Business & Society

For those of us with children, "don't forget to turn out the lights" is a normal echo heard daily throughout the home almost like a broken record. For most of us here in the U.S., it is...

As our awareness of limited natural resources and increased energy costs rises, we need to seek more energy-efficient outdoor lighting. This architect can explain the current state of the art.

There are simple ways to reduce your electric bill. Using your daily electronics can add to the bill, but there are simple things that can be done to just lower your electric bill. In this...

U.S. federal and state grants for start-up businesses are generally hard to find. But one area where new businesses can acquire grants and significant tax credits is in energy. If a business can...

The need to develop alternative, eco-friendly energy is at the forefront of many agendas. Whether the motives are political, scientific or compassionate in nature, the desire is the same---produce...

The United States is seeking to shift the means by which it generates electricity away from the burning of fossil fuels and towards cleaner, renewable sources of energy. Among these sources is...

Recent concerns about the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and an over-dependence on foreign sources of fuel have led to efforts, in the United States and elsewhere, to push for greater...

Photovoltaic cells harness one of the oldest and rawest forms of energy available to us: solar power. However, many questions about photovoltaic cells still linger because the solar energy market...

"Just because people work for an institution, they don't have to write like one," wrote William Zinsser, author of the seminal text "On Writing Well." Yet for some reason, people who write...

In recent years, there has been a concerted push in the U.S. and elsewhere to move from a dependence on fossil fuels to a greater reliance of alternative energy, which often causes less pollution...

Economists study the ways in which societies allocate limited resources to meet unlimited wants. Because most energy production involves the use of finite, non-renewable resources, such as fossil...

In today's energy-conscious society, it is almost a requirement to have the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star logo on your product to make a sale. Your product may be just as...

When refueling your car at the pump, you probably see different prices for diesel and regular gasoline. Many people simply do not know much about their differences. Diesel and gasoline are very...

Most vending machines, especially refrigerated beverage machines, waste a lot of electricity because they use more than is needed to keep the products cold and operate the lights. Businesses can...

Before you ever pump diesel fuel into your car, the diesel fuel has changed its chemical structure multiple times. This makes diesel fuel a very complex fuel source. Therefore, being familiar with...

Geothermal energy refers to energy that is generated in the interior of the Earth. The word "geothermal" comes from the Greek language, with "geo" meaning Earth and "thermal" meaning heat. This...

Wind-generated electricity or wind power refers to electricity generated from harnessing the energy in the wind. This is done through the use of large wind turbines, which consist of a large tower...

Alternative energy is becoming a much talked about idea in many areas of the world. The islands of the Caribbean are poised to take advantage of a number of alternative forms of energy. Solar,...

"Geothermal" comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). Geothermal heat is the enormous energy enclosed in the earth's core that can be utilized to generate electricity or heat....

Energy sector companies produce and supply energy. This includes companies that explore for and pump oil and natural gas; mine coal, develop and produce alternative energy and transport fuel and...

Alternative fuels will be used to run cars and produce energy for homes and businesses. Our reliance on petroleum products has been the impetus for encouraging new sources of fuels and to reduce...

Hydrogen is a secondary source of energy. It stores and carries energy produced from other resources (fossil fuels, water and biomass). By using pure hydrogen to power fuel cell vehicles,...

Renewable sources of energy are just starting to reach a point of sophistication that allows us to to take advantage of their benefits, and knowing the difference between myth and fact is more...

Fossil fuels account for about 85 percent of the energy consumed in America, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Fossil fuels are used because of their high energy content and low...

There is no argument that pure solar energy is a clean, green energy source. It doesn't produce a by-product per se, it needs no raw materials to consume in production and it creates little waste....

Fossil fuel emissions increase levels of greenhouse gases, which trap heat close to the Earth's surface. The result is an increase in the surface temperature. The U.S. Environmental Protection...

During winter months, gas bills usually rise. One way to keep the gas bill cheap is to install solar heating panels. While they are not without a few disadvantages (mainly the cost of the hardware...

Wind mills that are used to generate electricity have been lauded in recent years as a potential solution to the future energy needs of people all around the world. Many wind farms are in use...

Everyone can do their part in helping the environment. Companies are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment. Not only can companies do their part in making the world a better...

Coal is a fossil fuel that results from the decay of primeval forests over time. It is one of the most plentiful fuels in the world and less expensive than other energy sources, such as oil....

When it comes to using energy and saving money at the same time, you cannot go wrong when you use solar energy. Solar energy is natural. We can use the sun's rays to run the appliances that we use...

A number of alternative fuels exist today, and scientists continue to research how to make them more efficient. Hybrid cars are becoming more popular, as is biodiesel. No longer considered...

The United States uses a wide range of energy sources to keep its vehicles moving; its buildings lighted, heated and cooled; and the wheels of industry moving forward. But even with advances in...

Natural gas is a fossil fuel primarily made of methane, hydrogen and carbon. Most of the natural gas consumed in the United States is produced domestically or shipped via pipeline from Canada....

The sun is the leading source of energy on earth. According to Cutler J. Cleveland (Department of Geography and Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, Boston University), the amount of solar...

For those who believe using cow manure as a source of energy is a new idea, they are likely forgetting their grade school history classes where they studied how the early pioneers crossing the...

Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy which is available almost everywhere in the world. You are probably already using solar power in your day to day life, whether you know it or...

With new technology improving the energy efficiency of fluorescent light bulbs, conserving energy and being more energy efficient in hotels, lodges, and bed and breakfast establishments is getting...

Solar power is power that comes from the Sun--a source widely available in most parts of the world. Solar power has been used for many years for free heat and to help plants grow. As fossil fuels...

The world at large is still smarting from 2008's spectacular run up in oil prices towards $150 per barrel. The record oil prices translated into $4 gasoline in the U.S. and sparked mass outrage....

Nuclear power plants have been a controversial topic ever since the nuclear reactor core meltdown occurred at Three Mile Island in March of 1979. A nuclear power plant accident like the one that...

With growing industrialization worldwide, dependence on fossil fuels increases day by day. Since these are nonrenewable sources of energy, there has been a steep decline in energy reserves....

As fossil fuels become more expensive and scarce, many businesses and homeowners are seeking an alternative source of clean energy to provide their power. Wind turbines are a cost-effective...

In the automobile industry, hybrid cars are one of the first technologies developed to create more fuel efficient vehicles. With on-board electrical power generation, the cars are among the most...

Solar energy is not a cheap way to produce energy for most people, but for some, it can be the cheapest way to get up and running. Depending on your location, solar energy may be less expensive...

Fossil fuel helps produce cheap energy. Modern industries depend heavily on energy supplied by fossil fuels. In fact they are the backbone of the auto, steel and transportation industries....

For years, people have been using conventional sources of energy, primarily fossil fuels. However, recent concerns about climate change and energy independence have sparked a uptick in interest...

Fossil fuels have been serving man's energy needs since ancient times. As the name suggests, fossil fuels are formed from the organic remains of prehistoric plants and animals. These remains,...

With the rising cost and scarcity of fossil fuels, many people are turning to alternative fuels to find a way to power their homes. Solar power is an available and renewable source of energy which...