Welcome to the Alliance to Save Energy's monthly newsletter, e-FFICIENCY NEWS. In this edition: Industry Leaders Interview, On the Policy Front, Consumer Awareness, Around the World, In Schools and Universities, EE Insights, and Events
Dana C. Christensen is Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Engineering Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee. A leading center for industry-driven energy-efficiency research and development, ORNL is the Department of Energy’s (DOE) largest science and energy laboratory; their mission is to conduct basic science and technology research that provides innovative solutions to the complex energy problems facing the nation. Mr. Christensen is responsible for more than $350 million of programs for a variety of government and industrial sponsors in all dimensions of energy science and technology. He is the recipient of the DOE Gold Quality Award of Excellence and has been recognized with the DOE Weapons Recognition Award of Excellence for scientific contributions.
Efficiency News Oak Ridge National Laboratory is very involved in advancing energy-efficiency research and technologies. Can you tell us how you envision ORNL’s role in promoting energy efficiency and conservation in the future?
Dana C. Christensen As the Department of Energy’s largest multi-program laboratory, ORNL is uniquely positioned to advance and promote energy efficiency. As a research and development institution, we partner with the private sector, including U.S. industry and universities, who work with us to take the basic science research in materials, biological systems, neutron science, and computational science and perform the basic technology research that leads to new energy-efficient products and processes. That “science-to-energy applications” model is what DOE and, in particular, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) are looking for: strong interactions with industry to move technology out into the marketplace.
Dana C. Christensen's full interview with e-FFICIENCY News is available online.
Department of Defense Recycles
The Closed-Loop Recycling Amendment fosters the purchase and refining of used motor oil by the Department of Defense (DOD) – at 340,000 barrels per day, by far the largest single consumer of oil in the world. Supported by the Alliance to Save Energy and Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Representative Steve Israel (D-NY), co-chair of the Defense Energy Working Group, the amendment was passed by the House in May and remains under consideration by the Senate.
Read the full article on The Closed-Loop Recycle Amendment.
The Principles of Change
It’s been a long hot summer for climate legislation, but some on the Hill are looking forward to the change in seasons. On July 9, the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), released a set of four strategies to reduce GHG emissions and 10 principles for effective climate change legislation.
Read more about Senator Jeff Bingaman's strategy.
California: Ahead of the Game
Ever the vanguard of environmental policy, California released a Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan this past June. Although too early to be deemed a success, the draft plan – the latest manifestation of the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 – sets GHG emissions reduction targets at 30 percent of current levels over the next 12 years.
Find more on California's Climate Change Draft Scooping Plan.
DOE Prizes Energy-Efficient Lighting
DOE has announced the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Competition (L-Prize™), intended to kick-start development and distribution of highly energy-efficient solid-state lighting (SSL) products to replace two of today’s most common, less efficient lighting products -- the 60-watt A19 incandescent and the PAR 38 halogen incandescent lamp.
Read more about the L-Prize™.
NACo Challenges Counties to Drive $marter
Can you win a race by using less fuel? The National Association of Counties (NACo) thinks so. As one of its Green County Competitions, NACo is encouraging residents of the nation’s 3,066 counties to take the Drive $marter Challenge (D$C), the successful consumer campaign developed by the Alliance to Save Energy and supported by the Wal-Mart Foundation, NACo and 15 other campaign partners.
Read on about the Green County Competition and D$C.
Buying Cars the SmartWay
With miles-per-gallon on every driver’s mind, and transportation accounting for two-thirds of U.S. oil consumption and one-third of GHG emissions, fuel-efficiency is both a consumer priority and an environmental necessity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finds itself in a perfect position to educate consumers about ‘smart’ vehicle choices – cars that are fuel-efficient, and less harmful to the environment.
Read more about SmartWay.
The G8 and Energy Efficiency: A New Partnership
Energy efficiency featured in the agenda of the Group of Eight and China, India and Korea Energy Ministerial meetings (also known as the G8 +3) in Japan this summer when the formation of the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC) was announced at the June meeting in Aomori, Japan.
