View allAll Photos Tagged Efficiency"
View of social housing appartement bloks at Fal-El-Hanaa residence in the city of Casablanca, on February 14, 2014.The buildings have been renovated, the windows have been changed, apartments were isolated and solar panels to heat water installed on the roofs of houses. Fal El Hanna buildings were co-financed by the European Community.
PHOTO AFP © EU/NEIGHBOURHOOD INFO CENTRE
A student in the school benefiting from the project promoting energy efficiency in public buildings.
From the 15th to the 19th of April, The Assistant Administrator and Regional Director of the UNDP Bureau for Europe and the Commonweal of Independent States - Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu visited Uzbekistan. During her visit she spoke at the International Conference on ‘Modern rural housing as the most important engine of comprehensive development of associated industries and services transforming the look of rural areas and the mentality of the people’ and visited UNDP project sites throughout Uzbekistan.
In Karakalpakstan Ms. Sultanoglu visited a school which has been reconstructed with energy-efficient technical features (through the ‘Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings’ project).
Learn more about Energy and Environment in Europe and Central Asia
The Philippine Energy Efficiency Project has distributed compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) nationwide in exchange for their incandescent bulbs. Each CFL is expected to save customers 400 pesos, around $8.50, each year for the next 7 to 10 years.
Read more on:
A global train-the-trainer workshop on energy efficiency has been delivered in China (23-27 May), preparing the personnel needed to cascade knowledge on energy efficiency for ships and related efforts for mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) from national and international shipping.
The five-day intensive course was organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), within the framework of the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project. The workshop was co-hosted by the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU). The GloMEEP Project, aims to support increased uptake and implementation of energy-efficiency measures for shipping. China is one of the ten lead partner countries implementing the GloMEEP project.
The 30 participants on the course (including two from each GloMEEP lead partner country and ten further national participants from China) have undergone training in the art and techniques of knowledge transfer in a class room environment, particularly aimed at adult learners, alongside comprehensive technical training on energy efficient ship operation and the regulatory requirements,
Welcoming the trainers on the course, Dr. Jose Matheickal, Head of Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme Implementation and Major Projects, Marine Environment Division, IMO, referred to the challenges set by the Paris Climate Change Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recalled that IMO has adopted mandatory energy-efficiency measures under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (MARPOL) Annex VI. These regulations made mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for certain types of new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships.
“We have a long way to go and the road ahead is challenging for many developing countries who may not have the necessary capacity to implement and enforce these measures. To increase the impact of these measures and to ensure that no one is left behind, we need to enhance the capacity in all countries in all aspects of implementation of MARPOL Annex VI. We need the capable trainers, such as you, who have been handpicked by your Governments to be the trainers of the future; we need universities such as Dalian Maritime University to sustain the momentum created through such activities by incorporating such training in their regular curriculum; we need students such as you who will get trained and use this information in your future maritime careers and to contribute to the efforts by sharing the knowledge to make informed choices and the right decisions. Collectively we can train the world so that collectively we can ensure the future of our planet,” Dr Matheickal said.
“I consider this activity to be a milestone event for IMO where we continue to build and strengthen the foundation for capacity building by growing the pool of trainers around the world. It shows the commitment of IMO to respond to the needs of our member States to support effective implementation of the international regulations on energy efficiency for ships,” commented Dr Stefan Micallef, Director of IMO’s Marine Environment Division.
The workshop was facilitated by international and national experts on ships’ energy efficiency and was coordinated by the Programme Coordination Unit of GloMEEP, led by Ms Astrid Dispert, Technical Advisor to the GloMEEP Project.
Photos can be downloaded here.
GloMEEP
GloMEEP is a GEF-UNDP-IMO project aimed at supporting the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency measures for shipping, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. It supports ten Lead Pilot Countries of the project to implement the IMO-adopted measures, through:
1.Legal, policy and institutional reforms;
2.Awareness raising and capacity-building activities; and
3.Establishment of public-private partnerships to encourage technology transfer.
The Lead Pilot Countries (LPCs) of the GloMEEP Project are: Argentina, China, Georgia, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, Morocco, Panama, Philippines and South Africa.
Further information on GloMEEP can be found here.
