Most energy companies, whether they are IDT Energy or other choices, work to offer green energy options for customers. In the 21st century, green energy is certainly the place to put our emphasis as a country. This blog post offers a fascinating look at our New Energies standards will be set. Taking offshore wind as an example, the writer says that offshore wind installations will not mimic an oil industry or coal industry. Rather, “the offshore wind industry knows that the world’s oceans are precious and irreplaceable and has fully engaged in doing installations only where lengthy and comprehensive environmental impact studies have approved them.”
Certainly, Americans are focused on the idea of going green. Whether you’re using an electric company that offers green options like IDT Energy, or not, it’s always worthwhile to think more about the possibility of using green energy.
This article explains topics to consider before putting in solar energy panels. The author actually advocates taking a number of specific steps to reduce overall energy consumption before switching to solar energy. Such steps include getting en energy efficiency audit, taking easy steps in the home to reduce energy consumption, installing a T.E.D. or similar device to monitor your usage, and more.
April 20 was the 20th anniversary of Earth Day Lobby Day. Governor David Paterson, who has been active in promoting and strengthening the standing of New York State as a national leader in environmental protection and initiatives promoting clean energy, addressed New Yorkers on this auspicious occasion. Among Governor Paterson’s energy accomplishments is the leadership role he has taken in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; his expansion of New York’s clean energy goals, with his “45 by 15” initiative; and promoting the State’s bottle bill, as just a few examples.
In his address Governor Paterson also encouraged New Yorkers and law makers to deal with the growing issue of electronic waste in New York. This past year the Governor proposed legislation to regulate the disposal of toxic chemicals and metals which comprise many popular electronic devices.
“From the day I took office, I have worked to make New York State one of the most environmentally friendly states in the Nation. Not only is this work critical to sustaining a healthy environment, but it is critical to creating jobs and rebuilding our State for the New Economy,” Governor Paterson said. “Forty years ago, we celebrated the first ever Earth Day, and this year I challenge all New Yorkers to do their part in making our State and our Nation healthier and cleaner for a more prosperous future.”
Through IDT Energy’s Green Energy/Buy Green program New Yorkers are able to do a lot towards creating a cleaner environment and saving resources, worthwhile goals to strive towards as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth Day.
Cooper Union in New York City, one of the most prestigious schools for architecture, engineering and fine arts in the country, has created a building which is not only making waves due to its unique design, but is saving the school lots of energy, too.
Thom Mayne created this architectural masterpiece which combines imagination, high tech materials and engineering to use up to 40% less energy to maintain comfortable temperatures as buildings of comparable size.
According to Cooper Union’s president Dr. George Campbell,
“We set goals for the architect to make the building inspirational, but we wanted it to be green.”
IDT Energy is interested in what’s new in the world of sustainable and renewable sources for energy, and because of that IDT offers its customers the choice of “buying green.” When IDT Energy customers “buy green” they are helping the environment because a large percentage of the electricity bought comes from renewable and sustainable, green resources.
New York State is working hard towards becoming a hub for clean-technology development, hoping to establish within the next 10 years the use of 25% renewable, green sources for all its electricity production. IDT Energy is participating in this effort, and hopes its customers will also partake in this goal to improve the environment for the future.
IDT Energy in New York was excited to see the famed Lumenhaus of Virginia Tech make a stop in Times Square in New York City as part of its national tour. The solar-powered, net-zero energy, 650 square foot home was a featured part of the United States Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon back in October, 2009 and is off to Madrid, Spain this coming June for the Solar Decathlon Europe. Many hundreds of pedestrians stopped by the house to discover the unique design of this home which uses sliding walls to incorporate the use of natural light to the max. There is a geothermal loop which contributes to heating the home, and double-hit solar panels can produce extra electricity. Just about everything in the house can be controlled by iPhone.
The production of electricity is the primary cause of industrial air pollution in the U.S. The majority of the electricity we use today comes from coal, nuclear and other non-renewable power plants, hurting our environment on land, in water and air.
In addition, studies have shown that the emissions of CO2 into the environment are causing global climate change, with disastrous long-term results.
Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power do not release CO2, or other greenhouse gasses into the environment. Not only that, but they are found in large amounts just about everywhere and are constantly being replenished in a way that keeps pace with consumption. Fossil fuels and natural gas are found in limited quantities, and we are using them at a pace in which their natural production could never keep up. Therefore, eventually they will run out.
When looked at from this perspective it is easy to see why we should now begin the process of increasing our use of renewable energy resources, for ourselves and for future generations.
Keeping you up to date on what’s going on in the world of renewable energy, green energy and greenhouse emissions reduction programs around the country is one of IDT Energy’s missions. Below is a list of the goals of Green-e, a program to help consumers make informed choices in the marketplace.
There are four main goals of the Green-e program:
• Reassure consumers of the quality and reliability of retail electrical products which is a true reflection of their renewable energy generation.
• Enlarge and expand the market for retail electrical products which incorporate renewable energy. This includes helping to increase the demand for new renewable energy generation.
• In order that customers can make educated purchasing decisions Green-e supplies clear information about retail green electricity products.
• Advocate the purchase and use of electrical products that keep air pollution to a minimum and diminish greenhouse gas emissions.
As concerned citizens you want to do what is best for the environment so that the world will be a great place to live not just for your but for your children and their children. And as a consumer, you want to know that the products and services you are purchasing are not sacrificing quality or dependability for a promise of a better environment that perhaps they cant deliver.
That is where Green-e comes in. As the country’s leading independent certification program as well as verification for greenhouse gas emissions reductions and renewable energy Green-e makes sure you get what you are promised.
There are two types of certification programs. Green-e Climate was begun in 2007 as a voluntary certification program setting standards for consumer protection and environmental integrity for the reduction of GHG emissions reductions which are sold in the voluntary market.
Green-e Energy is an independent certification program and verification program for renewable energy, leading the nation in this endeavor.
Green-e Marketplace allows companies that have purchased renewable energy in qualifying amounts and have also passed verification standard to display the logo of Green-e.
IDT Energy takes you for a visit to the largest wind farm in the world. Learn about the potential wind has for being an important source of electricity in the not so distant future.
Among the renewable energy sources which IDT Energy, as well as other ESCOs use to produce electricity are solar and wind power. Although clean and renewable, one of their drawbacks is that they are not always available. At night, of course, there is no sun shine, and the wind is also subject to times when it just isn’t there.
One of the goals of the research into making these green technologies more useful for our modern way of life is to store the renewable resource for use when the resource takes a break.
One way may be with a “gravel battery”, a new technology being developed by Isentropic, a five-man company in Cambridge. This is how it works. An electric current goes to a heat pump, a similar but bigger type of “compressor” used by your refrigerator to keep your food cold. The heat pump in your fridge takes the electricity to create a “heat split” which chills the inside of the fridge and heats the back.
The system Isentropic is developing uses a pump to heat argon gas to 500 degrees centigrade on one side and cooling the other side down to -150 degrees centigrade. The cold and hot gas is then passed through two enormous gravel tanks, heating one tank and cooling the other. The temperature difference in the gravel is how the power is stored.
When the power is needed the process is instantly reversed, causing the heat pump to work like an engine. When the extreme temperature differences are brought together, the engine turns, powers a generator, and creates electricity.
