RMI Outlet
Plug Into New Ideas
Is $1 a Watt Solar Achievable?
The U.S. Department of Energy continues to make solar industry news by supporting their SunShot initiative, focused on bringing levelized costs of PV systems in line with other sources of generation before 2020. A flurry of media activity has investigated the question, “Is it realistic to hope that solar can one day be installed for $1/watt or under?” which has sparked vigorous debate by commenters (see recent posts on Greentech Media and Renewable Energy World).
New Rules: Real Time Information and the EV Industry
Electric vehicles have tremendous potential to reduce U.S. dependence on oil and improve our environment. To realize that goal, industry leaders must learn new ways to communicate with their customers. But it’s not just the automaker’s responsibility. Electric vehicles require coordination among a range of industries—utilities, manufacturers and electricians will each play a role. And how they communicate their role could shape future of this industry.
Seattle CEOs Ready for the New Energy Era
This spring, Rocky Mountain Institute’s founder and Chief Scientist Amory Lovins ventured away from the arid mountains of Colorado—where he has been holed up for many months writing a book called "Reinventing Fire"—for the damp seascape of Seattle.
Fueling American Industry
The industrial sector has produced the material goods and refined fuels required to meet the desires and aspirations of society. From cars to cardboard, U.S. industries fuel the economy by creating jobs, and generating products of enormous utility. In 2009, industrial shipments were valued at six trillion dollars, or 46.7 percent of GDP. However, the magnitude of industrial operations has a hidden cost: it requires a prodigious input of material and energy.
Building Energy Modeling: Igniting the Industry (Video)
At the Building Energy Modeling Innovation Summit last month, participants shared their vision of the future of energy modeling and how it can drive widespread solutions for low-energy buildings with reduced electric demand. Here’s what a few of them said….