Energy Eden

CSX Corporation (CSX), a leading rail-based transportation supplier reports that according to EPA estimates, “for every ton-mile, a typical truck emits roughly three times more nitrogen oxide and particulates than a locomotive. If just 10 of the nation’s freight were shifted to rail, fuel savings would approach one billion gallons annually.” With this knowledge in mind, CSX Corporation launched the National Gateway Project in May 2008, an 842 million public-private infrastructure initiative to create a highly efficient freight transportation link between the Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest. CSX reports that when complete, the project will also improve the flow of goods between eastern and western rail networks as well as benefiting the nation as a whole by:

• Avoiding 20 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions;
• Reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil;
• Assisting states in attainment of federal clean air standards;
• Reducing 7,000 tons of nitrogen oxides;
• Reducing 1,000 tons of particulate matter;
• Saving nearly two billion gallons of fuel;
• Improving safety and highway congestion by maximizing the efficiency of freight rail and partnering with trucking companies to reduce truck miles traveled by more than 14.3 billion miles;
• Increasing economic competitiveness by saving 3.5 billion in shipper and logistics costs, significantly increasing freight capacity, reducing transit times by 24 to 48 hours between West Coast ports and major population centers; and tripling the (more…)

Absorbers: Dark colored material or surface that soaks up the heat in a solar collector.Annual Solar Savings: The annual solar savings of a solar building is the energy savings attributable to a solar feature relative to the energy requirements of a non-solar building.Anode: The positive electrode in an electrochemical cell (battery). Also, the earth or ground in a cathodic protection system.Base Load: The average amount of electric power that a utility must supply in any period.Cloud Enhancement: The increase in solar intensity caused by reflected irradiance from nearby clouds.Crystalline Silicon: A type of photovoltaic cell made from a slice of single-crystal silicon or polycrystalline silicon.Days of Storage: The number of consecutive days the stand-alone system will meet a defined load without solar energy input.Diffuse Insolation: Sunlight received indirectly as a result of scattering due to clouds, fog, haze, dust, or other obstructions in the atmosphere. Opposite of direct insolation.Direct Insolation: Sunlight falling directly upon a collector. Opposite of (more…)

Finding alternate sources of energy has become a priority throughout the world. One renewable source that is rapidly gaining popularity is wind power. If the power of the wind were used to its maximum potential throughout the world, we could generate more than 15 times the current world energy demand. Denmark currently leads the world in wind power, using wind to generate 20 of national electricity demands.In order to utilize wind to generate electricity, wind turbines must be installed in areas with the wind capacity to support them. One of the reasons this is becoming such a popular endeavor is because of the quick payback time. Wind conditions and other factors can contribute to variations, but a wind turbine usually creates enough electricity to pay for all of its costs within ten years. (more…)