Paper use on a global scale is enormous.

We have no one to blame but ourselves as many daily transactions still require paperwork despite technological advances towards a paperless society.

In an effort to preserve forests and the environment, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) have unveiled a promising and cutting edge “rewritable electronic paper”.

The interesting part about this e-paper is that it can retain information written upon it without using electricity and it is designed to replace paper products that only have a limited lifespan such as tickets or daily office papers, thus saving on waste and energy.

This phenomenal project is named ‘i2R e-paper’ and is considered to be a breakthrough in the digital industry.

The flexible liquid crystal panel displays 300 dpi resolution text and images, and these are transferred using heat, just as a traditional fax machine would have produced images or text. The i2R e-paper uses ambient light rather than backlighting as found in most LCD screens.

“I think the greatest breakthrough was that traditional display devices usually require electricity to write, but our technology made it closer to how we would use normal paper. First, it does not require patterned electrodes — it is very light, soft and rewritable. From this perspective, this is a true e-paper. In many cases, such as transportation tickets or ID badges, it will save your from printing the same thing 259 times. In terms of environmental production, this is very meaningful” - said Dr Janglin Chen, general director of ITRI’s Display Technology Centre.

The e-paper can be annoted with water solvent marker pens, similar to a white board, and then washed off after use. When you want to erase the existing content the e-paper is run through a thermal printer erasing the markings that were there. ITRI estimates that the e-paper is re-writtable up to 260 times prior to being replaced. At obsolesence all the materials within the device are recyclable.

The researchers behind the iR2 e-paper envision it to be an ideal replacement for advertising signs, posters, parking tickets or transportation passes that are manufactured every day.

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Historical buildings that need restorations or energy updates have an added concern when trying to adhere to environmental considerations, since conserving the customary aspects of the space is also important.

Preserving and operating antique sites can be costly, and renovating them can be even more so.

However, as pointed out by South Carolina’s Preservation Society of Charleston, existing historic buildings are generally already green in nature, making them ideal for an efficiency overhaul. When compared to the financing and energy consumption required to replicate a new structure on the same scale, redesigning or performing energy audits to update problem areas is most often a better option than rebuilding portions or entire structures.

Most preservation worthy buildings were constructed with durable, local materials from the time period in which they were built. Also, design techniques with an understanding and consideration of natural heating and cooling sources, like sun and wind tendencies, were normally resourcefully incorporated in the layout.

Since new construction is responsible for 40% of the raw materials used annually, maintaining features and materials as well as preserving quality work is normally the most sustainable option. Many historical sites have earned their enduring spot due to the skillful assembly that have made the building last over the years.

Looking at construction from this point of view applies the model of embodied energy. Emerging in the 1970’s when energy consumption was at crisis level and being scrutinized, the embodied energy notion brought attention to the already expended energy, both industrial and human, that was put into a current structure. Inspecting materials for solidity as well as lasting environmental impacts helps create a more sustainable design.

One way to make an older structure more energy efficient is to perform periodic energy audits, which are usually done professionally on this scale. Simple solutions like locating and fixing leaks, updating windows and incorporating renewable resources like solar energy, can be applied to drastically reduce energy use.

The city of Boulder, Colorado has two pdfs available with information on preserving historic buildings. Volume 1 looks into principles and design approaches into making a historic structure more efficient. Volume 2 deals with the technical aspects of energy efficiency.

Providing past representation while adhering to current ecologically conscious designs is a way to significantly reduce energy consumption and ensure historic buildings will be around for many more years of appreciation.

Image Source: Preservation Society of Charleston

While there exist many solar-feed beacons to provide efficient light and heat whilst indulging in the great outdoors, their productivity is often compromised when you need them most – as the sun sails vastly beneath the horizon and you find yourself shrouded in darkness.

The CampStove, created by Biolite, is fueled by biomass, which is easily comprised of common woodland trimmings.

These include twigs, wood pellets, and pine-cones. Such sources are abundantly scattered throughout woods and yards, and, as they require no tree chopping or other harmful practices, are considered renewable.

