by Jeff Ihnen | Apr 13, 2015 | Energy Rant
Last week I discussed the need to simplify energy codes to disallow the variable air volume systems that (1) 95% of design and construction professionals don’t understand from an energy perspective, or (2) require constant babysitting by the other 5%. This week the...
by Jeff Ihnen | Apr 6, 2015 | Energy Rant
In January, I wrote about code compliance and that while energy codes keep ratcheting down energy intensity in theory, reality is misery. That post was a thinly veiled advertisement for my AESP National Conference session in the Lion’s Lair, and that presentation can...
by Jeff Ihnen | Apr 1, 2015 | Energy Rant
The source of this week’s post about the utility of the future is this Utility Dive article about Pacific Gas and Electric’s proposed incentives for electric vehicles. The article made me think of this: liberals think big business is evil and conservatives think big...
by Jeff Ihnen | Mar 23, 2015 | Energy Rant
This article, Americans could pay more for clean energy. But will they really?, from Utility Dive reminds me of my own life experiences with squirrelly people. They talk a good game, but where is the action? It also reminds me of the folly in precise net-to-gross,...
by Jeff Ihnen | Mar 17, 2015 | Energy Rant
As we march along with the nation’s rather massive build-out of renewable energy resources, questions emerge for how to fill the gaps when the sun sets and the wind stops blowing – i.e., when it’s nice to be outdoors, especially in the summer. So there you have it –...
by Jeff Ihnen | Mar 9, 2015 | Energy Rant
Recently, Utility Dive released its report, 2015 State of the Electric Utility – a compendium of utility company prognosticative surveys. Findings include: Utilities will move away from vertical integration – see last week’s Utility 2.0. The biggest opportunities are...
by Jeff Ihnen | Mar 2, 2015 | Energy Rant
A lot of people have subscribed to the Energy Rant in recent weeks, so I think a little re-introduction is in order. Last week, the post was entitled Gamification; from a Non-Gamer. That was unusually peaceful and friendly because I really have no beef with that...
by Jeff Ihnen | Feb 23, 2015 | Energy Rant
The ACEEE just released a study on energy efficiency programs delivered as games – gamification. At this stage of my career, I never dismiss something that works, for some people, as dumb. Gamification does not seem to be something I would be interested in as...
by Jeff Ihnen | Feb 16, 2015 | Energy Rant
Twenty-five years ago, I lived in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington: the distance from my condo apartment to work was four miles as the crow flies; a half hour as the car drives. Monthly parking fees were $100, so I biked. Today, in Wisconsin, these...
by Jeff Ihnen | Feb 9, 2015 | Energy Rant
Not that my opinion is worth anything, but the results of Chicago’s 2014 commercial building benchmarking report are excellent. The report indicates that most of the 348 buildings that were benchmarked for the study were benchmarked using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio...
