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Continuous commissioning goes by many names. It's a way of making sure building systems are running at peak efficiency. Learn about it, in a minute. (podcast)
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When you see solar modules on the roof of a building, they might not actually belong to the building's owner. Two common ownership scenarios have been around for several years. Lately, utilities have been devising new ownership models, to meet renewable energy requirements in their states. Learn the differences, in a minute. (podcast)
Continue reading "Rooftop Solar Ownership Models - Energy:Minute" »
"Zero energy" is a term we'll see applied to more and more buildings. It means the building produces as much energy on site as it uses. But that's not the whole story. There are many variations. Learn what they mean, in a minute.
Continue reading "Zero Energy Buildings - "Zero" of What? - Energy:Minute" »
You can't manage what you can't measure. Monitoring is an essential component of managing energy use. (podcast) (transcript)
Building Information Modeling is a computer-based simulation of a construction project, linked with a database of information about the project. (podcast) (transcript)
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Natural daylight has been steadily regaining popularity for about 25 years, ever since the first studies showed that people have a positive psychological reaction to it. (podcast)
Net leases create a "split incentive" when it comes to making energy-efficiency improvements to commercial buildings. A "green lease" includes terms that share the benefits of lower utility bills. (podcast)
Energy Minute: As we go from discussing energy efficient buildings, to zero-energy and zero-carbon buildings, the definitions steadily become less clear. What exactly to the terms "Zero Energy" and "Carbon Neutral" mean when applied to buildings? (podcast)
Continue reading "The Meaning of Zero Energy and Carbon Neutral Buildings" »
Energy Minute: Biomass is slowly gaining popularity for space heat -- in part because it's a renewable energy source, and in part because it's less expensive to operate than a conventional furnace. (podcast)
Energy Minute: Systems in a facility can be networked so they can interoperate. Just stringing a wire between a security system and a lighting controller isn't enough. Your choices will affect the life cycle cost of your building or campus.
Continue reading "Networked Building Controls: Open or Proprietary?" »
Energy Minute: A small region of Spain is far ahead of almost everyone in its use of renewable energy. It uses wind, solar, biomass and hydro to produce 60 percent of its power. (podcast)
Continue reading "Spain's Navarre Region Runs with Renewable Energy" »
Energy Minute: Smart electric meters communicate over a network, so utilities can verify demand response and provide net metering of on-site renewable energy. (podcast)
Energy Minute: Rooftop concentrating solar is a scaled-down version of the technology behind the largest utility-class solar power plants. A handful of companies are working on innovative approaches. They promise to have products on the U.S. market by 2008. (podcast)
Energy Minute: The U.S. Department of Energy announced $168 million in funding to accelerate solar energy technology development. This brief podcast explains what the research will accomplish and how it will happen. (podcast)
Energy Minute: Demand response programs ask customers to stop buying as much power during periods of peak demand, because there's not enough energy to go around. This "triple-shot" Energy Minute examines whether those customers, or the utilities, could somehow use renewable energy instead. (podcast)
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Energy Minute: Stirling engines have been around since the 19th century, but today some small and large applications are bringing them into the limelight. (Podcast)
Continue reading "Stirling Engines Generate Power from Practically Any Heat Source" »
Energy Minute: Demand response is a program where electricity customers reduce their consumption at critical times. It's a way for utilities to avoid large capital expenditures and postpone rate hikes. (Podcast)
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Energy Minute: Building-integrated solar glass generates electricity, often qualifies for financial incentives, and has the uniqueness of custom glazing that generates electricity. (Podcast)
Continue reading "Solar Glass Offers Unique Option for Glazing" »
Energy Minute: The Norwegian company Hydro this week was awarded a concession from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate for placing a floating windmill seven miles offshore in the North Sea. The wind turbines will cost more, but produce more energy. (Podcast)
Continue reading "Norway Floats Energetic Plan: Deepwater Wind Turbines" »
Energy Minute: Customers with broadband over powerlines, or BPL, can get high-speed internet connections through their electrical outlets. The technology has been around for a long time, but it's getting more attention as demand for broadband grows. (Podcast)
Continue reading "Broadband over Powerlines Delivers Internet through the Electric Grid" »
