efficiency

Improvements Needed to Achieve More Efficiency, Quality of Census Bureau’s Annual Economic Surveys

The U.S. Census Bureau should develop a detailed concept and implementation plan for an Annual Business Survey System (ABSS) to replace the current suite of largely separate annual economic surveys, says a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.




efficiency

How to improve the efficiency of public participation processes in coastal management

Public participation in developing coastal management plans can have numerous benefits, such as augmenting expert information with local knowledge and building trust, a new study has confirmed; however, challenges remain, say the researchers. They use the experiences of 10 case studies to make a series of recommendations regarding how to improve the efficiency of the process.




efficiency

Resource Efficiency

Humanity is demanding ever greater economic productivity at a time when natural resources, the input that feeds this productivity, are dwindling. To reduce pressure on key assets, such as water, minerals, fuel and land, we must use less of them, and we need to increase the efficiency and productivity of resources that we do use, to achieve more output per input. Put simply, we must do more with less. This thematic issue reports on research which helps guide the way to a more resource efficient society.




efficiency

Exploring the Links Between Energy Efficiency and Resource Efficiency - June 2015

Energy efficiency is at the centre of EU policy for achieving a fundamental transformation of Europe’s energy systems by 2030. This Thematic Issue reveals the complexity of the issue of energy efficiency, its links with resource efficiency and the wide range of factors influencing it, from technology to social practices.




efficiency

Partially converting fuels into 'syngas' increases energy efficiency

Recent research from China suggests that partially converting both natural gas and coal into 'syngas' fuel for power generation can generate around 6 per cent more electricity than competing 'conventional' gasification methods. The savings arise from more efficient use of the chemical energy in gas and coal which is lost in a conventional burner.




efficiency

Energy efficiency of local food distribution can match globalised systems

Some scientists have suggested that, when all potential inefficiencies are accounted for, local food distribution systems may be less sustainable than globalised systems. However, new research examining the behaviour of participants in local food networks in France suggests that they can be as energy efficient as globalised systems.




efficiency

Barriers to efficiency in the energy-intensive foundry industry

Increasing energy efficiency in Europe is vital to achieving a sustainable economy and tackling climate change. However, new research has shown that lack of capital and concerns about costs of disruption are major barriers to implementing energy efficiency measures in the foundry industry.




efficiency

Energy efficiency in low-income households: study explores the role of feedback in reducing energy consumption

Although low-income households consume less energy than wealthier households, they are still keen to learn how to save energy, for both economic and environmental reasons. This is the conclusion of a recent Swedish study which explored the energy-related behaviour of residents on low incomes. It provides insights which could help inform energy-awareness campaigns targeted at this section of the population.




efficiency

Curate your waste: improving the efficiency of waste recovery

Sustainable urban waste management has progressed over recent decades, with recycling of waste becoming a routine activity across the EU. However, the increasing volume and complexity of waste poses ongoing challenges for policymakers and municipal administrators. New research suggests that a rethink around how household waste is sorted could lead to more resources being recovered from solid waste.




efficiency

Solar cell efficiency boosted with pine tree-like nanotube needle

‘Dye-sensitised solar cells’ (DSSCs) are an alternative to traditional silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells. They have a number of advantages over traditional PV solar cells, including greater flexibility and lower manufacturing cost, but they are less efficient at turning sunlight into electricity. Taking inspiration from nature, new research has doubled their efficiency using pine tree-shaped nanotubes.




efficiency

Nanotechnology cuts costs and improves efficiency of photovoltaic cells

Researchers have summarised the most effective ways that nanostructures can improve the efficiency and lower costs of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells in a recent analysis. Sculpting ultra-thin solar cell surfaces at the nano-scale has been found to effectively boost their efficiency.




efficiency

Household energy efficiency could help boost the economy

Improving the energy efficiency of homes could have positive economy-wide impacts, recent UK research suggests. It would allow householders to spend the money they save on energy on other products and services. Although this additional demand and the associated production in non-energy sectors would partly offset the energy saved in the home, this ‘rebound effect’ does not completely outweigh the household energy savings.




efficiency

Resource efficiency targets need fine-tuning

A number of EU policy targets and indicators exist to improve the efficiency of natural resource use. A new report produced for the European Commission concludes that although indicators of resource use need improvement, they are still a valuable policy tool to monitor progress towards sustainable material, energy, water and land use.




