In climate and energy policy, certain well-intentioned ideas gain outsized popularity despite persistent evidence against them. One such appealing but deeply problematic approach is the “fabric first” philosophy — the notion that building decarbonization must begin by aggressively insulating and sealing structures, only later electrifying their heating systems. On the … [continued]
The howling wind rises in pressure and sound, like an oncoming train. Then it arrives with speed and force, filling the landscape with leaves and branches in its path. Sheets of rain blow sideways. Large trees seem grabbed by a claw from their roots and crash to the ground, ripping … [continued]
During what has become concrete month, I’ve explored the full range of actual and purported solutions to the climate problem that is the cement, steel, and concrete used in construction. The industry’s emissions are high, with every ton of reinforced concrete having a carbon debt of 0.3-0.4 tons of carbon … [continued]
Knowledge is power: New building decarbonization technologies are mainstreaming, with an assist from new financial instruments.
This new high tech energy efficient electric motor won’t get you places in an EV, but it will get buildings to clean up their climate act.
Over the next 30 years we will be building a new urban habitat for about a third of the world’s population. The way we will build those cities will lock in certain lifestyles and emissions for decades to come. Therefore, we have to do it intelligently: in a way that is inexpensive, provides comfort and safety, saves local resources and keeps the climate impact low.
File under Y for You ain’t seen nothing yet: Energy Department pumps up Better Buildings energy efficiency challenge.
This article below has been republished from the U.S. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) website (image & link added): The Energy Department on February 21 announced that Johnson Controls, Macy’s, and Sprint are joining the Better Buildings Challenge. Launched by President Obama in 2011, the Better Buildings Challenge brings together corporations, … [continued]
Okay, so maybe Damon Runyon was not thinking about a government-supported energy efficiency research project when he wrote, “the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s how the smart money bets.” But if he was alive today, he might have been thinking of … [continued]
OK, I’m doing my top 10 list now. Following up on AWEA’s top 10 wind energy stories and SEIA’s top 10 solar energy stories, I decided I may as well give my own opinion on the top 10 clean energy stories and energy efficiency stories of 2011 (plus one … [continued]
