Blackout over 70% of Venezuela!

Although Venezuela controls the world’s largest known oil reserves, they can’t seem to get their own energy infrastructure to run efficiently. Half-way through September 3rd, nearly 70% of the country lost power! In most parts of the world, this would be an anomaly. But in Venezuela, it simply adds to the laundry list of recent energy embarrassments. The government has already passed mandatory electricity rations and levies on energy guzzlers. What more can they do?

Get smarter! Go greener!

The cause of the blackout was an apparent malfunction in the energy grid near Bajo Caroni, which generates roughly two-thirds of the country’s electricity. 14 of Venezuela’s 23 states experienced power outages, including the capital, Caracas. There was bumper-to-bumper traffic in the blackened streets. Subways stalled. Trains had to be evacuated.

To put it bluntly: for half of the day, Venezuela was emerged in absolute chaos! Even the country’s Energy Ministry lost power! (Cruel irony, or just cruel?)

As of this moment, a few states are still shrouded in darkness. This spells disaster for hospitals and other utilities.

Should the blackout just be chalked up to some “malfunction?”  Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro isn’t so sure. He took to Twitter, saying: “It’s evident that behind [the blackout] is the hand of those that want to weaken our country.”

Henrique Capriles, a respected lawyer and politician who lost to Maduro in Venezuela’s elections earlier this year, responded: "The blackout today demonstrates one more time the terrible incapacity of this government.”

Worst of all, this isn’t even the first time Venezuela has experienced a blackout this big! Back in 2010, a drought devastated the country’s electricity production, hitting their hydroelectric facilities particularly hard. As a result, close to 70% of homes lost power.

As they say: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Luckily, you no longer have to rely on the government, or some corporate power provider, for energy. You could break free and experience energy independence.

Get smarter by going greener!

To learn how, visit nrglab.asia and read up on some of our revolutionary energy projects. From recycling agricultural waste into useable fuel, to converting geothermal energy into useable electricity, we’re developing an array of solutions for the array of problems we face. Global warming. Civil war. Dwindling resources. It’s a laundry list we plan to put an end to.

So be sure to check out nrglab.asia, and follow us on Facebook for more breaking news.

Waste not want not – U.S. could power U.K. for 7 years with annual wasted energy

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), a premier research and development institution for science and technology funded by the United Sates Department of Justice, recently published an alarming report revealing that, in 2012, the U.S. wasted 61% of its economy’s total energy!

To put that number in perspective – that’s enough energy to power the entire United Kingdom for 7 years!

That 39% efficiency rating is hardly efficient. Last year, approximately 95 quadrillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of raw energy were funneled into the U.S. economy. Of those, only 37 quadrillion BTUs were used.

Back in the 1970s, the U.S. economy was an example of efficiency, using 31.1 quadrillion BTUs while managing to only waste 30.6 quadrillion. But since, the economy’s annual energy efficiency has been on a slippery slope as consumption habits and fuel usages go untamed.

From internal combustion engines in cars to monstrous power plants, technological advancement has been erratically inefficient. As our dependence on such conveniences grows, the economy suffers. Some experts have even come out and said that the U.S.’s reported 39% efficiency number is kind, at best. Physicist Robert Ayres believes it should be closer to 14%.

The LLNL has spent the past decade analyzing the U.S.’s wasteful habits, during which the country’s efficiency rating has teetered between 50 and 58%. In 2012, however, that number spiked to one of the worst recorded levels in history.

The spike can be attributed to changes in the ways home and vehicle energy efficiencies are evaluated. It’s tougher to meet standards these days, and authorities are cracking down.

You can make the transition to clean-energy independence courtesy of NRGLab’s innovative slate of projects. With the SH-Box electrical generator, you could live carbon-emission free. With our SV-Turbine, you could see energy conversion rates you didn’t think possible!

For more information on NRGLab, visit nrglab.asia.

Don’t be a part of the waste. Be a part of the solution.

Gasification in your everyday!

I use the word “gasification” a lot when discussing possible directions for the future of energy, but not a whole lot of people understand what the process actually is. Well fear not! I’m here to make biomass gasification a little easier to understand by explaining how it affects your everyday life.

First, what the heck is gasification? Biomass gasification is the process by which biomass fuels like wood, coal, feedstock and agricultural residues are converted into a combustible mixture known as a producer gas (CO+H2+CH4) or synthetic gas (syngas). The process relies on heat, pressure and partial combustion. The oxidizer can be air, in which case the producer gas will contain nitrogen (N2), steam, or oxygen (O2).

Sound complicated? That’s because it is! Just listen to what gasification technology can be used for:
- Central heating, community heating, or process heating for manufacturing
- Electricity generating systems
- Internal combustion engines

Now, gasification isn’t exactly a new technology. It was first developed back in the 1800s as a means of lighting villages and towns. Miniaturized gasifiers were even used to power vehicles during World War II, when fuel shortages were common. But as technology has advanced, so too has our understanding of gasification’s potential.

