REALITY TV: THE HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER

A blogger described Eureka as "...the quirkiness of Northern Exposure with the Big Science of the Manhattan Project." Like this promo.

Homeowners Can Win Home Energy Makeover
June 27, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
CMC Energy Services of Maryland, NBC Universal’s Sci-Fi Channel, the Alliance to Save Energy, Edison Electric Institute, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and member companies, OSRAM Sylvania, Dow Chemical Company.
the cast of Eureka (click to check out the cuties)

WHAT
In conjunction with Eureka, the Eureka Smart House Energy Efficiency Challenge will be a reality-TV style home makeover contest stressing energy efficiency.

WHEN
Campaign/contest launched June 27.

WHERE
The Sci-Fi Channel. Check your local listings.

WHY
- Requirement for contestants: Answers to energy-related questions and a short essay explaining why they deserve a home makeover for energy efficiency.
- Grand Prize: Energy efficiency improvements worth up to $25,000 including
CMC energy audit, new kitchen/laundry appliances from Energy Star and Whirlpool,
new computer/electronics/home wiring from CEA, compact fluorescent lighting by OSRAM Sylvania and air leak sealing by Dow Chemical Company.

Six Degrees of Energy Efficiency Challenge

Disneyland's Monsanto House of the Future, as smart as a house ever got

QUOTES
“For years, the government has been relocating the world's geniuses and their families to the picturesque Pacific Northwest town of Eureka, where anything can happen and usually does…Eureka's "Smart House", the state-of-the-art home of the future where Sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) and daughter Zoe (Jordan Hinson) reside, sets the stage for the Eureka $mart House Energy Efficiency Challenge, a national drive for home energy efficiency.”

Enter the contest here.




WIND: THE CLEANEST COAL
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/business/worldbusiness/27fobriefs-ALSTOMBUYSAW_BRF.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Coal is getting on board, just like all the other smart buyers.

Alstom enters wind power market with Spanish deal
June 26, 2007 (Reuters)

WHO
Alstom (CEO Patrick Kron), Ecotecnia

WHAT
Alstom, a French engineering group that builds coal, hydroelectric and nuclear plants, bought Ecotecnia, a Spanish manufacturer of wind turbines and solar panels.
Now subtract out the extra-carbon costs of the other energies, like health and water expenses, and wind is the obvious choice (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- Purchased announced June 26.
- Ecotecnia: 2007 sales of 300-350 million euros, operating margin of 7%.

WHERE
The announcement was made in Paris, where Alstom is based. Ecotecnia is based in Barcelona but 50% of its sales are in other European markets.

WHY
- The purchase price is 350 million euros ($471.1 million).
- This is Alstom’s first move into wind energy.
- Ecotecnia: 1,500 wind turbines installed/installing, generating 1,433 megawatts of electricity, 2% of world capacity.
if graphs are too confusing, maybe this will simplify the issue

QUOTES
Kron: "This acquisition, when completed, will consolidate Alstom's position as the company with the broadest and most complete range of products and systems in power generation…"