 (0) 20 7841 8966, www.aldersgategroup.org.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aldersgate Group,  Net-Zero Emissions,  Climate Change,  Boris Johnson,  

Ameresco
Date: 2019-08-02
In testimony at recent EPA hearings on 2020 Renewable Fuel Volume Standards and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), Framingham, Mass.-based RBG developer and renewables and energy efficiency specialist Ameresco, Inc. Senior Project Manager Jeff Stander noted -- "We strongly encourage the EPA to set the 2020 cellulosic biofuel RVO to account for at least 650 million gallons of RNG."

Stander led the 2018 development of Ameresco's RNG production facility at the Woodland Meadows Landfill in Canton, Michigan and was one of several industry experts representing the RNG Coalition at the EPA public hearing on July 31 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, for the EPA's proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2020, according to the release.

Ameresco has developed 39 beneficial use projects involving biogas at wastewater treatment plants and landfills, including three RNG facilities in Arizona, Michigan and Texas that participate in the RFS program. The RNG facilities generate D3 Cellulosic Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and provide transportation fuel that is injected into the natural gas pipeline grid.

Since 2014, the EPA has recognized the use of RNG to meet fuel volume standards under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RNG makes up more than 95 pct of the renewable fuel used to meet the RFS cellulosic biofuel requirement, according to the Ameresco release. (Source: Ameresco, PR, 31 July, 2019) Contact: Ameresco, Jeff Stander, Senior Project Developer, (508) 661-2288, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  RNG,  RFS,  

Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Date: 2019-07-31
In Boston, the Massachusetts House of Representatives reports the unanimous passage of legislation investing $1.3 billion to help Bay State communities fund infrastructure projects aimed at fighting climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislation establishes a $1 billion, 10-year grant "GreenWorks" program to fund clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change resiliency measures that cut greenhouse gas emissions, fortify infrastructure and reduce municipal costs. The legislation also invests $325 million in other municipal green projects including:

$100 million for investments in municipal microgrid energy systems;

$125 million for electric vehicles in municipal or regional transit authority fleets;

$20 million for the hiring of sustainability coordinators to develop and manage municipal projects resulting for the GreenWorks program;

$50 million to establish the Green Resiliency Fund to offer low-interest loans for municipalities when pursuing GreenWorks projects; and

$30 million for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources' MOR-EV electric vehicle rebate program.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will administer the program, which is funded through the issuance of bonds. The bill was forwarded to the Senate for approval. (Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Wicked Local Beverly, 29 July, 2019) Contact: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-energy-and-environmental-affairs

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Mass GreenWorks,  

DOE SBIR
Date: 2019-07-31
American small businesses received a near-$44 million boost from the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, according to an SBIR release. Five buildings-focused, Phase II Release 2 grants awarded approximately $5 million to five small businesses. The projects, which are making advancements in building envelopes, building energy efficiency and modeling, and lighting, have already demonstrated a level of commercial feasibility for further innovations in the second phase of research. The five projects:

Innovations in Opaque Building Envelope Performance -- Lightweight and Thermally Insulating Nanowood -- (Inventwood LLC., College Park, Maryland) Inventwood LLC is using delignified wood to create a new, bio-derived cellulose thermal insulation material that could be used in window frames, exterior insulating cladding, or prefabricated panels for new building construction or retrofit applications.

Transparent Conductive Anodes for Solid-State Lighting -- Printed Anodes and Internal Light Extraction Layers on Flexible Glass to Create Cost-Effective High-Efficacy Bendable OLED Lighting Panels -- (OLEDWorks LLC, Rochester, New York) OLEDWorks LLC will further develop and commercialize a highly energy-efficient lighting product in the form of uniquely thin and beautiful curved sheets of light to accelerate organic light-emitting diode (OLED) market growth.

High Performance Substrate Embedded Microgrids for High-Efficiency, Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diodes -- (Electroninks Inc, Austin, Texas) -- Electroninks Inc. is developing an alternative, transparent conductor for optical-electronic applications like touch sensors, displays, and OLEDs that significantly outperforms today's indium, tin, and oxygen (ITO) conductors.

