by srmi | May 29, 2012 | Energy News
I’m annoyed when renewable energy trumps energy conservation in the media, and nowhere is this tendency more prevalent than with liquid bio-fuels. Biomass Energy Efficiency To make a gallon of ethanol, start with 23 pounds of corn with a potential energy of...
by srmi | May 14, 2012 | Energy News
Energy for the Future We just need the courage to invest our remaining wealth in the right energy technologies. The stakes are high because if we delay too long or invest badly, we’ll forfeit our prosperous lifestyle. Our first task is to reduce our energy consumption...
by srmi | May 8, 2012 | Energy News
Besides just looking good, planting trees provides many important environmental, economic, and energy efficiency benefits. A man doesn’t plant a tree for himself. He plants it for posterity. — Alexander Smith Deciduous trees, planted on the South, Southeast, and...
by srmi | Feb 9, 2012 | Energy News
Regardless of current politics and energy prices, our buildings desperately need weatherization. But buildings are owned by our customers who must agree to pay for our services. I’ll hazard to state the obvious, but selling is a skill. You can succede at selling...
by srmi | Jan 26, 2012 | Energy News
We all have expectations for the lighting of our living and working spaces. Like many electrical energy uses, lighting presents three main energy conservation opportunities. Remove light fixtures Reduce the wattage of lamps and ballasts Increase the off time of...
by srmi | Jan 19, 2012 | Energy News
A company called Energetechs in Missoula Montana sells energy expertise with energy products. This must be a good strategy because they’ve been in business for over 25 years. The company was formed by Gary and Gregg Mazade and was sold to Russ Hellem some years ago....
by srmi | Jan 16, 2012 | Energy News
The subsidy for ethanol expired on the last day of 2011 and I didn’t shed any tears. To make a gallon of ethanol, start with 23 pounds of corn with a potential energy of about 185,000 BTUs. Add 40,000 to 80,000 BTUS of fossil energy per gallon and presto you...
by srmi | Jan 10, 2012 | Energy News
Cities are the best places for large power plants. I read a recent Time Magazine article about the Fisk Coal plant in Chicago and its cost in respiratory problems to the citizens of that great city. Time hinted that the city isn’t a good place for a power plant...
by srmi | Jan 3, 2012 | Energy News
I’ve never coined a word and never wanted to either. The English language has approximately 600,000 words: that’s enough. However I need some catchwords for Saturn’s efforts in the new year of 2012. My first new word is the verb: complexify. We complicate, we...
by srmi | Jan 2, 2012 | Energy News
Many homes with cathedral ceilings or flat roofs have little or no insulation. The IRC 2009 building code requires a ventilated space of at least one inch above the roof insulation. Building scientists sometimes ask how useful the ventilation is and how much...