The IMO Train the Trainer Course on Energy Efficient Ship Operation can be downloaded here. The six modules cover:
•Module 1: Climate change and the shipping response
•Module 2: IMO energy efficiency regulations and related guidelines
•Module 3: From management to operation
•Module 4: Ship board energy management
•Module 5: Ship port interface and energy efficiency
•Module 6: Energy management plans and systems
___________
IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution by ships.
Web site: www.imo.org
Crown Equipment’s V-Force™ High-Frequency Modular (V-HFM) battery charger provides 15 percent more efficiency than traditional Ferro and SCR chargers while fully charging electric forklift batteries to 100 percent in eight hours or less. Part of the V-Force family of charging systems, the V-HFM Charger is one of the smallest, most compact battery charging systems currently available. Learn more at www.crown.com/USA
To gain efficiency and performance Henry Parohl installed 4 valves in the head of this engine. The two rocker-arm shafts are controlled by a single camshaft behind, and at the base of the cylinder. Gasoline is gravity fed into the float bowl (of carburetor), which maintains a constant pressure and steady volume of fuel available to the carburetor. Lubrication is accomplished by gravity from a small transparent reservoir that the operator must fill before running the engine. It is located behind the fuel tank and slowly meters oil from the reservoir into the engine for lubrication during operation. The rocker-arms and shafts must be manually lubricated before running the engine. Typically model air-cooled engines are designed for aircraft, but Parohl fitted this one with a flywheel and rope-start pulley for a model powerboat or automobile.
See More Henry Parohl Engines at: www.flickr.com/photos/15794235@N06/sets/72157634219050453/
See More Boat Engines at: www.flickr.com/photos/15794235@N06/albums/72157641089388694
See More 1-Cylinder Engines at: www.flickr.com/photos/15794235@N06/albums/72157656174064422
See Our Model Engine Collection at: www.flickr.com/photos/15794235@N06/sets/72157602933346098/
Visit Our Photo Sets at: www.flickr.com/photos/15794235@N06/sets
Courtesy of Paul and Paula Knapp
Miniature Engineering Museum
Using the Energy Savings Trust online calculator to get a free 'home energy report'. Not as bespoke as an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) , but free! The document created also provide tips and hints on improving energy efficiency.
It reckons we could implement efficiency measures that would reduce running costs by 47% and carbon emissions by 63%! saving £594 and 3.6 tonnes of CO2 every year. Some of those measures have a high financial outlay however.
The Philippine Energy Efficiency Project has distributed compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) nationwide in exchange for their incandescent bulbs. Each CFL is expected to save customers 400 pesos, around $8.50, each year for the next 7 to 10 years.
Read more on:
Tanya Rumak, sustainability specialist with Landmark Homes, stands in the kitchen which features energy efficient appliances, energy efficient lighting and host of other energy saving features which escape the notice of most people, until they receive their utility bill. Photo David Dodge, Green Energy Futures www.greenenergyfutures.ca/episode/81-chasing-net-zero-go-...
A global train-the-trainer workshop on energy efficiency has been delivered in China (23-27 May), preparing the personnel needed to cascade knowledge on energy efficiency for ships and related efforts for mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) from national and international shipping.
The five-day intensive course was organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), within the framework of the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project. The workshop was co-hosted by the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU). The GloMEEP Project, aims to support increased uptake and implementation of energy-efficiency measures for shipping. China is one of the ten lead partner countries implementing the GloMEEP project.
The 30 participants on the course (including two from each GloMEEP lead partner country and ten further national participants from China) have undergone training in the art and techniques of knowledge transfer in a class room environment, particularly aimed at adult learners, alongside comprehensive technical training on energy efficient ship operation and the regulatory requirements,
Welcoming the trainers on the course, Dr. Jose Matheickal, Head of Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme Implementation and Major Projects, Marine Environment Division, IMO, referred to the challenges set by the Paris Climate Change Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recalled that IMO has adopted mandatory energy-efficiency measures under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (MARPOL) Annex VI. These regulations made mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for certain types of new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships.
“We have a long way to go and the road ahead is challenging for many developing countries who may not have the necessary capacity to implement and enforce these measures. To increase the impact of these measures and to ensure that no one is left behind, we need to enhance the capacity in all countries in all aspects of implementation of MARPOL Annex VI. We need the capable trainers, such as you, who have been handpicked by your Governments to be the trainers of the future; we need universities such as Dalian Maritime University to sustain the momentum created through such activities by incorporating such training in their regular curriculum; we need students such as you who will get trained and use this information in your future maritime careers and to contribute to the efforts by sharing the knowledge to make informed choices and the right decisions. Collectively we can train the world so that collectively we can ensure the future of our planet,” Dr Matheickal said.
