Climate change: LED lights making dent in UK energy demand

But if millions choose LEDs, then with a twist of the collective wrist, their efforts will make a small but significant dent in the UK's energy demand.
Studies show making products more efficient has - along with other factors - already been slightly more effective than renewable energy in cutting CO2 emissions.
The difference is that glamorous renewables grab the headlines.screen power supply
The "Cinderella" field of energy efficiency, however, is often ignored or derided.The new analysis of government figures comes from the environmental analysis website Carbon Brief.
Its author says EU product standards on light bulbs, fridges, vacuum cleaners and other appliances have played a substantial part in reducing energy demand.
Provisional calculations show that electricity generation in the UK peaked around 2005. But generation per person is now back down to the level of 1984 (around 5 megawatt hours per capita).
How much carbon has been reduced?
It’s widely known that the great switch from coal power to renewables has helped the UK meet ambitions to cut carbon emissions.
The report says the use of renewables reduced fossil fuel energy by the equivalent of 95 terawatt hours (TWh) between 2005 and now. And last year renewables supplied a record 33% share of UK electricity generation.
But in the meantime, humble energy efficiency has contributed to cutting energy demand by 103 TWh. In other words, in the carbon-cutting contest, efficiency has won – so far. And what’s more, efficiency is uncontroversial, unlike wind and solar.
What role has industry played?
The energy efficiency story doesn’t just apply to households. There have been major strides amongst firms, too. Big supermarkets have worked hard to improve the performance of their lighting and refrigeration.
And because firms and individuals are using less energy, that has offset the rise in energy prices. So whilst the prices have gone up, often bills have gone down.
The issue is complicated, though. Other factors have to be taken into account, such as energy imported via cables from mainland Europe, population growth and shifts from old energy-intensive industries.

LED Street Light Conversion

ML&P, the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Department of Transportation and other public agencies and utilities install, maintain and operate almost 40,000 street lights on Anchorage roads and trails to improve vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian safety.led display power supply

ML&P owns and maintains some 4,000 high pressure sodium (HPS) street and trail lights in its service area, including downtown and parts of midtown and east Anchorage. In 2017, ML&P converted over 3,700 of its street lights to networked light emitting diode (LED) fixtures. The remaining lights are ornamental and will be converted in the near future.

Why did ML&P convert to LED lights?

Most of ML&P’s HPS lights were installed in the mid-1980s and need to be replaced because they are at the end of their service life. Utilities around the world, including those in other communities in Alaska, are switching to LED lights to save money and energy.

LED fixtures use about half the power to produce the same amount of light as conventional HPS fixtures. LED lights also cost less to maintain than equivalent HPS lights and they provide more reliable service, especially in cold weather.
Over time, using LED lights will save money. The conservative estimate in savings is about $400,000 a year in combined power, operating and management costs.

ML&P’s new LED light system will use almost 40 percent less power to produce the same light as its aging HPS light system, to save three million kilowatt hours annually and reduce the amount of carbon pollution released into the atmosphere.

Does LED street lighting look different than lighting from conventional HPS fixtures?

LED street lighting is visually different than lighting from conventional fixtures. Existing HPS street lights produce a light color that is yellowish or orange hue. The LED lights ML&P is installing produce whiter light that is similar to daylight.

LED lights are also more focused than HPS lights so that more of the fixture’s light shines onto the street and sidewalks and less light spills into adjacent areas.

How safe are solar batteries for your home?

One of the best ways to take full advantage of solar energy is to install an energy storage system along with your solar panels. Solar batteries allow you to store the excess energy produced by your solar system for later use when the sun isn’t shining. Batteries are complex products, and it is important to understand the safety implications of installing a home solar battery.power inverter module

In general, solar batteries are very safe. Lithium ion, salt water, and lead acid batteries are the main types of solar battery systems available, and are all safe to pair with a home solar system. These three battery categories have their own advantages and disadvantages, but all share the distinction of being a safe home storage option.

