Blog

Kansas City Power and Light Company recently announced its intentions to expand two of its energy-efficiency programs. One of the programs will double its wind-generating capacity to serve 124,000 homes.   With the other program, the utility will open the rebate programs under the Missouri Energy Efficient Investment Act to all of its Missouri customers. […]

Just how hard are the winds blowing? The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is trying to find out with their new facility. The National Wind Technology Center is using a new $16 million dynamometer to test how wind turbines perform. The 5-megawatt dynamometer test facility is the newest addition at the center.   The new facility […]

With high energy costs and government regulations, energy-efficient data centers will continue to grow in 2014.   Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) provides valuable information on how to optimize data center power, cooling and physical space. Companies are embracing DCIM because information is readily available to help with capacity planning and troubleshooting, and to make […]

What's next for LED? How about lighted LED carpeting to help you find your way?   Two Dutch-based companies, Phillips Lighting and carpet maker Desso, have announced a partnership to revolutionize the modern office space. The companies plan to develop the carpet for offices, hotels, conference centers and other public places.   So, instead of […]

Since 2012, the number of commercial zero net energy (ZNE) buildings have more than doubled according to the New Buildings Institute. The report, 2014 Getting to Zero Status Update, says that 213 North American structures qualify, up from 99 in the initial report.   ZNE verification of buildings is based on a review of one-year of […]

A recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) found that the use of natural gas over the last 10 years has caused significant reductions in the emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide.   According to the report, "Co2 emissions from U.S. fossil-fuel power plans were 23% lower in 2012 […]

The days of incandescent light bulbs are numbered. Under a federal government mandate, traditional 60-watt and 40-watt bulbs have begun being phased out at the beginning of 2014.   The U.S. government is urging consumers to switch to more energy-efficient lighting like halogen, LED and compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. But many consumers prefer the […]

What can be done to accelerate adoption of solar in the U.S.? In a recent opinion piece, Jake Rozmaryn, CEO and Founder of Eco Branding, says it has to do with the soft costs, which he believes inflate the installation price tremendously.   "According to the most recent National Renewal Energy Laboratory (NREL) studies, hardware costs […]

Researchers at the University of Tennessee have discovered the positive impacts LED lighting has on herbs and vegetables.   Dean Kopsell, a professor with U.T.'s Plant Sciences Department, said "We found out that they can really dramatically increase plant physiology, increase mineral nutrient levels, and also increase antioxidant levels, which are very important for us […]