Our lives are greatly influenced by outdoor lighting.  We hardly ever notice when we park in the mall lot and head for our shopping adventure that the entire area is being illuminated for our safety and convenience.  Sometimes we check the sign on the pole to remember where we parked, but seldom do we notice the lights high above the section signs.  These lights enable us to extend our shopping day, but these overhead costs are never listed on the sales tag price.

Solar-powered lighting consists of a solar panel or photovoltaic cell that collects the sun's energy during the day and stores it in a rechargeable battery.   A controller senses when there is no longer any energy from the sun and automatically turns the LED light on at dusk.

A parking lot, a pathway, a highway interchange, or a college campus can benefit from using solar lighting to provide a visible statement of environmental awareness along with good economic judgment.  The combination of new LED lighting advancements, intelligent controls, improved solar efficiency, makes the use of solar lights a wise investment for business, churches, schools, parks, hospitals, and municipalities.  

Remember that solar power is FREE and after the units are installed there are no monthly energy bills to pay!  Costs associated with underground wiring, on-site transformers and electrical enclosures are often greater than newly installed solar lights. Regardless of whether you are installing new solar lighting or converting traditional to solar, you eliminate ongoing payments for electricity and you never have to worry about brownouts or blackouts.

Solar lights produce no pollution and cause no harmful environmental effects.  These units are NOT connected to the electric grid and the solar-powered outdoor lighting is virtually maintenance-free.  Solar lights work after cloudy days or when overcast using stored power in long-life batteries. 

Removing our commercial outdoor lighting from the electric grid will save energy, money, and could help reduce our dependence on coal fired generation with the resulting reduction in air and water pollution.   Why don’t we see these everywhere?  We need to start looking upward to notice the energy waste and then look up our local leaders and suggest a change to solar outdoor lighting.

We left early that morning driving to the Pittsburgh airport on our way for our vacation to see our daughter when my wife said “I’m not sure if I turned off the coffee maker”.  We did not have enough time to go back to our home to check and still make our flight.  I called a friend and asked him to drive to our house and verify that the coffee pot was safe and turned off.

The new modlet would have solved my coffee maker problem.  Installed in a regular duplex receptacle in our home or office, this clever gadget let’s you control your electrical use with intelligence.  The “Smart Plug” can be programmed to be active only when a load is needed and can be controlled from remote locations.  When my wife said she was not sure if she turned off the coffee pot, I would have been able to use my smart phone to access the status of the plug and turn it off (if needed) from anywhere.

Easy to install and use, just plug the modlet into your outlet and then plug anything you want to control into the modlet.  The modlet eliminates wasteful energy use by automatically turning off power to your appliances when they are not needed, so you can save on your electricity bill.  Did you know that many of your appliances use power even when you're not using them? That means your electricity bill keeps climbing while you are at home or away from your desk.  A modlet network can save you approximately 10% off your electricity bill but the actual amount depends on the types of appliances controlled, how many modlets you have in the network, and how they are programmed. A typical payback time is 6-12 months and has a return on investment (ROI) that is better than most energy reduction products.

Significant savings are possible for businesses where office equipment is typically only used during the workday.  Use the modlet in the office to control printers, scanners, fax machines, computer monitor, and other office equipment.   The modlet business starter kit provides everything you need to get started saving energy and money in your office. The kit includes (5) modlets and a USB receiver that communicates with web-based software that can be accessed on your computer's web browser or from a smart phone. This enterprise version of the software supports multiple administrator, users, and locations.  Up to 100 modlets can be networked together and controlled individually.  You can select an administrator for the modlet network and assign different levels of access so that all employees can be involved in saving energy.  Each modlet has a simple “override” button that will change the status of the program for a limited time, and then return to the original program.  The software is web-based so it can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection.

This is a new product that has a huge potential to change the way we consume electricity.  We now have the ability to control and analyze our energy use at the gateway between our energy hungry devices and our electrical supply grid.  At a cost of $50 per duplex this is another example of first cost being high, but the resulting savings are a wise investment for your business and our environment.  I ordered mine today.

There is an old saying that when you have a “win-win project “it means that the results will have many benefits.  The new “Windsail” from Windenergy Corporation is a revolutionary concept in wind turbine design.  Installed on a post in front of a commercial building, or mounted on the roof, this eye-catching vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) combines the benefits of generating electrical power on-site with a very unique opportunity to advertise the business.

Capable of generating up to 12 KW or more at peak output, this system can produce 15,000 to 25,000 kWh per year.  With a sail height of nearly 20 feet and a diameter of over 13 feet, the Windsail becomes a giant spinning sign.  Custom graphics and colors can be installed to attract attention to the business while the spinning motion makes this advertising stand-out from the other sign clutter. 

The system can be optimized to convert the wind to electricity and directly connects to the existing power supply to reduce electrical consumption.  The slow rotation of the sail creates electricity from torque and is quiet with a top rotational speed of 80 rpm.  Birds see the Windsail shape and can easily avoid collisions with the slow spinning turbine and there has been no problems reported with harm to bats or butterflies.

