Rmi Outlet
Net-Zero Energy
How to Stay Cool while Saving Energy
As a heat wave grips much of the country, with temperatures in some areas running into the triple digits, keeping cool is critical. Yet as millions of people rely on air conditioners we run into problems. California’s power grid operators declared a Stage 3 electrical emergency last weekend due…
Getting to Zero in Buildings
As we embark on a new decade, we are reflecting on the many exciting advancements in the building industry. One highlight from last year was the Getting to Zero Forum held in October in Oakland California. This event brought together over 600 leading policymakers, building owners, architects, designers, system manufacturers,…
Surviving the Next Polar Vortex
One year ago this week, the Midwest was under siege from the “polar vortex” that caused subzero temperatures and power outages across Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and New Jersey. In light of the fact that climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these events,…
Making Our Existing Buildings Zero Carbon: A Three-Pronged Approach
To keep average global temperature rise to less than 1.5°C—which the IPCC states is necessary to avoid climate catastrophe—we need to fix our buildings. They are the largest end-users of energy, producing nearly 40 percent of US carbon emissions. Today, only a small fraction of our buildings do not produce…
Decarbonizing Buildings for All
Lowering carbon emissions from the buildings sector (which produces nearly 40 percent of US carbon emissions) is a crucial part of getting to a decarbonized economy. However, when we implement efficiency or renewable energy projects in buildings, the projects are often targeted to those who can afford new technologies.