Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast

What's a secret for improving data center efficiency? A big energy loser for data centers is the closet that house air conditioning. Frank A. Coluccio, principal for Cirrant Partners Inc., an IT infrastructure consulting firm, tells how to solve the problem and also identifies the management issues that can prevent data centers from saving energy.

Energy Storage will get a boost from cities and other governments worried about the potential for natural disasters, says Ron MacDonald, former Canadian Parliament member and Executive Chairman of American Vanadium, which produces energy storage systems. Policy makers in New York State and elsewhere are improving their infrastructure systems, which will result in more money going into energy storage, he says. For example, New York City is funneling funds into improving its infrastructure in response to natural disasters--and that could affect the energy storage market, he says. When one city or state takes action, others often follow the lead, he says. And investors take notice, he says. MacDonald also provides tips for people in the energy storage industry, saying they should connect with their policy makers. Interview by Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com

Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews Hemant Teneja, co-founder of the Advanced Energy Economy. What needs to happen for utilities to take more risks and adopt new technologies and services in EE?

The ultracapacitor market is growing 30 to 40 percent annually, says Mark McGough, CEO of Loxus, a manufacturer of ultracapacitors. The "ultracaps," provide quick surges of power and don't need to be replaced as often as batteries. They're found in windmills, solar systems and conventional cars to boost efficiency – to name just a few applications.

In Michigan, Consumers Energy is attracting customers to its efficiency programs using a number of innovative tactics – including asking them to invest in energy efficient housing when the local sports team hits a home run. Teri VanSumeren, manager of energy efficiency for Consumers Energy tells the story to Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com

President Obama has called for utilities to use more renewable energy. What does this mean for distributed generation and energy efficiency? Lisa Cohn interviews David South, senior manager in the sustainability practice for West Monroe Partners, who identifies the challenges and benefits of the Obama plan for energy efficiency and distributed generation.

Knowing a utility's peak power hours can help businesses cut bills by up to 35%, says Mike Gordon, CEO of Joule Assets, which has launched Peak Power Index. Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews Gordon about the many businesses and organizations that can benefit from this knowledge.

Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com continues her interview with Robert Weisenmiller, chairman of the California Energy Commission, who hails the many benefits of California’s microgrid projects—including cutting foreign oil use and saving lives for the military. The commission has awarded $1.7 million for a military microgrid demonstration project.

Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews Robert Weisenmiller, chairman of the California Energy Commission, who hails the many benefits of California’s microgrid projects—including cutting foreign oil use and saving lives for the military. The commission has awarded $1.7 million for a military microgrid demonstration project.

A report from Acccenture Energy Consumer Services concludes that small and medium sized businesses want utilities to provide more products and services that could satisfy customers and reap revenues for utilities. Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews Greg Guthridge, global managing director of Accenture Energy Consumer Services.

Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews NRDC senior scientist Noah Horowitz, who provides news about just how much the US could save with efficient routers, modems and other black boxes that connect to the internet--and what can be done about it.

Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews Stacey Lawson, CEO of Ygrene, which provides software that helps administer green projects, about the impact of Obama's climate plan on energy efficiency. She gives the good and bad news about the plan.

Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews Barun Singh, CTO and founder of WegoWise, about President Obama’s Climate Plan. He discusses what it means to the built environment and the benefits of boosting EE.

Lisa Cohn of RealEnergyWriter.com interviews Inara Scott, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University’s College of Business, who describes a study about what can be done to increase energy efficiency. What are the barriers and how can they be overcome?

Lisa Cohn of RealEnergyWriters interviews Larry Rallo, LEDtronics business development manager, who discusses misconceptions about LED lights and what manufacturers and policy makers can do to fix this problem.