With any renewable energy project the question of cost and payback always becomes a topic of discussion.  Many variables factor into payback analysis and return on investment projections and at the end of the conversation, the final answer is at best a good guess.  Most good energy projects return the entire cost the equipment and installation, along with the lending fees in 10 years or less.  Location, wind speed, electric supply costs, and many other factors will determine the final payback numbers.

What is so unique about this system is the merging of a wind energy generator designed for commercial use with the benefits of attracting a lot of attention to the business.  The value of the “spinning sign” is hard to calculate, but it is very important (or you would not see any signs).  A company sign can have high costs to purchase and install along with the ongoing costs for lighting and maintenance.  The Windsail is a sign that makes money when the wind is blowing, and attracts attentions when the wind is calm.

Check out www.windenergycorp.com for additional information.

We all think that we gain knowledge and wisdom from our mistakes.  After installing a new shingle roof on our home during construction of a Great Room addition project  I expected a dry room for at least the 30 year warranty period.  Things were great until the first winter when the roof started leaking after we had several inches of snow on the roof.  I am no rookie to the building trades and started my construction experience while in college working for a roofing  contractor.  I had been installing roofs for years with no problems.  We had water backing up under the singles and leaking into the house because we had an Ice Dam Problem.  Too far into the winter season to make any real repairs, so we placed buckets and towels to try to save the floor while we watched the stains grow on the ceiling and the damage continued onto the drywall and paint.  I explained to my wife that I had a solution to the problem and to just be patient.  It got worse!  We got up on the roof and shoveled off the snow and chopped away the ice to let the water flow.  The drips quit.

By the next winter I had installed electric heating cables and knew that I had the problem solved.  The cables melted the snow (which then froze in the gutter and backed up) and caused the ice dam again with more leaks.  More shoveling, ice chipping, and excuses later I go to plan "C".  The new plan is to remove the gutters, install additional insulation, and add more heating cables.  It has to work now I say with confidence.  Well, it still leaked last winter and with the treat of divorce, I was tasked with getting the problem solved for good, or else.

With a little help from my friends at Thermal Technologies, we now have a system that will solve our Ice Dam Problems.  I installed the T-2 Panel System with electric heating cables on the eve of the roof and hooked-up the DS-8 rain/snow sensor controller from Automated Systems Engineering and got it powered up last week.  It got a real test last Saturday when we had over 8" of heavy wet snow and the unit worked to remove all of the snow from the eve.

This system only uses power when the sensor switches the unit on and then automatically shuts off until the next snowfall.  This will reduce our electric cost for de-icing our roof and prevent damage to our interior.  I am still married and hope that this is the final chapter in the Ice Dam Problem.

Who would pay $250.00 for a thermostat when your old one still works?  If you did want an "energy saver" stat, you can find a good selection at the home stores for under $50.00 that can be programmed each day of the week.  Seems at first a dumb move to even consider this new "smart thermostat" called Nest that you will be hearing about soon.

Called the Nest Learning Thermostat this new device can have a large impact on energy reduction in our homes and workplaces.  What is most unique about the Nest is the ability to learn how the controlled heated or cooled area is used and then to automatically adjust the set-point settings to reduce energy costs.  The unit can sense temperature, humidity, light, and movement and will begin to learn when the area is not occupied.  If the temperature is typically reduced at closing or at bedtime, the Nest will begin to do the setback automatically. 

The Nest looks very different from our typical round Honeywell thermostat found in most homes and many offices.  The form is simple with only one button and a very visible temperature display.  The designers worked for Apple on the IPod and IPhone and have kept a design that is very easy to use and understand.  You can connect via a wireless system and use your IPhone, IPad, or computer to monitor and adjust the system when you are away.

Another great feature is called "time to temperature" which will display the time until the set-point temperature will be reached.  Many people think that a heating or cooling system is somehow like our cars.  If we give it more gas it will go faster, so setting the thermostat higher or lower will make the area comfortable in less time.  This feature tells you how long until the comfort temperature will be reached and will prevent changing set-points.

If homeowners and businesses can get the estimated 20-30% reduction in energy savings, this $250 thermostat will have a quick payback on investment and will have a huge impact on over energy use if the product becomes widely used.

Check out:  http://www.nest.com/?gclid=CPiA4PnIhqwCFYeI5godwgZbDQ for additional information.

We really do not pay much attention to electricity.  We expect that it will be available at all times and only really notice when the power is out.  We get our monthly invoice and just pay whatever is at the bottom of the statement.  My experience with business owners is that they really do not understand the invoice, they are not aware of how they use electricity, or how "demand charges" can have a large influence on the costs of electric service.  The only way to identify energy use trends is to compare by monthly use.

A smart meter records consumption of electric energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates with the utility for monitoring and billing. Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the electric service provider.  With the emergence of the technologies that make smart grids possible, companies can provide their customers with the information needed to change behavior patterns and reduce usage and costs.

Smart meters can be used by building automation systems to monitor and control electrical loads to reduce energy waste.  Smart grids use sensors and controls to monitor the flow of energy from the power plant to an individual load.  The power company can optimize grid performance and allow consumers to manage energy usage.  "Smart" grids can also incorporate new renewable energies such as solar and wind power, and interact locally with distributed power sources.

