All-electric vehicles, meanwhile, use no gasoline engine and thus produce zero emissions, but concerns over battery life persist. Thus far, all-electric solutions have been largely relegated to niche applications. Glaser noted that the U.S Postal Service has adopted all-electric powertrains for some delivery vehicles.
Stumbling blocks also stand in the way of the various fuel alternatives to gas and diesel fuel. They include the availability of fuel cells and the establishment of an infrastructure to refuel and service alternatively powered vehicles.
One fuel source drawing interest is hydrogen. The fuel can be produced by stripping molecules from hydrocarbons, according to the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, but it is expensive and is considered less efficient than storing energy in batteries or ultracapacitors.
Wall said the DOE is conducting re- search on advanced combustion engines that run on hydrogen. "The issues are, can you store enough hydrogen, and can you manufacture hydrogen and get it into distribution points?"
Ford has developed what it calls the first drivable fuel-cell hybrid electric plug-in vehicle. The Ford Edge crossover with HySeries Drive combines an on-board hydrogen fuel-cell generator with lithium-ion batteries. The vehicle is designed to drive the first 25 miles each day on stored electricity alone, after which the fuel cell kicks in to keep the battery pack charged. An 110/220-Vac charger on board can refresh the battery pack when a standard home outlet is available. With the HySeries Drive, the Ford Edge reportedly delivers 41 mpg with zero emissions. Ford is also testing a fleet of 30 hydrogen-powered Focus fuel-cell vehicles.
Ethanol is likewise being promoted as an alternative to conventional gasoline for internal-combustion engines. While gasoline commonly has a small percentage of ethanol, ethanol formulations comprising 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline are also available.
According to the DOE's Wall, of the roughly 170,000 gas stations in the United States, 600 supply 85 ethanol--a small percentage of the total, but still far larger than at the decade's start.
To leverage ethanol's availability, automakers are developing "flexible fuel" vehicles that run on either ethanol or gasoline. GM equips its flexible-fuel-eligible vehicles with a yellow gas cap. n
Spencer Chin
continue
Monday, 8 October 2007
Saturday, 6 October 2007
What you pay for all this every year will be an electric shock
If you are one of the sad people who still irons their clothes, are you aware that an hour's hard graft with a standard steam iron consumes around 22p worth of electricity? If you're only ironing them because they came out of tumble dryer all wrinkled, you are already 50p down ... and if you pop the kettle on for a cup of tea to recuperate, your electricity meter will start whirring madly.
Reducing the amount of electricity consumed at home by modifying behaviour and buying the most energy-efficient products, is one of the easiest and greenest money-saving things you can do. With a few simple changes, it is possible to save £100 a year on your bill - and reduce your carbon footprint.
Figures published on the energy saving website sust-it.net show that different home appliance models use hugely varying amounts of electricity. Tumble dryer users, who must surely be on Greenpeace's most wanted list, are paying anywhere between 30p and 70p per cycle - depending on which model they have. The website is appealing to everyone to check the power consumption of the models they are considering before buying.
At the same time, energy monitors that show householders how much electricity is being used at any one time have come down in price: they are now less than £50. The monitors, which are expected to be given out free with all electricity meter changes after May 2008, have been shown to cut consumption by up to a quarter - paying for themselves in around a year.
This week, Owl launched a monitor for £49.99. It shows the value of the electricity being consumed at that moment on a hand-held LCD screen. For details, visit theowl.com. Until recently, good quality hand-held monitors have typically cost £70.
Owl warns that once you've got a monitor, you will become passionate about turning things off. It also suggests that consumers will be surprised at which devices consume the most power around the home.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, around 27% of the UK's CO2 emissions come from individual homes, with the average UK household creating six tonnes of CO2 every year.
It estimates that £7.5bn worth of household energy is wasted in the UK every year. Around £3bn worth of electricity powers consumer electronic and computer products alone - 30% of the average household electricity bill. Keith Berry, Owl's chief executive says: "Research shows that UK consumers are keen to take personal action on climate change, but are still unsure of what they can actually do on an individual level. Until now, we've had to wait until our quarterly bills land on our doormats, before we can see the quantity of electricity we've used.