“I consider this activity to be a milestone event for IMO where we continue to build and strengthen the foundation for capacity building by growing the pool of trainers around the world. It shows the commitment of IMO to respond to the needs of our member States to support effective implementation of the international regulations on energy efficiency for ships,” commented Dr Stefan Micallef, Director of IMO’s Marine Environment Division.
The workshop was facilitated by international and national experts on ships’ energy efficiency and was coordinated by the Programme Coordination Unit of GloMEEP, led by Ms Astrid Dispert, Technical Advisor to the GloMEEP Project.
Photos can be downloaded here.
GloMEEP
GloMEEP is a GEF-UNDP-IMO project aimed at supporting the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency measures for shipping, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. It supports ten Lead Pilot Countries of the project to implement the IMO-adopted measures, through:
1.Legal, policy and institutional reforms;
2.Awareness raising and capacity-building activities; and
3.Establishment of public-private partnerships to encourage technology transfer.
The Lead Pilot Countries (LPCs) of the GloMEEP Project are: Argentina, China, Georgia, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, Morocco, Panama, Philippines and South Africa.
Further information on GloMEEP can be found here.
The IMO Train the Trainer Course on Energy Efficient Ship Operation can be downloaded here. The six modules cover:
•Module 1: Climate change and the shipping response
•Module 2: IMO energy efficiency regulations and related guidelines
•Module 3: From management to operation
•Module 4: Ship board energy management
•Module 5: Ship port interface and energy efficiency
•Module 6: Energy management plans and systems
___________
IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution by ships.
Web site: www.imo.org
The Philippine Energy Efficiency Project has distributed compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) nationwide in exchange for their incandescent bulbs. Each CFL is expected to save customers 400 pesos, around $8.50, each year for the next 7 to 10 years.
Read more on:
With it's 1.7 CRDi engine, the Kia Optima is capable of 57.6mpg combined.
Find out more about the Kia Optima here:
The school, after going energy-efficient.
From the 15th to the 19th of April, The Assistant Administrator and Regional Director of the UNDP Bureau for Europe and the Commonweal of Independent States - Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu visited Uzbekistan. During her visit she spoke at the International Conference on ‘Modern rural housing as the most important engine of comprehensive development of associated industries and services transforming the look of rural areas and the mentality of the people’ and visited UNDP project sites throughout Uzbekistan.
In Karakalpakstan Ms. Sultanoglu visited a school which has been reconstructed with energy-efficient technical features (through the ‘Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings’ project).
Learn more about Energy and Environment in Europe and Central Asia
Read the full video of Wing Chun Bong Sao Technique based on Maximum Efficiency, HERE:
www.hekkiboen.com/black-flag-wing-chun-tutorial-bong-sao/...
You've seen how the Ip Man Movie have sparks the growth of Wing Chun Kung Fu worldwide. Now learn how to use Wing Chun techniques using HKB Eng Chun [Black Flag Wing Chun] to achieve maximum efficiency of time, space and energy, from this Wing Chun Video.
In this Wing Chun Training video, Grand Master Kenneth Lin demonstrates how to use the HKB Wing Chun Combat Formula [Originated from late GM Kwee King Yang's teaching of Kao Kuat / 口訣] to achieve the maximum combat efficiency using the basic Wing Chun Bong Sao Technique [Bong Jiu / 膀手] both in deflecting as well as in Occupying time, becoming space and releasing an impulse energy.
Many times, in most Wing Chun mainstream lineage, focusing using offense as defense. In this video, Grand Master Kenneth Lin demonstrated how to achieve maximum efficiency using HKB Combat formula on applying that offense as defense idea.
Note: Within this video, GM Kenneth Lin made a comparison between the common use Wing Chun Bong Sao [膀手] from mainstream Wing Chun and showcase the Black Flag Wing Chun perspective of Bong Jiu / 膀手 [Bong Sao]. Please be noted that this does not mean one is better or less than another, it should be up to you to decide which fit you the most.
