EE&T News: August 23, 2010

"Green" job training but few "green" jobs

It's back-to-school time again. But those headed back to school for "green" job training might want to reconsider their options judging by recent reports that there are plenty of "green" job training programs but comparatively few spots for their graduates.
As always, send your energy efficiency news to us at [email protected] -- Leland Teschler, Editor

Cool breakthrough in heat transfer

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Washers that don't wash, dishwashers that don't wash dishes

The EPA will soon toughen up its requirements for dishwashers that earn the Energy Star label. A careful reading of the EPA document reveals that the Agency is leaving room in future updates for levying a minimum requirement for cleaning. At some point in the future, Energy Star dishwashers must, in fact, get dishes clean. It looks as though EPA might have learned something on this score from the fiasco surrounding energy efficient washing machines that don't get clothes clean. READ MORE

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Energy Efficiency Expo 2011 is a trade fair showcasing products and services to help organizations reduce their energy consumption and become more energy-efficient. The event is designed to address the needs of managers and engineers who are responsible for facilities, manufacturing and industrial operations, equipment and machinery, as well as product and system designers. Numerous educational sessions will run concurrently with the exhibition, allowing attendees to obtain more in-depth information on specific areas of energy efficiency. www.energyefficiencyexpo2011.com

Next battleground for EVs: Inverters

Energy shorts

Buoy to power radar node off New Jersey coast
A clean-up kit for broken CFLs
How many solar cells does it take to power a microwave?
Low-energy nuclear reaction claim now in doubt
Got an idea for solid-state lighting? DOE wants to know
Next focus for energy regs: coffee makers

The dynamics of wave energy

In the quest for green energy, engineers have increasingly viewed tides and ocean waves as sources from which they can harvest energy. But there is no one single technology that has emerged as a standard for harvesting wave energy. There are several viable methods being studied, including a captor which collects energy from the oscillatory motion of waves, power take-off equipment which converts mechanical energy into electricity, and an anchoring system which holds the wave energy converter (WEC) in place. READ MORE

98%-efficient bus converters

he IBC054 Series of VI Brick bus converters are available as drop-in upgrades for industry-standard 5:1 and 4:1 converters. These eighth and quarter bricks are 98% efficient from a 36 to 60-V input voltage range at power levels from 300 up to 750 W, with 2,250-Vdc isolation from input to output. The converters offer a transient surge capability of 75 Vin for 100 msec for telecom, power-over-Ethernet, and other applications. An online cross-reference selection tool lets users upgrade to a high-efficiency converter. A simple interface, searchable by manufacturer or part number, lets users search bricks, quantify relative power savings, and select a more-efficient product.Vicor Corp.

Power hub delivers eight segments of power

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