Another possible non-market-failure explanation for the energy efficiency gap is associated with the fact that even if a given technology is cost-effective on average, it will mostly likely not be for some individuals or firms.

If the relevant population is heterogeneous—with respect to variables such as the purchaser’s discount rate, the investment lifetime, the price of energy, the purchase price, and other costs— even an electricity technology that looks very good for the average user (more…)

Current forecasts call for solid growth in world energy use over the next 20 years, potentially increasing 60% above current energy use. With the forces in place to keep energy use patterns the same, a safe, conservative assumption would be that the commercial sector will contribute about 12% to final total energy consumption in the year 2020. (more…)

In the mid-1880s, Charles Fritts built the first solar cell formed by selenium coated with a thin layer of gold and with an energy efficiency of 1%. However, it was not until 1954 that Bell Labs discovered accidentally that would be the first commercial solar cell, with silicon as the base. (more…)

The growth in air transportation volume has important global environmental impacts associated with the potential for climate change. On local to regional scales, noise, decreased air quality related primarily to ozone production and particulate levels, and other issues, such as roadway congestion related to airport services and local water quality, are all recognized as important impacts. (more…)

Today, photovoltaic cells only contribute a small proportion (approximately 0.04 percent) of total electricity in the United States. At the same time the production of solar panels has growth rapidly per year by around 20% growth in the 1990s and photovoltaic panels prices decreases every year. Annual worldwide solar panel production (including solar panels with homemade solar power homes) is about 400 MW per year. Based on the total cumulative capacity figure, it is already reaching 2 GW. (more…)

Throughout the British energy crisis there were some grounds evident that more drivers drove more slowly to conserve their vehicle fuels. This is the basis facts that showed clearly during crisis circumstances, drivers are willing to change and adopt these types of driving strategies: (more…)

In this article, the terms clean energy is being used to take on a broad definition of the issue of new energy. Other possibilities, such as renewable energy or alternative energy sources are determined and usually do not include certain key sectors such as energy efficiency and clean fossil fuels, among others, that are dealing within this article. (more…)

Austria - Greenpeace was invited by the Austrian authorities to fly the flag in a nuclear power plant. Zwentendorf nuclear plant was never implemented and has been off since the 70s. Today it became a new solar power station. Our banner read: “Energy Revolution = Solution to Climate Change”. (more…)

The entire concept of energy independence revolves around using the resources within a country. Simply put, it’s “Stay within your own means and stop taking help from outside”. In the United States of America, energy independence is a political agenda whereby the country would eventually, through shifts in its energy policy and technology development, approach self-sufficiency in its energy needs by producing close to the amount of energy that it consumes. If total energy possibilities are taken advantage of, presently the U.S. would be over 70% self-sufficient. (more…)

Did you know that the average American household uses around 10,000 kWh of electricity per year? This amount would be lessened if people would invest in more energy efficient windows and appliances, and replace their insulation. Just doing this could save the average homeowner hundreds of dollars a year. Another simple and relatively inexpensive option is to change your incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones. (more…)