Once trimmings are collected, they can be placed in the fuel chamber of the stove and ignited with a lighter.

The heat from the flames is then converted into thermoelectric energy, which in turn powers a fan, making for a very efficient fire.

The fire from the stove can be used just as a traditional campfire would: keeping you warm during cool nights beneath the stars, used to roast treats and small meals, and acting as a hearth, around which memories are made.

Additionally, the electricity generated from the heat can be used as an off-grid power charger for your USB-compatible gadgets, such as Smartphones, as well as LED lights.

The CampStove is the equivalent in size to the average water bottle, allowing for single-hand portability. Its tripod-like legs allow it to mount many terrains with ease and can fold in, making the most of compact storage.

Conventional alternatives require the use of fossil fuels and solar chargers, meaning long hours of sunlight are needed. Because the CampStove is neither solar nor fossil fuel powered, it can be used day or night and does not create fuel canister waste. It is also cheaper than conventional options, with a total ownership cost of 129 dollars, compared to an average of 316 dollars for a five-year ownership.

To top it all off, the CampStove can be upgraded with the addition of a portable grill, which attaches to the top of the stove. Thus, lending its hot grates to cook food of a larger size or quantity.

Aside from adding convenience to camping trips and cozy evening spent in the backyard, the CampStove also provides aid during power-outages and natural disasters. Currently, the CampStove is being used to bring renewable heat and energy to families of the developing world.

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Air conditioning is one of the greatest users of electricity during summer months.

Luckily, innovations are being made to create efficient alternatives.

One alternative is Ice Energy.

Found in the Ice Bear system, ice energy doesn’t replace air conditioning, but is integrated into an existing AC system to create a hybrid that is energy efficient.

Ice Bear attaches to existing rooftop air conditioning system and uses the existing airflow, so it is easy to install. It is best suited for commercial building and comes in Ice-ready rooftop units. But how does it work?

Ice Bear is essentially a thermal tank that operates in two modes, Ice Charging mode and Ice Cooling mode.

In Ice Charging Mode
During the cooler, more efficient hours of the night, Ice Bear charges 450 gallons of water to create a giant ice block. The ice block will remain intact until it is needed in the peak hours of the day.

In Ice Cooling mode
During the warmer hours of the day, a fan blows wind on the ice. The ice slowly melts as it travels through copper coils, effectively cooling the building. The cooling cycle lasts at least 6 hours, usually starting at noon. During this time the AC shuts off and Ice Bear takes over. In this way Ice Bear works as a battery to your air conditioner, using energy only as it is needed. Once the ice is melted the cycle begins again.

Considering 40-50 percent of a building’s electricity use comes from daytime air-conditioning, there is no reason not to try alternatives. With Ice Bear attached, you can cut electricity use by 95 percent.

What makes Ice Bear accessible is that it works with nearly all operating conditions and installations.

Plus, Ice Bear systems are funded and supplied by utilities, so it is free for you to use. If your building is located within a participating utilities territory, then you qualify to receive the Ice Bear equipment and installation at no cost to you.

The ice energy system is great when used for commercial buildings.

One of the UK’s leading organizations for preserving the country’s heritage has announced intentions to use half of its electricity from carbon neutral technology within seven years.

The National Trust already leads in renewable technology use with over one hundred green projects across the country, but these new plans will yet further reduce energy use in National Trust buildings.

The goal behind the initiative is to set a benchmark for other organizations and companies in how we can best install renewable sources into existing and often historically important sites.

The National Trust is charged with overseeing the maintenance and tourism interests of Britain’s most culturally significant buildings, with a grading system used to dictate which structures can be changed and in which way.

In general the National Trust’s move towards further renewables has been welcomed, but some critics argue that the changes will make no significant change to the overall well-being of the environment. The Trust counters this by stating that, firstly, the historical significance of their properties makes large scale change near impossible, and secondly, that the project is aimed at advertising green change rather than epitomizing it.

