Energy and Climate Change

Compared to a regular home and a gasoline-engine car, the smart grid and a plug-in will in the best case scenario reduce household energy consumption 75%, according to the automaker.

While Wayne and Garth may have howled "We’re not worthy" when meeting one of their rock idols, Americans should be saying "We’re not ready" when it comes to preparing for the effects of climate change.

Scott Brusaw is working on a project http://www.solarroadways.com/ to encapsulate solar panels in high-strength glass capable of standing up to thousands of cars and trucks passing by each day.

“It will take
decades to
transition away
from oil. Let’s not
kid ourselves. But
let’s start now.”
— U.S. Secretary
of Energy Steven
Chu, speaking at
the 2010
Montana
Economic
Development
Summit

"The extreme weather fits a pattern long expected by climate scientists as a consequence of climate change."

Wireless sensors scattered throughout a building can monitor everything from humidity and temperature to air quality and light levels.

“There is really no debate about climate change in China. China’s leaders are mostly engineers and scientists, so they don’t waste time questioning scientific data.”

PURPA requires electric utilities such as Idaho Power to offer to buy power produced by qualifying small-power producers.

A state-of-the-art vertical axis wind turbine will soon be the newest learning tool for faculty and students at the Montana State University Billings College of Technology thanks to a partnership between the university, a renewable/sustainable energy consulting company and a Japanese technology firm.

The apartments will be so warm that dwellers will be able to open the windows on sunny winter days without feeling a chill. And they will enjoy “extremely low” energy bills.