Energy + Environment

  Surging electricity prices have shifted voter sentiment in Virginia, New Jersey, and Maine, introducing energy policy as a defining issue in U.S. politics. Electricity rates—up 21 percent in New Jersey and expected to climb substantially in Virginia—are amplifying frustrations among households and small businesses, fueling electoral volatility heading into the gubernatorial elections and shaping [...]

  New research from KPMG reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) systems have the potential to reduce energy waste in buildings by up to 30%, significantly improving energy efficiency and supporting sustainability goals. This is particularly important as buildings contribute roughly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and with urban populations expected to reach 70% by [...]

  The 360 Solar Area Light collection by Landscape Forms, developed in partnership with FlexSol Lighting Solutions, represents the integration of aestetic design and off-grid solar lighting. The solar luminaires are visually distinctive, highly efficient, and resilient across varied environments and climates. Design and Technology 360 Solar features a unique, slim cylindrical profile created by [...]

  The rapidly growing market for energy service companies (ESCOs) and their performance contracts are projected to expand from $15.9 billion to nearly $27 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%. This growth is driven primarily by increasing government and commercial focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and infrastructure resilience. ESCO [...]

  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 [...]