Smart meters can be very helpful for consumers to control their use of electricity.  There are privacy concerns and meter accuracy issues that need to be resolved.  One smart meter concern speculates that these devices are spies on our activities and result in loss of privacy control.  Electric meters measure consumption but don’t distinguish between watts used by a water heaters, HVAC, or lights.  A meter measures the amount of electricity being used, not how it is being used, who is using it, or why it is used.  As long as data privacy guidelines are enacted consumers will have control over their privacy.

Businesses Are Earning Money Each Year Through Energy Curtailment.

Demand Response enables companies with large energy consumption to realize the financial opportunities available as a result of energy deregulation and incentive programs aimed at reducing the stress on our overburdened energy infrastructure.

 What is Demand Response?

Demand Response programs are designed to enable customers to contribute to energy load reduction during times of peak demand. Many demand response programs also offer financial incentives for load reductions.

Occasional storms and heat waves, as well as periodic power plant repairs and maintenance, have the potential to affect the supply and demand for electricity. When demand is high and supply is short, power interruptions can sometimes be the result. Constructing power plants to satisfy the temporary high demand periods is one possibility, but the cost and environmental impacts to build the plants would be tremendous.

Demand response can involve actually curtailing power or using on site generation.  Demand Response Programs contract with large and small commercial customers and use dedicated control systems to shed loads in response to a request by a utility. Lighting, machines, air conditioning and other loads are reduced according to a preplanned load prioritization programs during the critical time frames. An alternative to load shedding is on-site generation of electricity to supply the power needs. Combined together with other companies the programs can eliminate the need for additional generation capacity.

How Much Money Can A Business Get From A Demand Response Program?

The amount of electricity that can be shed during the peak demand days needs to be determined by conducting an energy audit of the buildings and identifying what loads can be turned off.  Smart Grid electric meters and building automation systems control and monitor the Demand Response Programs with little impact on the customers. Many large corporations get payments in the thousands of dollars each year for not using electricity.

A great article in the current issue of Ode magazine features an excerpt from "Third Industrial Revolution:  An Insider's Look at the New Energy Innovation That's Transforming the World" by Jeremy Rifkin titled "Viva la revolution".  Rifkin began to search for a new economic paradigm that would sustain a post-carbon era when he began to realize that the great economic revolutions occur when new communication systems merge with new energy systems.  His vision of the "Third Industrial Revolution" will inaugurate an era with collaborative behavior and networked together like our current Internet.  Energy will be created and consumed at local nodes and can be then shared via the Smart Grid.

The following 5 pillars of the Third Industrial Revolution:

1. Shift to renewable energy
2. Transform the building stock of every continent into micro-power plants to collect renewable energies on site
3. Deploy hydrogen and other storage technologies in every building and throughout the infrastructure to store intermittent energies
4. Use Internet technology to transform the power grid oif every continent into an energy-sharing intergrid that acts just like the Internet.  When millions of buildings are generating small amounts of energy locally, they can sell the surplus back to the grid and share electricity with their neighbors
5. Transition the transport fleet to electric plug-in and fuel cell vehicles that can buy and sell electricity on a smart continental interactive grid.

The Third Industrial Revolution will have hundreds of millions of people generating green energy in their homes, offices, and factories and sharing via intelligent distributed electricity networks.  Just like we share music, news, and other activities online now, our energy will have a similar model.

Our goal should be to find the capital for transitioning the world to the next industrial revolution!  I think I will put this book on my reading list.

• The following Energy Conservation Tips will help you get started on the energy reduction pathway.  All successful energy management programs start with a leader who takes action and makes a committment to change the status quo and get serious about saving energy.

1. Turn off the lights when rooms are vacant.
2. Close windows when the heating or cooling systems are operating.
3. Close blinds to conserve heat in the winter and keep cooler in warm weather.
4. Caulk and seal all windows and replace weather-stripping around doors.
5. Set thermostats at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees for cooling.
6. Install programmable thermostats to provide automatic control of HVAC systems.
7. Replace all incandescent light bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs.
8. Replace T-12 fluorescent lamps with T-8 or T-5 lamps and electronic ballasts.
9. Replace exit signs with LED signs to save electric costs and reduce maintenance.
10. Install “smart strips” to shut-off computers, copiers, and other office devices.
11. Purchase “Energy Star” rated computers, copiers, and other office equipment.
12. Add timer controls to vending machines to reduce wasted energy.
13. Replace HVAC filters and ensure correct operation of the systems.
14. Establish a preventative maintenance program for HVAC and lighting systems.
15. Install a building automation system to control and monitor the buildings.
16. Consider geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass projects for future needs.

These simple tips can have amazing impacts on your energy use.  Why not get your program started today?

Squinting Toward Retirement: A Boon for The Lighting Industry | ElisaWood

This article by Elisa Wood hits on one of the key issues of successful energy conservation projects.  The employees and customers must be comfortable if they are going to cooperate with the changes.