Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States
Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-06-10

Total Pages: 349

ISBN-13: 0309156866

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America's economy and lifestyles have been shaped by the low prices and availability of energy. In the last decade, however, the prices of oil, natural gas, and coal have increased dramatically, leaving consumers and the industrial and service sectors looking for ways to reduce energy use. To achieve greater energy efficiency, we need technology, more informed consumers and producers, and investments in more energy-efficient industrial processes, businesses, residences, and transportation. As part of the America's Energy Future project, Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States examines the potential for reducing energy demand through improving efficiency by using existing technologies, technologies developed but not yet utilized widely, and prospective technologies. The book evaluates technologies based on their estimated times to initial commercial deployment, and provides an analysis of costs, barriers, and research needs. This quantitative characterization of technologies will guide policy makers toward planning the future of energy use in America. This book will also have much to offer to industry leaders, investors, environmentalists, and others looking for a practical diagnosis of energy efficiency possibilities.

Alternatives to the Indian Point Energy Center for Meeting New York Electric Power Needs
Alternatives to the Indian Point Energy Center for Meeting New York Electric Power Needs

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2006-10-27

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 0309101727

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Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, many in the New York City area have become concerned about the possible consequences of a similar attack on the Indian Point nuclear power plantsâ€"located about 40 miles from Manhattan, and have made calls for their closure. Any closure, however, would require actions to replace the 2000 MW of power supplied by the plants. To examine this issue in detail, the Congress directed DOE to request a study from the NRC of options for replacing the power. This report presents detailed review of both demand and supply options for replacing that power as well as meeting expected demand growth in the region. It also assesses institutional considerations for these options along with their expected impacts. Finally, the report provides an analysis of scenarios for implementing the replacement options using simulation modeling.

Measured Home Performance
Measured Home Performance

Author: Lew Harriman

Publisher:

Published: 2011-11-01

Total Pages: 138

ISBN-13: 9781582229942

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This report to the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Program (PIER) helps Home Performance Contractors train their crews to achieve superior results in home energy retrofits. The book was updated and expanded in December of 2012 to include the impressive measured results from 15 home energy retrofits in Redding, California that were accomplished using the principles and practices outlined in this report. Homeowners may also find this information useful, when they want to understand the techniques that regularly achieve utility bill savings of 40 to 70% on an annual basis. This approach-called Measured Home Performance-is different from other means of saving energy. Most importantly, all of the home's energy features are redesigned and improved at the same time, so the synergies take effect immediately. Next, measurements are taken all the way through the process, to ensure that both the redesign and the installation are excellent. Improved comfort and energy savings are assured by high-tech field measurements, taken by the craftspeople themselves rather than by 3rd-party auditors. This process provides real-time feedback to the real decision makers-the technicians who do the work. Measurements of critical parameters like duct air leakage, while-house air leakage, supply air flow at each grill, CO concentration & draft pressure of combustion appliances and superheat and subcooling of the AC equipment make the installation quality-good or poor-are instantly clear to the crews. They can fix any shortcomings on the spot, rather than waiting days or weeks for 3rd-party testing results. Craftspeople measuring key parameters as they work transforms the workplace. Measured quality not only ensures successful results for the homeowners, it self-trains crew members in the field, where they learn more quickly than in the classroom. At the end of every day, workers know when they have achieved excellent results-a powerful motivator that works to everybody's benefit.

Heat Islands
Heat Islands

Author: Lisa Mummery Gartland

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-05-16

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 1136564209

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Heat islands are urban and suburban areas that are significantly warmer than their surroundings. Traditional, highly absorptive construction materials and a lack of effective landscaping are their main causes. Heat island problems, in terms of increased energy consumption, reduced air quality and effects on human health and mortality, are becoming more pressing as cities continue to grow and sprawl. This comprehensive book brings together the latest information about heat islands and their mitigation. The book describes how heat islands are formed, what problems they cause, which technologies mitigate heat island effects and what policies and actions can be taken to cool communities. Internationally renowned expert Lisa Gartland offers a comprehensive source of information for turning heat islands into cool communities. The author includes sections on cool roofing and cool paving, explains their benefits in detail and provides practical guidelines for their selection and installation. The book also reviews how and why to incorporate trees and vegetation around buildings, in parking lots and on green roofs.

Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency

Author: Steven Fawkes

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-04-29

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 131714371X

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Energy risk has reappeared on the corporate and social agenda with a bang and the complexity of the issues has increased many-fold since the days of the last great wave of concern following the oil crises of the 1970s. Steven Fawkes’ Energy Efficiency is a comprehensive guide for managers and policy-makers to the fundamental questions underpinning energy-efficiency and our responses to it: ¢ what do we really mean by energy efficiency? ¢ what is the potential (in different dimensions)? ¢ why it is important? ¢ what management processes lead to optimisation of energy efficiency? ¢ what technologies are useful for improving energy efficiency? ¢ what policies can be used to promote energy efficiency? ¢ how can energy efficiency be financed? ¢ how can energy suppliers engage with energy efficiency? The result is the most comprehensive review to-date of the barriers and opportunities associated with improving energy efficiency. Clearly written and erudite, Steven Fawkes addresses every aspect of energy efficiency, including the huge and vitally important untapped potential offered by effective energy management and the application of existing technology. He also identifies barriers, such as the rebound effect and how they can be mitigated and he provides a comprehensive review of innovative energy efficiency financing options. This book is a ’must read’ for anyone with an interest in energy supply and demand reduction.