Energy + Environment

  Wireless Electricity: Nikola Tesla’s Century-old Dream Coming to Life  The concept of wireless electricity—a vision championed by Nikola Tesla in 1901—is on the brink of transforming modern energy distribution. Tesla’s early ideas involved transmitting electricity through the Earth’s ionosphere. Although those ambitions never materialized, they inspired generations of researchers. The field saw pivotal breakthroughs [...]

Bird-building collisions are a significant issue, causing millions of bird deaths annually as birds fail to recognize glass windows as barriers. Recent research and technological advancements highlight the potential of ultraviolet (UV) light as a promising solution to this problem, leveraging the unique visual capabilities of birds. Most bird species possess the ability to see [...]

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has set a new industry benchmark by publishing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for 50,000 of its electrical products, a move widely recognized as a record for the sector. These EPDs, which include lighting and lighting accessories, are now accessible through the One Click LCA platform, [...]

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University in Japan as well as Colorado State University have developed a groundbreaking method that achieves complete breakdown of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” using visible LED light at room temperature. This innovation represents an important advance in environmental remediation and sustainable fluorine recycling, addressing one of the most [...]

  In LEED v5, lighting environment is a key focus, with options for reducing glare and improving daylight access, and a new “Lighting Environment” credit. This credit allows projects to earn points by implementing strategies like reducing solar glare, minimizing artificial light glare, and maximizing daylight access. Additionally, the new “Connecting with Nature” credit, which was previously a [...]

More utilities are offering rebates focused on replacing older LED lighting with newer, more efficient models. Early adopters of LED lighting from a decade ago are now finding it necessary to upgrade due to advancements in LED technology and the aging of their initial installations. Improvements in LED Technology LED technology has significantly advanced over [...]

  The integration of bird-friendly measures into the widely recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system is both progress and controversial in protecting avian species from building-related threats. LEED, managed by the U.S. Green Building Council, has been a global standard for sustainable architecture since 1998, with more than 100,000 certified properties [...]

  The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) has introduced a new toolkit aimed at enhancing energy savings in commercial buildings by promoting the integration of networked lighting controls (NLC) with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This resource addresses a significant opportunity for energy conservation, as research indicates that integrating lighting controls with HVAC can reduce [...]

The core mission of achieving energy savings remains central to the relationship between institutional and commercial facilities and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). However, facilities are constantly evolving due to various factors like maintenance issues, climate change, and occupancy shifts. While ESCOs have existed for around 40 years, the industry continues to adapt to meet these [...]