"By actually viewing the cost of the energy you are using and the effect on the environment as it happens, it's easy to make instant changes that will not only help fight climate change but will really save you money too."
Rival supplier, thegreenshop.co.uk, offers a similar product for £44.95 - it also sells a whole host of other energy-saving devices.
Meanwhile, if you are happy to wait until May next year, you may be able to get a monitor for free. The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform is keen on these devices and has decreed that they will be included for free with any electricity meter exchange after that date.
People who already have a modern meter will be able to ask for a free monitor at some stage after that date.
Consumers wanting to compare the energy consumption of an electrical product prior to purchase should visit sust-it.net. This extensive site lists most major white goods, computers, TVs and other electrical items according to their annual consumption. The figures quoted vary enormously - even for very similar products.
m.brignall@guardian.co.uk
continue
Reducing the amount of electricity consumed at home by modifying behaviour and buying the most energy-efficient products, is one of the easiest and greenest money-saving things you can do. With a few simple changes, it is possible to save £100 a year on your bill - and reduce your carbon footprint.
Figures published on the energy saving website sust-it.net show that different home appliance models use hugely varying amounts of electricity. Tumble dryer users, who must surely be on Greenpeace's most wanted list, are paying anywhere between 30p and 70p per cycle - depending on which model they have. The website is appealing to everyone to check the power consumption of the models they are considering before buying.
At the same time, energy monitors that show householders how much electricity is being used at any one time have come down in price: they are now less than £50. The monitors, which are expected to be given out free with all electricity meter changes after May 2008, have been shown to cut consumption by up to a quarter - paying for themselves in around a year.
This week, Owl launched a monitor for £49.99. It shows the value of the electricity being consumed at that moment on a hand-held LCD screen. For details, visit theowl.com. Until recently, good quality hand-held monitors have typically cost £70.
Owl warns that once you've got a monitor, you will become passionate about turning things off. It also suggests that consumers will be surprised at which devices consume the most power around the home.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, around 27% of the UK's CO2 emissions come from individual homes, with the average UK household creating six tonnes of CO2 every year.
It estimates that £7.5bn worth of household energy is wasted in the UK every year. Around £3bn worth of electricity powers consumer electronic and computer products alone - 30% of the average household electricity bill. Keith Berry, Owl's chief executive says: "Research shows that UK consumers are keen to take personal action on climate change, but are still unsure of what they can actually do on an individual level. Until now, we've had to wait until our quarterly bills land on our doormats, before we can see the quantity of electricity we've used.
"By actually viewing the cost of the energy you are using and the effect on the environment as it happens, it's easy to make instant changes that will not only help fight climate change but will really save you money too."
Rival supplier, thegreenshop.co.uk, offers a similar product for £44.95 - it also sells a whole host of other energy-saving devices.
Meanwhile, if you are happy to wait until May next year, you may be able to get a monitor for free. The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform is keen on these devices and has decreed that they will be included for free with any electricity meter exchange after that date.
People who already have a modern meter will be able to ask for a free monitor at some stage after that date.
Consumers wanting to compare the energy consumption of an electrical product prior to purchase should visit sust-it.net. This extensive site lists most major white goods, computers, TVs and other electrical items according to their annual consumption. The figures quoted vary enormously - even for very similar products.
m.brignall@guardian.co.uk
continue
How to cut energy bills
RESIDENTS could make huge savings if they cut down on energy use, according to a survey.
Information released following the launch of Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs shows the average four- bedroom home could save hundreds of pounds off heating, lighting, and water bills.
The certificates, which accompany houses being put on the market, use a rating from A to G to show the energy efficiency of a home and also offer advice on how the rating can be improved.
Most homes are receiving an E rating, according to the survey.
The rating could potentially rise to C if residents take action recommended in the certificates, including loft and cavity wall insulation.
A snapshot survey of energy assessors and certificates provided since the August 1 launch of the packs showed homes could typically save £180 on heating, £60 on lighting and £30 on hot water bills every year.
The top five recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been cavity wall insulation, changing to low energylighting, putting thermostatic valves on radiators, loft insulation and double glazing.
