This article summaries features and opportunities for maximising the sustainable design features of a building. See also
Category: Energy
Energy saving tips
With climate change now an acknowledged problem, many people are keen to know what they can do as individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are several measures you can take to reduce your “carbon footprint” without compromising your lifestyle. You can reduce the energy used in your home (or office) and your carbon footprint… Continue reading Energy saving tips
The end of the world as we know it
Where are we at? In the 21st century the world has entered a time of great change. Following the industrial revolution, humans learned how to extract and use fossil fuels in great quantities. This led to an era of cheap and apparently abundant energy for keeping warm, artificial light, transport and creating electricity. First world… Continue reading The end of the world as we know it
Carbon emissions
Carbon emissions result when carbon stores such as plant material and fossil fuels are burnt. Carbon emissions from various sources are itemised in the table below. Item Activity Units Quantity Brown coal Electricity generation kg C02 per kW-h 1.24 Brown coal Electricity generation tonnes C02 per MW 1.3 Black coal Electricity generation tonnes C02 per MW… Continue reading Carbon emissions
Biofuels
Biofuels are derived from biological sources such as plants and algae. With dwindling fossil fuel supplies, many types of biofuels such as ethanol and vegetable oils are now being used for transport, industrial and domestic purposes. “Good biofuels” are produced from waste organic matter that is not produced from environmentally destructive activities. For example, using crop waste… Continue reading Biofuels
Heat pump
A heat pump is a machine or device that moves heat from one location (the ‘source’) to another location (the ‘sink’ or ‘heat sink’) using mechanical work. Most heat pump technology moves heat from a low temperature heat source to a higher temperature heat sink.[1] Common examples are food refrigerators and freezers, air conditioners, and reversible-cycle heat… Continue reading Heat pump
Nuclear power
The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, a boiling water reactor. The nuclear reactors are located inside the rectangular containment buildings towards the front of the cooling towers. The towers in the background vent water vapor. Nuclear power is regarded by some as a solution for addressing climate change. Proponents claim that it is a “clean” source of… Continue reading Nuclear power
Home heating
Home heating can be require significant energy and is often a large component of the greenhouse gas emissions of a house. Options for home heating include: Wood Gas (fossil fuel) Fuel oil or kerosene (fossil fuel) Electrical Solar power Other
Victoria’s new solar laws
The Brumby government in Victoria, Australia, announced the impending introduction of new Feed in tariff legislation in May 2008 following and election promise in 2006 to introduce it. While the intention to encourage clean energy production from solar panels was good, the initial structure of Victoria’s proposed feed in tariff did not achieve this. Amendments to the… Continue reading Victoria’s new solar laws
Greenprint
This is a Greenprint that identifies strategies, actions and approaches for moving towards a sustainable future. NOTE: Links on this page are being updated. Transport Housing and buildings Dont: Garden Dont: Government action The following actions are the province of governments. If yours is dragging the chain, let you local, state and national political representatives… Continue reading Greenprint