It all boils down to the science, really. If gasification occurs at a moderately low temperature (between 700ºC and 1000ºC), the product gas will possess a high concentration of hydrocarbons. This means that low temperature gasification can be used directly to generate electricity via a steam turbine or, with suitable gas clean up, an internal combustion engine.

Conversely, high temperature gasification (between 1200ºC and 1600ºC) results in few hydrocarbons and a higher ration of CO and H2. This is known as a syngas since it can be used to synthesize chain hydrocarbons. If the ratio of CO to H2 is 1:2, synthesis can successfully convert syngas into high quality diesel biofuel – a fuel compatible with most conventional diesel engines.

Come on - you didn't think the fuel you pumped at the gas station just came out of the ground like that, did you?

Ultimately, gasification has the potential to lower commuting costs for motorists. It can power cities. It can shape foreign relations with countries in control of the supply of crude oil. It can bring energy independence to impoverished countries. It can bring an end to dangerous fracking operations. It can change the world!

By now, you may or may not have a better understanding of gasification (hopefully you do). But even if you’re still having trouble wrapping your head around the idea of “hydrocarbons,” don’t worry. Gasification is a complex process mastered only by those who’ve dedicated years to studying the science behind it.

If I’ve peaked your curiosity though, make sure you stop by nrglab.asia, and see what energy projects NRGLab has cooking up in development. Plus, you can learn more about gasification!

One way to reduce energy consumption – jack up the price!

Usually, governments attempt to reduce national energy consumption by educating the public on practical ways they can make changes around the home. Some offer incentive programs for making efficiency upgrades. Others pay for advertising campaigns – billboards, commercials, and free give-a-ways that remind you to “turn the lights out when you leave.” A select few countries, on the other hand, have chosen to take the opposite approach.

If you can’t get people to willingly curb their habits, jack up the price of electricity until people can no longer afford to be wasteful!

Both England and Wales increased the overall price of energy, and during a six-year span in which utility bills rose 28%, consumption dropped by 25%.

This information comes from a recent report out of the UK’s Office for National Statistics. The report cites residents throughout England and Wales who’ve made significant eco-improvements to their homes in order to combat rising energy costs. Back in 2008, a mere 44% of homes had proper roof insulation, compared to 60% last year. It’s no surprise that the jump corresponds with the U.K. giving consumers more incentive to purchase energy-efficient homes and appliances.

In a country mostly dependent upon natural gas for energy, many homes managed to make improvements to their waters heaters and air condition systems. After all, nobody wants to spoil that beautiful English countryside with more fracking drills and equipment.

The same sort of price-fixing is expected to occur in the United States sometime before the end of the decade.  According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, levying home efficiency improvements will reduce the country’s energy usage per person annually until 2040.

In other parts of the world, leaders are coming together in hopes of figuring out other, less government-intense solutions. The heads of the Shanghai Environment Protection Industry Association and the China Clean Expo have agreed to collaborate on next year’s International Waste Management & Recycling Show. The show brings energy industry professionals together in an atmosphere geared towards.

Established back in 2002, the China Clean Expo is the country’s largest eco-friendly show, offering a unique trading and brainstorming atmosphere for waste management professionals. The expo showcases a wide array of technology and products, hoping one will prove to be the next big breakthrough. From waste processing and municipal equipment, to environment sanitation operations and processing technology – 2014’s event will have it all. Over 20,000 professionals and vendors from across the world are already expected to attend!

So, what’s the best way to change a bad habit: through reason, or a swift kick in the rear? It remains to be seen.

NRGLab is supporting the future of energy. For more information on our slate of projects currently in development, visit nrglab.asia.

Your iPhone uses as much energy as your fridge!

As hard as it may be to believe, a new study shows that your iPhone consumes as much energy in a year as your refrigerator!

The study is called “The Cloud Begins With Coal,” and in it, CEO of Digital Power Group Mark Mills claims that the average iPhone uses about 361 kWh per year. That includes data usage, charging the battery, and cloud connections. A mid-sized refrigerator only uses 322 KWh per year. Who would’ve thought?

You see, smartphones like the iPhone don’t require a huge amount of energy to charge, but playing games for an average of an hour a week for an entire year can consume more energy that TWO fridges (and let’s face it – everyone has a bit of an addiction to Angry Birds or Words With Friends). The biggest energy guzzlers are the background cloud connections like GPS tracking and Wi-Fi. So even if you don’t have a penchant for playing games, your iPhone is being drained faster than a bathtub.

Nowadays, computers are forced to run around the clock. They service our technical support needs. Our climate control needs. Our banking needs. Pretty much every need, really.

Mills’ study found that the global Information-Communications-Technologies system (or ICT, which encompasses all tech-based companies) consumes a total of 1,500 tWh of electricity per year. That’s equivalent to Germany and Japan’s electricity production COMBINED! In fact, the ICT uses about 10% of all the electricity generated on Earth. (That’s enough to power the planet since 1985…)

“As the world continues to electrify, migrating towards one refrigerator per household, it also evolves towards several smartphones and equivalent per person,” writes Mills. And what’s worse is that as devices become more powerful, they’ll require more energy. “Trends now promise faster, not slower, growth in ICT energy use.”

