Energy Priorities Turns Two on Earth Day
Online magazine separates reality from hype in leading-edge energy technologies for commercial and industrial users.
April 21, 2006
SEATTLE April 21, 2006 -- Two years ago on Earth Day, Energy Priorities opened its virtual doors as an online publication about energy for commercial and industrial applications.
Today, Energy Priorities is a valuable resource for businesses who want to be more informed and responsible energy users. It covers demand-side electric power technologies and practices, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency, for its primary audience of business owners, property managers, architects and builders.
"Forty percent of electric energy in our country is consumed by businesses, but leading-edge energy technologies still aren't well covered by the general business press," says Denis Du Bois, the magazine's founder and editor. "Energy Priorities is an outreach to businesses, making energy technologies comprehensible and accessible."
Energy Priorities was one of the first "hybrid" magazines, integrating the best features of a blog into a searchable online magazine format. Case studies, news articles and references to articles in other publications are organized into departments, such as Clean Energy, and Buildings. Readers can comment on any article in an open forum.
One challenge is to identify practices and technologies that are deployable today, as opposed to those that are in the research and development stage. "Some technologies have been around for 20 years, but you can't order one unless you want a prototype," Du Bois explains. "Others are gradually emerging from the hyperbole phase, and some technologies are economically quite viable."
"Another challenge has been to help readers to conceptually separate the two halves of energy consumption -- petroleum and electricity," says Du Bois. "With that understanding, a building operator or factory manager can better influence their energy costs and their impact on the environment."
Denis Du Bois, the founder and Editor of Energy Priorities, is a veteran writer, technologist, and marketing consultant. He is an energy-conscious business owner and a solar power user based in Seattle, Washington.