A Lighting Revolution: How LEDs Can Change the Game (Podcast)
Imagine a new breed of lights that last much longer and are much more efficient than even the compact fluorescent lamps now replacing conventional light bulbs. In this podcast, Dr.
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Protecting the Market for Energy Efficiency Retrofits – Mind the GAAP
It is well known that energy efficiency retrofits of buildings provide attractive and stable financial returns through energy, water and operational cost savings over a long period of time. McKinsey estimates that $1.2 trillion in potential annual energy savings can be achieved through $520 billion of energy efficiency investments over the next decade. However, despite these...
Efficient Buildings in China: Tough Policies Target Major Gains
With China’s national energy use recently surpassing that of the United States and rising rapidly, energy efficiency in that country has become a high priority.1 Recent efforts by the Chinese government have sought to reduce energy consumption, with an emphasis on improving the efficiency of buildings. China’s National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC) has identified three...
Going the Extra Mile Down the Supply Chain
Carbon reporting practices are becoming more widespread, supported by both voluntary and mandatory protocols. Early versions of Greenhouse Gas accounting protocols, such as the World Resources Institute Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocol released in 2002, concentrate on greenhouse gases emitted directly onsite (scope 1) and those attributed to electricity consumption (scope 2).
Commercial Buildings: The Next Wave of Opportunity for Demand Response
Demand response (energy users adjusting consumption in response to signals from grid operators) has been employed in the electricity industry for decades. Common techniques include contracting with the owners of large industrial sites to require curtailment during emergency conditions in exchange for a lower electric rate, and installing switches that automatically cycle off residential air...
Scaling Up Energy Efficiency in Developing Countries: Exploring Technology Transfer Programs
Technology transfer programs are a key component of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With new, clean technology, developing countries can grow their economies while slowing or stopping the growth of their greenhouse gas emissions over time. The challenge is in designing and establishing programs that will be environmentally and economically...
Feed-In Tariffs: A Brief History
There is widespread support for deploying low-carbon sources of energy. However, when new, renewable and distributed energy technologies enter the electricity market, they are often not directly competitive with existing fossil-fuel based technologies.
Demand Response Ruling by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Spurs Debate
The importance and relevance of demand response (DR) to the advancement of efficient and cost-effective grid management is undisputed. Successful programs can lead to more competitive electricity markets, cheaper responses to emergency system overloads, more efficient incorporation of distributed energy, increased reliability of supply, and greater information flow between the utility, customer...
Carbon Cap-and-Trade: An HVAC Manufacturer's Perspective
What would be the impact of carbon legislation in the U.S., specifically a cap-and-trade system, on the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) equipment manufacturing industry? Johnson Controls recently presented one perspective on the opportunities such a policy would create to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
UNFCCC International Climate Talks Strive to Develop an International Technology Transfer Mechanism
Several experts from the Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency, including Clay Nesler, Jennifer Layke, and Derek Supple, joined government, NGO and private sector leaders at the 32nd session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. On the heels of the Copenhagen negotiations last November, this meeting discussed next steps for...