Building Energy Modeling -- Portfolio-Level Energy-Efficiency Simulation (PLES) -- (Maalka, Brooklyn, New York) Maalka is extending its customizable framework for energy efficiency program development and management. The framework leverages the increasing availability of building energy data and DOE's open-source data standards and platforms and energy analysis tools (EnergyPlus, OpenStudio). The project targets the large and growing energy-efficiency program market of cities, utilities, larger owners, and energy service customers with a focus on supporting a move from individual energy conservation measures to packages and deep retrofits.

CAD-Integrated Web-Based Performance Simulation -- (Ladybug Tools LLC, Fairfax, Virginia) -- Ladybug Tools will use DOE's open-source EnergyPlus and Radiance tools, as well as OpenStudio's new elastic cloud capabilities, to deliver a greater range of analysis services (and subsequent revenue streams) for architects. Phase I of this project involved creating a working radiance-based daylighting simulation service; Phase II work will focus on energy simulation. (Source: U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Small Business Innovation Research, PR, July, 2019) Contact: SBIR, EERE.SBIR@ee.doe.gov, www.energy.gov/science/sbir/small-business-innovation-research-and-small-business-technology-transfer

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE SBIR,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  

Element5
Date: 2019-07-31
The Ontario government reports it will invest almost $5 million to support development of the province's first fully automated cross laminated timber (CLT) plant. The proposed $32 million plant is being planned for St. Thomas, Ontario by Element5 which has operations in Toronto, Montreal and Ripon, Quebec. The company specializes in design, engineering and fabrication for environmentally friendly and energy efficient timber-based construction.

The Ontario government committed to increasing the use of timber in the home building industry through its Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan and the Housing Supply Action Plan. (Source: Canadian Consulting Engineer, 30 July, 2019) (Source: Element5, Frank Dottori, 888-670-7713, info@elementfive.co, www.elementfive.co

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Building,  Energy Efficiency,  

Portland General Electric
Date: 2019-07-31
In Oregon, Portland General Electric (PGE) is reporting the launch of a test bed pilot program in three neighborhoods aimed at encouraging residential and business customers to be more proactive in monitoring their energy consumption and cultivating good energy use habits.

As part of the test pilot, residential customers will be given incentives for using smart-home technologies as well as rebates for shifting their energy use during off-peak times. Commercial customers, meanwhile, will have the option of enrolling in PGE's Energy Partner Smart Thermostat program, which offers free thermostats and installation to qualifying businesses. The program will also give payments for businesses participating in load-control events. Other potential energy-saving opportunities include incentives for customers using rooftop solar or smart devices such as thermostats, water heaters and electric vehicle chargers and batteries.

PGE worked the Rocky Mountain Institute and an advisory panel to develop the program. PGE will also utilize the advanced communications capabilities and distribution system upgrades in three Oregon cities: Hillsboro, Portland and Milwaukie which have remote controls and other smart grid technologies installed to increase system reliability.

The launch of the test pilot comes as PGE submitted a new integrated resource plan to the Oregon PUC for approval to add more renewable power, increase energy efficiency and partner with customers to balance energy consumption during peak demand periods. (Source: PGE, PR, Daily Energy Insider, 30 July, 2019) Contact: PGE, Maria Pope, CEO, Steve Corson, (503) 464-8444, www.portlandgeneral.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Portland General Electric,  Energy Consumption,  Energy Use,  Energy Efficiency,  

Building Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-07-29
Architects and engineers are reportedly calling for all-glass skyscrapers to be banned because they are too difficult and expensive to cool. Although glass-fronted offices let in lots of natural light the sunlight also brings heat creating "greenhouse effect" that in sealed buildings ha nowhere to escape.

To avoid this greenhouse effect, air conditioning has been the standard solution, but, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy used on air condition has doubled since 2000 and presently accounts for about 14 pct of all energy consumed.