The certificates and packs were extended to three-bedroom homes on September 10
Communities minister Iain Wright said: "Families buying four-bedroom homes are getting clear information which shows how they can save hundreds of pounds on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions too.
"It is important this should be available for people buying three-bedroom homes as well."
A spokesman for WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) said: "We hope the Government will apply the same energy rating process to all homes being put on the market by the end of the year.
"If all home owners were given sufficient incentive to lower the carbon emissions from their homes, the UK's carbon footprint would reduce significantly."
Green grants of £100 to £300 for energy-saving improvements such as loft insulation are available to many homeowners from energy suppliers.
For more information about the grants, visit the Energy Saving Trust website at energysavingtrust.org.uk
continue
Information released following the launch of Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs shows the average four- bedroom home could save hundreds of pounds off heating, lighting, and water bills.
The certificates, which accompany houses being put on the market, use a rating from A to G to show the energy efficiency of a home and also offer advice on how the rating can be improved.
Most homes are receiving an E rating, according to the survey.
The rating could potentially rise to C if residents take action recommended in the certificates, including loft and cavity wall insulation.
A snapshot survey of energy assessors and certificates provided since the August 1 launch of the packs showed homes could typically save £180 on heating, £60 on lighting and £30 on hot water bills every year.
The top five recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been cavity wall insulation, changing to low energylighting, putting thermostatic valves on radiators, loft insulation and double glazing.
The certificates and packs were extended to three-bedroom homes on September 10
Communities minister Iain Wright said: "Families buying four-bedroom homes are getting clear information which shows how they can save hundreds of pounds on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions too.
"It is important this should be available for people buying three-bedroom homes as well."
A spokesman for WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) said: "We hope the Government will apply the same energy rating process to all homes being put on the market by the end of the year.
"If all home owners were given sufficient incentive to lower the carbon emissions from their homes, the UK's carbon footprint would reduce significantly."
Green grants of £100 to £300 for energy-saving improvements such as loft insulation are available to many homeowners from energy suppliers.
For more information about the grants, visit the Energy Saving Trust website at energysavingtrust.org.uk
continue
Friday, 5 October 2007
Uncle Sam wants to pay you for going green
Ready to take advantage of the federal government? You have until December 31. That's when Washington puts the kibosh on consumer tax credits of up to $500 for energy-saving products such as high-efficiency furnaces, water heaters, windows and insulation.
The good news is that credits of up to $2,000 will remain available for solar upgrades --including solar water heaters and photovoltaic roof panels --through December 31, 2008.
Even if you miss out, there are plenty of other tax breaks, rebates and discounts available to efficiency-minded homeowners through local governments, banks and utility companies.
That's what Mitch Zimmerman and his wife, Michele Freeman, discovered last year when they were looking to weatherize and add a new high-efficiency heating and cooling system to their house in Austin, Texas. The cost seemed off-putting -- until they received a postcard from their local utility company offering details of a program that provides deep discounts and low-interest loans to qualified customers looking to make their houses more energy efficient.
That utility, Austin Energy, eventually provided the name of an approved contractor who inspected the house's ductwork for leaks, added new weatherstripping to the windows and doors, and blew recycled newspaper insulation into the attic, all at a substantial discount.
Austin Energy also provided a zero-interest loan for the new HVAC system, which saved the thousands of dollars. "It's strange, since we'd never even heard about that program until we received the postcard," says Zimmerman. This Old House: Save money on energy
Other public and private utilities -- as well as state and local governments -- are on the green bandwagon, too. The Arizona House of Representatives sponsors a program that lets homeowners install solar energy devices without any --increase to their property taxes. Oregon and Montana offer state tax credits for those who invest in wind power or heat-recovery ventilation systems.
But you don't have to incorporate cutting-edge technology to reap benefits: An Ohio state loan program provides interest-rate reductions of up to 50 --percent for residents who take out loans to buy Energy Star appliances. This Old House: Solar shingles
Rebates are another way states are helping to defray the cost of greening up your homestead. The utility company in Clallam County, Washington, offers $1,000 rebates for solar water heaters, which can run you $4,000 or more. And New Jersey is teaming up with its utility providers to return up to $450 of the cost of new heat pumps and air conditioners.
