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Review and analyze building energy data to drive efficiency initiatives

Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency survey provides insights into the energy mindset of building owners and operators around the world.  The amount of available energy data is increasing, however the processes and roles to act of this information is lacking.  …

…   “Building owners have greater access to energy data, but few are taking advantage of it.

More than eight in 10 measure and record data at least weekly or monthly, but fewer than two in 10 review and analyze that data at least weekly.

Those who have implemented smart grid/smart building technology such as advanced energy metering and management systems are nearly 3 times more likely to review and analyze their data frequently.”   …

Via Johnson Controls: Energy Efficiency Survey.

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Posted by Green Tech on June 16, 2011 03:53 PM | Permalink|

Category: Energy Efficiency

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People around the world are being encouraged to become more energy efficient and work to tackle climate change ahead of World Environment Day.

Run by the United Nations Environment Programme every year, the global event will take place on June 5th and will see communities take action on creating a greener future. This can include a neighbourhood clean-up, a pledge to reduce energy use, walking to work, or even running a tree planting initiative.

India has been named as the host of this year’s World Environment Day and the theme is Forests: Nature at Your Service.

Back in the UK, consumers can do their part to save energy by making green home improvements or taking advantage of government schemes like feed-in tariffs.

By improving insulation, replacing an old boiler with an energy efficient condensing boiler or installing double glazing, households can dramatically reduce the carbon emissions of their home.

Or, adopting this year’s theme, Britons can pledge only to purchase timber products from sustainable sources, helping to reduce deforestation. According to the UN, deforestation and forest degradation accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Posted by Mark Stephens

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For more information please see: World Environment Day

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If you had been comparing that call to the performance of the broad stock market since then, you would have to conclude that I was ludicrously wrong.  The S&P 500 is up 40% since then.

If on the other hand, you’d been watching clean energy stocks, you would have found that the overall trend has been flat to down.  The PowerShares Clean Energy (PBW) ETF has basically been flat since then, while solar (TAN) and wind (FAN) ETFs are each down about 20%.

I mention all this because I notice something new, that hasn’t happened for almost two years: I’m again finding clean energy stocks that I think are bargains.  I think the sector and the market as a whole still have a lot of room to fall, but I’m encouraged to finally have companies to write about that I think are worth buying again.

Here are ten stocks that I’ve been buying, in no particular order.

Ten Clean Energy Stocks for 2010

Four of these stocks (Comverge, EnerNOC, Ram Power, and Nevada Geothermal) were part of my annual New Year’s list of ten clean energy stocks I liked.  At the time, I only owned the two Geothermal stocks because I was having trouble finding anything I thought was a good value.  That original list has been doing horribly so far this year, in large part because of the dismal performance of these four stocks and that of American Superconductor (AMSC).  I’ve been following AMSC’s very real problems closely, discussing the refusal of their main customer Sinovel (601558.SS) to accept shipments, the likely reasons behind that refusal, and attempting to value the AMSC under the assumption that Sinovel will resume accepting shipments, but not at their former pace and without future growth. 

Ram Power and Nevada Geothermal also had real problems at their geothermal projects, but I feel that the market has vastly overreacted to both, making the pair bargains by almost any measure (and also potential takeover targets in my estimation).  If I were to pick my ten stocks today, it would be the list above with the three Geothermal companies underweighted relative to the rest to avoid putting too much money into one tiny sector.

All in all, it feels good not to be sitting on the sidelines anymore.  Blood is on the streets for a lot of decent renewable energy and energy efficiency stocks, and experienced market hands know that it is often the best time to buy.  

But keep some cash on the sidelines.  Right now, I expect the market will get worse before it gets better.  If I’m right, you’ll want to have cash available to take advantage of other opportunities that arise down the road.

This article was originally published on AltEnergyStocks.com and was reprinted with permission.

DISCLOSURE: Long NFI-UN, CVT, COMV, ENOC, RPG, MGMXF, AXPW, NGLPF, ABTG, RKWBF.

DISCLAIMER: Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results.  This article contains the current opinions of the author and such opinions are subject to change without notice.  This article has been distributed for informational purposes only. Forecasts, estimates, and certain information contained herein should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product.  Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed.

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More office workers are becoming energy efficient, according to a new survey.

A YouGov poll of over 2,000 office staff found that almost half (47 per cent) said their offices have become more energy efficient since the recession began.

This is largely a result of managers looking to save money, it seems, as 57 per cent of those polled said their green workplace has led to reduced costs.

The survey, which was commissioned by Avery to mark Green Office Week, found that the top green measures in offices were recycling paper (69 per cent), turning off computer equipment when not in use (67 per cent) and switching off lights (61 per cent).

Green Office Week runs until May 13th and provides tips on energy saving in the workplace.

Impressionist Alistair McGowan said of the event: “Green Office Week makes the point in a clever interactive way that we can all do simple, practical things to make a positive difference to our environment.”

Posted by Mark Stephens

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For more information please see: Green Office Week

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Green Technology Achieve a Sustainable Future with Green Technology. Create Innovation for New Energy. « Roof Integrated Solar Module Deploys Tool-free Installation of the PV module | Main | Solar photovoltaic canopy designed into Decathlon house »

Sodium as energy storage alternative

Sodium chemistry expected to play larger role in energy storage of the future.  Aquion Energy, NGK, and Pacific Northwest National Labs are in various stages of research and commercialization with sodium enabled batteries.  …

…   “Sodium’s selling point seems to be in durability, low cost, efficiency and safety, depending on whom you talk to and the chemical formula.”   …

Via Seeking Alpha: Energy Storage Companies.

Aquion Energy.

NGK Japan.

Pacific Northwest National Labs: “By adding the right amount of heat, researchers have developed a method that improves the electrical capacity and recharging lifetime of sodium ion rechargeable batteries, which could be a cheaper alternative for large-scale uses …”

Transformative material science for batteries.

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Posted by Green Tech on June 10, 2011 01:13 PM | Permalink|

Category: Battery

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Super Energy Efficient Homes from Blu Homes

With energy costs still climbing interest in energy efficient homes continues to grow. 

Blu Homes manufactures very energy efficient homes.  ” …cost on average 50 to 70 percent less to operate on a monthly basis than conventional homes. Performing significantly beyond even Energy Star standards, … ” . 

Lower energy costs translate to lower operating costs, lower energy use and a lower carbon footprint.

Check out the details on the Breezehouse (a green home with lots of natural light) – from BluHomes.  Green features include passive solar, high efficiency heating / ventilating / AC systems, solar panels and tight insulated construction.