Black Flag Wing Chun training methodology makes it possible for you to use Wing Chun in full contact vs. Systema, vs. Taichi, vs. Taekwondo, vs. Kenpo, vs. Ninjutsu, vs. BJJ, vs. Muay Thai, vs. karate, vs. boxing, vs. any styles!
Available in Black Flag Wing Chun Schools: USA [California & Virginia], UK [Devon], Germany [Saarbrucken], Italy [Roma, Genova, Savona, Livorno, Torino, Novara] and HKB Wing Chun online university. www.hekkiboen.com/worldwide-schools/
Please Share this video:
✔ Like ✔ Share ✔ Tag ✔ Comment ✔ Follow ✔Invite Friends
Be the FIRST and ONLY Certified HKB Wing Chun Representative in Your Country/City:
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The engineer Jean-Albert Grégoire used to say that the mechanical truth is always beautiful. Of all his cars, the SOCEMA Gregory was the most aerodynamically efficient and thus was the most beautiful in his eyes.Jean-Albert Grégoire has always endeavored to prefer the aerodynamic efficiency of the excesses of the stylists. His belief was that the mechanical truth would eventually be imposed on everyone, including the flashy cars and futile lovers. And so drivers would come to prefer a well profiled winning car in pure speed and sobriety.
L’ingénieur Jean-Albert Grégoire avait coutume de dire que la vérité mécanique est toujours belle. De toutes ses autos, la SOCEMA-Grégoire fut la plus efficace sur le plan aérodynamique et, partant, fut la plus belle à ses yeux.L’événement est de taille. La SOCEMA-Grégoire quitte le Musée Automobile de la Sarthe, près du Circuit des Vingt-Quatre Heures du Mans, pour venir à la rencontre du grand public. L’occasion pour les amateurs d’automobiles anciennes de découvrir un pan de l’œuvre de cet ingénieur exceptionnel.Dans l’un de ses derniers ouvrages paru en 1985 ("Des Autos et des Mots", La Table Ronde), celui qui fut à la fois ingénieur automobile, critique d’art ou encore écrivain romancier parle affectueusement de la SOCEMA-Grégoire. A ses yeux, elle est la plus belle création de sa carrière. Ce qui n’est pas peu dire !Jean-Albert Grégoire s’est toujours efforcé de préférer l’efficacité aérodynamique aux excès des stylistes. Sa conviction était que la vérité mécanique allait tôt ou tard s’imposer à tous, y compris aux amateurs d’autos clinquantes et futiles. Et qu’ainsi les conducteurs viendraient à préférer une voiture bien profilée gagnant en vitesse pure et en sobriété.Au sortir de la vogue de "l’aérodynamisme" empirique née dans les années 30, J.-A. Grégoire pensait avec raison que le public était mûr pour des formes plus "scientifiques". Il aurait suffit aux constructeurs de faire un petit effort de pédagogie pour faire accepter des carrosseries aux lignes pourtant choquantes.Ce raisonnement fut plusieurs fois vérifié au cours des décennies qui suivirent la Seconde Guerre Mondiale, la plus belle démonstration ayant été faite par Citroën. Sa DS fut qualifiée de "bizarre" avant que ne soit reconnue sa beauté par le plus grand nombre. Une "beauté" en grande partie façonnée par le vent, qui légitimait des formes inédites.Malheureusement, l’Histoire n’accorda pas suffisamment de temps à une autre automobile révolutionnaire pour imposer sa silhouette dans le paysage automobile français. Construite à seulement 253 exemplaires, l’Hotchkiss-Grégoire tomba victime des réticences de Peugeot, l’un des repreneurs de la vieille firme de la rue d’Ivry.Terriblement déçu de voir brisé net l’envol commercial de cette berline aux qualités reconnues par la presse et par la clientèle, J.-A. Grégoire accepta la proposition des dirigeants de la S.O.C.E.M.A. (Société de Constructions et d’Equipements Mécaniques pour l’Aviation) qui s’intéressaient alors à la locomotion terrestre. Il s’agissait ni plus ni moins de concevoir et de fabriquer la première voiture à turbine française. Un projet dans lequel J.