Here are my latest picks of the most notable and noteworthy energy efficiency related news, features and happening in the U.S. and around the world. Can a ’smart grid’ turn us on to energy efficiency? According to research sponsored by the U.S. Government, improving the efficiency of the national electricity grid by 5 percent would be the equivalent of eliminating the fuel use and carbon emissions of 53 million cars… http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/01/eco.smartgrid/index.html Are greener gadgets even possible? This is an excellent article...

A roundup of energy efficiency news, features and happenings from the U.S.  Ameren Illinois Utilities Announce Successful Electric Energy Efficiency Pilot Program at Kroger The first of its type project involved replacing fluorescent lighting with high-efficiency LED lighting in frozen food reach-in cases and refrigerated dairy and beverage cases. It is anticipated the LED lighting will result in annual energy cost savings of more than $9,000 just for the one Peoria store… http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-03-2009/0004982459&EDATE= Energy...

A roundup of energy efficiency news, features and happenings from around the world. A global green building standard? Well not quite. Green Building Councils from the UK, USA, Australia, and the BRE in the United Kingdom (BRE is the owner of BREEAM) have signed an agreement to prepare a common methodology for calculating carbon emissions from buildings… http://www.johnherbert.hk/03/04/global-green-standards.html Dresden establishes Energy Efficiency Innovation Center German research organization Fraunhofer Gesellschaft and the Technical University of...

This edition’s articles focus on solar powered batteries, green gadgets and innovative electricity monitors and AC systems. Solar powered AA Battery Charger Rechargable batteries are a great invention, but if you dont have an outlet nearby to charge them, they are usless. So I designed a solar powered battery charger, which allows you enough power to charge a single AA battery wherever the sun may shine… http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar_powered_AA_Battery_Charger/ Home Made Solar Powered Batteries This is a fantastic idea: When your batteries...

Here are my latest picks of the most notable and noteworthy energy efficiency related news, features and happening in the U.S. and around the world. Whirlpool Corporation Survey Shows Consumers Clamor for Energy Efficiency A recent survey by Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) revealed that 84 percent of consumers said that energy — not water or time — is most important to them when it comes to home appliance efficiency. In fact, nearly three quarters (72 percent) of respondents actively look for the ENERGY STAR(R) label when making purchasing decisions… http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-23-2009/0004976597&EDATE= Water...

A roundup of energy efficiency news, features and happenings from the U.S. One State Offers Home Loans for Energy Efficiency A new program provides financial help for people buying homes that are energy efficient only you have to live in Maine to get that help for now. It’s called energy star mortgages and provides home loans to people with low to moderate incomes on houses that save energy. Those savings have to be at least 20 percent and people can also get loans to weatherize their homes. The loans are also offered at low interest rates of just 4 percent....

A roundup of energy efficiency news, features and happenings from around the world. CHINA The U.S. and China Working Toward Clean Energy In the 20 years, the 2 decades from 1980 to the year 2000, the energy efficiency here in China actually doubled. And, according to the current policies and… http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/02/119435.htm China Offers Tips on Using Energy More Efficiently While some may look at the explosive growth of energy use in China and fear its eventual impact on the global climate, energy efficiency advocates and entrepreneurs...

This edition’s articles focus on energy monitors and energy efficient parking lot lighting systems. Consumer Reports test energy monitors These days, people are trying to save money anywhere they can, and cutting your electric bill could save you a lot. Energy monitors can help determine how much electricity your devices and appliances are using, and that might help you use them less… http://www.wral.com/5onyourside/story/4594951/ Orion’s Energy Efficient Parking Lot Lighting Orion Energy Systems, Inc have developed an energy efficient lighting...

Here are my latest picks of the most notable and noteworthy energy efficiency related news, features and happening in the U.S. and around the world. Dubai Developing World’s First Rotating, Energy-Efficient Building Dubai has plans to build the world’s first rotating building with independently moving floors. What’s more, plans call for it to be completely energy independent… http://cleantechnica.com/2009/02/13/dubai-developing-worlds-first-energy-efficient-rotating-building/ Where energy efficiency increases energy consumption: a caution A new...