矿大(北京)化工新技术专题earthday(11.3and11.17)

1、Earth Day (April 22nd)This is a picture of an energy efficient home, cut open to show its many different features and appliances. This scene describes what you can do to increase the energy efficiency of your home. It contains information about efficient appliances in general, air conditioners, wate

2、r heaters, light emitting diodes, electronics, cars, and lighting systems. It also describes solar thermal and solar power panels, energy efficient windows, smart meters, attic insulation, and advanced fuels and hybrids.From www.E Earth Day (April 22nd)Home Energy AssessmentsWhat you can do

3、: Get an energy assessment for your home!Also known as an energy audit, an energy assessment shows you how much energy your home consumes, and helps you understand what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. You can either hire a professional or do it yourself through careful

4、ly-measured steps. Earth Day (April 22nd)Doors & WallsWhat you can do: Seal that drafty door, and add wall insulation. Old or improperly sealed exterior doors can contribute significantly to energy loss in your home. You can use weather stripping to seal air leaks, add a storm door, or purchase

5、a new door. New doors fit better and insulate more effectively than older ones.Whether youre retrofitting an existing home or building a new home, proper insulation will make your home more comfortable while saving energy costs.Earth Day (April 22nd)ElectronicsWhat you can do: Turn off your power st

6、rips or unplug electronics. Power strips can turn off several appliances with the flip of one switch.Your electronic computer, TV, VCR, even your phone charger use energy even when theyre turned off. Stand-by power can account for as much as 5-10% of home energy use. Unplugging your devices (or turn

7、ing off the power strip) can save you money. Earth Day (April 22nd)Heating & CoolingWhat you can do: Choose ENERGY STAR heating and cooling systems!Choose an ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditionerand with the money you save in energy costs, you could buy an mp3 player. Over the life of the r

8、oom air conditioner, you save $65 on electricity bills compared to a new non-qualified model.Even if you arent ready to replace your system now, consider weather stripping the seams around the unit to provide better insulation. Keeping cool air in will help reduce your electricity bills during the s

9、ummerEarth Day (April 22nd)Tax Credits & IncentivesWhat you can do: Take advantage of tax credits, appliance rebates, and financing!There are a wide range of tax credits available to help you buy energy-efficient products for your home. For example, you can get a tax credit of 30% of the purchas

10、e priceup to $1,500on the purchase of new windows that meet specific guidelines for energy efficiency. The program began in 2009, and will continue through 2010 for eligible items.Right now, many states are offering rebates to help you buy energy-efficient appliances for your home. Energy-efficient

11、appliances save you energy and money! Find out which products are available in your state.In addition, you may be able to take advantage of energy efficiency financing for mortgages, home improvement loans, refinancing, and home energy ratings. Earth Day (April 22nd)InsulationWhat you can do: Air se

12、al and insulate your attic! Learn about the most cost-effective levels of insulation for your climate zone.More than 50% of the energy used in a typical American home is for space heating and cooling. Much of that conditioned air escapes through poorly sealed, under-insulated attics. Only 20% of hom

13、es built before 1980 are well insulated.Properly sealing and insulating your attic can save you up to 10% annually on energy bills. You can also save by insulating your homes ventilation ducts.Earth Day (April 22nd)LandscapingWhat you can do: Use trees and other landscaping elements for shading and

14、natural beauty!Research shows that summer daytime air temperatures can be 3 to 6 cooler in tree-shaded neighborhoods than in treeless areas. In addition to trees, you can use elements such as climbing roses or vines. A lattice or trellis with climbing vines, or a planter box with trailing vines, sha

15、des the homes perimeter and lets in cool breezes to the shaded area.The most effective landscaping for your home depends on factors such as your climate, water conservation (xeriscaping), and proper shading.Earth Day (April 22nd)LightingWhat you can do: Change your lights to energy-saving compact fl

16、uorescent lights (CFL).Replace ten 60-watt incandescent bulbs with 13-watt ENERGY STAR CFL bulbs and youll save $420 over the life of the bulbsmore than enough to replace that old computer monitor with a new ENERGY STAR model and save the rest. Or think of it this way: you would save enough energy t

17、o operate your ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator for 9 years.If every American home replaced just one 60-watt incandescent with an ENERGY STAR CFL bulb, we would save almost six billion kWh per year enough energy to light nearly three million homes. Wed also save more than $600 million in annual en

18、ergy costs and reduce greenhouse gases by the equivalent of nearly 750,000 cars. The average CFL lasts 10,000 hours, and when you replace it, you can recycle it! Earth Day (April 22nd)Home RetrofitsWhat you can do: Retrofit your existing home with energy efficiency and renewable energy.Retrofitting

19、or remodeling an existing home is an ideal way to save energy and costs. Retrofitting a home can include anything from installing a programmable thermostat to installing attic insulation. Even small changes can add up to big savings over time! All of the tips in this scene can be considered retrofit