In obvious agreement with the IEA, in April NYC mayor Bill de Blasio said he would ban all-glass buildings and force developers to retrofit existing buildings to make them more energy-efficient, although the "ban" was later clarified to mean "excessive use of glass and steel." In the UK, London's mayor Sadiq Khan ruled out a similar plan but released regulations requiring construction firms to assess a building's energy use across its whole life-cycle and to use special types of glass that can block sunshine in hot weather, or even generate electricity themselves, such as the Edge building in Amsterdam. (Source: Various Media, Guardian, July, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Consumption,  Building Energy Efficiency,  

City Clean Energy Scorecard
Date: 2019-07-29
For the second consecutive year, Boston has been ranked the top U.S. city for energy efficiency, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) 2019 City Clean Energy Scorecard's comprehensive look at any and all initiatives taken by cities to become more energy efficient.

Boston city officials credit its Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) requiring all large and medium-sized buildings to report their annual energy usage and complete an energy savings action or energy assessment every five years.

San Francisco came in second in the ratings followed by Seattle, Minneapolis and Washington D.C. in that order. (Source: ACEEE City Clean Energy Scorecard, Up to Boston, 27 July, 2019) Contact: City Clean Energy Scorecard, www.aceee.org/local-policy/city-scorecard; ACEEE, www.aceee.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News City Clean Energy Scorecard,  Energy Efficiency,  

USGBC, New Buildings Institute
Date: 2019-07-29
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Portland, Oregon-based New Buildings Institute (NBI) report the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the organization's relationship and defining parameters on how the two organizations will work together to advance energy efficiency in net zero buildings. The agreement is focused on joint activities by USGBC and NBI intended to:

Improve capability of building industry professionals to deliver high-performance, zero energy and zero emissions buildings, as well as buildings that are optimized for grid interactions.

Drive increased numbers of zero (and net zero) energy, zero emissions and LEED Zero-certified buildings.

Extend adoption of stretch energy codes, and improve code compliance and enforcement.

Enhance social equity, public health and resilience associated with energy and energy systems and communicate these achievements through platforms like USGBC's Living Standard campaign.

USGBC and NBI missions are closely aligned and reflected in their collective efforts to advance zero energy buildings and support grid integration over the past five years, according to the USGBC. (Source: USGBC, NBI, PR, July, 2019) Contact: NBI, Ralph DiNola, CEO, (503) 761-7339, (503) 968-6160 - fax, www.newbuildings.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News New Buildings Institute ,  USGBC,  Energy Efficiency,  

DOE EERE
Date: 2019-07-29
In Washington, the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) reports it has awarded $2 million in funding for seven new high performance computing projects, as part of the High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI) Initiative.

The initiative is a DOE-wide effort comprising EERE, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE), the Office of Science, and the National Laboratories. The initiative helps to leverage the National Laboratories' high performance computing capabilities to address challenges in manufacturing and materials through state-of-the-art modeling, simulation, and data analysis. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) leads the HPC4EI program along with partner laboratories Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest and Sandia National Laboratories, as well as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and National Energy Technology Laboratory. Funded projects include:

NYC-based Ferric, Inc. will partner with LLNL to develop analytical tools that will combine traditional electromagnetic finite-element analysis with micromagnetic simulation.

Applied Materials in Sunnyvale, Calif. will continue to work with LLNL on Phase II of developing predictive modeling capabilities for the advanced film deposition technique, High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering.

Gas Technology Institute in Des Plaines, Ill., Gopher Resource, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will partner to use high performance computing to increase the productivity of secondary lead furnaces.

Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman Chemical will collaborate with Argonne National Laboratory on developing open-source software-based models of a gas atomizer based on ongoing work being performed at Eastman.

Praxair Surface Technologies Inc. in Indianapolis will work with Ames National Laboratory to enhance the efficiency of metal powder production for additive manufacturing applications.

Within the High Performance Computing for Materials (HPC4Mtls) Program, EERE's Vehicle Technologies Office has selected two projects:

PPG Industries will collaborate with LLNL and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to apply classical molecular dynamics simulations and density functional tight-binding calculations.

