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ACEEE Calls for Upgraded Energy Standard for Refrigerators, Freezers

Upgraded Refrigerator Standard Could Save $10.1 Billion At a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) public hearing today, a broad-based coalition announced they had filed a petition last week asking that the DOE strengthen energy efficiency standards for home refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. "A new refrigerator standard ranks among the most significant actions DOE could do to save energy," said Steven Nadel, Executive Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). According to the petition, consumers would save as much as $10.1 billion over 25 years if DOE strengthened the current standard by 30%. According to DOE data, the electricity saved over 25 years by such a stronger standard would be enough to meet the total electricity needs of every U.S. home for 18 months. "Refrigerators are much more efficient than they were 30 years ago," said David B. Goldstein, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council. "But they still account for about 14% percent of electricity use in our homes. Fortunately, manufacturers' innovations make further improvements in the efficiency standards possible." Preceded by several states establishing their own refrigerator efficiency requirements, Congress set initial national standards for refrigerators in 1987, which were updated by DOE in 1989 and 1997. Under the […]

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Northern Power Accelerates Wind Turbine Development

Northern Power Systems landed a US$2.0 million cooperative agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to advance the development of the company's NorthWind 100 (NW 100) wind turbine. The Northern team includes major subcontractor GE Energy, which will participate in the design effort through its Wind Energy segment, and the GE Global Research Center. The DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and its National Wind Technology Center will be providing technical assistance on the project. Northern's next generation turbine will combine the latest in wind turbine component technologies, including new blade, generator and power electronics designs. Expected to run over a two-year period, this agreement brings together two US wind energy technology development companies: Northern Power Systems – reportedly the nation's oldest renewable energy integrator, with several significant advanced technology development projects presently underway – and GE Energy, one of the world's leading suppliers of technology and products to the energy industry and the wind turbine market. The Northern team will share 30% of the cost of the project, which is aimed at accelerating commercialization of next generation wind turbine technology and capitalizing on Northern's position as an open-technology provider of power systems integration and engineering services. "The decision to […]

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