Cloud connections and mobile Internet require more energy than wired networks, and let’s be honest – the world is going wireless. All of this technological advancement is eating away at our planet like a virus.
And the source of that virus? Our dependency on dirty coal.

Coal remains the choice source of electricity production in developed countries like the U.S. Mills’ study, which was sponsored by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity and the National Mining Association, contends that coal is essential to powering the ICT system. Our phones will always need batteries, and our lights will always need plugs, after all.  

Innovations in green energy grids and higher efficiency standards have provided a good starting off point for change, but until the energy industry takes a long hard look in the mirror, the problem’s only going to get worse.

NRGLab thinks we can still expand cloud connections and smartphone capabilities without sacrificing the integrity of our environment with carbon-free, renewable sources of electricity like the SH-Box. The SH-Box turns geothermal heat into clean, read-to-use electricity. So forget about installing expensive solar panels. Forget about building an 18th Century windmill in your back yard. Forget everything you thought you knew about energy – and start thinking about the SH-Box.

For more information, visit nrglab.asia. See what we’re doing to protect the planet from mankind’s hubris.

Finally, the good kind of audit – home energy efficiency!

I talk a lot about energy efficiency and making home renovations that can help cut costs on your monthly utility bills. But say you’re still having trouble understanding. All this talk about ventilation ducts and star ratings and climate controls has your head in a tailspin, and you’re looking for someone to help level you out.

Fear not! You can have your home audited for energy efficiency!

Most of the time, when people hear the word “audit,” they think about the taxman coming to rifle through their boxes of receipts.  Not this time.

With a home energy audit, a professional helps you understand the nuisances of your home. Whether you’re looking to replace your windows or water heater, the first step to savings is often times the toughest.

A home energy audit can identify where energy is being wasted, and help you prioritize your renovations. Efficiency upgrades have the potential to save you 30% on your monthly utility bills.

So, what exactly takes place during an energy audit, you ask?

Well, first a licensed auditor sits down with you and reviews your energy bills. That way, the two of you can target high-expense areas to investigate. Next, the auditor conducts a visual inspection, and may even use special equipment like an infrared camera to detect sources of energy waste. Then, based on his or her assessment, you’ll be provided with a final report that shows exactly which efficiency upgrades are best for you, and how much money you could be saving.

When choosing an auditor, it’s crucial that you go with a person or company with experience and a background in energy. As a general rule of thumb - only hire people you trust. Let’s go with ten years of experience in the industry. That’s a nice round number. Your auditor should also be a Professional Engineer (PE) and/or a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). It certainly doesn't hurt to get an estimate or two before you sign a contract with an auditor either. That way, you know you’re getting a fair price (But remember, it can be expensive up front. Plumbers charge $100/hr after all!).

Most of all – know what you’re paying for! Ask for details. Set deadlines. Keep an open communication with your auditor. Learn from him or her. Remember that the most important step in any journey is the first one! So take that step. Open up your local directory, or search “energy audits” online.

It’s OK that you’re not an energy expert. Some people are.

The Evolution of Energy Consumption

Although little has changed for energy in terms of overall per capita consumption, the industry and our infrastructure have evolved significantly over the past several decades.

Improved insulation materials and instillation techniques, as well as an array of other efficiency upgrades, have made climate management considerably less intense. Homes are staying warmer in the winter. Cooler in the summer. At virtually no increased cost to the consumer!

People tend to think that cooling a house costs more than warming it, when in fact it’s the opposite! Heating actually uses MORE energy. 85% of American households feature either gas or electric-powered climate systems.

Energy consumption also varies by region. For example, in the United States, coastal cities consume much less energy (per capita) compared to the rest of the country. Electricity is now the “fuel of choice” in the South, a trend which is expected to continue as more of the population migrates that way.

This may not be the best solution when it comes time to pay your bills. Electric heating is a MAJOR energy guzzler. Electric dishwashers, water heaters, and clothes washers and dryers are just a few of the high wattage items responsible for your rising utility costs.

Unfortunately, wattage is a misleading standard by which to judge energy consumption. Some items you don’t use that often. Others require less electricity than low-wattage items you might leave on all day.

Plus, we can’t stop buying gizmos and gadgets! No matter how much we reduce our consumption by, our progress is canceled out by the new appliances we purchase. We have four different cell phones plugged into a single outlet. We have desktop computers. Laptops. Tablets.

Is there no end?!?

It's one thing to cut down on our personal energy consumption – it’s another to begin solving the problem at a fundamental level.

NRGLab is helping the world get a handle on energy consumption. For more information, visit nrglab.aisa.

Just how big is the energy industry? $6 trillion big!

Most people don’t realize how big the energy industry actually is. You might read about oil stocks in the newspaper. You might hear about some fantastic alternative energy project on the news. You might just pay your utility bills each month without giving it a second thought. But realize this – our current energy infrastructure is buttressed by a $6 trillion dollar economy!

So, think change is easy? Think again.