While all three battery types are safe, lithium ion batteries, the most popular type of solar battery, do pose a slightly higher safety risk than alternate technologies. Problems can arise if they are installed incorrectly or the battery quality is low. This is because of the chemical makeup of a lithium ion battery, which makes them more prone to overheating and combustion. However, with a proper installation and reputable product, even lithium ion batteries rarely pose any health or safety risk to homeowners.

To reiterate, solar batteries are safe, and the concerns that may arise due to lithium ion battery chemistry will only ever be an issue in the case of poor installation work or faulty battery construction. These two problems can be avoided easily by working with a reputable battery manufacturer and a high-quality, trusted installation company.

The best way to make sure you are hiring a safe and reputable solar installation company is to talk with solar installers to find one that you trust. EnergySage’s network of over 500 installers are pre-screened and certified, ensuring you will get the best service and installations quality for your solar + storage project when you compare your options through the EnergySage Solar Marketplace.Fortunately, most (if not all) established battery manufacturers produce batteries that meet standardized industry safety regulations. Batteries from reputable companies often comply with industry standard certifications. The following batteries are quality products following important industry guidelines to ensure safety:

The Safety Question Persists as Energy Storage Prepares for Huge Growth

The safety of energy storage systems is under scrutiny after firefighters were injured in an Arizona battery plant explosion in April, and it emerged that at least 23 South Korean plants caught fire in a series of incidents dating back to August 2017.safe power battery

For now, many experts continue to stand behind energy storage's track record on safety in the context of the broader power market.

When testing energy storage technologies, safety is not viewed as part of a hierarchy of requirements, but is “a simple pass-fail,” said David Kane, technology development manager at the energy company Centrica in the U.K.

“If we cannot be satisfied that the system is safe, then we just can’t pass go,” he said. “That doesn’t just apply to the final product design. It applies to the installation, the service, the decommissioning [and] the various steps in the supply chain.”

Arizona Public Service (APS) still has not revealed the cause of a blast that the Associated Press last month claimed had “sent eight firefighters and a police officer to the hospital.”However, as previously noted by GTM, the utility has one of the most aggressive energy storage adoption strategies in the U.S., with plans to install roughly a gigawatt of battery capacity by 2025.

Pressures associated with a hasty build-out of battery capacity appear to have been the cause of numerous lithium-ion facility fires in South Korea.

Last month, S&P Global reported that a five-month investigation into the blazes had put the blame on faulty installations and poor operating procedures rather than the batteries themselves.

Home solar system: Renewable energy solutions for residential users

Solar energy is a renewable source of energy that is gaining ground because of the benefits it offers. In India, sunlight is available in abundance and there is technology available to harness this energy and convert it into electric power. Solar power panels serve the purpose of absorbing solar energy and converting it to electric power through the photovoltaic (PV) effect. Most homes have a roof or a backyard which can be utilized to install solar panels and produce electricity. solar energy solution
A home solar system must provide enough electric energy to fulfil all the power requirements of a home. It should also be capable of providing AC power as traditionally all homes use AC power to operate lighting systems, gadgets, appliances and equipment such as computers, refrigerators, mixers, fans, air conditioners, TVs and music systems.
It requires the adequate number of solar panels to absorb as much solar energy as possible. When exposed to direct sunlight a typical home solar panel produces about 300 watts in one hour which means that in a normal day during summer, comprising 10 hours of sunlight, it can produce around 3000 watts or 3 kWh per day. This could vary depending on the number of hours of sunshine received during the day.
The system requires a battery which can be charged by the solar power generated and also can store electric power to be used in the night. Batteries are typically used in off-grid systems.
The system needs an inverter to convert the DC power generated to AC power so that it can be used by the appliances or devices in the home.
The entire home solar power system is interconnected with adequate and appropriate cabling and wiring to channelize the energy into a usable form.When sunlight falls on the solar panels it gets absorbed by the PV cells and the silicon semiconductors in the cells convert the solar energy into electric energy through the PV effect. This electric energy is in the form of DC power which can directly charge the battery. The DC power in the battery is sent to an inverter which converts it into AC power. This AC power is now sent to the mains in the home which in turn can power all necessary applications.