efficiency

Policy targets dominate over efficiency for predicting future energy use

With ever-increasing global consumption, the impacts of resource depletion, land use change and pollution are being felt worldwide. A new study reveals how international trade is shifting the environmental burden from the consuming nation to other parts of the world, and calls for changes in the way national material use is accounted for.




efficiency

Standardising building life cycle assessments can improve energy efficiency

As buildings become increasingly energy-efficient in terms of heating and operation, researchers are highlighting the importance of reducing the energy needed to construct the buildings. However, there is a lack of accurate, consistent data, or a standard methodology to properly assess energy requirements at this stage, a new study has found.




efficiency

Tools to reduce resource consumption identified by analysis of historical resource efficiency

Improving the efficiency of industries and products has not led to overall reductions in the consumption of goods and services, a new study has found. The research looked at the historical relationship between efficiency improvements and resource consumption across 10 different activities, including electricity generation and passenger air travel. However, shorter decade-long periods, where efficiency improvements outpaced resource consumption, suggested that legislation and price pressures could be effective at reducing resource consumption.




efficiency

Energy efficiency measures in some EU countries could be backfiring

Policy efforts to decrease energy consumption by improving efficiency may be lessened by rebound effects. New research on household energy consumption indicates just under half EU countries (plus Norway) have rebound effects above 50%, and six are over 100% which means the efforts to increase efficiency backfire, i.e. they increase, rather than reduce, overall household energy consumption. There is a need to think critically about a policy response to the rebound effect and gain a better understanding of why it occurs.




efficiency

Improving resource efficiency: new method identifies key areas of product improvement

A new five-step method has been developed for assessing the resource efficiency of products and improving the reuse, recycling and recovery of material at a product’s end of life. The Resource Efficiency Assessment of Products (REAPro) method allows the identification and testing of practical measures to improve resource efficiency at both the product and policy level.




efficiency

Energy efficiency policies for home renovations and retrofitting should consider the social factors

Policies and programmes providing technological solutions to improve household energy efficiency alone may be insufficient to actually reduce overall household energy consumption, finds new research. The research examined home renovators’ motivations, behaviours and use of green technologies. Overall, reduced energy consumption was often undermined by other considerations, such as installation and maintenance costs, aesthetic considerations and daily routines or social concerns.




efficiency

District level heating could help achieve EU 2020 energy efficiency goals

Recycling of excess heat, via ‘district heating’, has the potential to improve energy efficiency in Europe. This study mapped excess heat and demands for heat in EU27 Member States to identify regions suitable for the large-scale implementation of district heating. The authors identified 63 ‘heat synergy regions’, generally large urban zones, which generated almost half of all excess heat generated in the EU27.




efficiency

Limited resource efficiency achievements for international trade, with concerns over material use

International trade has increasingly relied on material resources since the 1990s, according to a new study. The research used the most detailed global computer model available for capturing the effects of international trade on the environment and on the efficiency of resource use between 1995–2011. Sharp increases in the trade of cheap ‘fast fashion’ and mass market electronics are highlighted as two of the fastest growing drivers of this change in material inefficiency.




efficiency

‘Pathway to efficiency’ recommended for improving irrigation

Improving the efficiency of irrigation can help farmers increase profits, meet regulatory requirements for renewing licences, and demonstrate sustainable use of resources for supermarket grower standards. A recent study has assessed water irrigation efficiency in the UK and suggests that the ‘pathway to efficiency’ approach can help farmers and water regulators manage irrigation and water abstraction.




efficiency

Straw covering on soil can increase crop yields and improve the efficiency of water use

Straw from previous harvests can be used to help increase crop yields and improve the efficiency of water use in arid regions, finds a new study from China. By testing different techniques to improve water efficiency, the researchers found that the most effective method involved using straw to cover the soil when growing maize and wheat together in the same growing season.




efficiency

How JK Tyre is taking the IT route for enhancing productivity, efficiency

Sharad Agarwal, Head-IT at JK Tyre looks at technology as an enabler which will drive productivity and efficiency within the firm.




efficiency

Increasing energy efficiency in the home may boost life expectancy and health

Changes in the home that increase energy efficiency, such as improved insulation and ventilation control, have the potential to reduce indoor air pollution. This study assessed the health impact of interventions in the UK arising from changes to indoor concentrations of fine particulate matter and found that such changes could improve health and increase life expectancy for men and women by three and two months, respectively.




efficiency

Lessons from 2015: We have to rethink how we talk about efficiency and green building

We can't just build better; we have to change the way we live.



