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Energy Newsbriefs

Articles for February 13, 2012

ENERGY NEWSBRIEFS is a weekly current awareness service provided by the WSU Extension Energy Program Library and written by Angela Santamaria, WSU Energy Library Manager, to assist users in tracking developments in the energy field. To view past issues or to subscribe to receive an email notification of the publication of a new issue, go to the Energy Newsbriefs home.

Please be aware that although every URL is checked for accuracy prior to the publication of Energy Newsbriefs, URLs are, for various reasons, subject to change. Further, servers sometimes fail to connect to working URLs.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The 2012 Washington State Energy Legislature is in session and the WSU Energy Library's Washington Energy Legislation Tracking Tool is up and running (and updated regularly). See this database to keep up with the progress of energy-related bills introduced into the Washington State legislature.

APPLIANCES

"Twilight for Wasting Energy: DOE Combats the Vampire in Your Microwave with New Efficiency Standards” is a February 8, 2012, blog post by Meg Waltner carried on NRDC’s Switchboard site. She reports that DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) is fulfilling the 2007 Congressional mandate that DOE develop the standards. The blog includes a link to the 192-page DOE document, Docket Number EERE–2011–BT–STD–0048, which includes background information, the proposed standards, and the invitation for new comments on standards for standby and off-modes only – the standard for "no standard" for active mode has, after extensive earlier comment opportunities, already been issued.

BUILDINGS

"A Cleaner Weld: SPSCC's Lab Grabs LEED Gold," by Jorgen Brahm, Senior Vice President at Clean Air America, Inc., was published in the December 2011 issue of Construction Digital. South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington, has a long-standing and successful welding program. It now has a clean-air facility with welding stations that have reduced energy consumption by 80%.

The following two articles were included in the December 2011 issue of Interiors & Sources:

1. "Home Is Where the Health Is," by Robert Nieminen, Editor, Interiors & Sources, is a case study of the upgraded Roybal Campus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

2. "Restoring a Legacy" is a case study written by Adam Moore, Managing Editor, Interiors & Sources. Its interior scarred by a succession of unfortunate remodeling projects, a beautiful federal building in Atlanta, Georgia, was restored. The sustainable restoration effort earned LEED-Silver certification. In the process of undoing the several remodels, the original design for daylighting was revealed and, with controls, became a major part of the lighting system. Added to the energy reductions of the lighting system are significant water efficiencies.

DATA CENTERS

"Reducing Data Center Loads for a Large-Scale, Net Zero Office Building" is a six-Web-page, December 2011, brochure from FEMP (Federal Energy Management Program). It is a case study of NREL's new Research Support Facility data center, located in Golden, Colorado.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

"Finding Your Best Energy Opportunity," was written by Lindsay Audin, CEM, LEED AP, CEP, and Contributing Editor, Building Operating Management; it appeared in the December 2011 issue of that journal. Three major investments to save energy dollars confront the facilities manager: energy efficiencies, renewables, and energy procurement. The author advises the facilities manager to secure an energy assessment first; then, based on what is uncovered in the assessment, what to do and in what order can be decided. The article includes a sidebar, "Sneaky Synergies."

LIGHTING

The following two articles were published in the December 2011 issue of Building Operating Management:

"Lighting Control Narrative a Powerful Tool for More Efficient, Effective Systems" was authored by Karen Kroll, Contributing Editor, Building Operating Management. A reference tool for the building designer, contractor, and manager is explained. The lighting control narrative (LCN) makes it possible to understand how a complex lighting system with controls was meant to function. This can bring and maintain the efficiency of the system to the intended level. The article is in four parts:

  • Part 1 discusses how an LCN aids with the selection and installation of a lighting system.
  • Part 2 shows the connection between an LCN and the general project goals and more specific design consideration.
  • Part 3 provides discussion and a step-by-step instruction of how to develop an LCN.
  • Part 4 features LCN-related products.

"Outside Light: Use Best, Not Brightest" was written by Desiree J. Hanford, Contributing Editor, Building Operating Management. The author emphasizes that while there is some overlap, there are differences between lighting for safety and lighting for security in outside areas. Those differences have to be taken into consideration in the lighting design. Then, the environmental considerations can be addressed. They are listed as sky glow, light trespass, glare, and wasted energy. This is a four-part article:

  • Part 1 covers safety and security.
  • Part 2 is about avoiding over-lighting.
  • Part 3 shows the advantages of lighting controls.
  • Part 4 is a case study of an LED installation.

SUSTAINABILITY

The following two articles were published in the December 2011 issue of BioCycle:

1. "Boston Bold on Climate Change," by Nora Goldstein, Editor, BioCycle, is an interview with Jim Hunt, Chief of Environmental & Energy Services for Boston. It includes discussion of that city's efforts in several areas including solar, clean energy buildings, energy policy, and energy conservation.

2. "Parks Department Composting in the Big Apple," by Dan Sullivan, Managing Editor, BioCycle, describes the expanded effort that began, on a small scale, about two decades ago. The latest approach involves a 2010 initiative for sustainable city parks.

Past issues of Energy Newsbriefs are available here.

Generally, subscription information for the journals cited above can be found at the home page of their web sites.

© 2011 Washington State University Extension Energy Program. This publication contains material written and produced for public distribution. Permission to copy or disseminate all or part of this material is granted, provided that the copies are not made or distributed for commercial advantage, and that each is referenced by title with credit to the Washington State University Extension Energy Program. Copying, reprinting or dissemination, electronic or otherwise, for any other use requires prior written permission from the Washington State University Extension Energy Program.