Electric: Can IT Help Utilities Lower Commercial Energy Costs?

Xcel Energy has partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to pinpoint which customers would be most suited for renewable energy technologies.
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High-Speed Internet Access--Via Power Lines--is Coming to Mid-Michigan Communities

"High-Speed Internet Access--Via Power Lines--is Coming to Mid-Michigan Communities"
Lansing State Journal (01/22/06) P. 1A ; Rook, Christine

An experimental effort in Michigan to make high-speed Internet available over electric power lines could be key to achieving Greater Lansing's goal of reviving its job market and keeping local employees apace with business needs. "Communities that don't invest in infrastructure will be left out," said Gary Bachula of Internet2, an ultra-high-speed network available to Michigan State University and 206 other universities. Copious educational materials, such as news video clips and audio files, are available online but difficult to access for students without high-speed Internet service, says local high-school teacher Jim Goodspeed. Power-line broadband beats out dial-up service in terms of speed, and beats out satellite service in terms of both speed and cost. The effort to send broadband Internet over the electrical grid in rural Michigan is being powered by Lighthouse Broadband, a subsidiary of the New York-based Shpigler Group. The high-speed service will be available to 10,000 local residents via the power grid in Grand Ledge and St. Johns, reaching rural homes on dirt roads as well as lakeside cottages and even deer camps. Adding power-line broadband to the array of broadband Internet options available means greater competition--and this means better prices, another selling point for economic developers, says Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce vice president Tim Daman.

U.S. Greenhouse Operators Find Green Roof Niche

"U.S. Greenhouse Operators Find Green Roof Niche"
Associated Press (01/24/06) Dominguez, Alex

From Chicago and Maryland to San Francisco, more and more buildings are lining their roofs with plants that keep out summer heat and winter cold while managing storm water runoff and absorbing carbon monoxide.

High-Rises That Have Low Impact on Nature

"High-Rises That Have Low Impact on Nature"
New York Times (02/02/06) P. B1 ; Pogrebin, Robin

Interstate Highway for Power

"Interstate Highway for Power"
Energybiz (02/06) Vol. 3 , No. 1 , P. 54 ; Causey, Warren

Rising Energy Costs Illuminate Surging Fluorescent Bulb Market

"Rising Energy Costs Illuminate Surging Fluorescent Bulb Market"
New York Newsday (02/21/06) Sheeran, Thomas J.

A growing number of households are using less expensive compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as illustrated by CFL use now accounting for 5.6 percent of the bulb market in 2006, compared to 2.3 percent of the market in 1999. Technical Consumer Products, which reportedly holds a 40 percent share of the CFL market, has seen its sales climb to $115 million--more than five times its sales in 2000. The company's president, Ellis Yan, noted that sellers of CFL still face customers' preference for incandescent bulbs. However, Yan is optimistic that consumers' willingness to switch from the traditional incandescent bulbs will grow because of rising energy prices.

Bush Sees Energy Ideas at Work

"Bush Sees Energy Ideas at Work"
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (02/21/06) P. A1 ; Content, Thomas ; Barret, Rick

President Bush believes the federal government can spur technological advances that can help cut the country's reliance on imported oil. The president spoke about the potential of promising technologies, like new nuclear power plants and advanced batteries for hybrid cars, during at stop at Johnson Controls on Monday. The stop in Milwaukee is part of Bush's visits in three states to garner support for the Advanced Energy Initiative. Bush noted that his budget proposed for the 2007 fiscal year allocates $31 million for development of hybrid batteries, a 27 percent increase in funding. The Advanced Energy Initiative also designates money for development of new nuclear power plants, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and coal-burning power plants that produce zero emissions. He added that the administration will seek to expand research funding for producing ethanol from wood chips and switchgrass. Johnson Controls is the No. 1 maker of lead-acid automotive batteries worldwide, with production that exceeds 110 million batteries annually.