Net metering is the name of state and local policies that allow consumers to sell power back to the grid. For communities that are considering generating power on site, knowing the local regulations on net metering might make a big impact on your ROI. For more info, see: Policies for compensating behind-the-meter generation vary by…
Author: Kent McDonald
Kent works at RealPage and helps apartment firms reduce operating costs related to utilities. You can connect with Kent at LinkedIn.com/in/kentmcd or Twitter.com/AptsKent.
Eight Green Credentials you should know about
When you hear the topic of green certification for buildings, LEED is typically one the first things to come to mind. But the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is not the only legitimate option. The City of San Francisco recently began recording sustainability labels of buildings in their official…
Emerging green tech: a new form of water power
In prior articles, I discussed multiple ways how water has been used to generate electricity. But now that most large-scale hydro electric power that can be built already has been built, are there any other ways we might be able to generate electricity from water? Why, yes. Enter: Hydro-kinetic power. For more info, see: Regulators…
Water and electricity do mix after all
When we were growing up, we were told that water and electricity are a deadly combination. But under the right circumstances, they can work together for great benefit to society and the planet. Image courtesy of adamr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Hydroelectric power is the use of falling water to turn a propeller-like piece called a turbine,…
Smart Grid: new technology can improve power reliability and efficiency
In prior articles, I discussed what the Smart Grid is and how it is finally getting smarter in the middle of the grid. For further developments in this area, read on below. The main impact to the multi-family housing industry is that as the electricity grid becomes more efficient with less waste, it has the…
Visit a national Energy Lab
I recently visited the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, CO near Denver. The US Dept of Energy has several such laboratories and research centers spread throughout the country. Most of them welcome visitors during normal business hours. For a full listing, click here and then scroll down to the “Labs & Technology Centers” section….
Emerging green tech: Pumped-storage hydroelectricity. What was old is new again.
Hydroelectric power is the use of falling water to generate electricity. One form of this technology is Pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH). “In a pumped storage facility, water is pumped during off-peak demand periods from a reservoir at a lower elevation for storage in a reservoir at a higher elevation. Electricity is then generated during peak demand…
The Smart Grid is finally getting smarter in the middle
In the last few years, much of the focus on the Smart Grid has been on customer premise equipment (CPE) such as Smart Appliances, Smart Meters, Smart Thermostats that provide real time alerts and pricing to consumers. Utilities all over the USA have been offering rebates on this equipment, which is well cataloged at www.DsireUsa.org….
What is the Smart Grid?
You may have heard a lot of buzz recently about the Smart Grid. But what exactly is this “grid”? Is it “dumb” now and growing “smarter”? (Short answer: yes.) And if so, should we be concerned that The Grid will become too smart for humanity’s own good at some point and try to take control…
Coming Soon: the very first ENERGY STAR clothes dryers
What is ENERGY STAR? ENERGY STAR® is a brand and certification program created by the EPA to give Americans a comfort level about buying products that would help conserve natural resources (electricity, natural gas, water). Since 1992 they have been attempting to give buyers credible, impartial information about how their purchasing decisions can help reduce…