Wayfair is having a massive two-day sale on furniture this weekend

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA Today’s newsroom and any business incentives.Furniture

Wayfair is arguably the best place to buy furniture online. Not only is it more affordable than other big names (looking at you, Crate & Barrel), but you can shop from such a huge catalogue of options to find pieces that fit your style. And the quality tends to be passable at worst and impressive at best, especially give the lower price points.

It's an even more magical place to shop when you can get a big old discount too. And this weekend you have that opportunity. Wayfair is running a massive 48-hour clearance sale right now and we are here for it. You can find crazy good prices on everything from mattresses and bedroom furniture to couches, rugs, lighting, and more, with discounts as high as 70%. If you're not looking for something specific and just want to browse and be inspired, we rounded up 23 highly rated, trendy pieces from the sale.
I literally gasped aloud when I saw this coffee table—it’s that gorgeous. With a round glass surface and classic gold legs, this retro-modern coffee table will add an instant touch of glam to any room. Personally, I think it would go perfectly next to a dark velvet chair or sofa or fit well in a Millennial pink color scheme, but let your imagination run wild. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, reviewers appreciate that it's super easy to assemble and comes at a reasonable price.

Want a worn vintage rug, but don’t want to pay the vintage price? Look no further than this area rug, which features light, faded hues that make it seem like you’ve had it for years. Over 28,000 reviewers love the look of this rug, but recommend getting a rug pad so it lays completely flat.

Semitrailer catches fire, forces ramp closure and FrontRunner delays in Davis Co.

A crash involving a semitrailer forced officials to close part of I-215 in southern Davis County Tuesday afternoon.Semi Trailer

The crash occurred near the southbound I-15 ramp to westbound I-215, and the semitrailer involved in the crash caught fire.

Preliminary information from the Utah Highway Patrol indicated the semitrailer left I-215 and landed on the train tracks below.

Because the semitrailer landed on train tracks, Utah Transit Authority activated a bus bridge to transport FrontRunner passengers between the Woods Cross and North Temple stops. Northbound and southbound FrontRunner trains are delayed between Woods Cross and Ogden

The Utah Department of Transportation reports the ramp is expected to be closed until 1:45 p.m.

Back in the 1960s, Hugo Kumitz had a tile and marble company in Memphis. His top employee was a man named Thomas Cox.

After several years, Kumitz had a suggestion for Cox that bordered on an order: Go out on your own, Kumitz told him, you’re too good at this to not start your own company.
Today, as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, son Ricky Cox is the president and runs the show. Ricky’s two older brothers chose other careers, one recently retiring after 35 years in corporate with UPS, and the other still operating a restaurant public relations firm in California.Artistic Tile And Marble

Dad, Ricky says, still helps out. But at 76, Thomas Cox can afford to set his own boundaries and he does: He’ll run a job for his son if it’s close to his home, in the same ZIP code.

The industry has changed dramatically with each passing decade. In fact, Ricky Cox, 45, says, “Back in the ’90s were the best years. Dad ran 10 crews. He had 25 or 30 employees. It was a much bigger company. We do half of what he used to do. Honestly, I don’t know how he did it. Man, he was working 16-hour days.”

Cox says his days are closer to 12 hours. The work is still hard, the business is still competitive, but in a different way. One decision the elder Cox made has continued to pay dividends for the company. He became very involved with the National Tile Contractors Association, even sitting on the board for a couple of years.

The company has continued a close relationship with NTCA, and recently Ricky and three of his employees earned advanced certification on installing ceramic tile.

“It’s a test and it’s not easy,” Cox said. “A guy that’s been laying tile for two years couldn’t pass it.”

That level of expertise in combination with the company’s 50-year track record and relationships have kept business at a good level, even though the company today has 12 employees.Ryan McClain, owner of McClain Construction, strictly does remodeling jobs. He’s been using Memphis Tile and Marble Co. for several years.

“They show up when they say they’ll be there,” McClain said. “The people he has working are all respectful. If there’s an issue after the fact, they come back and take care of the issue.”

When Ricky’s father got the business really going, cultured marble – a man-made material – was very popular. Cox says no grout was used so it was easy to clean.

