Closed-loop ground source heat pump systems in schools
ASHRAE recently featured a cursory review of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems in schools. According the U.S. Department of Energy, Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems reduce energy use by 25% to 50% in schools, compared to traditional systems, and result in typical payback periods of eight years. The full article was originally published in the September 2007 edition of ASHRAE Journal. Click here to download the full article for free. After Nov. 12, this article will remain available for free download by ASHRAE Members here and for purchase by nonmembers in the ashrae.org bookstore.
DOE and EPA Release the 2009 Fuel Economy Guide
2009 model vehicles are ranked here in terms of annual fuel costs*. The Toyota Prius continues to lead the pack. And the Honda Civic CNG, a vehicle that runs on compressed natural gas, made the top ten.
| 2009 Toyota Prius 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | |||||||
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 7.4 barrels/year |
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| 48 city |
45 hwy |
$949
|
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| 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | |||||||
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 8.2 barrels/year |
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| 40 city |
45 hwy |
$1039
|
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| 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | |||||||
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|
 10.1 barrels/year |
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| 35 city |
33 hwy |
$1284
|
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| 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | |||||||
 |
|
10.1 barrels/year |
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| 33 city |
34 hwy |
$1284
|
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| 2009 smart fortwo convertible 3 cyl, 1 L, Automatic (S5), Premium | |||||||
 |
|
9.5 barrels/year |
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| 33 city |
41 hwy |
$1325
|
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| 2009 smart fortwo coupe 3 cyl, 1 L, Automatic (S5), Premium | |||||||
 |
|
9.5 barrels/year |
|||||
| 33 city |
41 hwy |
$1325
|
|||||
| 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | |||||||
 |
|
 10.7 barrels/year |
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| 34 city |
31 hwy |
$1364
|
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| 2009 Honda Civic CNG 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Automatic 5-spd, CNG | |||||||
|
|
 0.1 barrels/year |
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| 24 city |
36 hwy |
$1366
|
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| 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | |||||||
 |
|
10.7 barrels/year |
|||||
| 34 city |
31 hwy |
$1364
|
|||||
| 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | |||||||
 |
|
10.7 barrels/year |
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| 34 city |
31 hwy |
$1364
|
|||||
| 2009 Toyota Yaris 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | |||||||
 |
10.7 barrels/year |
||||||
| 29 city |
36 hwy |
$1364
|
|||||
| 2009 Honda Fit 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic 5-spd, Regular | |||||||
 |
|
11.0 barrels/year |
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| 28 city |
35 hwy |
$1408
|
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| 2009 Toyota Yaris 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular | |||||||
|
|
11.0 barrels/year |
|||||
| 29 city |
35 hwy |
$1408
|
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*Annual fuel costs are based on 45% highway driving, 55% city driving, 15000 annual miles, and the following fuel prices:
- Regular gasoline: $2.91 per gallon
- E85 - fuel mixture of 85% Ethanol, 15% Gasoline: $3.50 per gallon
- CNG - compressed natural gas: $2.55 per gallon
For a personalized cost comparison you can modify the city vs. highway driving percentages, substitute higher fuel prices, and do advanced searches at http://www.fueleconomy.gov.
You can also find the latest fuel efficient vehicle tax incentive information on the website at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml.
Wireless building automation system and energy management system technology
ASHRAE recently featured an article describing the application of wireless communication technologies to manage HVAC, security, and other systems within buildings. The three main competing technologies are distributed antenna systems (DAS), pico-cellular networks, and cellular repeater systems. The full article was originally published in the June 2007 edition of ASHRAE Journal. Click here to download the full article until Nov. 5, 2008. After Nov. 5, the article will remain available for free download by ASHRAE Members here and for purchase by nonmembers in the ashrae.org bookstore.
Wal-Mart moves toward more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. hosted a gathering of more than 1,000 leading suppliers, Chinese officials and NGOs in Beijing, China for their Sustainability Summit this week. The company outlined a series of aggressive goals and expectations to build a more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain. Wal-Mart put forth a series of requirements to attain responsible sourcing. Read more
Location of Projected New Nuclear Power Reactors in U.S.
On the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s website, for applications that have been received by the NRC, you may select a site name to view the specific Combined License (COL) application, reactor design, safety and environmental review schedule, and public meeting dates.
U.S. NRC has registered applications for licenses to build 25 new reactors since July 2007
For more than 30 years, no one has begun construction on a new nuclear reactor in the U.S. But amid growing concern about energy supplies, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has registered applications for licenses to build 25 new reactors since July 2007. Read more
Progress Energy Carolinas Receives Approval for Four New Energy-Saving Programs
RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Progress Energy Carolinas received approval from the N.C. Utilities Commission for four new programs designed to help customers save energy and money. The company is completing a program design and expects to begin offering the new energy-efficiency and demand-side management (DSM) programs to customers in the coming months. Read more
New Jersey Approves Grant of $4 Million for Offshore Wind Project Proposal
New Jersey to Develop a 345-Megawatt Offshore Wind Power Project (EERE)
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) announced on October 3 that it has selected Garden State Offshore Energy (GSOE) a joint venture of PSEG Renewable Generation and Deepwater Wind to develop a 345.6-megawatt wind project off the coast of New Jersey. The BPU awarded a $4 million grant to GSOE, of which $400,000 will be paid upfront to conduct studies and to prepare the permit applications for the $1 billion facility. It will consist of 96 wind turbines located 16-20 miles off the shore of Atlantic City and will barely be visible from the shore. According to the BPU, construction could begin in 2010 at the earliest, while PSEG hopes to start generating power in 2012, achieving full commercial operation in 2013. See the press releases from the New Jersey BPU (PDF 25 KB) and GSOE (PDF 200 KB) and the GSOE Web site. Download Adobe Reader.
A report prepared for the BPU in September by Global Insight examined the potential costs and benefits of a wind facility located off the shore of New Jersey and concluded that the facility would provide more than 1% of the state’s electricity needs. Read more
Natural Gas Should Remain Less Expensive than Fuel Oil
According to FERC’s Winter 2008/2009 Energy Market Assessment, while both oil and gas prices have fallen from their mid-year highs, natural gas prices remain well below heating oil prices on a per MMBtu basis.
New PA law will reduce energy demand and consumption and expand alternative energy sources
PUC Commissioners Direct Implementation of House Bill 2200 (PUC Press Release 10/9/08)
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) unanimously approved a Motion October 09, 2008 to begin implementation of House Bill 2200, which expands the PUC’s oversight responsibilities and imposes new requirements on the Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs), with the overall goal of enhancing procurement; reducing energy demand and consumption; and expanding alternative energy sources. Read more
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NYMEX: Light, Sweet Crude Oil (CL)
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NYMEX: Natural Gas (NG)
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NYMEX: Heating Oil (HO)
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EIA: Retail Prices
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Bloomberg: Wind Energy Index
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MAC: Global Solar Energy Index