Superefficient Affordable Housing: Solutions to Hurdles

This paper describes the programmatic, financial, technical, and operational hurdles that stand in the way of increased energy efficiency in our affordable housing stock. It then explains possible solutions to each of these hurdles. Through the propagation of these solutions and the diminishment of these hurdles, it is possible to create an incentive structure that results in the rapid adoption of energy efficiency within our affordable housing stock.

 

Heat Pumps: An alternative to oil heat for the Northeast

Heating oil is an economic drain on the Northeast region of the US. Users of heating oil are at a crossroads, as the fuel is increasingly untenable for long-term use. Heat pumps are an attractive alternative to heating oil. While there are some barriers to the widespread adoption of heat pumps, states can take steps to address these barriers. Reducing the upfront cost of heat pumps will drive the industry toward self-sufficiency and resolve many of the other barriers.

 

Green Footstep: Calculations and Data Sources

Green Footstep is an online assessment tool for reducing carbon emissions from building construction projects and is publicly available at greenfootstep.org. The Green Footstep tool guides the user through the process of life cycle carbon assessment, and then reveals how users can theoretically reduce the net carbon emissions. Some description of the calculation method is provided on the website; however the calculations and data sources are not provided in detail. This paper provides these calculations and data sources in order to make the Green Footstep methodology completely accessible to the general public.

 

Accelerating Solar Power Adoption: Compounding Cost Savings Across the Value Chain

This paper discusses common barriers to solar power adoption and techniques for getting around those barriers. The authors argue that for solar power to become a significant contributor to energy supply, and hence greenhouse gas emissions reductions, the industry has to achieve high annual growth rates for decades. The challenge cannot be overstated, especially once subsidies can no longer be relied upon to drive industry growth. Several barriers, including high costs, lack of reliable demand, supply chain dynamics, and utility integration issues, threaten to prevent adoption rates from rising as fast as is required. In particular, high costs are a major barrier, since solar power must soon be cost competitive unsubsidized. Fortunately, large cost reduction potential is available, which has not been captured during the hectic expansion of the industry. Based on experience in other industries, the basic tools of end use efficiency, whole systems design, lean manufacturing, and economies of scale will let technology manufacturers and PV installers drive down costs by a factor of two or more. These savings, enabled with support from government policies, industrial collaboration, and process efficiency gains, can bring today’s PV technologies to grid parity in many markets, allowing the exponential growth curve to continue.

 

Sense and Response: A Bioclimatic Dialogue of Place

This paper analyzes human's historical and contemporary responses to the biological environment.

 

Lovins' Response to "The Homely Costs of Energy Conservation"

This piece by Amory and Judy Lovins was written in response to an article in The Wall Street Journal about the design, construction, and renovation of the Lovins' home. The Lovins' response draws economic conclusions opposite to those of the original article.

 

RMI Visitor's Guide

The RMI Visitor's Guide details the design and engineering of Amory and Judy Hill Lovins' house. The Visitor's Guide explains the strategy and economics underlying the design and construction of the house.

 

Why Build Green?

This guide describes the benefits of green building and provides case studies of a variety of successful buildings and developments.

 

Home Energy Briefs: #1 Building Envelope

This Home Energy Brief focuses on the building envelope. It provides guidance for making improvements to a residential building envelope.

 

Home Energy Briefs: #8 Kitchen Appliances

This Home Energy Brief discusses kitchen appliances. The Brief covers the following topics: food and the impacts of what we eat; the electricity use of refrigerators and freezers; cooking appliances; and food waste.

 

results per page 10 20