Energy Efficiency

Clean Clothes and Dishes for a Fraction of the Energy

Clean Clothes and Dishes for a Fraction of the Energy

Katherine Tweed: May 16, 2012

DOE releases new appliance standards, with more on the way

Opower Adds Utility Customers, Tests Smart Thermostats

Opower Adds Utility Customers, Tests Smart Thermostats

Jeff St. John: May 16, 2012

The startup with more than 70 utility customers expands into Europe and pilots its smart thermostats with Honeywell.

WeatherBug Debuts Its Energy Management App

WeatherBug Debuts Its Energy Management App

Katherine Tweed: May 16, 2012

When temperatures soar, who better than a weather company to control your thermostat?

One Degree Can Save More Than You Think

One Degree Can Save More Than You Think

Katherine Tweed: May 15, 2012

Even adjusting the thermostat in winter can save real money.

Free Nights Come to Electricity Plans

Free Nights Come to Electricity Plans

Katherine Tweed: May 14, 2012

TXU offers an energy plan that sounds a lot like a mobile phone plan.

Panoramic Power: Building Energy Sensor Networks From the Circuit Up

Panoramic Power: Building Energy Sensor Networks From the Circuit Up

Jeff St. John: May 14, 2012

Can self-powered sensors connect buildings in real-time, smart energy networks?

Elster’s Smart Meter Strongbox Takes Off in Brazil

Elster’s Smart Meter Strongbox Takes Off in Brazil

Jeff St. John: May 11, 2012

Elster locks up its smart meters to prevent energy theft in Rio de Janeiro and across Latin America.

Smart Lighting News: Daintree and Philips Get Networked, Adura Connects to EnOcean

Smart Lighting News: Daintree and Philips Get Networked, Adura Connects to EnOcean

Jeff St. John: May 9, 2012

Networking the world’s office and warehouse lights will require new standards—and deep pockets. 

Honest Buildings: 250,000 New York City Buildings Online

Honest Buildings: 250,000 New York City Buildings Online

Jeff St. John: May 9, 2012

The startup with the social media app for property managers and building professionals goes big in its home city.

Echelon’s Modular Smart Grid Lands Big Asian Partners

Echelon’s Modular Smart Grid Lands Big Asian Partners

Jeff St. John: May 8, 2012

First, smart meters; next, control nodes for the inverters, sensors, chargers and other grid devices to come

Lightfair 2012: Fear and Glowing in Las Vegas

Lightfair 2012: Fear and Glowing in Las Vegas

Eric Wesoff: May 8, 2012

GE shows its 100-watt LED bulb and lots more. Here’s a roundup of some of the more interesting news coming out of the huge lighting fest in Las Vegas this week.

Operational Efficiency: A Hidden Energy Efficiency Opportunity for Commercial Buildings

Operational Efficiency: A Hidden Energy Efficiency Opportunity for Commercial Buildings

Ken Kolkebeck: May 7, 2012

A guest post on finding the hidden and low-hanging fruit of energy efficiency

Tendril Raises $25M for Utility-Home Energy Software

Tendril Raises $25M for Utility-Home Energy Software

Jeff St. John: May 7, 2012

The Boulder, Colo.-based startup says some big utility customers are finally moving from pilot projects to larger deployments.

Schneider Buys M&C for Energy Services in Europe, Asia-Pacific

Schneider Buys M&C for Energy Services in Europe, Asia-Pacific

Jeff St. John: May 4, 2012

Schneider’s purchase of UK-based M&C Energy Group adds to its growing portfolio of energy services. When will the smart grid connections come?

Blue Pillar Raises $7M for Hospital, Military, Data Center Demand Response

Blue Pillar Raises $7M for Hospital, Military, Data Center Demand Response

Jeff St. John: May 4, 2012

The startup specializing in energy management microgrids for hospitals raises money to expand to other customers with critical power backup needs.