For decades, ICC and ASHRAE have developed codes that have become the industry standard for the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of residential and commercial buildings in the US and internationally.
In coordination with ICC and ASHRAE, USGBC has been leading a nationwide green building movement centered on the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System since 2000. LEED concentrates on improving performance across five key areas of environmental and human health: energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, sustainable site development, and water savings. The IGCC combines these two efforts.
A major addition to the technical content of the IGCC is the inclusion of ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, "Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings," as an alternate path of compliance. Standard 189.1 is a set of technically rigorous requirements, which like the IGCC covers criteria including water use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, materials and resource use, and the building's impact on its site and its community. The industry groups will work to accelerate adoption of the new model code in jurisdictions throughout the US and around the world. See the USGBC press release (PDF 54 KB) and the IGCC Web site.
Companies Rolling Out Innovations in EV Charging
As several electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to start shipping later this year, companies are seeking ways to make the new transportation mode more acceptable, including making recharging easier.
General Electric and Juice Technologies jointly announced an agreement to create intelligent plug-in EV charging devices for U.S. and global markets. The chargers will integrate GE's smart meters with Juice Technology's "Plug Smart" technology, which enables EVs to communicate with the Smart Grid, to help people charge cars during low-demand, lower-cost time periods. The companies will begin offering EV chargers in the US in the second quarter of 2010, with full-scale production ramping up throughout the year. Global availability will follow. See the GE press release and the product description from Plug Smart, a subsidiary of Juice Technologies.
Meanwhile, Evatran has developed "Plugless Power" recharging systems that use electrical induction to eliminate the need for cords and plugs. On February 23, they announced the launch of a field trial of pre-production units in its headquarter town of Wytheville, Virginia. Participants include the Town of Wytheville, several businesses and individuals, each of whom will drive EVs on a regular basis using the Evatran prototype systems. The company expects full-scale production by late fall 2010.
Coulomb Technologies announced the ChargePoint iPhone App, a free application that allows EV drivers to locate ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations anywhere in North America. The App also allows users to see if a charging station is available in real time. See the Evatran press release and product description, and the press release from Coulomb Technologies.
Colorado Boosts Renewable Energy Requirement to 30% by 2020
Colorado raised its renewable energy standard to require utilities to obtain 30% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. Governor Bill Ritter signed the legislation on March 22, noting the new standard makes it the "best in the Rocky Mountain West" and one of the highest in the nation.
In 2004, the state was the first in the US to pass a voter-approved renewable energy standard - 10% renewable power by 2015. In 2007, state legislation increased the requirement to 20% by 2020, which has now been raised by another 50%.