Such a vast industry consumes natural resources at a furious rate, and is dependent upon a global market to set supply, demand, and price. This complex system keeps the lights on. The warm water flowing. The music bumping.

It's this co-dependent relationship that makes energy such an interesting subject. Leaving lights on in an empty room sends a ripple across the globe. You’re not only contributing to global warming – you’re affecting nations of people, foreign markets, technical development, and fuel processes.

One such fuel process, one you might not be too familiar with, is gasification.

Gasification is quickly gaining ground on other renewable energy alternatives like wind, solar, and hydroelectric. The process uses a limited oxygen supply to convert a carbon-containing feedstock like coal, natural gas, or agriculture waste, into a synthetic gas and useable fuel.

In fact, gasification has been around for centuries! William Murdoch, a Scottish engineer, is credited with discovering the process back in the late 1790s. Using coal as his feedstock, Murdoch produced enough synthetic gas to light his home. Eventually, cities across Europe and America adopted his process to light their city streets and neighborhoods.

Today, as we find ourselves in the midst of a climate crisis, gasification is more important than ever. Power-starved nations are clamoring for the next breakthrough in alternative energy technology, and gasification – a blast from the past – may provide exactly that.  By 2015, the Gasification Technologies Council predicts that world gasification capacity will grow by more than 70%!

At the forefront of the transition is NRGLab. With our innovative gasification techniques, we’re hoping to clean up the $6 trillion energy industry, making it more dependable and sustainable in the process.

Want more information? Visit nrglab.asia and check out what we’re doing to ensure a better tomorrow for millions of lives around the world.

How can we spread great ideas? Speak up!

We’re struck with good ideas all the time. Ways to save money by couponing at the grocery store. A cool tittle for a movie. Maybe even a nifty time-saving invention. But what about great ideas? Earth-shattering ideas? How often are we struck with those? And when we are, how can we make sure they spread?

A lot of people assume that getting a great idea to catch on is a matter of money. How much you spend on advertising, marketing, hiring a manager, pre-production and design.

It’s not.

Others assume it’s a matter of punishment versus reward. If you want a great idea to stick, you either have to reward people for conforming, or punish them for refusing. Eventually, you’ll implement the idea/condition behavior – but will it have been worth it? Furthermore, will the idea stand the test of time?

The answer to that: definitely not.

The best way for great ideas to spread and make a difference is by people talking to one another. Yes, like any long-lasting marriage, communication is the key. It’s about establishing a connection with another individual. Relishing in a human bond. And via that bond, great ideas are exchanged!

Think about the Facebook revolution that has swept up our culture for nearly a decade now. It was a great idea – a social platform on which people could connect, share pictures, catch-up, etc. But what made it so popular? Was it an expensive ad campaign? Was it cash-prizes?

Nope. It was people talking to people. Everyone who stumbled across Facebook went on to tell a friend, who told a friend, who told some girl at a bar, who told her sister back home, and so on and so forth.

Great ideas spread by people listening to one another. Debating. Brainstorming. But most importantly – they spread by people talking.

So speak up! Don’t be afraid to have your voice heard! We’re not. At NRGLab, we’re constantly collaborating with leading scientists, environmentalists, and other forward thinkers in order to get our message out there.

Our message is simple: create a greener future. A better tomorrow. Now, before it’s too late.

For more information on NRGLab and our slate of alternative energy projects, visit nrglab.asia, and help spread the next great idea.

Gasification: the future of energy recycling

We no longer have to rely on ticking-time bombs sitting just off-shore. I’m talking about oil rigs, of course. These ecological disasters in the making are obsolete compared to today’s technology.

Why risk another tragic spill, human lives, or the sanctity of Mother Nature just to save a few dollars on our monthly utility bills?

Luckily, NRGLab has developed innovative new equipment for the conversation of hydrocarbon crude and waste into electricity. From agricultural waste (sugar cane, rice, sunflowers, wild bushes, trees, etc.) to low-calorie coal and oil shale; from automotive rubber waste to municipal waste; from methane to methanol; our unique gasification techniques are going to revolutionize the way our world views energy.

First, in order to properly evaluate energy potential, we must take into account the type of combustible material versus its greenhouse gas emissions. During processing, fossil fuels like coal and crude oil poison our atmosphere with CO2 and NO.

This is particularly important because incineration stations are now under construction in a number of highly-populated cites. These facilities will also be twice as cheap compared to today’s standards. But will they be safe?

The lifespan of gas powered turbines will also increase two-fold as well, from 50,000 hours to 120,000 hours!

While alternative energy projects have proved frustrating for investors in the past (what with their decade-long returns and all), today, most of these projects are expected to see profits within three years.

A common misconception about energy recycling is that it requires more waste than what’s available. Untrue! Combined with local recycling efforts, more than 250 million tons of waste is sent to landfills across the U.S. each year. Even if recycling rates increased, there would still be enough waste left over to convert into electricity. People have a habit of being wasteful, after all!

Today, communities have two options in terms of discarding waste. The first is burying it in a landfill, which can emit harmful greenhouse gases like methane. The other option is taking the same waste and transporting to one of NRGLab’s gasification plants and turning it into useable fuel.

