November/December 2010
Editorial
Which is more energy efficient, the garbage can or the recycling bin?
My friend Terry and I had each finished off a bottle of beer. I looked around for a recycling bin while Terry just pitched his bottle in the trash...
Features
Smart metering: Keeping private matters private
Developments in smart grid technology are proceeding apace, but could concerns about “big brother” utilities derail the idea before it comes to fruition...
Inside a demand-response system
Even manufacturing facilities can shave energy bills through use of smart meters and judicious scheduling of big loads...
Dimming techniques for LED drivers
To make LED fixtures even more energy efficient, learn how to properly dim the LED lamps...
Shedding light on power quality for energy efficient bulbs
Energy efficient lights can cause power quality problems on ac lines...
The plug-together wind turbine
Hybrid connector systems are proving to be helpful in getting wind turbines up and running quickly...
Energy shorts
The Chevy Volt: A big step in the right direction
Whether you call it a series hybrid, an electric vehicle, a plug-in, or just a plain old sedan, the Volt’s powertrain embodies creative engineering that lowers mpg...
Sailing around the world under solar power
The Tűranor PlanetSolar, the worlds’ largest solar-powered boat, will embark next year on the first solar-powered circumnavigation of the Earth...
Legislation
Bills to keep an eye on: AB-118 and SB-375
California is synonymous with individualism and car culture. But it is also closely associated with environmentalism...
Invention of the month
A more efficient jet engine
Jet engines today use half the fuel their counterparts did 50 years ago to generate the same amount of thrust...
Energy figures of the month
The use of geothermal energy for power generation dates back to at least 1904...
Energy myths
Energy myths
The reason the U.S. Congress has subsidized the production of ethanol from corn has always been to reduce U.S. imports of oil...
New products
Optocoupler targets hybrids and EVs
The automotive-grade ACPL-38JT optocoupler with extended temperature operation is for use in hybrid and electric vehicles...
Dc-dc converter optimized for team-up with batteries
The VFK400 Series of dc-dc converters provide 400 W of output power...
Panel-feedthrough block targets alt-energy inverters
The 828 Series feedthrough terminal block, now UL Certified for 600 V/40 A, provides tool and maintenance-free, through-panel terminations for control-panel applications such as motor-control centers, UPS systems, and electric-vehicle charging stations...
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In This Issue
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Videos
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History and The SmartHome Project
Featured Suppliers
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