AK Steel in Middletown, Ohio will collaborate with ORNL on thermo-mechanical forming process development to produce tailored strength automotive structural components. The Office of Fossil Energy selected two additional HPC4Mtls projects to support. Industry partners provide at least 20 pct of the funding for new projects. (Source:DOE EERE, PR, EIN,July, 2019) Contact: US DOE, www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE EERE,  Energy Efficiency,  

National Carbon Bank of Australia
Date: 2019-07-26
In the Land Down Under, Hawthorne, Victoria-headquartered environmental certificate agents Green Energy Trading and Brookvale NSW-based National Carbon Bank of Australia have announced their merger and will now work together to unlock the value offered by various incentive schemes for the installation of renewable energy-solar power and energy efficiency projects.

National Carbon Bank of Australia helps businesses and residences take advantage of savings that are available from government state-based schemes and financial incentives to reduce the consumption of electricity through energy savings. (Source: National Carbon Bank of Australia, The Fifth Estate, 24 July, 2019) Contact: National Carbon Bank of Australia, +61 2 9939 5559, www.nationalcarbonbank.com.au; Green Energy Trading, +61 3 9805 0700, www.greenenergytrading.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Energy Trading,  

PSEG
Date: 2019-07-26
In the Garden State, Newark-based Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG), which claims one of the lowest carbon emissions rates among the largest U.S. power producers, reports it expects to cut its power fleet's carbon emissions by 80 pct by 2046, from 2005 levels, and attain net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, assuming advances in technology and public policy. PSEG also notes it has no plans to build or acquire new fossil-fueled power plants and is committed to reporting annually on sustainability and climate using the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, starting in 2020.

PSEG claims a long history of addressing climate change as an embedded part of its business and culture including:

PSEG's emission rate in 2017 was 461 lb/MWh, below the International Energy Agency's (IEA) "Beyond 2C Scenario" 2030 projected CO2 emission rate for the U.S. electric sector of 510 lb/MWh. PSEG's projected emission rate upon the completion of our coal exit strategy will be 334 lb/MWh.

PSEG's Salem and Hope Creek nuclear generating plants supply more than 90 pct of the Garden State's emissions-free power.

By 2021, PSEG will have retired or exited through sales more than 2,400 MW of coal-fired generation, thus nearing completion of its coal exit strategy. In June 2019, PSEG announced an agreement to sell its interest in the Keystone and Conemaugh coal plants in western Pennsylvania.

PSE&G energy efficiency programs are currently saving participants $242 million a year in energy costs and avoided emissions equal to removing 37,000 cars from the road for one year.

Looking forward, PSE&G's $2.5 billion Clean Energy Future investment proposal for 22 energy efficiency programs would allow participating customers to save $5.9 billion on their bills by helping them use less energy and reduce carbon emissions.

PSEG is also a leading developer of solar energy resources having invested approximately $1.8 billion in 674 MW of solar, including 262 MW in New Jersey and 412 MW in 13 other states. PSEG also supports New Jersey's efforts to develop offshore wind facilities.

PSEG is a publicly traded diversified energy company with approximately 13,000 employees. Headquartered in with operating subsidiaries -- Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island. (Source: PSEG, PR, 25 July, 2019) Contact: PSEG, Ralph Izzo, Pres., CEO, www.corporate.pseg.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News PSEG,  Carbon Emissions ,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-07-26
In Southeastern Ireland, the town of Kilkenny reports it will receive more than €321,562 in funding from the EU Operational Programme 2014-2020, European Regional Development Fund for the upgrading of the energy efficiency of local authority homes this year. The funding is for upgrades to dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction, heating upgrades such as heat pumps, and solar panel installation. To date, over 68,000 homes have received over €128 million for energy efficiency upgrades and installations. (Source: Kilkenny People, 25 July, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-07-26
In Belgrade, the Serbian government is reporting plans to launch a €30 million($33.4 million) energy efficiency fund in 2020. The money will directed towards residential projects.

The current budget for energy efficiency projects is only €1.5 million and is specifically earmarked for municpal governments and their projects for schools, hospitals and other similar projects.

The government has secured €10 million financing for the fund, while an additional €10 million will be provided by the European Union (EU).

