Category Archives: Renewable Energy

Compact Fusion Energy for Urban Power Plants

Lockheed Martin’s Skunkworks is designing and building prototypes for a new generation of compact fusion reactors. These reactors would be about the size of a semi-truck yet supply clean continuous power to fill the intermittent and peak power gaps that utilities need to fill grid power demand.

The problem of most renewable energy sources is that they only generate when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. With the availability of continuous power from fusion reactors, utilities will be able to contract and supply clean, emission free power without relying on a supply chain of fossil fuels. Instead of building large, expensive natural gas peaker plants to supply power, compact fusion reactors could provide a cleaner alternative at much lower cost.

Lockheed Martin compact fusion reactor
The Skunk Works’ recent compact fusion reactor design.

Because of its small size relative to the Russian’s tokamak fusion design International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (a huge system being constructed in France), this system is easier to design and rapidly build prototypes  for specialized applications. See the YouTube video.

This technology is not available now but early versions could be marketable in as little as five years. According to the development project manager, Dr. Thomas McGuire:

“We would like to get to a prototype in five generations. If we can meet our plan of doing a design-build-test generation every year, that will put us at about five years, and we’ve already shown we can do that in the lab. So it wouldn’t be at full power, like a working concept reactor, but basically just showing that all the physics works.”

This technology is a strong conceptual response to Amory Lovins (founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute) call for “Reinventing Fire.” Another “arrow in the quiver” for sustainable power.

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USGBC Green Building Tours – October 3-8, 2016

Greenbuild_2016_Logo

GREEN BUILDING TOURS

Green Building tours are one of Greenbuild’s most popular and exciting features, providing the opportunity to explore green buildings ranging from government facilities to zoo exhibits. This year in Los Angeles, Greenbuild tours will help attendees learn outside the convention center walls and present the best of the area’s sustainable buildings and neighborhoods.

The Greenbuild Tours Program is developed by the Greenbuild 2016 Host Committee, USGBC-LA.


Descanso Gardens

About Greenbuild International
Conference & Expo – Oct. 5-7, 2016

 Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. The ideals and passion of the green building community come alive at Greenbuild. The buzz is contagious.

Greenbuild brings together industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals dedicated to sustainable building in their everyday work, and a unique energy is sparked. Participants are invigorated. Inspired. They find themselves equipped to return to their jobs with a renewed passion and purpose.

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L.A. Natural Gas Leak Leading to Power Blackouts?

Screen Shot 2016-07-02 at 10.19.50 PMAs early as April of this year, speculation was being widely reported that Los Angeles may suffer numerous blackouts because 17 local natural gas power plants are having a difficult time sourcing sufficient fuel for generating electricity.

Normally, a significant percentage of their natural gas is stored at the Aliso Canyon facility. When the facility sprang its massive,  four months-long leak polluting the air in the north portion of the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County it also depleted the storage tanks that were stockpiling fuel for the peak energy usage months of July through October. They now contain only 20% of what is normal for this time of year!

“How do we make sure we are building the most sustainable city possible?” – Nancy Sutley (LADWP)

As a result, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is scrambling on two fronts to lessen the impact on their ratepayers. First, they are trying to arrange new sources of fuel from neighboring regions. Second, they are appealing to their commercial and residential customers to voluntarily reduce their consumption of power.

Last Thursday (6/30/16) the LADWP hosted a roundtable discussion of their options at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) at their new La Kretz Innovation Center in downtown Los Angeles. LADWP and Southern California Gas each have aggressive incentive campaigns to encourage ratepayers to conserve electricity. In addition, David Hodgins of the Los Angeles Better Buildings Challenge helped address the key question of the discussion posed by Nancy Sutley (LADWP’s Chief Sustainability and Economic Development Officer) – “How do we make sure we are building the most sustainable city possible?”

This crisis is a wake-up call – a wound that must not be allowed to go untreated or to infect other utility assets. It makes it clear that more preventative solutions must be adopted so we are better prepared for future droughts, heat waves, and infrastructure disasters.

The Mayor’s office has already put into place policies (through his Sustainability pLAn and special office) that help guide Los Angeles to develop a sustainable energy system. Installing innovative energy efficiency technologies in commercial and residential structures must continue to be developed to mitigate the demand growth of the region. At the same time a planned approach must feature: consumption monitoring systems, more incentives for better LEED Certified investments, solar installations and storage expansion, and flexible infrastructure encouraging the new decentralized power generation and storage.

 

 

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LACI Host “LaunchPad” Welcoming 25 Israeli GreenTechs

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Gov. Brown & PM Netanyahu’s MOU on Israel-CA Cleantech Collaboration in Action

Two exciting collaborations are taking place starting today in Los Angeles – efforts to combat the drought and fight climate change through Israeli-California collaboration – which will build off the landmark MOU signed between Governor Jerry Brown of California and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

A delegation of field-proven Israeli companies will engage in the first-ever Israel California Water (ICWater) Conference. The list of attendees includes an impressive collection of key stakeholders, policy makers, city officials, corporate leaders, and investors.