-A. Grégoire s’investit totalement, malgré sa pleine connaissance des limites pratiques d’une telle mécanique (lire notre encadré).Son but ? Démontrer une fois de plus la pertinence des quatre grands principes à la base de sa conception de l’automobile moderne : - les roues avant motrices - le centrage des masses, avec le moteur et la transmission en porte-à-faux avant - la carcasse en aluminium coulé, plus rigide et plus légère que les coques en acier d’alors - la finesse aérodynamique, qui autorise des vitesses élevées pour une consommation remarquablement basse.Après la petite voiture l’Aluminium Français-Grégoire (l’AF-G) conçue pendant l’Occupation, l’Hotchkiss-Grégoire fut la première auto à rassembler et à proposer en série toutes ces solutions techniques. A ce titre, J.-A. Grégoire la considérait comme son œuvre maîtresse. L’histoire de la SOCEMA-Grégoire est intimement liée à celle de l’Hotchkiss-Grégoire en ce qu’elle est la transposition quasi fidèle de son architecture mécanique. A ce détail près que le quatre cylindres à plat fut remplacé par une turbine "miniaturisée".La difficulté d’adapter ce moteur d’un nouveau genre n’était sans doute pas pour déplaire à J.-A. Grégoire, puisque son faible encombrement autorisait en contrepartie l’abaissement du capot et la réduction du maître-couple (ie. la surface qui s’oppose à la pénétration dans l’air).Le célèbre ingénieur confia le dessin de la SOCEMA-Grégoire à son collaborateur Carlo Delaisse et la fabrication de la carrosserie aux compagnons formeurs de chez Hotchkiss. Cette fine équipe obtint un coefficient de pénétration dans l’air encore plus faible que celui de l’Hotchkiss-Grégoire, aujourd’hui encore remarquable (Cx de 0,20) et tout bonnement insoupçonnable à la vue de l’auto.C’est Jean-Albert Grégoire qui se chargea lui-même de la mise au point du châssis en aluminium coulé. Voici comment il rapporte les faits dans son ouvrage précité : "Le châssis construit, je décidai de l’essayer longuement avant d’y placer la turbine. Ainsi pourrions-nous apporter toutes garanties pour notre mécanique. Nous achetâmes un moteur V8 Ford français de l’époque qui développait cent chevaux et je le fis monter devant le train avant, en porte-à-faux. Avec deux baquets, un coffre en bois à l’arrière et quatre ailes symboliques, l’excédent de poids était très important. La tenue de route de ce véhicule à l’aspect bizarre se révéla remarquable, ce qui confirmait ma théorie que la surcharge de l’avant est toujours favorable."La turbine fut ensuite installée dans la carcasse en aluminium coulé. A l’issue d’un premier essai, les dirigeants de la SOCEMA se déclarèrent enchantés des qualités routières de l’engin, assez exceptionnelles pour l’époque. Le coupé peint en bleu métallisé fut exposé au Salon de Paris de 1953, où il rencontra un vif succès auprès du public.La suite des événements mit fin de manière brutale —là encore— aux travaux de Jean-Albert Grégoire. Les nouveaux dirigeants de la SOCEMA perdirent soudainement tout intérêt dans ce projet et la voiture demeura au stade de prototype unique. J.-A. Grégoire estima que c’était là un manque de courage et de clairvoyance de la part de ces industriels français. Mais c’était trop compter sur l’avenir qui, idéalement, aurait apporté la solution à tous les problèmes de mise au point de la turbine appliquée à l’automobile. Tâche à laquelle les bureaux d’études de Rover, Renault ou encore de Chrysler renoncèrent tous au cours des années 50 et 60. La SOCEMA-Grégoire est aujourd’hui la propriété de l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest et coule une paisible retraite dans le musée du Circuit des 24H.
automobile.challenges.fr/dossiers/20050207.LQA0731/retrom...
Excuse me while I rant a little bit.... I wish so badly that LL would implement a way to punish people who put out such terrible content. There's way too many massively popular stores that release non-stop streams of FPS-tanking content.
Don't even get me started on no-mod products and shit like "anti-rez" scripts.... that's a whole other rant.
Efficiency gaps of public capital spending have been detrimental for economic growth in SSA in recent decades. Based on a novel database, the analysis founds that there is substantial scope to improve efficiency in SSA countries by around 35 percent and suggests that the improvement in public investment management practices could significantly reduce their “efficiency gap”.