The EU is also providing an additional €30 million to support the energy efficiency efforts of six countries in the Western Balkans. (Source: Tanjug News Agency, SeeNews, 25 July, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

EFT Analytics
Date: 2019-07-26
Wichita, Kansas-based predictive analytics, process optimization and energy management solutions provider EFT Analytics (EFT) is reporting its Energy Manager platform helped to reduce operational costs by more than $1 million and increased energy efficiency in a year-long partnership with a major European grocer and clothing retailer.

Since implementing EFT's Energy Manager platform in 2018, 90 pct of the retailer's stores enjoyed a 45 pct reduction in energy consumption against their 2017 energy usage. These data results represent a global reduction of 5GWH for the retailer.

EFT's Energy Manager creates value by forecasting energy demand, alerting to anomalous usage, and leveraging analytics to normalize for weather, production rates and commodity costs, all of which help customers track equipment effectiveness/efficiency and control costs. (Source: EFT Analytics, PR, 25 July, 2019) Contact: EFT Analytics, (212) 290-2300 -- Witchita and NYC offices, www.EFTanalytics.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News EFT Analytics,  

ABM
Date: 2019-07-24
National facilities management services provider ABM reports it has initiated an Energy Performance Contracting program for Saint Joseph County, Michigan. The company's customized energy efficiency-energy performance program is projected to save the County more than $2.6 million in energy and operating costs over a 15-year period. Revenue from savings will address aging infrastructure needs, without having to raise taxes.

Highlights of the project, which is expected to to conclude in 2020 include:

Retrofitting lighting systems to energy-efficient LED lighting, and replacing or retrofitting HVAC units, which will be controlled by state-of-the-art HVAC control systems to maximize energy and operational efficiency;

Replacing an inefficient boiler and chiller system at the Saint Joseph County Courthouse;

Installing building automation controls, providing officials with the ability to remotely monitor and address maintenance needs;

Improving ventilation and outside air intake systems at several facilities by sealing building envelopes to control humidity and drive energy savings. (Source: ABM, PR, July, 2019) Contact: ABM, Mark Newsome, Pres., (866) 624-1520, www.abm.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  LED Light,  

State University of New York Polytechnic Institute
Date: 2019-07-24
State University of New York (SUNY) Polytechnic Institute reports its interim VP of research advancement & graduate studies Dr. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik and associate professor of nanoengineering Dr. Woongje Sung have been selected to receive $1.5m in federal funding from the US DOE Vehicle Technology Office (VTO) for the development of 1200V silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and for reliability studies on aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN)-based high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs), which are superior switch components than their silicon-based counterparts in areas such as cost, performance and reliability.

The SUNY Poly researchers aim to demonstrate a highly reliable wide-bandgap (WBG) aluminum gallium nitride/gallium nitride (AlGaN/GaN) HEMT-based power device with extremely high levels of performance.

Shahedipour-Sandvik and Sung also received $255,000 for the Development of More Energy Efficient Semiconductor Materials and $250,000 for the Development of High Voltage Power Devices on Silicon Carbide in addition to a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. (Source: SUNY Poly, PR, JSemiconductor Today, uly, 2019) Contact: SUNY Poly, Dr. Grace Wang, Pres. (Interim), 315-792-7400, president@sunypoly.edu, www.sunypoly.edu/faculty-and-staff/grace-wang, www.sunypoly.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News SUNY,  SUNY Poly,  Energy Storage,  Energy Efficiency,  

World Bank Group International Finance Corporation
Date: 2019-07-24
The World Bank Group International Finance Corporation (IFC) is reporting a S$ 35 million loan to support and incentivise the issuance of a green bond by Davivienda Costa Rica, the third largest private bank in Costa Rica. The loan will contribute to the funding sustainable buildings, energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy generation and bioenergy projects under the "green lending standards" as set out by the Zurich-headquartered International Capital Markets Association. (Source: World Bank Group International Finance Corporation, July, 2019) Contact: World Bank Group, www.worldbank.org; World Bank Group International Finance Corporation, www.ifc.org; International Capital Markets Association, www.icmagroup.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News World Bank,  Green Energy,  

inteGRIDy
Date: 2019-07-24
Researchers from the EU-funded inteGRIDy -- Integrated Smart GRID Cross-Functional Solutions for Optimized Synergetic Energy Distribution, Utilization Storage Technologies -- project report they've developed a cloud-based platform to reduce energy use in buildings and battery energy storage systems.

