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Energy independence, one house at a time

One couple in Laramie Wyoming took the plunge and went off-grid – without frills or pomp they describe their set-up and how easy it is to live like that.

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If You Can’t Be Off-Grid Then Live In A SmartGridCity

What is a Smart Grid City? It’s a new concept that is being built in Boulder, Colorado to make using conventional grid energy more efficient in it’s use and cost. it is probably best put by the chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy, Dick Kelly:

  • “We’re on our way toward building the grid of the future and making SmartGridCity a reality. This is a forward-thinking project that will transform the way we do business. In SmartGridCity, our customers will have more information, including the tools to communicate directly with us, and will choose when and how they use their energy based on price, generating resource or convenience.”

The design phase completion was announced on May 15, 2008 and that the equipment needed has been ordered and construction has already started. Since the study done by the Smart Grid Consortium and Xcel Energy to develop a scope and design to implement this change was just completed this past April. To say this is on the fast track seems to be an understatement. Though as we American’s have shown time and time again when we are fired up bu something we can do it at an extremely efficient rate. If this planned project goes as well as expected then by December 2009 the city of Boulder will be adding renewable energy to it’s power sources as well as integrating plug-in hybrid cars for it’s citizens.

The idea to use the technology we have as well and push the envelope to lower consumption of the energy we have available on the grid is a great step to helping people become more involved in their energy choices. If everyone had the information about what the cost of plugging something in or turning it on would cost in both energy and cash then questioning the need for it could become second nature to everyone. How many times do people turn on lights in the middle of the day because shades haven’t been opened yet, or charging a mobile device when it’s not empty or longer then needed, or left lights on because they would be right back, or any of hundreds of little things that because we don’t see the cost at time of use we don’t always think about it.

Hoping for this to be a success for more then the city of Boulder should be anyones hope that wishes to change the way we treat energy. If a city can be taught to conserve and use wisely as a whole then us that are working towards that on our own can benefit, too. The technology to do this will be improved, price should become more realistic for the common person, and more information about problems and solutions will be available. Of course, that’s a best case scenerio and here at The Off-Grid Home that is what we all hope for.

Included below …

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Join the Alliance

It has been mentioned before but an article was due on the Alliance to Save Energy. The Alliance to Save Energy promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security. As stated on their website: “The Alliance is the only national nonprofit, bipartisan public-policy organization working in strategic partnership with business, government, environmental, educational, and consumer leaders to encourage a more vibrant marketplace for energy-efficient products and to promote energy efficiency worldwide.”

It was founded by Senators Charles H. Percy, a Republican from Illinois, and Hubert H. Humphrey, a Democratic from Minnesota. Since it’s founding in 1977 it has a solid track record for unifying both the public and private sectors to promote sustainable energy for the future.

Today the Alliance still strives to better equip our future teachers, policy makers, business leaders, environmental leaders and even the everyday consumer. So that they can make informed decisions about their energy use and future energy directions.
They cannot and do not want to do that alone. They hope that by us all working together we will be able to reach the common goals of a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and improved energy security through energy efficiency.

According to Kateri Callahan the President of Alliance to Save Energy “Energy efficiency represents the cheapest, quickest and cleanest resource for meeting the world’s ever-increasing demand for energy”

The Alliance has over 115 organizations from all parts of the economy, from “big box” retailers to energy providers to state and local governments and national laboratories, participating actively in their Alliance Associates Program. This provides them many opportunities to engage in every aspect of these organizations, from policy advocacy to market transformation initiatives and national communication campaigns. The Alliance also drives efficiency through public policy.

The Alliance serves as the recognized and respected voice of the energy efficiency movement before Congress, the Administration, and state and local governments. They do everything from advocating energy-efficiency building codes
and appliance standards to securing funding for technology deployment. They also seek government support to advance energy efficiency. They try to communicate their message through PSAs and media outlets.

It serves as a unified voice for the energy-efficiency community through its award-winning PSAs and frequent interviews with national and local media outlets. The Alliance actively employs all forms of media to educate public leaders and the public about the multiple benefits of saving energy.

Though this organization is seen as a media resource for what is going on in politics, manufacturing, research, education and more on energy efficiency, green initiatives, alternative energy, etc., they offer newsletters to anyone who wishes to sign up for them. Just think everyday, week, monthly and/or bi-month you can receive the the latest news about the going ons without searching through national, local, trade, etc. publications. With over 8 different newsletters you are sure to find …

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