Immediately following the conference, a select group of pioneering Israeli energy and water technologies will participate in “LaunchPad” at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), an intensive “bootcamp” program designed to help prepare the companies to launch into the California market. LACI will also be hosting a high-level event, where the companies will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures to the LACI Leadership Council.

For background on the Israel-CA Green-Tech Partnership and to sign-up for their blog.

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Eco-Map-LA Details L.A. LEED Structures

EcoMapLA

The U.S. Green Building Council of Greater L.A. has provided an interactive map of LEED certified buildings on their website for free! Produced as a special cartography project by concept3D, this extraordinary map provides the user a feature-rich tool for exploring the green side of Los Angeles’ built environment. You can even follow pre-planned walking tours for viewing significant structures!

Many existing 3D models of important landmarks have been inserted into the map. More importantly, clicking on each pin reveals detailed information about each certified building – its location, green feature summary, and a link to more data about its LEED point scores. It will be fun to watch Los Angeles become more environmentally and energy sustainable, turning other cities “green” with envy!

The explanatory copy from the website:

Introducing EcoMapLA, the go-to resource for all things sustainable in Los Angeles. Conduct Research using the drop-down menus to filter the map for LA’s Green Buildings, Green Businesses, and Iconic City Landmarks. Click on a location for a description (with images), the address (with directions), and links to additional information (including the LEED scorecard), where available. Explore the City with self-guided tours, transportation routes, and visitor information to experience LA’s green efforts and follow our sustainability story.

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In an Age of Cheap Solar Does Efficiency Still Matter?

CheapSolarFrom an article written by Peter Rumsey, PE Guest Author for Rocky Mountain Institute Outlet.

The old saws of the building management industry are:

  1. “The cheapest energy you can buy is the energy you don’t use.”

  2. “Efficiency first” – evaluate and conduct energy efficiency measures first and then cover the remaining balance of energy needs with renewables.

But with the costs of renewables coming down, do the old saws still apply? Are there renewable energy benefits that override the emphasis on energy efficiency?

This article, written by AEE’s 2012 Renewable Energy Innovator of the Year and ASHRAE’s Engineering Award of Excellence in 2013, reveals some of the reasons building owners are opting to adopt renewable energy solutions without reducing demand first. Some EE measures are expensive but there are also time and corporate image issues at stake.

In short, “Solar is sexy and people don’t fall in love with efficiency.” (Dian Gruenieich formerly a California Public Utilities Commissioner).

Peter Rumsey, PE is the founder of Point Energy Innovations and is internationally recognized for his innovation and leadership in the sustainability and energy efficiency fields. He has designed more LEED Platinum, Zero Energy, and radiant-cooled buildings than any engineer in the United States. Peter is an ASHRAE Fellow, a lecturer at Stanford University, and has served as a senior fellow of RMI.

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Top Ten Ways to Save on Home Energy Costs

HomeCrossSection

Did you know that solar power is not the only remedy for your high energy bills? Sure, it’s a fundamental part of any energy efficiency effort, but there are many other steps you can take to drastically reduce your utility bills.

This article provides details on some of the most efficient ways to positively impact your energy

  1. SOLAR POOL HEATING

  2. ENERGY STAR EXTERIOR WINDOWS

  3. COOL WALL COATINGS

  4. EFFICIENT LIGHTING

  5. COOL ROOF

  6. SOLAR PV SYSTEM

  7. RADIANT BARRIERS

  8. ENERGY STAR AIR CONDITIONING

  9. INSULATED DUCTS

  10. HIGH EFFICIENCY VARIABLE SPEED POOL PUMP

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pLAn – Transforming Los Angeles: Environment | Economy | Equity

Local Government sustainability_bannerMayor Eric Garcetti – 4/8/2015: Our city is flourishing. We expect at least 500,000 more people to call Los Angeles home by 2035. So the question before us, like it was to those Angelenos of the past, is how can we improve our city today, and ensure future generations enjoy a place that is environmentally healthy, economically prosperous, and equitable in opportunity for all?

Soon after taking office as Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti defined the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and appointed the city’s first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), Matt Petersen. This is not simply an “environment department” with a separate box on the organization chart – rather the office oversees the implementation of sustainability throughout the city’s 35 departments and bureaus.

“This pLAn sets the course for a cleaner environment and a stronger economy, with a commitment to equity as its foundation. These are the keys to a city that Angelenos have said they want our children to inherit — one that can continue to thrive and provide good health andopportunity for its residents. This is the way I view sustainability.” – Mayor Eric Garcetti

Within the framework of three sections – Environment, Economy, and Equity – there are 14 topic chapters. Each chapter includes a preceding Introduction, Vision, and Long-Term Outcomes summary. Then the pLAn provides details on Baseline/Source, Near-term Outcomes, Strategies, and Priority Initiatives.

The full plan can be downloaded from the L.A. Mayor’s website at plan.lamayor.org.

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Why Architects Must Lead on Sustainable Design

 ArchitectsLEEDdesign
Not a single school of architecture requires every student to be fully trained in the principles of sustainable design. The report offered recommendations for transforming education that included the “Sustainable Environmental Design Education” model curriculum, but to my knowledge, no school has adopted these or similar guidelines.