For more information on NRGLab and our slate of alternative energy projects, visit nrglab.asia.

You can be part of a greener future. All you have to do is reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste into electricity.

China & India lead surge in future energy consumption

A new study released by the United States’ Energy Department predicts that the world’s energy consumption will surge 56% by the year 2040, nearly half of which will stem from China and India.

Sure, that date might seem a long ways away, but if we fail to address the problem now, there’s no telling how we’ll manage to meet future demand.

Based on current government policies, fossil fuels will account for 80% of world’s energy use by 2040; this, despite increased efforts to fund more alternative energy programs.

The natural gas industry is expected to grow faster than coal or oil, thanks in part to new extraction techniques (not to mention global warming, which is opening up natural gas deposits in the Acrtic).

While the U.S. has dominated fracking and the natural gas industry to date, they’ll soon have foreign competition to deal with. Russia is predicted to keep pace with the U.S. in terms of productivity, particularly in the Russian Arctic. The study claims that China and Canada are poised to increase production as well.

And where exactly is all this new fuel being shipped off to?

A majority of new production is intended to meet rising demands in other markets. Russia, for instance, is planning to export more gas to China, while more than a dozen other companies have proposed facilities to transport gas from the U.S. to Asia and Europe.

The Energy Department study warns that this trend could expand to other counties like India amid high oil prices, which “are expected to rise to $163 per barrel world-wide in 2040 from $105 in 2013. That increase could drive consumers to use less or seek alternatives.”

The result?

Burning more fossil fuels will increase the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The study projects that emissions will increase 46% by 2040. That puts us well beyond the “point of no return” scientists have been warning us about for years.

The time for change is now. Follow us at nrglab.asia for updates on our slate of alternative energy projects designed to eliminate carbon-emissions and reduce consumption.

Will we be able to survive future superstorms?

According to a report filed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the country’s energy infrastructure may not be able to sustain future superstorms like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. 

As infrastructures get older, they grow susceptible to power outages, which can cost the taxpayers anywhere between $20 and $50 billion annually. And “the damages are going to get worse…” warns Jonathan Pershing Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy at the DOE.

By 2030, approximately $1 trillion in energy assets in the Gulf Coast will be at risk of rising sea levels and increased hurricane activity. Last year was the 2^nd most expensive year on record for weather related disasters, with $115 billion in damages caused Sandy and extended droughts (Katrina was even more costly!).

“Increasing temperatures, decreasing water availability, more intense storm events, and sea level rise will each independently, and in some cases in combination, affect the ability of the United States to produce and transmit electricity from fossil, nuclear, and existing and emerging renewable energy sources,” the DOE report claims.

New research performed by Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reveals that greenhouse gas emissions may contribute to a 40% spike in the rate of tropical cyclones by 2100. Emanuel predicts that “these storms will generate stronger winds, rain and storm surges around the world. This extreme storm activity will likely be felt most acutely in the North Pacific, the North Atlantic and the southern Indian Ocean.”

Superstorms have already ravaged energy infrastructures across the U.S. Sandy caused fuel shortages throughout New Jersey and New York. Hot summer months forced power plants in New England and Illinois to shut down. Droughts and a lack of access to water resulted in fracking restrictions in Texas, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania.

The DOE report cites that these phenomenon “may become more frequent and intense in the future decades.” 2012 was the hottest year since the U.S. began recording temperatures back in 1895. These temperatures were followed by historic droughts, which reduced water available for generating hydroelectric power, cooling coal burning power plants, and supplying fracking operations.

 “We don’t have a robust energy system, and the costs of dealing with adverse environmental conditions are significant,” says Pershing. “The cost today is measured in the billions. Over the coming decades, it will be in the trillions. You can’t just put your head in the sand anymore.”

In the future, will you be able to rely on your regular utility company to provide for you? Or, when supply struggles to meet demand, will you be treated like an animal and left to forage for energy? Hopefully when that day comes you’ll have invested in the SH-Box by NRGLab, a renewable generator that’s portable, long-lasting, and completely carbon-free! That’s right - you could cut ties with public utilities and save money doing it! The SH-Box produces electricity for as little as $.03 per kWh. That’s less than a third of what you’re probably paying now…

Become energy independent. Be prepared for the future. Visit nrglab.asia for updates on the revolutionary SH-Box.

Your charger is sucking up electricity!

Think about how many electronic devices you own. A cell phone? Sure. Laptop? You bet. Tablet, perhaps? How about that music playing device? All of these electronic devices have one thing in common - a battery charger. 

You would never think that charger could utilize a lot of energy, but when you're dealing with four, five, or even six different battery chargers, it adds up. 

In fact, roughly two-thirds of the energy used by mobile devices goes wasted. "It may seem like it's a very small thing when you think of an individual charger, but given the number of chargers that are out there it has the potential of large energy savings," claims Susan Smith, a communications manager at Nokia.

The California Energy Commission in the United States voted to adopt minimum energy efficiency standards for these devices. California alone boasts 170 million chargers, excluding San Diego (which wasn't included in the census). The new energy efficient chargers will save Californians an estimated $300 million a year in electricity costs.