Launched in 2017, inteGRIDy is running 10 pilot schemes in 8 European countries focused on electricity demand response, enhancing the operation of the distribution grid and energy storage.

Download one of the 10 projects -- A Demonstration of an Integrated Battery Energy Storage System in Residential and Commercial Buildings -- HERE. (Source: Cordis News, July, 2019) Contact: inteGRIDy, www.integridy.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage,  Building Energy Efficiency,  Energy Consumption,  

Georgia Power
Date: 2019-07-22
Georgia power is reporting its 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) has been approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission.

The IRP includes 80 megawatts of energy storage and 72 percent more renewable generation by 2024, all supported by batteries. The plan also adds 2,260 MW of new solar, wind and biomass energy to the company's energy mix. The plan also includes energy efficiency targets 15 pct higher than previous IRPs while adding new energy-saving initiatives for residential and commercial customers. Further, through an income-qualified initiative, the program will provide greater financial assistance to households which are historically underrepresented in energy efficiency programs. (Source: Georgia Power, Com. Property Exec., July, 2019)Contact: Georgia Power, Wilson Mallard, Renewable Energy Development Dir., (404) 506-6526, www.georgiapower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Georgia Power,  Renewable Energy,  Energy Eficiency,  

Canada Green Building Council
Date: 2019-07-22
Brampton, Ontario-headquartered digital imaging specialist Canon Canada Inc reports it has been awarded the Canada Green Building Council’s LEED®, Gold certification for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 certification for its corporate headquarters. . Canon Canada collaborated with Colliers Project Leaders and architects Moriyama & Teshima to construct the building which features:

Energy reduction and efficiency is built-in to the building's lighting and cooling/heating systems, with LED lighting that helps to save approximately 70 to 80% of energy (compared with traditional 60W incandescent lights) and building systems are set to shut off after hours to help reduce energy.

Natural light and solar-adaptive shading help to maximize daylight in the office while minimizing glare and solar heat, simultaneously aiding in the regulation of lighting and temperature.

Rooftop greywater collection system helps save 20%of the building's annual domestic city water usage (the equivalent of 4.5 million bottles of water); the water is reused for flushing and irrigation.

Energy-saving office technologies like Canon's own multifunction devices and display projectors automatically power down to minimize energy consumption in all meeting and copier rooms.

A sophisticated kitchen digestion system helps divert and reduce organic waste from landfills.

Encouraging employees to reduce carbon emissions by offering premium parking for green vehicles, employees that carpool as well as sheltered bicycle parking.

Employees and the surrounding residential community enjoy an expansive community green space, including a pond and recreational path, 6,000 drought-resistant shrubs and 200 drought-resistant trees to promote the area's wildlife biodiversity.

Phasing out the sale single-use plastic water bottles and plastic straws has begun at the headquarters and at all Canon Canada's 13 office locations across the country by the end of 2019. (Source: Cannon Canada, CNW, 22 July, 2019) Contact: Canon Canada, www.cannon.ca ; Canada Green Building Council, Thomas Mueller, President and CEO (CaGBC) and GBCI Canada

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  LEED Certification news,  Canada Green Building Council news,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-07-22
The Philippine Department of Energy (DoE) reports it aims to encourage energy efficiency and energy conservation by establishing guidelines for the accreditation of energy service companies (ESCOs) and strengthen the existing system. To that end, the DoE has created a "panel of experts" to formulate the guidelines on the accreditation process that will be subject to DoE approval.

Alexander Ablaza, president of the not-for-profit Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance, Inc. (PE2), said his group was preparing an industry position on the accreditation guidelines and other related issues.(Source: Philippines DoE, Jul 22, 2019) (Contact: Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance, www.pe2.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

EFFORE
Date: 2019-07-22
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is reporting an investment in, and the launch of, EFFORCE, a Malta-headquartered company based on blockchain and work on bringing greater efficiency in the field of energy.