More on the IPEEC partnership.
China Puts Energy Efficiency and Conservation into Play
Cutting China’s energy intensity index by more than 5 percent over the next three years may seem a daunting task. But a nation-wide energy-efficiency and conservation campaign is helping China achieve its 2010 goals by shifting energy use to the forefront of public awareness.
Read more about China's EE strategy.
Friends of the Alliance
This year, students in the sixth-grade class at Friends Academy in Locust Valley, NY, chose four organizations and charities to receive profits from a year’s worth of fundraising; among them was the Alliance to Save Energy.
Read more about Friends Academy's fundraising efforts.
The Greening of a Young Professional: Ashley O’Neill
The Alliance applauds Ashley O’Neill.
A few weeks before graduating from California State University (CSU) San Bernardino, Ashley, an intern with the Alliance’s Green Campus program, received her first job offer: Marketing Analyst in the California Alternative Rates Program (CARE) for residential energy efficiency at Southern California Edison (SCE).
Find more on Ashley's successes.
Energy Hog Last Seen Headed for Ohio Schools
This year, more than 8,240 students in Ohio will learn about where energy comes from, how we use energy and the importance of energy efficiency and conservation. Thanks to funding provided by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy Efficiency, the Alliance to Save Energy will provide energy education resources to elementary school teachers in Ohio free of charge.
Read more about the Energy Hog.
Glossary
R-value = The insulating property of a material is generally specified in terms of the thermal resistance (R) of the material, also called the R-value. Thermal resistance is related to the K value as follows: R = d/K where...
d = thickness of material, and
K = thermal conductivity.
Did You Know…
Biobased insulation, as well as all spray-applied types of insulation, may serve the dual purpose of providing insulating value as well as an air seal. Remember that energy efficiency is a combination of including the appropriate amount of thermal insulation in the building envelope component, as well as making the building envelope airtight.
Brought to you by ORNL.
Reading Material
Bottoming Out: Results of the State Energy Officials’ 2008 Energy Cost Survey
In June, state energy officials released the results of a 2008 Energy Cost Survey – the first national survey to quantify the impact of rising fuel costs on households of various income brackets. The findings provide valuable insight to the current energy crisis and its effect on American households.
Read more about the 2008 Energy Cost Survey.
Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Dinner
The Alliance to Save Energy congratulates its 2008 “Stars of Energy Efficiency” award winners, selected from among a record-setting 95 nominees. The Alliance’s Dinner and Awards Committee, comprised of experts in the energy-efficiency field, reviewed the nominations against published criteria and selected the “crème de la crème” as the seven winners. They represent a diverse and impressive roster of individuals, companies, and government entities working to advance energy efficiency in noteworthy and creative ways.
United Technologies Corporation
The Galaxy Award for their environmental achievements to date, and for future investments committed for energy efficiency.
Rinnai Corporation
The Super Nova Award for innovation in energy-efficient tank-less water heater technologies.
York County, VA Schools
The Andromeda Award for reducing their energy consumption by more than 48 billion Btu through energy-saving and sustainable building design practices.
Embraco (Brazil)
The I-Star Award for International Projects for continuing to lead the market in energy-efficient reciprocating compressors for refrigeration.
Jupiter Oxygen Corporation
The Innovative Award for development of their patented cost-effective, carbon-capturing oxy-fuel technology.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Jon Wellinghof
The Charles Percy Award for Public Service for decades of outstanding public service and leadership in energy efficiency at both state and federal levels.
Philips Electronics
The Chairman’s Award selected by Alliance Honorary Chair Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark) for leadership in the creation and success of the Lighting Efficiency Coalition.
For more details on the winning nominations, please visit www.ase.org/dinner. All awards will be presented at the Alliance’s 16th annual Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency awards dinner on Thursday, September 25 at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. If you are interested in purchasing a table and/or sponsoring the dinner, please contact Marcy Devaney at mdevaney@ase.org.