To raise awareness, companies like Nokia, LG, Samsung, and Motorola have developed a new ratings system to show consumers exactly how much electricity chargers use during "standby mode." Five stars designate chargers using 0.03 watts or less. Chargers that consume over than 0.5 watts get a big, fat zero.

Says Smith: "The first thing is to make people aware that there are these issues around chargers, and that there are certain ones that are more energy efficient."

The ratings are based on the European Commission's energy standards for chargers and the internationally recognized Energy Star standards established by the U.S.'s Environmental Protection Agency.

In the near future, you an expect to see more announcements concerning developments in eco-friendly mobile technology. From recycled cell phones to more efficient laptop batteries, solar powered tablets to carbon-free electricity, the sky is the limit when no idea is left unturned.  

That's why NRGLab has thought long and hard about the future, and we feel strongly about some of the ideas we've come up with. For more information on any number of our current energy projects, visit nrglab.asia.

Because change is good! Working towards becoming a better person, a better company, a better planet - now that's change we can believe in. 

Mexico to finally end energy monopoly

The Mexican government is poised to finally open their energy industry to foreign investment, but in order to do so, they’ll have to amend their constitution first.

According to a board member for Petroleos Mexicanos, a government owned Oil Company, the country needs “very deep” legislative reform in order to attract private equity investments in crude and natural gas fields.  The proposed legislative is set to take effect by this Fall, claims Hector Moreira, a former official in Mexico’s Energy Ministry.

The Institutional Revolutionary Party - Mexico’s ruling party - is in the position to open the energy industry to foreign investment. Theoretically, this should stimulate domestic growth – an essential step to ensuring a stable and sustainable future for the region’s second-largest economy.

Representatives from Grupo Financiero Banorte and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are optimistic that President Enrique Pena Nieto will take the necessary steps to ensuring that the legislation passes.

“This administration doesn’t only have the willingness, but the political power and political capital to enact the changes,” says Gabriel Casillas, Banorte’s chief economic advisor.

A sluggish economy is putting added pressure on President Pena Nieto. Analysts predict that the proposed legislation and heightened taxes will boost the economy 6%.

Obviously, the world is slowly transitioning away from centralized energy infrastructures to independent, diverse, and interconnected alternatives.

NRGLab saw this transition coming long ago. That’s why we’ve spent the past decade developing a number of clean, renewable energy projects. Our goal is to make electricity universally available. No matter where you live or how much money you make, everyone deserves to plug-in to the world. Everyone deserves the chance to make something of themselves.

So, if you’re tired of relying on a public power provider, if you’re tired of bills you have no control over, and if you’re tired of contributing to the staggering level of carbon in our atmosphere – look no further than NRGLab. Visit our website at nrglab.asia for more information on any number of our projects. From the emission-free SH-Box to energy-efficient gasification processes – we’re working towards a better tomorrow. A greener future.

Join us.

Tips for Your Gas Tank

Although governments have done their best to keep the price of gasoline down, it teeters at an all-time high. Hybrid and electric cars are more prominent on the road, yet still haven’t matched the price-point of their gasoline counterparts. So besides trading their vehicles in, what can drivers do to cut down on their trips to the pump?

1.  Never top off your tank! People like to round to the nearest whole number because it looks cleaner, but in reality, topping off is a huge waste of energy. Once you hear the nozzle click, that’s your key to stop! The additional gas you pump will only go to waste.

2.  Make sure your gas cap is screwed on tight. Every year, more than 140 million gallons of gasoline are wasted due to evaporation. After refueling, make sure your gas cap is screwed on tight to prevent fuel from leaking and/or evaporating.

3.  If you own a garage, use it for your car! Don’t use it for storage. Don’t become a hoarder. Throw out your old junk and make room. Keeping your car parked in a covered area will keep it warm during the winter and cool during the summer, cutting down on how much you have to use the heater and AC.

4.  Don’t own a garage? That’s OK! Just make sure you keep your car parked in a shady area. Even consider buying a windshield shade to block out the sun. The summer heat can really put a lot of stress on your car’s engine. Not to mention make your interior and unbearable oven. Really – who likes getting into a car that’s been sitting out in the sun all day?

5.  Don’t wait until you see the “Check Engine” light before checking your engine. Make sure it has enough oil. Antifreeze. Regular car maintenance will save you hundreds of dollars at the pump. Pay a little now. Save a lot later.

6.  While you’re under the hood, take a peek at your engine’s air filters. Over time, they get clogged with dirt and grime, which forces your engine to consume more fuel. By replacing your air filters every 3,000 miles, you can reduce your fuel consumption by 10%, saving up to 15 cents a gallon.

7.  When’s the last time you checked your tires? I bet you didn't know that under-inflated tires force your engine to exert more energy, thus guzzling more gas. Take the time to stroll around your vehicle. Kick the tires. If one feels a little flat (you can tell by the awkward thump), go and and get some air!

