Utility Tracking and Benchmarking Blog | WegoBlog

Typically, when people hear that their neighbor wants to install a wind turbine, they shudder as they think of a loud, large, bird-killing machine towering over the trees and obstructing the view from their back porch.  However, this doesn’t have to be the case.  Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are a promising solution to moving towards renewable energy in residential areas, be it rural, suburban, or even urban. 

Battery-powered, electric vehicles are a promising solution to concerns over air pollution, peak oil, achieving energy independence, and climate change. But can our power grid support the increasing market of EVs?  With annual sales predicted to reach nearly 360,000 by 2017, many are concerned that the grid cannot support the additional demand.  However, the answer to the question is actually yes, our power grid can support the adoption of electric vehicles into the light duty car market.  What remains unclear is whether local distribution transformers will be able to handle the additional power load.

Whether you want to be a more informed citizen or just want to kill some time before 5 on a Friday afternoon, WegoWise has got you covered. This week we take a look at what's going on in transportation around the world, from innovative parking programs to a downright gorgeous subway system.  So peruse our best links, give us some feedback and be sure to share some of the info you just gleaned with other interested parties at the parties you are hopefully attending this weekend. Brought to you by Dan, Nate, Sean, Lily, Catherine, and Casey.

Here's a cool infographic from the World Resources Institute we ran across this week and wanted to share. Not to toot our own horn, but the CO2 from Residential Buildings (Tan color, fourth row down in the "End Use/Activity column) is what we help reduce everyday here at WegoWise. 

The Occupy Movement’s agenda, whether you call it vague or comprehensive, is certainly very large. Most often the grievances put forth by the protestors align, but occasionally — especially with issues like the environment — do come into conflict and fracture the community. One example of this is the recent debate over the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline.

Whether you want to be a more informed citizen or just want to kill some time before 5 on a Friday afternoon, WegoWise has got you covered. This week we take a look at some of our innovative technologies and sound planning that is helping to move us forward.  So peruse our best links, give us some feedback and be sure to share some of the info you just gleaned with other interested parties at the parties you are hopefully attending this weekend. Brought to you by Dan, Nate, Sean, Lily, Catherine, and Casey.

Living in a multi-family building significantly reduces an individual’s ecological footprint: less energy is needed for heating and cooling, less land and fewer resources are used to accommodate more people, and shared recreational areas use less water and maintenance resources than single family homes.  In 2001, the EPA found that a two-bedroom condo in a building with less than four units uses 13% less energy than a two-bedroom house.  This is equivalent to 79 gallons of gasoline!

Whether you want to be a more informed citizen or just want to kill some time before 5 on a Friday afternoon, WegoWise has got you covered. This week we take a look at some of our energy sources and their impact on us, from earthquakes to your electric bill.  So peruse our best links, give us some feedback and be sure to share some of the info you just gleaned with other interested parties at the parties you are hopefully attending this weekend. Brought to you by Dan, Nate, Sean, Lily, Catherine, and Casey.

If you'd like to kill some time during your weekend while saving money and shrinking your carbon footprint, try a couple of the projects below.
 

Install a Programmable Thermostat

The majority of NFL fans probably attend games to see bone-crushing hits, gun-slinging quarterbacks and one-handed touchdown catches in the corner of the end zone.  However, beneath the surface many teams have high performing pieces that don’t simply include their player personnel.  Franchises across the league are increasingly realizing the benefits of sustainability and many are taking major steps towards greening the NFL.