I like their food because it tastes so efficient. O.K., I haven't actually eaten there. In this case, Efficiency isn't an adjective describing the restaurant, but is using the term as an extended stay suite. If you look closely, the work Efficiency is painted over the word Motel. To their credit, they looked packed which would be good for any restaurant at 3 on a weekday. Dickerson Pk. (U.S. Highway 41 / 31W)
Hello to anyone who found this here:
wearemodule.com/2009/01/08/better-processes-increase-smal...
or here:
arckinteractive.com/blog/2009/01/08/better-processes-incr...
or here:
www.habitosvitales.com/2010/06/13/lo-que-haces-es-mas-imp...
or here:
Tanya Rumak, sustainability specialist with Landmark Homes, stands in the kitchen which features energy efficient appliances, energy efficient lighting and host of other energy saving features which escape the notice of most people, until they receive their utility bill. Photo David Dodge, Green Energy Futures www.greenenergyfutures.ca/episode/81-chasing-net-zero-go-...
Solar street lighting installed at a parking area in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The Energy Efficiency Project aims to reduce energy consumption in the residential, commercial and public sectors through the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
Read more on:
Establishment practicing energy efficiency methods in Rarotonga. The Energy Efficiency Project aims to reduce energy consumption in the residential, commercial and public sectors through the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
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Arizona Daily Star Article-From ground up, new home is model of energy efficiency....By Dan Sorenson Arizona Daily Star
At first glance, there's nothing about this new 2,000-square-foot house in Civano, other than a rooftop solar panel, to suggest it's unusual. But an occupant would get the picture, in vivid green, when the laughable utility bills arrived.
The ultra-energy-efficient home uses state-of-the-art materials and techniques to cut energy consumption to one-fifth that of a new home built to current building codes, according to Richard Barna, director of building sciences and green building for Pepper Viner Homes.
Known as the Pepper Viner/BASF High-Performance Home, it is a collaboration between the local home builder and BASF, an international chemical and building materials firm. It combines state-of-the-art insulation, solar water and space heating, building materials that don't give off noxious gases, a vapor barrier under the slab, recycled tile, and graywater and rainwater conservation systems.
The house on Tucson's southeast side will be open for a public tour at Civano North Ridge today. But many of the features are not readily apparent.
The house's SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels) modular-wall construction system virtually eliminates leaks and attains a near R-30 insulation rating, according to Barna. The modular system uses large sections of polystyrene sandwiched between sustainable wafer board for exterior walls. Window and door openings are pre-cut at the factory to builder specifications. But Barna said the SIPS walls look like ordinary 2x6 stud walls.
One of the two new types of BASF foam insulation used in the demonstration house may soon offer a solution for old desert houses with inadequate roof insulation, Barna said.
The spray-on insulation has a hard surface — hard enough to walk upon — and a soft open-cell interior. So it could be sprayed on top of an old flat roof, instead of removing the old roof and installing four or six inches of new insulation between the joists or rafters. It would save the cost of removing and replacing the old roof, and provide better insulation, Barna said. It is not yet available locally.
The house also uses all nontoxic materials — adhesives, sealants and wood composites for cabinets — and will meet the new federal interior air standards.
The floors are all polished and dyed concrete. The concrete uses roughly twice the normal amount of fly ash, a recycled material used to replace cement in concrete.
Outside the house the landscaping uses a rainwater collection system hooked up to an automatic watering system that is tied into a weather network that bases watering times and amounts on weather conditions. Trees are watered using an active graywater system that pumps water from drains and sinks to a network of pipes two to three feet underground, to deep-water trees. The graywater isn't collected and held, eliminating storage problems, but is used as soon as it is detected in the system, Barna said.
Bill Viner of Pepper Viner said some of the technologies and building materials are already in use, and that he expects more will be in demand, and supplied, when the housing industry picks up after the recession.
"Not only will there be greater demand, but I think the builders will do it because it's the right thing to do," Viner said.
He wouldn't estimate the house's value, or what it would cost to reproduce it, but he said a similar floor plan house in Civano North Ridge development sells for $299,900.
And he said other houses in the development already use some of the methods to meet a standard based on heating and cooling costs-savings of at least 50 percent of that of a conventional home.
Viner said the demonstration home is under consideration for the top (platinum) rating in the national green building certification system, LEED. And he said it was already awarded the Pima County certification system's top (emerald) rating.
