Green Real Estate Appraiser

Storage may be a game changer for the grid

Posted on August 24, 2016 | Leave a comment

In a fast-developing industry teeming with technologies that promise to be the next big thing, energy storage appears to be the biggest.

Its supporters not only sing its praises but also tout what they say is its inevitability.

“We’re going to have 10 times as much energy storage on the grid by the end of this decade and that is going to impact every facet of the energy industry,” said Matt Roberts, executive director of the Energy Storage Association, an industry trade group.

But the electrical grid is a harsh taskmaster.

What is it?

Energy storage technology takes on a lot of different forms.

The most prominent is pumped hydro, in which water is pumped uphill behind dams and then released, with the ensuing rush of water generating power.

Pumped hydro is the biggest source of energy storage in the U.S., accounting for 96 percent of the industry’s total storage capacity.

But chemical storage — as in batteries — may be the source people are most familiar with, especially given the media attention that inevitably accompanies any announcement by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Sourcing Safe Product Materials for your Home

Posted on August 22, 2016 | Leave a comment

Chemicals used in everyday renovation products – such as paint, surface finishes, glues and other building materials – come under the classification of “industrial chemicals”. “In Australia we have a regulator to regulate those chemicals,” Immig says. “But the fact is we have 34,000 un-assessed industrial chemicals that are in common use in everyday products in Australia.”

Keep it natural

Choose natural, raw and unprocessed products where possible. “A piece of wood without any paint on it is a much better idea than lots of sawdust that’s all glued together and made into some artificial timber,” Immig explains.

Terms like “natural” and “organic” can be abused. Read the manufacturing information to ensure you’re getting the real deal. And, while those wood or bamboo floors might be advertised as “natural”, take note of what they’re varnished, treated or glued with.

Minimize chemicals

Select products with the least amount of chemicals. One chemical is usually a safer bet than twenty. Indoor plants can also minimize airborne chemical pollutants.

Choose water-based

Favour water-based products over those based on chemical solvents. A solvent is a substance (usually a liquid) able to dissolve other substances. Chemical solvents include toluene in paint, varnishes and adhesives.

Buy secondhand

Anything second-hand may be better from an outgassing point of view, as well an environmental one. Many building and finishing materials, including paint, varnish, sealers, glues, rubber cement and PVC-vinyl, outgas VOCs – toxic chemicals that continue to emit from the material they’re in.

San Diego – Home Prices Stay Flat in July

Posted on August 19, 2016 | Leave a comment

San Diego County’s median home price, $495,000, was unchanged in July from June, real estate tracker CoreLogic reported Wednesday.

The home price had climbed each month since February but finally stopped in its tracks, likely influenced by a 12.5 percent drop in sales from the previous month.

The strong market has seen the median price increase 5.3 percent in the last 12 months. It still has not reached its pre-recession peak of $517,500 in November 2005.

The median price of a newly built home in July was $568,000, a decrease of 6.9 percent since the same time last year, likely affected by a lack of inventory. That month, 275 newly-built homes sold — around average for this year. But, it is still a stark contrast to before the housing crash in 2005 and 2006 when 1,000 or more new homes could sell in a month.

The resale median home price, $545,000, was unchanged from last month but rose 4.8 percent from the same time last year. The resale condo price, $383,000, increased 5.9 percent in the past 12 months.

There were 3,850 home sales in July, 549 less than June.

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Storage may be a game changer for the grid

Sourcing Safe Product Materials for your Home

San Diego – Home Prices Stay Flat in July

Follow Blog