  • Remodeling & Design

efficiency

Secretary Chu on energy efficiency

Energy Secretary Steven Chu fields energy efficiency questions from the public.



  • Sustainable Business Practices

efficiency

Planet Pundit: The dark side of electronic efficiency

Increasingly efficient computers belie the truth that our virtual world is using more and more electricity.



  • Gadgets & Electronics

efficiency

Bubbles could boost cargo ship efficiency

Could the power of tiny bubbles be used to boost the fuel-efficiency of cargo ships?




efficiency

All our gains in energy efficiency have been wiped out by increases in house size

There are a number of reasons our houses are getting bigger, and it's a real problem.




efficiency

NanoLight LED boasts unconventional appearance, peerless efficiency

The NanoLight, a new Kickstarter-funded 12-watt LED bulb, eschews fancy-schmancy smart capabilities and instead focuses on groundbreaking energy savings.




efficiency

War on light bulb efficiency rages on with GOP-backed rider

Just when you thought energy-efficient light bulb uprisings were a thing of the past, the DOE is now powerless when it comes to enforcing efficiency standards.




efficiency

Carbon cops teach energy efficiency

Hoping to pass on her enthusiasm for protecting the environment, a 17-year-old high school student goes beyond the call of duty to teach second-graders about en




efficiency

Toyota Prius V: Best in class fuel-efficiency

The 2012 Toyota Prius V is capable of 44mpg in the city.




efficiency

Consumer Reports: Fuel efficiency matters to car buyers

According to a new Consumer Reports survey, 37% of car buyers consider fuel efficiency first.




efficiency

BRIGHTER LIVING: Enhanced energy efficiency

Brighter Living with Jill Cordes: Tips to enhancing our energy efficiency.



  • Remodeling & Design

efficiency

Student-designed cars race for fuel-efficiency gold

The Eco-Marathon brings together the best and the brightest students to create the most efficient cars.




efficiency

A tale of 2 Fiestas: You want oomph or fuel-efficiency?

two ford fiestas




efficiency

Student invents ion thruster that breaks NASA's fuel efficiency record

Mars and back on a tank of fuel? Ion drive could revolutionize space travel.




efficiency

Watch: Energy efficiency at Luther College

The College's partnership with Decorah, Iowa is featured in this DOE video.



  • Sustainable Business Practices

efficiency

Why energy efficiency is the fifth fuel

Better technology and more accessible data are helping drive new change.




efficiency

[Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.]<br />MHPS to Introduce MHPS-TOMONI&reg; Digital Solutions for Geothermal Power Plant in Mexico -- Real-time Plant Monitoring and Diagnostics to Improve Efficiency, Enhance Operational Performance and Redu

・ First introduction for a geothermal power plant ・ Enhancing the operation and performance of power generating facilities in close cooperation with customers




efficiency

Researchers hack plants to increase efficiency

Researchers have improved the process by which plants get rid of toxic compounds, and this improves their overall growth.



  • Wilderness & Resources

efficiency

Which cars are best and worst for fuel efficiency?

Hybrid sales are down, but federal efficiency rules could fuel a comeback.



  • Translating Uncle Sam

efficiency

We have introduced Maximum quality at maximum efficiency VT-S720.

Product Information




efficiency

SuperGreen Solutions to Celebrate Energy Efficiency Day 2019

4th annual national event urging everyone to "Save Money. Cut Carbon. Breathe Easier."




efficiency

SuperGreen Solutions® Implements MINT Mobile Energy Efficiency Auditing Tool

New Mobile Application Provided by Hancock Software




efficiency

Atlanta Airlines Terminal Company is Largest Recipient of Georgia Power Energy Efficiency Rebates

Organization saves more than $5 million and reduces energy usage by 11 percent with energy-efficiency upgrades




efficiency

Experimac Offers Tips and Tricks for Technology Efficiency for National Clean Out Your Computer Day, Feb. 12




efficiency

Business Efficiency Company Launches AIA Presentation Examining How a 5D BIM Plugin Improves the Design Process

One hour course accredited by AIA and IDCEC for architects, interior designers, planners, and others involved in the design process.