Energy Priorities [EPXclusives]

Thomas Friedman at Greenbuild 2011: Work within the Political and Economic Constraints

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:20:40 -0800

Thomas Friedman keynoted at the 2011 Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Toronto, Ontario. He was joined by USGBC chairman Rick Fedrizzi, CaGBC president Thomas Mueller, Kohler CEO David Kohler, journalist/author Cokie Roberts, and Diesel Canada CEO Joie Adler. Friedman's message to the audience included a specific course of action to halt damaging geopolitical trends and to put the world on a more sustainable path.

Sustainable Cities: There's an App for That!

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:21:49 -0800

Sustainable urban development is a new way of thinking for American cities. Technology is emerging to help planners, architects and residents make the transition -- and address the converging pressures of rapid growth and decaying infrastructure. The question isn't whether to use technology to make cities more sustainable, it's how best to use it. Three experts on sustainably built cities discuss the answers with Denis Du Bois.

Energy Efficiency Startups Clear First Hurdle in Cleantech Open 2011

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:37:41 -0800

The Cleantech Open announced that 163 semifinalist teams have been selected from across the United States to participate in the cleantech business competition. 35 of the companies will advance in the Energy Efficiency category; 15 are competing in the Green Building category.

Book Review: Enchantment - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:00:09 -0800

Guy Kawasaki, author of the New York Times bestseller, talks to Denis Du Bois about how to make energy efficient appliances as "enchanting" as Apple's iPad.

If You Build It (Efficiently), They Will Come: Federal Leasing Rule Is Well-Timed

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:30:59 -0800

An early New Year's resolution from the Federal government is laying the foundation for job growth, taxpayer savings and a more energy-efficient commercial building stock in 2011 and beyond.

Greenbuild 2010 - "Generation Green"

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:27:26 -0800

When it comes to buildings, Chicago has already done "tallest, biggest, and longest." Now Chicago wants to be the "greenest". We'll find out how they're raising the bar for all the other cities aiming for that same distinction.

Plus: From America's biggest green-building expo, do-it-yourself 3D energy & carbon modeling -- dark sunglasses for buildings -- and devices that charge themselves up -- all in this edition of Energy Priorities. (podcast)(transcript)(photos)

Sustaindinavia: Copenhagen's Integrated Approach to Energy

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:28:54 -0800

Sustainable cities -- every mayor wants one. They attract green businesses, and the career-minded people who want to work there. Just proclaiming a community "green," though, isn't nearly enough. Forward-thinking cities are walking the talk. We went looking for examples in Copenhagen, Denmark. The secret to their success is integrating energy production right into the city. Learn how Copenhagen stopped worrying about the garbage and started becoming a carbon-neutral city.

Greenbuild 2010 is in Chicago

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:56:22 -0800

The USGBC Greenbuild 2010 International Conference & Expo was in Chicago November 16 through 19. This web page is your gateway to Energy Priorities content (and others') about Greenbuild 2010.

Back to School for Energy Efficiency

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:01:20 -0800

It's back to school for those left unemployed by the recession, and lots of people are signing up for green job training. Plus: Schools are turning out one textbook case after another of energy efficient buildings. And some buildings are so intelligent, they're teaching themselves how to be more energy efficient.

The Smart Grid Wants You - Building Priorities Briefing

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:31:36 -0800

The smart grid wants you! But what does it take to be a participant in the smart grid? What's in it for you? If the smart grid is so smart, why does it need buildings to integrate with it? And what about the people who are paying for the smart grid -- yeah, all of us -- what do we get out of it? Denis Du Bois interviews two pioneering experts at the building-to-grid frontier, at ConnectivityWeek 2010. (podcast)

Keeping a Watchful Eye over Energy Use - Building Priorities Briefing

Thu, 20 May 2010 09:38:57 -0800

Thanks to new laws, buyers and tenants of large buildings in some areas are entitled to know a building's energy score before they complete their purchase or lease. How long before the U.S. catches up to Europe, where buildings will be labeled according to their energy consumption? Is simply reporting a score meaningful, if there aren't also requirements to improve energy efficiency? Can cities achieve their carbon-related goals without imposing both kinds of rules on businesses? Denis Du Bois interviews Phil Bomrad, Director, Building Technologies, Siemens. (podcast)

New Models for Rooftop Solar Power - Building Priorities Briefing

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:08:22 -0800

Southern California Edison has launched one of the most ambitious solar initiatives yet. It involves using the roofs of commercial buildings to develop renewable energy resources. Building owners get paid to host the solar arrays on their rooftops, and the utility takes all the risk. Where else is this kind of program happening? Why would a building owner choose this over the other alternatives for rooftop solar? In this month's briefing Denis Du Bois and guest co-host Stephen Lacey decipher the impact for owners, tenants, and solar companies. Denis interviews the corporate sustainability executive for AMB Property Corporation, who just joined SCE's new program. (podcast)

Zero Energy Buildings, Blocks, and Cities - Building Priorities Briefing

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:59:23 -0800

Imagine a building so energy efficient that it can generate what power it needs with the solar modules on its own roof -- a net zero energy building. It's not a pipe dream. We've been building them in the United States for a decade. The U.S. Department of Energy wants the "ZEB" to be the standard for new buildings. Why is it important to match renewable energy output with the demand for power on a building-by-building basis? And after ten years of zero-energy design, why do we only have eight buildings to show for it? In this month's briefing Denis Du Bois talks with David Orr, who designed and built the largest zero-energy building in the U.S. If you think that's cool, wait until you hear what Orr is doing for an encore.

Revealing Ratings to Validate Value of Energy Efficient Space - Building Priorities Briefing

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:10:19 -0800

What do Seattle, Austin and New York have in common? They've all enacted regulations to expose energy-wasting buildings. Owners of large buildings will have to disclose their energy scores to prospective buyers, tenants and lenders. Similar laws have been passed in three states -- and more are on the way. In this month's briefing we explore what's driving these mandates, and how they affect building owners and tenants. Some building owners are making improvements now, to raise their energy scores before they're made public. What's the business case? We'll learn about that, as well as where are the best places to look for low-cost and no-cost ways to boost a building's efficiency score. (podcast) (transcript)

Cities and States Mandate Energy Benchmarking for Buildings

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:09:03 -0800

Why are cities and states mandating that building owners measure energy consumption -- and disclose the scores publicly? Denis Du Bois interviews Cliff Majersik, LEED AP, executive director of the Institute for Market Transformation. His nonprofit organization focuses on market-based solutions to advanced green building and energy efficiency. He explains what's behind the new benchmarking requirements.