Heat pumps are simple, effective devices that help us transform spaces into comfortable places to work and live by transferring thermal energy. Air conditioners, geothermal HVAC systems and heated swimming pools all rely on heat pumps. Understanding the energy efficiency of your heat pump and its Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) can help you find energy savings. Read more at THERMA >>
Smart Circuit Breakers: What Are They and Why You Should Use Them
The Internet of Things (IoT) is part of everyday life at home and in commercial settings. Connected devices such as smartphones, environmental sensors and building monitoring technology have made internet connectivity a valuable resource. Smart circuit breakers are an option for facility managers to collect information on circuits and electrical equipment and receive data through the internet. Here’s what building managers need to know when considering adding smart circuit breakers to building systems. Read more at THERMA >>
Construction Considerations for Semiconductor Manufacturing
Semiconductor manufacturing plays a central role in most consumer goods produced today. Semiconductors are found in appliances, building automation systems, motor vehicles, computers, smart phones, ATMs, transit devices, televisions and medical devices, among other applications. Semiconductor manufacturing is in high demand, and facilities looking to expand capacity can use this article as a reference for construction requirements. Read more at THERMA >>
What is Cogeneration of Energy?
Cogeneration is a term used to describe combined energy production, specifically combined heat and power (CHP). It is a strategic approach to operations that can be applied to a wide variety of industries. Cogeneration energy production can maximize energy efficiency and create long-term cost savings. Read more at THERMA >>
How DCIM Drives Operational Efficiency
Information management drives business operations. Today’s world depends on reliable, accessible and secure information in-house and online. Data centers provide these services and Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) encompasses IT best practice standards, long-term energy planning and resiliency preparedness. This article looks at the intricacies and requirements of DCIM, common issues and how to create a strategy towards efficient operations. Read more at THERMA >>
Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Sustainable Energy for your Facility
While renewable energy holds appeal to homeowners and businesses, it can be daunting to understand how different systems work and what benefits they provide. Geothermal energy has been harnessed by humans for thousands of years, and the technology that utilizes geothermal today is ever-evolving. In this article we’ll take a look at geothermal heating and cooling: what it is, how it works and when it makes the most sense to choose geothermal as a primary HVAC system. Read more at THERMA >>
Maintenance Tips to Optimize Semiconductor Fabrication Equipment
The U.S holds 48% of the $340 billion semiconductor industry global market. The semiconductor fabrication market is highly competitive with global annual sales expected to exceed $600 billion in 2022. The current volatility of global supply chains and the increasing market demand make optimization of semiconductor fabrication equipment a top business priority. Read more at THERMA >>
MAZDA Unveils Fuel Efficient Crossover Car
Mazda recently announced that it will unveil it’s Kazamai crossover vehicle at the Moscow International Motor Show in August. Specifics on the sporty vehicle’s environmental performance will be revealed next month, but to date the car maker is touting this ride as a car that will “deliver exciting driving dynamics, frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions.”...read more at Inhabitat
US Freeze on Solar Energy Projects Lifted
Just as things were really heating up in the solar energy sector, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) pulled the plug on new solar power plants. Last week the New York Times reported that “the federal government has placed a moratorium on new solar projects on public land until it studies their environmental impact, which is expected to take about two years.”...read more at Inhabitat
Tesla Announces New 225 Mile Range Sedan
We get revved up whenever we hear any news about Tesla Motors, and the latest just sets the maker of electric-powered roadsters into an all new green vehicle fast lane. Tesla Motors just announced plans to start building the Model S - an electric sedan with a 225-mile range - in the Bay Area with plans to get the five passenger vehicles on the road in two years time!...read more at Inhabitat
Voltaic's Super Solar Powered Backpack
We’ve been impressed with Voltaic’s products from the get go, and with their ongoing efforts to amp up the sustainability factor in their bags like boosting the power in their Generator laptop bag and going to 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic based fabrics. One of our all-time favorite bags is the durable Voltaic Backpack which just may be the ultimate sustainable summertime sidekick and a must have for the eco-geek on the go....read more at Inhabitat
Solar Energy Cogeneration Solution from SolarWall
While solar thermal systems offer a way to harvest this heat energy for heating water or interior spaces, this option has usually displaced the electricity generating PV on rooftops. A new system from SolarWall, the SolarDuct PV/T, offers a combination of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal in one assembly providing a means to heat and power from the sun with one product...read more at Inhabitat
Largest City Solar Initiative gets greenlight in San Francisco
San Francisco has made solar energy a top priority with the passage of the Solar Energy Initiative Program - the largest solar energy subsidy program of any city in the United States. An annual budget of $3 million dollars will help create incentives for individuals and businesses to install solar photovoltaics systems with a $3,000 to $6,000 rebate available to individuals and...read more at Inhabitat
Bringing Wind Power to Off-grid Guatemalan Villages
Wind power holds much promise but often meets obstacles in small-scale application. Enter Engineers Without Borders. Volunteers from this humanitarian group, including Malcolm Knapp and Heather Fleming pictured above, have developed a small wind turbine design that has the capacity to bring much needed electrical power to remote villages in Guatemala and provide an alternative to hazardous kerosene lighting...read more at Inhabitat
12 New Solar America Cities Chosen
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 12 new Solar America Cities, bringing the number from 13 to 25 in total, and moving along the $2.4 million initiative to provide up to $200,000 per city to build solid solar infrastructures. The announcement came at the New Frontiers in Energy Summit 2008 in Denver, Colorado, which is among...read more at Inhabitat
LINC Lifestyle Concept Phone Takes e-waste Out of the Equation
If all of the ideas and concepts that were highlighted at the Greener Gadgets Conference were rolled into one product it would look and operate like the LINC Lifestyle Concept Phone from The Greener Grass. This team of forward thinking conceptual designers has envisioned a...Read more at Inhabitat
Gravia: Gravity Based Kinetic Energy Lamp
Gravia, a gravity based kinetic energy lamp concept, wowed our panel judges and the crowd at the Greener Gadgets Conference, earning a second place accolade in the design competition. Created by Clay Moulton, Gravia evokes the lines of a classic timepiece in a modern aesthetic...Read more at Inhabitat
Nokia ‘Remade’ Concept Phone Made From Recycled Materials
Nokia has caught our green design attention once again with the recent unveiling of ‘Remade’, a concept phone made almost entirely of recycled materials. The prototype was introduced at Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona last week revealing Nokia’s vision for recycled material use...Read more at Inhabitat
Ann Arbor Lighting Up With 100% LEDs!
We haven’t been giving Ann Arbor, Michigan enough attention and the city deserves it! Last year Ann Arbor joined forces with LED manufacturer Cree, Inc, on an ever-expanding citywide LED initiative to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With a recent retrofit...Read more at Inhabitat
Samsung Launches New Low Energy 31″ OLED TV
Walking the showroom floor at CES this year, we’re overwhelmed by the products on display, but underwhelmed by the lack of design innovation from a sustainability perspective. However, one innovation that got our attention is Samsung Electronics Super Thin 31” OLED TV Screen, one of the largest and...Read more at Inhabitat