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Smart Meter, Smart Results
[image source="https://carbonetix.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/smart-meter.jpg" align="right"]Whilst CarbonetiX are big believers in the adage ”You can’t save what you don’t measure”, most energy monitoring devices in themselves cannot reduce consumption.
Real time energy data from smart meters has the power to help people identify ways to save on wasted energy but people must also be willing to implement these changes. It is for this reason that data is so mixed when it comes to the success of smart meter rollouts.
Which is why we at CarbonetiX love it when success stories such as the following surface:
CenterPoint Energy of Texas installed 500 smart meters with instantaneous feedback and in-home displays in area homes. The results are nothing short of remarkable. Here are a few stats for you:[bulletlist]
- 71% of customers changed their energy use behaviour based on the results of data on their in-home displays,
- 83% of respondents reported turning off lights when not in the room or not in use,
- 51% of respondents reported adjusting the temperature on their thermostat,
- 93% of respondents reported they are satisfied with the in-home display,
- 97% of respondents reported they will keep using it.[/bulletlist]
This is a perfect demonstration of the power of quantifying and demystifying energy consumption – not to mention a great advertisement for smart meters.
Sony’s Carbon Cutdown
[image source="https://carbonetix.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/0410sony.jpg" align="right"]Sony Corporation recently announced that it has achieved and/or exceeded the majority of the targets set out in its “Green Management 2010″ (“GM2010”) mid-term environmental plan, including an over 30% reduction in global CO2 emissions across its business sites compared with fiscal year 2000 levels.
Sony’s GM2010 plan, introduced in 2006, aimed to reduce the Company’s environmental impact over the five-year period spanning fiscal years 2006 through 2010. The results of these initiatives have been confirmed through third-party verification.
GM2010 included a series of aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets. Through the implementation of various innovative initiatives designed to achieve these goals, Sony successfully reduced CO2 emissions across its business sites by 31% (compared to 2000 levels), far surpassing the original 7% target specified in the GM2010 plan.
Sony’s initiatives included the use of alternative substances to replace substances with high global warming potential in its manufacturing processes, and the reduction of energy-related CO2 emissions through the installation of advanced energy systems, which have been optimised by Sony’s in-house energy conservation specialists to deliver maximum energy efficiency at Sony offices and manufacturing sites around the world. Sony was also instrumental in the introduction of the Green Power Certification System for renewable energy in Japan, and remains one of its largest users.
Across all regions, the company is working on reducing the life cycle impacts of its products through initiatives on e-waste, sustainable packaging and the electricity consumption of its products.
Other environmentally-friendly design features in Sony products include plastics made from recycled materials and presence sensors that automatically turn off equipment in empty rooms.
The company will face tougher conditions going forward. In its recently released quarterly results for the current fiscal year, Sony slashed it projected earnings for the year by 25 per cent. The company said the move was largely due to a decrease in production caused by the March tsunami and earthquake in Japan.
Source: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201107/11-081E/index.html
Latest Spec Solar LED Street Light
Tony Brittain of Solar Lights Pty Ltd has recently installed a number of solar powered street lights for use in remote areas with no mains power. A number were recently installed along a local government walking trail, as shown in the photo.
VIDEO: AGIC National Sustainability Rating System
AGIC is soon to announce the first draft of the National Sustainability Rating System for government infrastructure. The scheme is designed to provide a national framework for sustainability assessment of infrastructure in the development, construction and operation stages.
Organisations who submitted an expression of interest are already being selected for trials of the program. Those who have not submitted an EOI can still be part of the round 2 trials.
Participating in a pilot trial is an excellent way for your organisation to gain familiarity with the new rating tool; to promote its use within your organisation; and to help shape the final rating tool.
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For more information or to participate in the trial visit: http://www.agic.net.au
CarbonetiX joins Energy Performance Contractor Panel
CarbonetiX has now been accepted onto the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance’s Energy Performance Contractor Panel, joining a select group of companies such as Siemens and Honeywell.
We are rapt that CarbonetiX is now recognised for its potential to deliver guaranteed energy savings through energy performance contracts.
This is a vote of confidence in our ability to deliver guaranteed energy savings, and also coincides with the launch of our new, guaranteed energy savings offer.
VIDEO: Al Gore is back
VIDEO: AL GORE IS BACK. The following is a video introducing “24 Hours of Reality”, an event that will focus the world’s attention on the full truth, scope, scale and impact of the climate crisis. To remove the doubt. Reveal the deniers. And catalyze urgency around an issue that affects every one of us.
The event will be broadcast September 15th, 7PM (Queensland) local time via the web and possibly by one of the major networks (here’s hoping). The website currently features a Queensland event, with more likely to be announces globally.
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Event Website: http://climaterealityproject.org/