Savings estimates for the United States Environmental Protection Agency?s ENERGY STAR voluntary product labeling program

Abstract

Consulting), Bill McNary (D&R International), Robin Clark, Darcy Martinez and Rebecca Duff (ICF Consulting) and Sarah Bretz (LBNL) also contributed to the analysis. Abstract ENERGY STAR is a voluntary energy efficiency-labeling program operated jointly by the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Since the program inception in 1992, ENERGY STAR has become a leading international brand for energy efficient products. ENERGY STAR's central role in the development of regional, national, and international energy programs necessitates an open process whereby its program achievements to date as well as projected future savings are shared with committed stakeholders. Through 2006, US EPA'S ENERGY STAR labeled products saved 4.8 EJ of primary energy and avoided 82 Tg C equivalent. We project that US EPA'S ENERGY STAR labeled products will save 12.8 EJ and avoid 203 Tg C equivalent over the period 2007-2015. A sensitivity analysis examining two key inputs (carbon factor and ENERGY STAR unit sales) bounds the best estimate of carbon avoided between 54 Tg C and 107 Tg C (1993 to 2006) and between 132 Tg C and 278 Tg C (2007 to 2015). 1) Audio includes CDs, mini-systems, audio separates, and home theater in a box. 2) CAC =central air conditioning, ASHP = air source heat pump, HP = heat pump, DVD = digital versatile disc, CFL = compact fluorescent lamp, HVAC = heating ventilation and air conditioning, VCR=video cassette recorder.3) Specification revisions that resulted in program suspension are indicated with an "*"

Quantifying Energy and Water Savings in the U.S. Residential Sector

“…government-sponsored programs such as ENERGY STAR and WaterSense from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have supported labeling, marketing, and education efforts for consumer products and appliances that save energy and water, respectively. Both programs have documented successes: the ENERGY STAR program has been widely recognized by consumers since its beginning in 1992, and the younger WaterSense, started in 2006, is gaining popularity . Unlike energy efficiency approaches, water efficiency measures typically have a slow rate of adoption, on the order of 20 to 60 years, such that monitoring and adaptation are important for sustainable management .…”

Ultrasensitive Detection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Using Frequency Locked Microtoroid Optical Resonators

“…The most effective techniques are either electrochemical or optical label-free biosensors. 11 Electrochemical sensors measure changes in electrical impedance when hCG binds to the sensor [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] . Although they have high sensitivities and in some cases can detect hCG at a concentration of 30 fM 17 , electrochemical sensors can have issues with sample reproducibility and sensor stability.…”

“…These sensors typically rely on interferometry 21 , surface plasmon resonance 22,23 , photoluminescence [24][25][26][27] , or electrochemiluminescence 18 . These existing optical techniques are, however, less sensitive than mass spectrometry [13][14][15][21][22][23][24] and require multiple steps which can increase user error. High-sensitivity single molecule optical biosensors have previously been demonstrated using optical microspheres coupled to plasmonic nanoparticles 28,29 , but the effective active area of these sensors is very small, limited to just the locations of the plasmonic hot spots on the nanoparticles.…”

Biomimetic Micromotor Enables Active Delivery of Antigens for Oral Vaccination

“…[19][20][21] Nano/micromotors are synthetic vehicles, made from different materials and various shapes, capable of converting chemical fuels or external energies into rapid motion. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] These motors have been used for cargo transport, drug delivery, chemical sensing, and remediation applications, among others. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Their dynamic behavior provides unique advantages that have motivated researchers to explore their use in vivo, where their ability to autonomously propel in biological environments can provide significant benefits.…”

“…[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] These motors have been used for cargo transport, drug delivery, chemical sensing, and remediation applications, among others. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Their dynamic behavior provides unique advantages that have motivated researchers to explore their use in vivo, where their ability to autonomously propel in biological environments can provide significant benefits. [30][31][32] In particular, it has been shown that micromotors made of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) or zinc bodies can propel quickly in gastric and intestinal fluids, improve cargo delivery and retention in gastrointestinal tissue, and enhance therapeutic antibacterial efficacy.…”