Architecture is an essential arena for sustainable innovation. Buildings represent about half the annual energy and emissions in the U.S. and three-quarters of its electricity. With the built environment growing — the U.S. building stock increases by about 3 billion square feet every year — architects have a historic opportunity to transform its impact for the better.

In 2006, the American Institute of Architects wisely adopted Architecture 2030’s “2030 Challenge,” an initiative seeking carbon neutrality in the industry by 2030. “[W]e believe we must alter our profession’s actions,” the AIA 2030 Commitment says, “and encourage our clients and the entire design and construction industry to join with us to change the course of the planet’s future.”

The AIA, however, recently removed sustainable design from members’ annual continuing education requirements: “Recognizing that sustainable design practices have become a mainstream design intention in the architectural community, the board of directors has voted to allow the sustainable design education requirement to sunset at the end of calendar year 2012,” the institute reports. Other kinds of continuing education credits remain mandatory.

In the culture of design, innovation often means little more than aesthetic novelty. Google the phrase “innovative architecture” and you find a lot of provocative geometry, but few if any groundbreaking solutions to the most serious problems. Design can be a powerful agent for change, but design awards and media attention generally celebrate imagery over innovation.

Six steps to change:

  1. Immediately, every organization that gives design awards to architects can begin rewarding only structures that meet at least a minimum standard of sustainable performance.
  2. Within six months, every design magazine can begin featuring only buildings that meet at least a minimum standard of sustainable performance.
  3. Within one year, every public agency, including federal, state and local governments, can require every project beginning development in that year to meet current targets for the 2030 Commitment.
  4. Within two years, every American architecture firm can adopt the 2030 Commitment and meet current targets for all projects begun that year.
  5. Within three years, every American licensing agency can require that every architect demonstrate a minimum level of competency around sustainable design in order to maintain a license to practice.
  6. Within four years, every school of architecture can transform its curriculum to ensure that every graduating student is fully trained in the principles and practice of sustainable design.

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CCC/IOU Energy Efficiency Partnership

CCC_IOU_EE
The Energy Efficiency Retrofit element of the program involves implementation of energy efficiency retrofit projects providing cost-effective energy savings during the program implementation period.

The California Community Colleges (CCC), and Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) Energy Efficiency Partnership is a unique, statewide energy efficiency program achieving cost-effective immediate and persistent peak energy and demand savings. Moreover, it establishes a permanent framework for a sustainable, long-term, comprehensive energy management program at the one hundred and twelve (112) campuses served by California’s four large IOUs (PG&E, SDG&E, SCE and SoCalGas).

Established in the 2006-08 CPUC Energy Efficiency Program Cycle, the CCC/IOU Partnership set ambitious goals of saving 19,000 kW,  84 million kilowatt-hours, and 2.5 million therms of gas by the end of the cycle.  To achieve these goals, the Partnership is committing $22 million in incentive funds to Community College Districts to assist in the accomplishment of energy partners.

The program employs four key strategies to meet its goals: energy efficiency retrofits, monitoring based commissioning (MBCx), energy efficient new construction, and training and education. This multifaceted approach delivers comprehensive savings, and contributes to California’s national leadership in energy efficiency and reducing climate change.

The Partnership capitalizes on the vast resources and expertise of the California Community Colleges and California’s IOUs with program administration assistance from Newcomb Anderson McCormick of San Francisco.  It is funded by California’s investor owned utility customers through Public Goods Charges (PGC) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

UC/CSU/IOU ENERGY EFFICIENCY PARTNERSHIP

The University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) Energy Efficiency Partnership is a unique, statewide energy efficiency program achieving cost-effective immediate and persistent peak energy and demand savings. Moreover, it establishes a permanent framework for a sustainable, long-term, comprehensive energy management program at the thirty three (33) UC and CSU campuses served by California’s four large IOUs (PG&E, SDG&E, SCE and SoCalGas).

Established in 2004-05, the UC/CSU/IOU Partnership significantly exceeded its goals, saving approximately 32 million kilowatt-hours and 1.5 million therms of gas. Peak demand savings were also targeted and achieved. As a result of this success, the program was renewed for 2006-08, and again for the 2009-2012 program cycle. Funding levels for the renewed program more than doubled on an annual basis, and energy savings goals increased approximately four-fold.

The program employs four key strategies to meet its goals: energy efficiency retrofits, monitoring based commissioning (MBCx), emerging technology demonstrations, and training and education. This multifaceted approach delivers comprehensive savings, fulfills key elements in UC and CSU sustainability policies, and contributes to California’s national leadership in energy efficiency and climate change.

The Partnership capitalizes on the vast resources and expertise of the University of California, California State University, and California’s IOUs with program administration assistance from Newcomb Anderson McCormick of San Francisco.  It is funded by California’s investor owned utility customers through Public Goods Charges (PGC) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

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Digital Media Strategists for SoCal electrical contractors…. dba IPLUG MEDIA