Energy Efficiency Global Forum 2009
April 27-29, 2009
Palais des Congres, Paris, France
The Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition (EE Global 2009) is the only “one-stop conference” for the information, tools and contacts needed to capitalize on enormous opportunities in energy efficiency. At EE Global 2009, the world’s leading thinkers will share the best technologies, strategies, financing and public policy approaches for leveraging investments in energy efficiency to the fullest.
Designed by energy-efficiency experts and leaders from around the world, EE Global 2009 is the place to:
- learn about opportunities in every end-use sector and region;
- share knowledge and best solutions with international government and business leaders;
- define strategies for implementing energy efficiency worldwide, and
- forge partnerships to ensure success.
Energy efficiency has emerged as a key and cost-effective solution to climate change, energy security, and economic sustainability. Now is the time for action. EE Global 2009 is the place to capitalize on the potential of energy efficiency.
For more information about the event, or to get involved as an exhibitor, a sponsor, or to help promote this event, visit www.eeglobalforum.org.
Join the EE-Global Mailing list.
2008 Regional Energy Conference and Vendor Showcase: Lights, Power, Action!
Dates: September 18 & 19, 2008
Location: Boston, MA
URL: http://www.iso-ne-conference.com
Contact: (617) 337-9500 x245; info@iso-ne-conference.com
Corporate Climate Response
Dates: September 22-24, 2008
Location: Chicago, Ill.
URL: http://www.greenpowerconferences.com
Contact: Victoria Adair at victoria.adair@greenpowerconferences.co.uk or +44 20 3355 4201.
Corporate Climate Response is the premier networking event for those heading corporate climate strategies. It offers the very latest updates on how companies are reducing their climate impact and saving energy across the supply chain. The two-day event features speakers from over 50 top organizations, and covers all the elements of climate reduction including carbon management, supply chain efficiency, water conservation, energy savings, low-carbon technologies, and the outlook for a national carbon trading platform. This is followed by a full-day workshop on carbon footprinting. John Wells, CEO of Interface Americas, and John Replogle, CEO of Burt’s Bees, will be providing keynote presentations at this event.
World Energy Engineering Congress - WEEC
Dates: October 1 to 3, 2008
Location: Gaylord National Convention Center on the Potomac, Washington, DC
URL: http://www.energycongress.com
Event Contact: Ted Kurklis, WEEC Exhibit Manager: (770) 271-7869; ted@aeecenter.org
Greenbuild International Conference & Expo
Dates: November 19-21, 2008
Location: Boston, Mass.
URL: www.greenbuildexpo.org
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, to be held on November 19-21, 2007 in Boston, Mass., convenes the industry’s largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the green building movement. Three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events provide unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products, and exchange ideas with other professionals.
At this year’s event, on Thursday, November 20th, Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan will join a panel of international experts hosted by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) that will focus on implementing global energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions in the building sector.
Last year’s conference drew over 23,000 attendees and featured more than 850 exhibitors.
EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium
Dates: December 4-6, 2008
Location: Washington, D.C.
URL: www.iaqsymposium.com
EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) National Symposium will feature nationally renowned IAQ experts and peer faculty discussing key topics related to IAQ in schools, including designing, building, and maintaining healthy, high performance schools, green cleaning, mold and moisture, asthma management, and communicating IAQ issues among stakeholders in the local community.
The World Future Energy Summit
Dates: 19-21 January 2009
Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
URL: www.WorldFutureEnergySummit.com/ase
The World Future Energy Summit is a meeting of the highest level of decision makers within the renewable energy world, including a large number of top government officials, heads of large international organizations, leading environmentalists and global investors. The exhibition accompanying the summit will be more than twice the size in 2009 and will be held in association with the Environment Show. This event offers networking opportunities as well as interactive pavilions from Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Spain, Taiwan, the U.K. and the U.S.
Alliance To Save Energy
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