The Global Cleantech Cluster Association, known as the global voice of cleantech, announced its Global Top 30 Semi-Finalists for its 2011 Later Stage Award at the 11th European Forum on Eco-Innovation in Lahti, Finland today. The finalist companies span North America, Europe and Asia, representing the most (more…)

My loyal readers may have been surprised (or relieved) by my hiatus from publishing.  I was not idle, however.  I led a study on Energy Efficiency Policy in New Jersey and Pennsylvania on behalf of the Department of Energy-funded Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy Efficient Buildings. (more…)

We’re often writing about energy efficiency on Energy Refuge as an important component of energy sustainability. Fortunately, an increasing number of contractors are advancing the green building movement and spreading the adoption of sustainable design, energy efficient construction (more…)

Autodesk is an international leader in three dimensional design software for building, engineering and architecture construction, manufacturing, and entertainment and media. Autodesk became well known for AutoCAD – its flagship computer-aided design software. Other software products include Digital (more…)

Of course it could — it already has. But first lets recap the Solyndra saga.

Solyndra is the solar panel manufacturer in California that qualified for a $535 million federally-backed loan. Since receiving the loan, the price of solar panels has plummeted – good news – which has squeezed the margins of (more…)

Several weeks ago, Washington DC was hit by both an earthquake and a hurricane. But this was not the most shocking development during the week — at least for me.

Here’s what shocked me the most: I learned there is a chance that LEED bonds could be available in our nation’s capital. (more…)

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green (more…)

Georgia Pacific LLC is one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of packaging, tissue, packer, pulp and building products. Georgia Pacific has long since had a history of being a very sustainable company – making products that improve the lives of (more…)

Concrete is the most widely used building material for residential and commercial buildings. From its humble origins in Roman times, this mixture of Portland cement, aggregate, water, and chemical additives is now a $35 billion industry in the US alone, employing over two million workers. However, when it comes to (more…)

For several years, property owners have become increasingly aware of the potential for energy efficient buildings to decrease operating costs, improve occupancy, and demand higher rental prices.

Theoretically, all of the benefits of energy efficient buildings should yield a higher property values for (more…)