20、s for existing homes. Find out what you can do to save now!Earth Day (April 22nd)Smart MeterWhat you can do: Ask your local electric utility if Smart Meters are available in your area.A Smart Meter allows you to communicate in real time with your provider about your electricity usage. This device he

21、lps you save money by shifting some of your consumption to off-peak periods; this helps your utility offer you a wider range of plans and services.Smart Meters are becoming more widely available and they can save you money by helping you monitor (and adjust) when you use electricity. Smart Meter tec

22、hnology is also being developed that will allow you to log into your computer and turn on or turn off your homes systems, including heating and cooling, lights, and appliances.Earth Day (April 22nd)Solar PowerWhat you can do: Install solar electric panels on your roof!Solar energy is clean, unlimite

23、d, secure, and sustainable. Even better, the fuel (sunlight) is free, and solar energy resources are generally abundant throughout the United States. Rebates offered through your utility (ask them!), plus state and federal tax credits, can reduce upfront costs of installing solar technologies by as

24、much as 50%. Innovative new financing options are also lowering upfront costs. Earth Day (April 22nd)Solar Heat & Hot WaterWhat you can do: Install solar water and space heating. Solar energy is a reliable and efficient source of hot water and heat. Solar water heaters generate hot water for you

25、r home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use sunshine is free. Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which dont. Solar space heating

26、 systems are most cost-effective when they are used for most of the year, that is, in cold climates with good solar resources. Selecting the appropriate solar energy system depends on factors such as the site, design, and heating needs of your house. Earth Day (April 22nd)An extra 100 pounds in your

27、 vehicle could reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 2%, and properly inflated tires are safer, last longer and save fuel. Carpooling is another great way to save gas while making new friends! Learn more about conserving gasoline.Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will soon represent an even gre

28、ater leap in efficiency to the point that urban drivers may not use any gas at all for their daily commute. Instead, youll be able to power your car from an ordinary wall outlet. Read more about PHEVs. Dozens of models of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are also available, designed to run on gasoline

29、or a blend of up to 85% ethanol (E85). VehicleWhat you can do: Get the junk out of the trunk and properly inflate your tires. Or, if youre buying a new car, consider a hybrid or a clean diesel vehicle.Earth Day (April 22nd)You can now purchase an ENERGY STAR water heater for high-efficiency gas stor

30、age, whole-home gas tankless, or solar water heater gas condensing and heat pump water heaters became available in 2009. Depending on the type of water heater you use, an ENERGY STAR water heater will save you between $30 and $300 for every year you use it. Even if youre not ready to replace your wa

31、ter heater, you can save energy by insulating your water heater and your hot water pipes heat lost from your tank is wasted energy! Water HeaterWhat you can do: Purchase an energy efficient water heater.Energy efficient electric or gas, gas tankless, gas condensing, solar and heat pump water heaters

32、 all use less energy than standard water heaters. Find out more about your choices!Earth Day (April 22nd)If you arent ready to replace your windows, caulking your window seals around the glass or adding storm windows can reduce air leakage and heat loss. Storm windows are available with low-E glass

33、for additional insulation. The Highly-Insulating (R-5) Windows and Low-e Storm Windows Volume Purchase Program is currently expanding the market for these high efficiency products. The volume purchase RFP closed on February 19, 2010 with over 50 proposals received. The window products Web site from

34、which the window products can be purchased is currently under development and will be launched by the end of April. WindowsWhat you can do: Choose an ENERGY STAR window!Energy efficient windows lower solar gain (the heat that enters your home through a window) and are better insulated, so that homes

35、 stay cool in summer and warm in winter. Replacing single-pane windows with new ENERGY STAR windows could save you $146-$501 in annual energy bills, depending on your climate zone. Earth Day (April 22nd) This is a picture of a long intersection, lined on both sides by various buildings. This scene p

36、rovides information about advanced energy efficiency techniques and the various ways different groups are utilizing them, such as industrial efficiency, federal government, ethanol fuel, and an example of a high-efficiency home of the future.Earth Day (April 22nd)Alternative fuelsJust fill up your v

37、ehicle with gasoline blended with ethanolEthanol is a renewable fuel made from domestic biomass resources. Low level ethanol blends are available in every state and nearly half of U.S. gasoline contains up to 10% ethanol.Ethanol is also available at the pump as E85a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gaso

38、linefor use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Using E85 in your FFV reduces carbon monoxide and greenhouse gas emissions. There are almost 8 million FFVs on U.S. roads today and many FFV owners dont even know their vehicle is one. Check your owners manual or look for a flexible fuel sticker inside y

39、our fuel compartment. More than 2030 stations in 44 states sell E85 and the number is growing.Earth Day (April 22nd) Commercial Building Efficiency What you should know: Leaders in retail and other industries are working together with the U.S. Department of Energy to transform the energy performance

