tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861605.post5668483876679971190..comments2024-03-24T11:01:27.668-04:00Comments on Resource Insights: Energy transition: We need to do it fast and we're way behindKurt Cobbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05330759091950742285noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861605.post-67474556546415731552013-03-28T06:55:36.863-04:002013-03-28T06:55:36.863-04:00hese tariffs--which harness the ingenuity of count...hese tariffs--which harness the ingenuity of countless small producers--have enabled Germany to expand solar, wind and other alternatives so that they generate 25 percent of its electricity today. Germany, not a particularly sunny place, is currently the world's top generator of solar electricity. Interesting and very useful discussion.eficiencia energeticahttp://www.pontelaminasolar.es/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861605.post-49242973567397355982012-10-13T14:57:43.657-04:002012-10-13T14:57:43.657-04:00Sart by placing decent volume based taxes on gas b...Sart by placing decent volume based taxes on gas before "feed in tariff", get your priorities straight for once.yvesThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00225964326142677776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861605.post-42202239918058173862012-10-03T13:41:16.896-04:002012-10-03T13:41:16.896-04:00From a Belgian reader:
I read your article "...From a Belgian reader:<br /><br />I read your article "Energy transition: We need to do it fast and we're way behind" and I was a bit surprised when you wrote: "Already we know how to build so-called passive design structures which can lower energy use by 80 percent. And, we desperately need to figure out how to apply these techniques cheaply and economically to existing homes and businesses."<br /><br />My point: you don't need to figure this out anymore: it exists and needs only to be promoted the right way.<br /><br />I have an old house in a row in Belgium (near Brussels, Europe: not a warm climate), and we applied the following techniques to transform it into a "net zero enery house":<br /><br />· very good and "sustainable" insulation where possible, including tripple glas, wood wool...: in some parts of the house it was not possible<br /><br />· ventilation with heat recuperation (92%): Vent Axia Sentinel Kinetica<br /><br />· heat pump water/air with COP for A2/W35 = 3,86 A7/W35 = 4,35 SPF estimated at 3.5 (1 kWh electricity yields on average 3,5 kWh heat when needed for house warming and warm water): VAILLANT geoTHERM VWL 171/3<br /><br />· low temperature house warming (25-35°C = 77-95°F) with floor and wall heating + other low temperature heating (Jaga Strada convectors) where floor and wall heating where not possible.<br /><br />· electric house equipment (furnace, computers, freezer...) with low energy use (e.g. LED light)<br /><br />· no airco but solar screens (only used when to much sun to take profit from direct sun heating whenever needed).<br /><br />· with these techniques we lowered the energy use by 82 % (was 33.000 kWh/year natural gas + electricity, now 5.800 kWh/year and only electricity).<br /><br />· 35 m² solar panels on the rooftop yield at least all electricity consumed (including house warming, warm water warming, electric equipment) on yearly base (bought at 3,6 €/kWh: now these panels are again cheaper): 6.300 kWh/year clean electricity.<br /><br />· energy use is equal to own clean energy production: we call this a net zero energy house in Europe. In fact when temperature and sunshine is more or less normal on yearly base, this is even a positive energy house: uses about 5.800 kWh/year (electricity), produces 6.300 kWh/year (also electricity) and so is, on average, a net contributor to the grid.<br /><br />· rain water used for toilet, clothes washing, garden..., so clean water consumption reduction=70 %.<br /><br />· 2 persons live in this house, but there is room for 4 more persons with limited additional energy consumption per person (the whole volume remains between 66 and 71 °F), the house has 214 m² rooms (2 bathrooms, 5 sleeping rooms, kitchen, 2 living rooms and some more usefull space).<br /><br />Financially this investment has a pay back period which is lower than the lifetime of the installed solutions, even without financial help: no electricity costs, no gas, no other fossil fuel, water costs reduced by 70 %.<br /><br />Calculated at current costs of electricity and natural gas, and without the implication of fossil fuel on the costs to maintain a livable environment and health.<br /><br />And thanks to:<br /><br />· feed-in tariff of 0,27 €/kWh for solar panel production<br /><br />· tax and other financial help from Belgian and other authories<br /><br />· loan intrest rate at 2,07 % on 10 year in stead of 3,57 % thanks to Belgian authorities' program<br /><br />· the plus-value of our home (estimated at 9% of total home purchase cost in California)<br /><br />this investment was one of the best financial options I had in years.<br /><br />So if someone or a household is prepared to invest at long term, this is not a sacrifice at all.<br /><br />So my answer is:<br /><br />- it is possible to apply these techniques cheaply and economically to existing homes: if you are prepared to invest for 20-30 years<br /><br />- all these techniques have a proven reliability, very low maintenance costs and very acceptable noise levels.<br /><br />I hope this will give hope.<br /><br />More details can be obtained on request. <br /><br />Kind regards,<br /><br />ir. Leo D'haese<br /><br />Leuven, BelgiumKurt Cobbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05330759091950742285noreply@blogger.com