You’ll be surprised at how little you have to stop at the pump next month. Follow NRGLab at nrglab.asia for more information on what we’re doing to improve gasification processes and fuel-efficiency. Join us, and support a better future.

Want to develop the country? Develop a sustainable energy program first!

The valley around the Indus River in Pakistan is one of the steamiest regions on earth. Temperatures teeter regularly in the low 100s. But what should be a solar energy hotbed, is instead an energy wasteland. Only one-third of Pakistanis who inhabit this region have reliable access to electricity. How can any country expect to make social, cultural, and political progress without a well-informed, technological-proficient population?

The World Bank has long hoped to bridge the gap between developing countries’ abundance of natural resources and the discourse keeping them from competing on the global economy. They’ve invested $11.6 million towards gathering data to help guide those developing countries on a sustainable path, but so far – no answers have presented themselves.

While first-world problems like unemployment, healthcare, and gun control rage, many parts of the world are still afflicted by power blackouts and tainted water wells. Simple luxuries we take for granted. So hospitals can’t open. Schools close. Small businesses go bankrupt. Asia and Africa account for roughly two-thirds of the 1.2 billion people currently living ‘off the grid’. These are people who’ve never heard of Facebook or Google!

This outrageous number often scares investors away from developing countries. Instead, they dump their private equity in the U.S. and European markets which, though certainly unpredictable, are much more reliable.

The world’s poorest populations are punished as a result. If temperatures rise by 4 degrees C, 7.2 degrees F by 2090, which according to a recent studied published by the World Bank they’re expected to, then crops across the African continent will burn. Rice paddies in Southeast Asia will drown. People will die and villages will be wiped out.

How do we expect the developing world to develop without any people?

The challenge they face right now involves simple math: fossil fuels are cheaper than green energy alternative. Although the world’s wealthiest countries have donated considerable sums of money to renewable energy programs throughout the third world, there’s simply no way to combat the affordability and availability of fossil fuels.

Because these people have worries other than their carbon footprints. Most don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

That’s why NRGLab is lending a hand to the developing world. By helping them create an independent energy infrastructure, we can begin the healing process.

The future isn’t set in stone. And we’re dead set on making sure it’s greener than today.

Why own such a big, energy guzzling home?

Are you single? Are your friends trying to prepare for their future families by taking out mortgages on small houses? Well, if you answered “yes” to both these questions and happen to live in an apartment, then you’re substantially less responsible for global warming than your friends.

Apartments use an estimated 40% less energy than single-family homes, according to recent findings. Sure -- apartments tend to be on the small side. They can be noisy. And unpredictable. But by minimizing space and windows, they waste much less energy. Much, much less.

Over the past thirty years, without efficiency upgrades in multi-family buildings, the United States per-household energy use in apartment buildings has dropped 38%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The use of energy for heating fell a staggering 50%!

Other types of home have seen decreases in energy usage, mostly from efficiency improvements in regular appliances. But single-family homes still make up the bulk of real estate in the U.S. -- and obviously, that's the front where the energy war can be won.

Companies like WegoWise, a Boston firm whose analytics help people save money on utility bills, are focusing on the energy needs of multifamily home. It's a difficult task – how do you fairly go about dividing energy costs versus function for single versus multi-family homes?

ThinkEco, a company whose energy-saving products facilitate consumption reduction by enabling cloud-control connectivity to multiple energy loads, is hoping to dominate the windowed air-conditioner market. ACs are staples of older homes in cities such as Washington D.C. and New York. With more efficient models, these cities could drastically cut down on their utility costs.

In the future, energy-saving fads will come and go. But last year, in the U.S., 30% of new homes were multifamily buildings with more than five units. Buildings like these will help put a stop to bleeding electricity.

The answer is smaller housing! Practical living. Cooperation.

You don’t need a two-car garage, third story, or finished basement to be happy. Happiness is a state of mind. So ditch the energy-guzzling home. Settle for an apartment!

In desperate times, new map shows world-wide energy potential

NRGLab isn’t alone in helping the developing world obtain reliable access to energy. A program being instituted by the World Bank is helping countries map their energy potentials. The hope is that this new map will provide countries with a plan for creating a renewable, self-sufficient infrastructure. Fingers crossed.

The World Bank’s program extends beyond outdated solar and wind models to provide the real data governments need to understand their natural resource potential. Pakistan epitomizes the energy challenges faced by developing countries. Despite an abundance of renewable resources – hydro, bio waste, solar, and wind – one third of the nation's population lives without regular access to electricity. Pakistan has lofty goals for their solar and wind programs currently in development, while innovative projects like those offered by NRGLab go unnoticed.

“The importance of this resource mapping cannot be overstated,” says Arif Alauddin, Director of Pakistan’s National Energy Conservation Center. “The country’s energy shortage is unprecedented, tariffs are going up, and petroleum imports are eating up a large share of export earnings.  There is a need to shift to domestic renewable energy resources.”

While solar and wind maps have been available for years now, they fail to identify projects in the private sector in need of development funding.  So basically – the rich get rich, while everyone else in the science community struggles to get noticed.