Some states are even giving people money just to educate themselves and their neighbors about green living. For instance, Connecticut recently introduced a "Community Innovations Grant Program," a pilot program that gives communities a $5,000 block grant to increase public awareness of renewable energy technologies. (For a state-by-state breakdown of incentives, visit DSIRE.) This Old House: Cut water bills by 80 percent
For state and local governments, as well as publicly owned utility companies, offering these incentives is a nice way to keep constituents -- read voters --happy. And for privately owned utility companies, which aren't exactly known for their benevolence, it can make good business sense. Despite the initial cost of providing the incentives, the companies can increase their bottom line by luring in new customers and retaining the ones they already have. And the --decreased demand for kilowatts from those using alternative energy sources such as solar or wind power might keep providers from having to build pricey new power plants.
Whatever the reasons, Zimmerman and Freeman are just glad they got that postcard before shelling out for new equipment. "We would have had to take out a three-year loan at about 6 percent interest, so they saved us almost $2,000," says Zimmerman, adding that the new system is also saving him about 10 percent a month on utility bills. "They even gave us a free programmable thermostat, so we can save money on cooling costs when we're not at home. It's a pretty good deal."
continue
The good news is that credits of up to $2,000 will remain available for solar upgrades --including solar water heaters and photovoltaic roof panels --through December 31, 2008.
Even if you miss out, there are plenty of other tax breaks, rebates and discounts available to efficiency-minded homeowners through local governments, banks and utility companies.
That's what Mitch Zimmerman and his wife, Michele Freeman, discovered last year when they were looking to weatherize and add a new high-efficiency heating and cooling system to their house in Austin, Texas. The cost seemed off-putting -- until they received a postcard from their local utility company offering details of a program that provides deep discounts and low-interest loans to qualified customers looking to make their houses more energy efficient.
That utility, Austin Energy, eventually provided the name of an approved contractor who inspected the house's ductwork for leaks, added new weatherstripping to the windows and doors, and blew recycled newspaper insulation into the attic, all at a substantial discount.
Austin Energy also provided a zero-interest loan for the new HVAC system, which saved the thousands of dollars. "It's strange, since we'd never even heard about that program until we received the postcard," says Zimmerman. This Old House: Save money on energy
Other public and private utilities -- as well as state and local governments -- are on the green bandwagon, too. The Arizona House of Representatives sponsors a program that lets homeowners install solar energy devices without any --increase to their property taxes. Oregon and Montana offer state tax credits for those who invest in wind power or heat-recovery ventilation systems.
But you don't have to incorporate cutting-edge technology to reap benefits: An Ohio state loan program provides interest-rate reductions of up to 50 --percent for residents who take out loans to buy Energy Star appliances. This Old House: Solar shingles
Rebates are another way states are helping to defray the cost of greening up your homestead. The utility company in Clallam County, Washington, offers $1,000 rebates for solar water heaters, which can run you $4,000 or more. And New Jersey is teaming up with its utility providers to return up to $450 of the cost of new heat pumps and air conditioners.
Some states are even giving people money just to educate themselves and their neighbors about green living. For instance, Connecticut recently introduced a "Community Innovations Grant Program," a pilot program that gives communities a $5,000 block grant to increase public awareness of renewable energy technologies. (For a state-by-state breakdown of incentives, visit DSIRE.) This Old House: Cut water bills by 80 percent
For state and local governments, as well as publicly owned utility companies, offering these incentives is a nice way to keep constituents -- read voters --happy. And for privately owned utility companies, which aren't exactly known for their benevolence, it can make good business sense. Despite the initial cost of providing the incentives, the companies can increase their bottom line by luring in new customers and retaining the ones they already have. And the --decreased demand for kilowatts from those using alternative energy sources such as solar or wind power might keep providers from having to build pricey new power plants.
Whatever the reasons, Zimmerman and Freeman are just glad they got that postcard before shelling out for new equipment. "We would have had to take out a three-year loan at about 6 percent interest, so they saved us almost $2,000," says Zimmerman, adding that the new system is also saving him about 10 percent a month on utility bills. "They even gave us a free programmable thermostat, so we can save money on cooling costs when we're not at home. It's a pretty good deal."
continue
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