The Trust’s chairman has come under fire in the past for stated fierce opposition to wind power, which is the UK’s most lucrative renewable energy resource. Some criticize Mr Jenkins for ignoring the wider problem of global warming in favour of smaller changes to buildings that make no real change towards overall reduction in carbon emissions.

That being said, there are very few National Trust buildings currently being used in a major commercial or industry way, the vast majority being visitors attractions – it’s difficult to see how the installation of new green technology would help here as it would be rarely be used in buildings that are now historic museums. The majority of attractions owned by the Trust are free to enter, meaning there is little opportunity in charging for entry in an effort to off-set fuel use.

The National Trust’s plans include significant use of bio- and hydro-generation before the decade is out, although since the majority of buildings are almost untouchable due to their grading, main changes will most likely take place in the maintenance of buildings and the technology used therein.

The National Trust is in a difficult situation, charged with protecting the look and feel of historically significant buildings whilst pulling its weight on environment concerns – these new plans, whilst underwhelming, may be the organizations only move forward in renewables for the time being.

Image: gardenvisit.com

Silicon, the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust, and eighth most abundant in the entire universe, may have just taken a backseat to a lesser known element: Graphene.

One of silicon’s best uses is in solar cells, though that may all change soon.

According to MIT, Graphene has the potential of providing 60 percent more energy efficiency than silicon.

So far, there aren’t any devices capable of using graphene to harvest energy, however, in the near future when companies begin testing and developing such machines, we may very well have a revolution in solar energy on our hands.

Frank Koppens of the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Spain envisions a bright future for Graphene.

He imagines it’ll be very useful in cameras, light sensors, medical equipment, etc. Future implications will depend on scientist’s understanding of how graphene absorbs sunlight, though it is speculated that we might see graphene hit the mainstream market in the next decade or so.

Nanotechnology Professor Andrea Ferrari of the University of Cambridge in the U.K. says the “material can work with any wavelength you can think of.” He continued, “There is no other material in the world with this behavior.” With the new research into possible uses, “a third layer of interest is added to graphene for optics.”

It’s a promising future for our world when new efficiencies for energy harvesting are discovered.

If graphene proves to be as potent as scientists are currently predicting, then the entire solar industry might very well be turned on its head. This game-changing element could be the answer to a great many prayers.

Since graphene is cheap, light, sturdy, and flexible, the average person will be able to afford purchasing it for everyday use, such as personal solar converters, light sensors, etc. We’ll be following this story with great interest as more is discovered.

Convert your home into a smart home with Wattio’s SmartHome 360º system, and take complete control of the energy used to power or heat it, right from your smartphone or tablet.

Wattio’s system uses smart gateways, thermostats, energy monitors, and plugs, networked together so that users can monitor and control everything with an app or via a web browser, potentially saving both money and energy.

In-home control of the SmartHome 360º is through the Wattio Gateway, which functions as both the hub for the system and as a local display of settings. The Wattio Thermic replaces the thermostat for temperature monitoring and scheduling, and the POD is a smart plug that allows for scheduling and remote control of appliances, including killing phantom power draws.

According to Wattio, users can save up to $130 in electricity and $300 in heating costs each year, and with the added ability to track and compare energy use over time or with other users, the system could give users customized energy tips and lead developers to even better energy management technologies.

The system also allows users to program events into their Wattio Gadgets that can trigger alerts or specific actions from the system, and because it enables remote access to appliances, can let users control them no matter where they are.

Right now, Wattio has a campaign on Indiegogo to further develop their system and build a user base, and will be adding more capabilities to the platform, including door and motion sensors and LED lighting, in the near future.

Find out more about SmartHome 360º at Wattio.

One of the simplest and most effective ways for us to lessen our environmental footprint is through home energy efficiency, and in honor of Earth Day, two great mobile apps for guiding that process are available for free.

Both apps come from Verde L3C, and can help iPhone/iPad users to make smart decisions in the process of gaining energy efficiency in their own homes.

The first app, Verde, aims to educate consumers about their energy use and find the best eco-friendly products for their home, and according to the company, users that follow the suggestions and upgrade to more efficient products can save over $700 in utility bills.

