The U.S is generally not on the forefront of setting energy efficient benchmarks or passing them especially with all the special interests doing all they can to be seen and heard through their lobbyists. However, the seat of our government is leading the way in the country by passing energy benchmarking rules with a committed effort to meeting those benchmarks. 

 

In this piece, I present 3 ways in which Washington DC is trailblazing energy efficiency and how other states can improve their energy benchmarking initiatives. 

 

Source: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/beyond-benchmarking-5-ways-washington-d.c.-is-leading-in-energy-efficiency 

 

Setting the Benchmark Washington, DC takes the lead in requiring both private and public buildings to disclose their energy performance. A disclosure of energy performance of a building does not necessarily translate into energy efficiency, but studies suggest that the performance tests can go a long way in showing areas that need improvement for energy efficiency. 

 

The study even suggests that benchmarking for energy performance can reduce energy use by 7% on the first run. One of the measurable effects of the benchmarking is that Washington, DC, occupies second place behind Los Angeles for the state with the highest number of Energy Star-Certified buildings per capital. Vision 20-20 Washington, DC, also leads with its vision 20-20 goal that seeks to reduce the energy use in 15-million square feet municipal facilities by 20 percent in 20 months. 

 

The project, which is about halfway through is really a daring project with lots of challenges. However, the challenges are only part of what makes the goal worthy of the efforts. The major gain of the 20-20 goal is the that it reduces state expenses in utility bills while also yielding valuable data that can provide insight into energy consumption in the  municipality for the smart grid of tomorrow. Catch Them Young Getting students involved in the energy conservation initiative is a laudable goal that pays huge dividend in both short and long terms. 

 

In the short term, schools reduce their expenses on paying utility bills when you consider the fact that K-12 schools in Washington use 9 percent more energy than the national average for schools. However, the major gain of the initiative is values being instilled in the students such that they become supporters of energy efficiency, as they grow older. Final Thoughts. . . 

 

Other states can learn a lesson or two by setting benchmark rules in requiring buildings to disclose their energy performance. Reducing energy consumption in government buildings can stretch budget dollars longer in reducing utility costs; yet, the more important benefit is the data that would be gathered over the course of the years. 

 

Getting students involved in the energy efficiency conservation is a good way to guarantee the sustainability of improvements in energy efficiency.

 

 

 So I've been researching solar for awhile now and have finally decided to go with a ground mount system. My question is, I got a quote from one company so far and have talked to three others. The problem I have is every time I ask for an itemized quote they get silent or just flat tell me they don't give itemized quotes. To me this seems unreal every business I know gives itemized quotes. Is it really to much to ask and receive a list of what your paying for beyond their typical, these panels and these inverters for this much. Thanks

 According to the CEO's of some of the biggest LED manufacturing companies in China, the LED industry must be restructured and that moment is imminent. Globally, the demand for LED products  is increasing step by step and the industry is expected to really take off in 2014. 

The relatively high cost/performance ratio in LED lighting is now acceptable from the market point of view and things are moving fast in the right direction. An increasingly number of countries started to phase out the "old school" incandescent bulbs, for example they are totally banned in the European Union. 

The integration of LED lighting in both households and businesses is growing rapidly world wide. Yet, the healthy development of the LED manufacturing industry in China is somehow restricted by the lack of regulations, price competition  and the absence of a manufacturing standard in the production of LED bulbs. 

The LED manufacturing industry obviously needs restructuring and government regulations to assure the products uniformity and universal standards of quality are  required. For the financial development of China, carbon emission reductions and achieving energy efficiency is crucial.  In order to protect the environment and to realize energy efficiency, China must be able to manufacture applications and products that are cost effective and  energy efficient. 

Here, LED lighting comes into play, being an environmentally friendly product (unlike fluorescent bulbs that contain pollutants like Mercury)  and highly efficient in terms of energy consumption. The Chinese government should focus on encouraging its top LED manufacturers via comprehensive regulatory action; for example, providing the adequate legislation regulating intellectual property rights, by establishing product standards and making the LED manufacturing industry environmentally friendly. 

Another thing that can be done by the Chinese government is to advertise the LED industry by promoting its obvious benefits, helping it to become a global leader, both in terms of size and technology wise. All these regulations for the domestic manufacturers can be provided under the free market competition conditions and they will lead to a sustainable development for the Chinese LED industry in the future. 

Image Source: http://www.wantchinatimes.com/newsphoto/2011-11-15/450/C410X0564H_2008%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87_N50F_N71_copy1.JPG

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