40、 of new and existing commercial buildings. Businesses benefit from returns on energy efficiency investments and the nation benefits from a healthier environment and greater energy security. Improvements and innovations in technologies from lighting to refrigeration to space heating and cooling all h

41、ave a significant role to play in creating the next generation of commercial buildings. Several progressive commercial building owners have incorporated solar and wind technologies into their buildings as well, reducing their energy bills in an environmentally friendly fashion. Earth Day (April 22nd

42、)Federal GovernmentWhat you should know: As the nations largest energy consumer, the federal government strives to lead by example. With more than 500,000 federal facilities and 600,000 federal vehicles, a clear opportunity exists to increase federal renewable energy use while reducing energy and wa

43、ter consumption.The Department of Energy helps the federal government meet critical energy milestones to lower energy/water consumption and resulting greenhouse gases. For example, federal agencies must reduce 2010 facility energy consumption by 15% compared to a 2003 baseline; 2010 water consumptio

44、n must be reduced 6% compared to a 2007 baseline. Likewise, agencies must source no less than 5% of total electricity consumption from renewable energy. Federal agencies must also increase alternative fuel use in vehicles year over year. Earth Day (April 22nd)High Efficiency HomesDOE in collaboratio

45、n with a network of home builders across the country, is working to improve the efficiency of new and existing homes. These homes combine advanced building techniques with renewable energy sources such as solar or geothermal to minimize the homes energy needs from outside providers.One step you can

46、take toward making your home more efficient is to get an energy assessment. This is a set of tests that will tell you how well hour home uses energy, and will suggest ways to improve your homes energy performance.Earth Day (April 22nd)Industry EfficiencyWhat You Should Know: The U.S. industrial sect

47、or consumes the most energy in the country, but is vital to our economic stability and growth. Through a national initiative called Save Energy Now, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is helping industrial companies increase productivity, improve efficiency, and save money. Save Energy Now LEADER C

48、ompanies businesses that are partnering with DOE are committing to help meet a national goal to reduce their facilities energy intensity 25% or more in 10 years. These companies receive priority access to Save Energy Now energy assessments that evaluate energy-intensive manufacturing processes to he

49、lp reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and costs. Earth Day (April 22nd)Solid state lightingSolid-state lighting (SSL) has the potential to reduce lighting energy use in the United States by one-third.No other lighting technology offers as much potential to save energy and enhance the quality of ou

50、r building environments, contributing to our nations energy and climate change solutions. In addition to industrial uses such as traffic signals, LED lighting is being developed for a variety of uses around the home from holiday tree lights to walkway illumination. LEDs are durable, long-lasting, an

51、d use about one-tenth as much energy as incandescent bulbs.DOE is working to advance SSL technology, which promises to fundamentally alter lighting in the future.Earth Day (April 22nd)This is a picture of a long street, lined on both sides by various forms of energy production facilities. This scene

52、 provides information about many (but not all) sources of energy currently used in the U.S. such as wind, natural gas, hydrogen storage, biofuels, coal, nuclear energy, geothermal, solar electric power, ocean power, hydropower, and a smart electric grid. Earth Day (April 22nd)Were pursuing cost-effe

53、ctive ways to convert domestic biomass resources like agricultural and forest residues, mill wastes, energy crops, and algae into fuels we can use in our cars, trucks, and even airplanes. Were also focusing on using these renewable resources to create heat and power as well as valuable bioproducts.

54、The stimulus package included more than $800 million to accelerate transformational science and speed next generation biomass technologies to market.What are the benefits? Creating fuels, power, and products from biomass resources can help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions, spur economic growth in

55、rural areas, and take important steps toward energy independence.BiomassWhat you should know: Imagine growing our way to energy security. Thats what the Department of Energy aims to do through research and development into next-generation bioenergy by partnering with industry, academic institutions,

56、 environmental groups, and others.Earth Day (April 22nd)Clean CoalWhat you should know: Coal is our nations most abundant energy resource. It powers half of the electricity generated in America today and will continue to play a prominent role in our energy mix. The Department of Energy has invested

57、billions of dollars, in cooperation with leading businesses, to develop technology that helps utilities to cut sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.Through seven U.S. regional partnerships, the Department of Energy is making progress on demonstrat

58、ing the potential of capturing carbon dioxide from power plants and safely storing it thousands of feet underground. This process is called carbon capture and storage, or CCS. Earth Day (April 22nd)Fuel cellA fuel cell provides clean, efficient, and reliable power to:Vehicles like fork lifts, buses,

59、 and cars;Buildings needing critical prime power or emergency backup power;Portable electronic equipment like TV, cameras, radios, and laptop computers.Fuel cells can operate at two-to-three times the efficiency of traditional combustion technologies and, when fueled with pure hydrogen, they only em

60、it water and potentially useful heat.DOE is partnering with industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, and others to make the goal of plentiful, affordable and sustainable hydrogen energy a reality. Earth Day (April 22nd)GeothermalWhat you should know: Geothermal energy comes from the earths own heat.