“That’s why everybody liked it,” he said. “But nobody does it anymore. It all transitioned to tile and the tiles are getting bigger. When I started out the biggest tile was an 8-by-8. And now they’re making porcelain tile 10 foot by 5 foot. Mainly for commercial walls.”

Choosing kitchen countertops or countertops for your bath, laundry room, or home remodeling project requires an in-depth look at your needs and likes. There are so many beautiful countertop options and styles for you to see at our Long Island kitchen showroom. Each countertop material has distinct characteristics whether it be granite, marble, quartz/engineered stone, wood, stainless steel, copper, concrete, or glass. When you are remodeling, the countertops you choose will have a tremendous impact on the overall design of the room. You also want the countertops to be durable, easy to clean, stain resistant, and attractive. To help you make an educated choice about the right material for you, we have highlighted some key points you will want to consider about popular countertop materials.Kitchen Countertops Long Island
Granite kitchen countertops are still the most popular countertop choice in our market. It is the benchmark of what people expect to spend on a counter. Budgets start there, and then alternatives are looked at above or below the price of granite. It is very elegant, and the beauty of the stone is stunning with almost any cabinetry you choose. It is extremely durable and heat resistant. Granite is a natural stone that comes in a range of beautiful colors. An important consideration is that granite is a natural rock, variable by nature, and the color or pattern will NOT be consistent; therefore, there can be surface pits in the rock. Yet, this is what makes granite countertops so beautiful — every counter is like a work of art. You should seal granite once a year, and depending on edge design of the stone you select, know that edges may chip due to normal wear and tear around the sinks and dishwashers where heavy pots may hit the edges going in and out. Some stone is harder and may not chip at all.
Engineered Stone/Quartz Countertops are available in a dazzling range of colors and have a nonporous scratch-resistant surface. For those who love the look of granite but are concerned with its lack of consistency, Quartz is a very hard material and can give you a natural stone look with consistent color and texture throughout the quartz countertop. Each slab looks the same, which helps minimize the visible seams that you will get in granite countertop installations. Quartz is easy to maintain and doesn’t require the annual sealing required by natural stone.

Marble has a timeless allure that has been attracting fans for millennia and is currently a very popular trend for use throughout the home. Formed by the crystallization of sediment from years of heat and pressure, marble is a metamorphic stone like granite and soapstone. As with all-natural stones, every slab of marble is completely different, just like a fingerprint, which makes it a great choice for homeowners trying to make their homes unique.Classic Marble And Stone

While classic white is the most popular type of marble, there are hundreds of varieties in a number of different colors. Italian stones are generally the most well-known, like the bright white Calacatta and the greyer, more affordable Carrara, but marble comes from all over the world, including Danby from Vermont and Yule from Colorado.

One of the challenges of using marble as a countertop is that it is much more porous than other stones. This allows oils and liquids to seep into the stone and possibly stain it. If used in the kitchen, wine and coffee spills should be wiped up as quickly as possible, and if used in the bathroom, makeup and remover can leave stains as well. However, if marble is professionally sealed when installed it will be less likely to take a stain. If it is a surface that gets a lot of use, like a kitchen countertop, it should be re-sealed every year or so. While this will help to protect the marble by making it a little less porous, it is still vulnerable to etching. Because marble is comprised of calcium carbonate, it reacts easily to acids, and liquids like lemon juice or vinegar can eat away at the surface, leaving a dull, white mark.

A lot of marble fans actually like the etchings, and they love to watch their marble weather over time, letting each little scratch and chip tell a story. Because marble is a softer stone than granite, it does allow for a lot of stories as knives can scratch the surface, and it is more prone to getting chipped than some other natural stones. Many homeowners try to circumvent this by choosing a honed finish.

Yet with all of the challenges and vulnerabilities, there is nothing quite like the elegance, warmth, and character of marble. Also heat-resistant, it is a wonderful surface for baking, and its versatility makes marble a beautiful choice for any design style in the kitchen, bathroom, office, or a fireplace mantle. For owners who know what to expect, marble can be a wonderful investment for any home.