This problem is why the World Bank joined together with nine countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia, to create a new map of renewable energy potential. Financed by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the map will cover solar, wind, biomass, and small hydropower potential.

Resource mapping is a step in the right direction, for sure. But does it quite cover the array of energy opportunities presented by NRGLab?

With our revolutionary gasification techniques, NRGLab can convert all-natural gas, coal, risk husk, and APG into useable fuel. For developing countries, this means increasing their share of the global energy market, not to mention creating a sustainable, independent domestic infrastructure.

“Resource mapping is a crucial step in providing the resource and policy certainty that commercial developers need to scale up investment in renewables,” says Oliver Knight, Senior Energy Specialist at ESMAP.  “In addition, government authorities will be better informed in negotiations on specific projects, and donors will have a clearer sense of the data and capacity needs, as well as the renewable potential, of clients.”

NRGLab has been focused on this goal from the start. Providing consumers with a cost-effective, clean alternative is the solution to the energy crisis. For more information on partnering with NRGLab, visit nrglab.asia.

Together, we can ensure a greener future. For our children. And their children. For centuries after we’re gone.

New program cutting down universities’ energy consumption

A new program, called Emergency Demand Response, is empowering American universities to earn income for reducing their campus’ energy consumption. This comes in response to regular electrical spikes across the grid, since more people are inclined to blast their air conditioners and run fans all day long during the summertime.

Is your university on the list of those raking in the big bucks? This year alone, Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA will earn $99,000. The University of Virginia - $192,000!

Just think of all the dorm room systems and multimedia libraries that go unused during the summer. That’s money that could be going towards other things. Like paying teachers. Renovating facilities.
So by now you’re probably asking, “How can I get my school involved so we can get some decent cafeteria food around here?”

Well, participation in Emergency Demand Response requires a university’s facility to be on ‘standby mode’ to reduce energy consumption during periods of increased grid activity, from June 1st to Sept. 30th.

"We want to be efficient as possible, and [Emergency Demand Response] is certainly a driving force," said Michael Brewer, Muhlenberg College’s director of operations. The money earned from the program has allowed them to construct automated electrical systems where software now manages energy efficiency.

At Ohio University, both the students and faculty are taking this issue seriously. 2013 marks the University’s third year with Emergency Demand Resources, and by 2014, they’re set to earn $47,000 annually.

Other institutions use incentives to raise awareness. "If someone makes a post on our Facebook wall about how they will cut their energy usage for an hour, they can win a water bottle," says Nina Morris, a faculty member at the University of Virginia. "Social media is helping to get the word out about our sustainability programs."

The only downside to the program is that a university is required to shut down power to its facilities if they receive a phone call from an official dispatcher. Now think if that university could oblige, earn money, and stay online all at the same time.

With the SH-Box by NRGLab, you could power a computer lab, a library, or the dean’s office without ever plugging into the public grid. Not only that – the SH-Box is carbon-free, so you won’t be contributing to the climate crisis.

It’s nice to see society finally coming together to find solutions that work for everyone. Curbing consumption and cutting down on carbon emissions is going to require a unified effort. From the U.S. to the Ukraine – it’s only one planet Earth. To learn more about NRGLab and the revolutionary new SH-Box, visit nrglab.asia.com.

In a globalized world, we need an energy cocktail

Power makes the world go ‘round. Banking systems. Information technology. Multimedia. These days, everything depends on electricity. But what if you live ‘off-the-grid’? Worse yet —what happens when energy becomes scarcer than gold?

Global demand for energy is expect to grow by at least 35% by the year 2030. While policy makers scramble to come up with answers, rising populations and longer life expectancies drive that number higher. How can this outrageous demand for electricity be met?

Developed countries represent two-thirds of the world’s crude oil demand, and the United States, Europe and Japan have already exceeded their demand ceilings. Today, China consumes more energy than the United States – something which was once thought impossible. Even with increased energy efficiency, rising incomes and improved standards of living means a greater demand for energy.

Environmental concerns continue to dictate the energy market. The question of global warming and carbon has never been more pressing now that atmospheric levels have surpassed 400 million parts per unit. Over 80% of the world’s fuel consumption is carbon based —oil, coal, and natural gas.

The transition to alternative, renewable sources of energy is already in motion. Wind and solar are improving, but still have major drawbacks.

The answer to this energy crisis requires a unique cocktail of solutions. Responsible consumption. Innovative thinking. And one large shot of NRGLab.

Our vision of a globalized energy grid is complex, and needs time to be realized by a majority of people who are simply too accustomed to using fossil fuels. Real progress means curbing consumption and investment habits. New techniques, facilities, buildings, and vehicles are like band-aids over the real problem of energy dependency.

The real solution is responsible energy independence. With a generator like the SH-Box, which is carbon-free and cost-effective, you don’t have to rely on dirty, expensive fossil fuels. In fact, you could be paying as little as $0.03 per kW, or a fraction of your current energy costs.

Interested in learning more? Follow us on Facebook, or visit nrglab.asia for more information on the SH-Box and NRGLab’s energy revolution.