“The VERDE app is an energy savings calculations tool to help people perform an energy audit in their own home. The app can be used as many times as you want, and helps demonstrate to the average user how to save in energy efficiency upgrades with each eco product. It can also be used to show how behavioral changes, like hibernating a computer or turning off lights in rooms unused, can lead to significant savings.”

The second app, Stopwattch, allows users to measure the energy usage and cost of any appliance or electronics device in their house, using local energy rates. The app has common items as default (TV, heaters, gaming systems, coffee makers, etc.), but users can also enter the specs of other items not listed, in order to see the energy use and associated cost to operate them.

The latest version of Stopwattch includes the option for calculating the cost for electric vehicle charging, either for comparison shopping for electric vehicles or conventional gas cars, or to estimate annual costs.

Learn more about these energy efficiency apps at Verde, or download them for free today.

The sun’s rays have long been utilized for energy.

Though they pay for themselves in the long run, the upfront costs of installing solar panels can be steep.

If you want the optimal effects of solar energy but cannot afford to solarize your whole home or business, there are other options that will produce sustainable power without as steep of a price tag.

Financing and tax incentives are usually available for renewable energy installations. Instead of splurging for an entire line, you can also purchase individual panels and add to your solar collection when you have the opportunity. If you are an able do-it-yourselfer and understand how the solar process works you can even look into making your own solar cell panels which is usually a cheaper option than buying from a manufacturer.

To increase energy capabilities solar can be combined with other energy bases like hybrid power and renewable resources such as wind to increase electrical output. Water, heating and air conditioning units can also all be designed to efficiently run off renewable energy sources.

Solar battery chargers are also a great option for juicing up technology and other equipment in a household or office. They range in price, but when compared to a standard monthly electric bill they are quite favorable for charging everyday items. Battery chargers can be purchased to accommodate rechargeable batteries as well as many electronic items. There are selections of portable solar chargers as well as stationary chargers if mobility isn’t a big factor.

In order to trap warmth passive solar collectors can be incorporated where possible. Passive solar arrangements, like sunrooms and greenhouses, use ideally placed windows or glass that allow heat to be stored and recirculated throughout indoor spaces. These heat trapping structures can be supplemented with solar panels also. Passive solar designs can drastically decrease heating costs.

The U.S. Department of Energy has a consumer’s guide pdf which has tips on incorporating solar cells. How to calculate costs, figure out energy savings and determining what type of system would be most beneficial for needed uses are covered.

As solar influence becomes more mainstream, availability will hopefully continue to increase as costs take a decline.

Image Source: Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Life without air conditioning has become impossible to imagine in some parts of the world and with temperatures predicted to rise in the future this situation does not look like changing.

However air conditioning is notorious for increasing energy consumption dramatically in households and businesses.

There are a few checks that you can make to reduce the carbon footprint that your air conditioner makes.

Mind about MERV
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a scale developed for measuring filtering effectiveness, and this scale was developed by the American Society of Heating in around 1981. The scale ranges from 1 to 16 where the higher number implies high efficiency for filtering more particles in the air.

Typically air conditioners will have a MERV rating in the range of 1 to 5. If you have not checked your air conditioner’s rating look in the user manual or contact the company support team. Once you find the rating consult a technician to increase this as the higher the rating the more energy efficient and healthier your family will be.

Plan before you buy
Most people might start with a budget, but it is more advisable to correctly specify the dimensions of the room that requires air conditioning. This will ensure that the correct machine is bought for your needs, meeting budgetary and ongoing cost effective concerns. Always consider the units with energy stars attributed to them.

It is worth considering a unit with a two stage compressor as that will allow one compressor to shut down when the interior temperature is cool, conserving energy.

Maintenance
The filter is a crucial part of the air conditioning unit and must be checked to ensure effective use. Do a periodic check-up and replace the filter if needed. Filters should be changed or washed because the dirt present in the air will occupy the pores in the filter blocking the air flow.

Another noteworthy thing to check for is refrigerant leaks from the valves. A leaking air conditioner will use more power and cost you more.