internet of things
In our idealised energy future, where a fully built smart grid functions as efficiently as an “internet of things,” who will be Google? It’s a provocative question, no doubt. Still, it’s probably far too early yet to identify the organisation likely to end up dominating the smart-grid sphere.
wind energy
How does a company that began designing wind turbines in secret “to avoid ridicule” become the world’s largest wind-energy firm and winner of a $1.5 million prize for renewable energy innovation? Persistence certainly helps. And that was one of the things that stood out for the jury upon
plug-in cars
Trying to reinvent our energy landscape is a task fraught with troublesome and unintended consequences. Just look at all the flak that’s been heaped on the corn ethanol industry for its reported impact on world food prices and carbon emissions (growing corn requires some heavy carbon inputs). Now we
feed in tariff
With the introduction of the feed-in tariff (FIT) last year, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind have seen a boost in installations across the UK. As more people begin to see them on houses in their own streets or in neighbour’s back gardens, solar panels and wind
Smart Grid
Our information and communications might be increasingly virtual, wireless and in the cloud, but there’s one limitation all the technology in the world can’t erase: IT’s dependence on energy. That fact explains why companies like GE are looking to broaden their presence in energy-related sectors and buy
Energy
Who’s who in smart-grid innovation? The coming World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi features some names you’re probably very familiar with … and some you might not have heard of before. Some of the companies that will be on hand to showcase their smart-grid, energy-related products include: * EEI
feed in tariffs
The introduction of the feed-in tariff (FIT) incentive policy on 1 April has sparked an explosive reaction in the UK renewable energy market with solar leading the way in installations, according to a new Greenbang research report titled, “The UK’s Feed-in Tariff: Impact, response and market trends for the
renewable energy
It’s an ambitious vision, but one its planners believe is achievable: a six-square-kilometre planned development in the United Arab Emirates that will be built with regionally appropriate architecture, feature sustainable materials, be powered by renewable energy, feature a low carbon footprint, use water sustainably and produce zero waste. Dubbed
infrastructure
Before it can become smart and efficient enough to accommodate a brave new world of electric cars and renewable energy, today’s electricity grid needs a big fix for its currently hobbled state. While “smart” suggests shiny, modern and fast, the current electricity infrastructure in places like the US is
Technology
How is smart, sustainable energy and resource use like getting back to Kansas? The answer is that, like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, we’ve “always had the power” to achieve our goals. Well, not always, perhaps. But certainly we’ve acquired more than enough information and technology in
networking
If the buzz at this year’s just-completed Consumer Electronics Show is any gauge, “smart” technology isn’t just for utility companies and cellphones any more. After looking at some of the latest electronics that have been unveiled, though, the question is: will all of our appliances, gadgets and what-nots
Energy
It’s not there yet, but the city of Fort Collins, Colorado, has set itself an admirably ambitious goal: to become home to the “largest active net zero energy district in the world.” Dubbed FortZED, the effort was first conceived in 2007 and involves a variety of strategies from community