Enterprise Technologies key component is efficiency. Companies seek to exploit cloud based infrastructure and related technologies to lower costs. With that, CIO's are looking to bring simple ways for employees to work from anywhere at anytime.
Join DEMO to reveal some of the hottest companies capitalizing on these trends. The following companies that are pitching their products are:
Connect from Vonata
eM Client 2.7 from eM Client Inc.
FN Connect Secure from Federated Networks
Integrate from Integrate.com LLC
Profitably from Profitably
PublicStuff from PublicStuff LLC
Zingaya from Zingaya
Capture ID Mobile Scanner from Rocky Mountain Ventures Company
Double Dutch from Double Dutch
meeting-eXpert from Meeting Sciences, Inc.
For more information:
Follow DEMO on twitter:
@DEMO
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Social Media presented by New Media Synergy
Photos by Stephen Brashear
With her wings flexing skyward and her Rolls Royce Deutschland engines pushing her bound for the heavens, a Gulfstream climbing out is a beautiful sight to behold.
Consumers Energy presented a $126,360 Business Solutions incentive rebate check to Bullock Creek School District for participating in the utility’s energy efficiency program. From left are Marc Coburn, Thomas Shirilla and Tom Begin of Consumers Energy, and Jim Nemeth, Charlie Schwedler and Bill Rogers from the school district.
Orhei, is a charming rural town 50 km from the Moldovan capital, Chisinau where the Orhei-Vit – Moldova’s largest producer and exporter of fruit juice and canned vegetables is situated.
The factory has recently opened a new steam-generating facility.
The rusty 30-year old machinery used until now was so damaged that one person had the job of mopping up water and oil from the leaking pipes.
This scenario is familiar to anyone working in Moldova’s industries, the large majority of which were established in Soviet times and have not been upgraded or properly maintained since the end of that era. Moldova holds the regrettable distinction of being the least energy-efficient nation in Europe. At the same time, Moldova depends almost entirely on energy imports. Energy prices in the country – the highest in the CIS – match the EU average.
Improving industrial energy efficiency is thus a matter of critical importance. The problem is that it requires access to substantial funding and expert technical support, which is not easy in Moldova due to its overall lack of development and that of its financial sector in particular.
But, with help from the EBRD, things are changing. To improve the country’s record on energy efficiency, the Bank has established the Moldovan Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (MoSEFF). This is a €20 million credit line to partner banks for on-lending to private enterprises that, like Orhei-Vit wish to invest in energy-saving and more environmentally-friendly technology.
Key to the success of the facility is the EU-funded free technical assistance provided for each project. MoSEFF energy consultants advise clients on what energy improvements can be made and how they should be implemented.
“Steam plays a crucial role in fruit and vegetable processing,? Mr Golubciuc explains. “Considering our high energy losses due to obsolete equipment and the impact on the environment, we realised we needed a modern energy-saving system to produce and use steam".
“MoSEFF offered us an easy way to access financing,” he added. “We were able to apply for a loan under conditions that are fairly simple” The money invested in replacing the Soviet-era boilers will pay for itself in a few years thanks to a 24 per cent reduction in energy costs. CO2 emissions are expected to fall by the same proportion.
There are many other benefits too. The Orhei-Vit project, sets an example for other industries and increases their awareness of sustainable energy issues.
Furthermore, Orhei-Vit’s reduced energy costs mean it can invest more in production, thereby boosting demand for fruit and vegetables grown by local farmers.
And the efficiency cycle started by the new boilers doesn’t stop there: Mr Golubciuc is planning to convert the old boiler room into a recycling point for organic waste which will then be used to fertilise local farms.
“Many other Moldovan enterprises are now taking part in the MoSEFF programme,? says Alex Bologa, a MoSEFF energy audit expert. “They realise that becoming energy efficient means improving their image and being more competitive on the market. MoSEFF has gained momentum and is rapidly spreading across the country.?
MoSEFF is only one example of the many successful Sustainable Energy Financing Facilities (SEFFs) that the EBRD has already established in 15 countries. The Bank is committed to expanding SEFFs throughout its region of operations, providing financing and technical assistance to support sustainable energy projects and to protect the environment.
Establishment practicing energy efficiency methods in Rarotonga. The Energy Efficiency Project aims to reduce energy consumption in the residential, commercial and public sectors through the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
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