The company's business model is to save money on energy while helping improve the environment. Relating particularly to blockchain, the technology will reduce energy consumption to decrease energy wast.

EFFORCE "allows contributors to profit from the energy savings generated by energy efficiency projects worldwide", according to the company website. (Source: EFFORCE, AllStocks, 21 July, 2019) Contact: EFFORCE, www.efforce.io

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Blockchain,  

NABERSNZ
Date: 2019-07-19
The New Zealand Government, with more than 1.2 million square metres of office and other space, is looking at ways to increase the energy efficiency of the offices it owns and leases. To that end, the Government now requires any new building developed for Government office accommodation to be measured for a 4-star NABERSNZ energy efficiency rating.

NABERSNZ , the tool used to measure energy efficiency in office buildings, was developed in Australia, adapted for New Zealand and introduced here in 2013. Its use is funded by the Government and promoted by Government organizations like EECA (Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority) to private businesses.

Although seldom used in New Zealand, the system is mandatory for large office buildings in Australia where it has reportedly accounted for more than $750 million of energy savings. (Source: Stuff NZ, 18 July, 2019) Contact: NABERSNZ, www.nabersnz.govt.nz

More Low-Carbon Energy News NABERSNZ ,  Energy Efficiency,  

UK Centre for Alternative Technology
Date: 2019-07-19
In Powys, Wales, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is offering a new building design and energy efficiency degree program to help tackle the environmental impacts of buildings and the construction industry.

The MSc Green Building program, which starts this September and now open for applications, allows students to specialize in sustainable construction, providing a broad overview of climate change and environmental degradation, and exploring the range of effective solutions.

As well as providing a deep understanding of sustainable design principles and sustainable materials, the course covers the selection and use of materials, energy flows, site selection and preparation phases, waste management and project management. Regulatory and legal requirements and the social, political and economic aspects of green building are also explored. (Source: Centre for Alternative Technology, Dr Adrian Watson, Head of Graduate School of the Environment, +44 (0) 1654 705950, www.cat.org.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News GreenBuilding,  Energy Efficiency,  

U.S. Conference of Mayors
Date: 2019-07-19
On Wednesday in Washington, the full House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved HR 2088. The bill is aimed at renewing and re-funding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, a legislative priority of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). As approved, this legislation would commit $3.5 billion annually -- $17.5 billion over five years -- in formula-based grants allocated directly to cities, counties, tribal governments and states.

The legislation, as existing law provides, continues to extend flexibility to local and state governments to invest these new resources across 14 categories of eligible projects and programs, including the development of comprehensive energy conservation and efficiency plans; conversion of street lighting to highly efficient LED lighting; installation of renewable energy technology (e.g., solar, wind, fuel cell and biomass energy) on municipal and other qualifying buildings; and weatherization of government buildings.

Under the bill, the Department of Energy retains responsibility for implementing the program, as it did in the 2009-2010 period when the first round of EECBG funding was appropriated and provided to local and state governments. The EECBG Program, which was authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 enacted by President George W. Bush, was first funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). (Source: U.S. Conference of Mayors, 18 July, 2019) Contact: U.S. Conference of Mayors, www.usmayors.org; Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, www.energy.gov/eere/wipo/about-energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Conference of Mayors,  Energy Efficiency,  Climate Change,  

Key Bank,Dividend Finance
Date: 2019-07-19
Cleveland-headquartered regional banker KeyBank and Dividend Finance, a San Francisco-based national provider of solar and home improvement financing solutions, are reporting a new partnership to finance residential solar and energy storage systems.

Although previously limited to commercial projects, KeyBank's partnership with Dividend will now allow homeowners to invest in solar energy and create potential long-term savings by cutting energy costs. The KeyBank-Dividend Finace partners services will be offered in 35 states. (Source: KeyCorp-KeyBank PR, July, 2019) Contact: KeyCorp-KeyBank,, Chris Manderfield, Head of Product Management, www.key.com; Dividend Finance LLC, (415) 805.7000, www.dividendfinance.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy,  Dividend Finance Storage,  Solar,  KeyBank,