| This week's sponsor is Elster. |  | | consumer satisfaction - improved asset management - increased energy efficiency - www.elster.com |
Today's Top Stories
1. Survey respondents self-select energy policy priority
2. Wind could power the earth, but won't affect climate change
3. SMUD leading net-zero building in CA
4. SAP names best-run utilities
5. ORNL technology improves roof-attic energy efficiency with controls Also Noted: Spotlight On... Primer highlights interdependence of electricity and gas
Metering backlash; marine energy and much more... California continues renewable energy push
California is one of the largest states in the U.S., and a huge consumer of electricity. Perhaps that's also why it's frequently among the nation's most aggressive pursuers of renewable and efficient energy policy, especially when it comes to solar power. State lawmakers are looking to add to that reputation and recently sent three pieces of renewable-energy-inspired legislation to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown. The bills all touch on solar energy policy and, if signed into law, would extend existing policies designed to encourage wide-scale adoption of solar energy technology. Feature
Utilities go retail
Energy is an important pillar of the connected home market, and big box retailers are capitalizing on emerging trends to converge upon the energy market. The proliferation of smart appliances, smart meters, and devices such as smart thermostats as part of the connected home will be further driven by growth in smartphone and tablet applications that allow users to more easily monitor, manage and control these technologies while away. Feature Advanced solar roof racking solutions mitigate PV system cost
Photovoltaic solar rooftop installation raises a number of challenges that could slow widespread adoption among homeowners and businesses, including maintenance of roof water-tightness; roof warranty; continuous operation; aesthetics; stability; durability of materials; and high costs of labor. The benefits to utilities are huge, including being a low-risk investment that encourages energy efficiency and conservation, and reduces dependence on the electricity grid. Feature News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. The impact of broadband
2. USDA beats smart grid financing goal
3. NYSERDA guide encourages EV adoption
Today's Top News 1. Survey respondents self-select energy policy priority
The results of an energy policy poll by Sandia National Laboratories and OurEnergyPolicy.org have been released. The national poll, "The Goals of Energy Policy," reveals that 85 percent of the 884 energy professionals (from public utilities, oil and gas organizations, energy engineering groups, etc.) surveyed believe that U.S. energy policy should pursue security of its energy supply, economic stability and reduced environmental impacts simultaneously. "Many surveys tend to simplify, rather than clarify, public opinion on energy policy by asking either-or questions," Matthew Jordan, Program Director of OurEnergyPolicy.org, said. But this survey was different, with questions such as "how should the U.S. allocate its efforts across the following three energy policy priorities – energy supply security, economics and job creation, environment and climate?'' The survey also asked respondents to allocate 100 points across the three priorities, as well as a fourth, self-selected priority. On average, respondents allocated 36.9 points to energy supply security (prioritized more by male respondents), 32.3 points to economics and job creation and 30.7 points to environment and climate (prioritized more by female respondents). The three most common self-identified energy policy goals were reducing consumption, fostering technological innovation and improving energy efficiency. For more:
- see the report Related Articles:
Energy Blueprint - one year later
Predicting the future of energy independence
Options for America's energy future
Clean energy a nonpartisan issue Read more about: Sandia National Laboratory, ourenergypolicy.org
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| This week's sponsor is Clasma Events. |  | | Since 2007-globally recognized as the must-attend event dedicated to the modernization of Smart Grid. |
2. Wind could power the earth, but won't affect climate change
Research from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory concludes that although there is enough wind power to be a primary source of near-zero emission electric power globally, large-scale high altitude wind power generation is unlikely to substantially affect climate.  | | Windmills in California | Using a climate model, the research estimated the amount of power than can be produced from both near-surface and high-altitude winds. The research concluded that wind turbines placed on the earth's surface could extract kinetic energy at a rate of at least 400 terawatts, while high-altitude wind power could extract more than 1800 terawatts. Current total global power demand is about 18 terawatts. At maximum levels of power generation, there would be substantial climate effects from wind harvesting, but the study found that the climate effects of extracting wind energy at the level of current global demand would be small, as long as the turbines were spread out and not clustered in just a few regions. LLNL climate scientists studied the geophysical limits to global wind power to determine its future. "The future of wind energy is likely to be determined by economic, political and technical constraints rather than geophysical limits," said Kate Marvel, a scientist in the LLNL Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison. For more:
- see this article Read more about: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory wind power research
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3. SMUD leading net-zero building in CA
Collaborating with local builders and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has taken a leading role in net-zero home building in the area. One example is the newly completed La Valentina apartments, Sacramento's first net-zero multifamily apartment building, where the facilities produce almost as much electrical energy as they consume.  | | The La Valentina apartments offer net-zero energy use. | Through financial incentives of nearly $487,000 provided by SMUD, the facility features rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, Energy Star appliances, water saving fixtures and on-site water retention basins. Coined "homes of the future" by SMUD, the development is an infill project designed with the potential for net-zero electrical energy use. SMUD is also providing research and development incentives for technologies to be used in these homes. The technology includes rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and combined photovoltaic and solar water heating systems; advanced structural insulated wall and roof panels; "green switches" to control dedicated plug loads; high-performance heat pump heating and cooling systems; and "energy harvesting" wireless switching for lighting control. Future homes will also contain such forward-thinking features as a wireless home control system that allows energy monitoring; control of door locks and lighting; and a video camera monitoring security system for real-time use by the homeowner through a smart phone, smart tablet or personal computer. For more:
- see this article Related Articles:
Utilities could benefit from zero energy buildings revenue
Spicing things up with net-zero energy
Echo technology powers net zero energy homes
NB Power and Bosch promote the energy benefits of net zero homes Read more about: Sacramento Municipal Utility District
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4. SAP names best-run utilities
5. ORNL technology improves roof-attic energy efficiency with controls
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is field testing a new type of roof-and-attic system. The technology provides a multi-seasonal efficiency uncommon in roof and attic design.  | | ORNL's new roof-and-attic system. View the full-size image. | The system improves efficiency using controls for radiation, convection and insulation, including a passive ventilation system that pulls air from the underbelly of the attic into an inclined air space above the roof. "Heat that would have gone into the house is carried up and out, and with a passive ventilation scheme, there are no moving parts, so it's guaranteed to work," explains Bill Miller of ORNL's Building Envelope Group. The heart of the design is a foiled covered polystyrene insulation that fits over and between rafters in new construction or can be attached on top of an existing shingle roof system. For more:
- see this report Read more about: roof-and-attic system, Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory
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Also Noted SPOTLIGHT ON... Primer highlights interdependence of electricity and gas The Power and Natural Gas Planning Task Force and the Northwest Gas Association (NWGA) have released a natural gas-electricity primer intended to serve as a reference point in building a solid understanding of the basics of the electric power and natural gas industries. The primer outlines the key issues surrounding the growing interdependence of the two industries. Article Quick news from around the Web >Solar industry anticipates utility metering backlash. Article
>Marine energy a growing industry. Article
>The U.K. is poised to set a new energy record. Article
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