cop15

Economy center stage in green tech at year's end

As the year ends and the world's attention is fixed on climate negotiators in Copenhagen, the discussion about green technologies is as much about the economy as it is the planet.

In my annual Year in Review column, I point out that national governments are active participants in nascent emerging energy technologies, whether it be modernizing the grid or creating a manufacturing base for electric vehicles. Governments around the world this year pumped stimulus money into promoting domestic clean energy, not only to lower emissions but to position their countries' economies for the future.

Green technology professionals have always … Read more

Tech coalition: You need real-time energy data

At the Cop15 climate negotiations in Copenhagen on Tuesday, a group of advocacy groups and high-tech companies including Google and Intel urged governments to ensure consumers get real-time information on energy use.

Giving consumers regular data on consumption will help them take steps to be more energy-efficient and will be an effective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to the coalition.

Studies have shown (click for PDF) that access to detailed information, rather than only getting a monthly bill, can reduce energy use by 15 percent in a home.

When aggregated at large scale, these savings would be significant. … Read more

DOE's Chu kicks off green-tech transfer fund

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Monday announced the creation of a program to transfer clean-energy technologies to developing countries at the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen.

Called the Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative (Climate REDI), the goal is to promote the use of efficient and renewable energy products to cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life in poor countries, according to the DOE.

Climate REDI will be coordinated with existing technology transfer programs and organizations. Total spending will be $350 million over five years with the U.S. funding $100 million.

The three areas that … Read more

Pedal-powered Christmas tree lights Copenhagen

When you're the host city for international climate change negotiations, using energy-efficient LED lights on the Christmas tree apparently isn't enough.

The traditional Christmas tree in Copenhagen's City Hall Square will be powered by people, rather than a distant power plant. The square has been equipped with 15 bicycles which, when pedaled, light up the 700 LED bulbs on the tree.

The 17-meter-high tree went up on Sunday during an opening ceremony in which Saint Nicholas climbed a fire truck ladder to the top of the tree and lit fireworks. Even during the ceremony, the lights were … Read more