Note: This post has two parts. In the first part, I covered the key energy characteristics that go into your utility bills. In this second part, I’ll show you one of my utility bills and tell you how to find your base energy loads and heating/cooling energy loads. I’ll also give you some basic tips on how to reduce your home’s energy consumption.
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Understanding Your Utility Bills: Homeowner’s Edition (Part 2)
May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Understanding Your Utility Bills: Homeowner’s Edition
May 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Note: This post has two parts. In this first part, I’ll be describing the key energy characteristics that go into your utility bills. In the second part, I’ll show you one of my utility bills and tell you how to find your base energy loads and heating/cooling energy loads. I’ll also give you some basic tips on how to reduce your home’s energy consumption.
I’ll also be doing a similar series of posts on reading and interpreting industrial/commercial utility bills. So if you are a larger energy consumer, check back soon for more information! [Read more...]
Let’s Not Lose the “Energy Race”
April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I have been a working professional in the energy business for approximately 20 years. My experience includes serving both as a petroleum engineer and for the past 15 years, as a renewable energy engineer. During that time, I have seen many arguments made about why renewable and alternative energy technologies should be supported. As a former petroleum engineer, one of my least favorite is Peak Oil, but that is the subject of a future blog. [Read more...]
Anaerobic Digestion…Or Maybe Not
April 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
About a month ago on my way to work I saw a crew at a dairy farm starting some sort of project. They cut a trench in a pasture beside the road and started laying pipe between the main dairy barn and a vertical pipe. Being an engineer in renewable energy, I immediately thought, “Wouldn’t it be neat if that were a flare and they were putting in a digester?” Anaerobic or aerobic digestion can be helpful in a lot of ways for animal agriculture and it would be interesting to have an example project nearby. [Read more...]
Biomass and Bioenergy: Framing the Debate on Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability
April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
(largely excerpted from this report)
Bioenergy is a very complicated subject. This is largely because although there are some things about bioenergy technologies and biomass feedstocks that are generally true, nearly every aspect of bioenergy is difficult to completely classify. Furthermore, except for knowing that bioenergy includes conversion of non-fossilized carbon resources (in contrast to fossil fuels), the term bioenergy does not do justice to the universe of possible resources or conversion technologies involved. [Read more...]
The Basics of LED Technology
March 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
LED Technology
LEDs have become so common, that chances are, you saw LEDs on your way to work or school this morning, whether you realized it or not. LED (light-emitting diodes) are used in a lot of applications today. A few are shown below:
Traffic lights: [Read more...]
Hope for Algae-Based Biofuels not Dying
March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
There is no silver bullet for solving our energy problem, but many believe that a tiny solution could make a large dent. I, like several of the staff at ANTARES have taken a keen interest in algae-based biodiesel.
Research into algae for biofuels production gained traction in the 1970′s under the Department of Energy’s Aquatic Species Program. The program ended in 1996, but it set the stage for an investment boom of both private and public dollars which continues to this day. [Read more...]
Department of Energy 2013 Budget Proposal Breakdown
February 20, 2012 By 1 Comment
On Monday of last week the President sent the federal budget proposal to Congress, in which he proposes a 3.2 percent increase to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Budget, bringing the Department to a total of $27.2 billion.
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Antares Speaking at 2012 Northeast Biomass Heating Expo
February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Antares team is excited to announce that we’ll be presenting at the Northeast Biomass Heating Expo taking place in Saratoga Springs, New York from March 21-23.
In particular, one of our senior engineers, Jim Olmsted, will be a panel member for the breakout session titled, “Biomass CHP – The Next Big Thing.” It will take place on Thursday from 3:15 – 5pm. Jim and the other panel members will discuss the feasibility of biomass CHP for commercial and industrial facilities, as well as some examples of current projects in the Northeast.
For more information on the event and a complete list of speakers and panels, visit nebiomassheat.com.
The Solar Decathalon – Building a Winner
January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Courtesy of DOE
We all have our pet projects.
Whether related to our careers or hobbies, they’re the essential complement to our work lives. My personal favorite comes in the variety of the former. The Department of Energy’s biennial competition, dubbed the Solar Decathlon, serves as a proving ground for solar technologies that lie between new technology research and consumer adoption.
The twist herein lies with the competitors; entrants are neither highly-experienced research engineers nor internationally renowned architecture firms, but rather students from colleges and universities from around the world. [Read more...]
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