Spain has launched an ambitious plan to reduce energy consumption and save millions of euros on oil imports by cutting the speed limit to 50mph and handing out millions of low-energy use light bulbs. With the introduction of a broad swathe of measures between now and 2014, Spain's socialist government hopes to reduce Spain's oil imports by 10% per year, cutting consumption by 44m barrels and saving €4.14bn (£3.25bn). During the country's sweltering summers, air conditioning systems in public buildings will be set no lower than 26C (79F). In winter, Spaniards will be allowed to turn the heating no higher than 21C (70F), with hospitals being the only exception. Street lighting is to be reduced by up to 50% and the metro system in many cities will stay open later at weekends to encourage people to leave the cars at home. The government is also to introduce a pilot project for the manufacture of 1m electric or hybrid cars. All Spanish government vehicles are to meet at least 20% of their energy needs through biofuels. And in an unprecedented move, commercial airlines will be able to use military air routes to make journeys 20% shorter. The comes after Ryanair and easyJet announced they are to cut routes to Spain, blaming rising fuel costs.
With the introduction of a broad swathe of measures between now and 2014, Spain's socialist government hopes to reduce Spain's oil imports by 10% per year, cutting consumption by 44m barrels and saving €4.14bn (£3.25bn).
During the country's sweltering summers, air conditioning systems in public buildings will be set no lower than 26C (79F). In winter, Spaniards will be allowed to turn the heating no higher than 21C (70F), with hospitals being the only exception.
Street lighting is to be reduced by up to 50% and the metro system in many cities will stay open later at weekends to encourage people to leave the cars at home. The government is also to introduce a pilot project for the manufacture of 1m electric or hybrid cars.
All Spanish government vehicles are to meet at least 20% of their energy needs through biofuels.
And in an unprecedented move, commercial airlines will be able to use military air routes to make journeys 20% shorter. The comes after Ryanair and easyJet announced they are to cut routes to Spain, blaming rising fuel costs.
A bit later now but they could also encourage a return to better heat insulated buildings that need less A/C in summer and heating in winter. All of those big concrete and/or glass towers so beloved of corporate megalomaniacs and swanky architects.
How about a tax break on ground effect heating ? Or on solar heating panels ? I've been around S Spain a lot and don't see much evidence of the latter and I know the installation costs of the former are pretty steep. keep to the Fen Causeway
But architects never really take working costs into account, else they'd never use so much glass. Bold, award-winning designs are not green and frugal. keep to the Fen Causeway
Server rooms have been reported to consume up to 2% of the energy worldwide, rapidly increasing, and about as much as the aviation.
Back in my hardcore nerd college days, I lived in an apartment with two other guys. Our dining room was used as a computer room with eight computers and other electronic components. Even in the dead of the frigid Minnesota winter, we usually had the windows in the dining room open during the evening.
you are the media you consume.
Sealed buildings are an epic design failure...
Aren't sealed buildings, when discussing heating and cooling for humans, a good idea? Don't they increase energy efficiency by helping maintain the warmth or coolness?
It strikes me that the "epic design failure" is not sealed buildings, but not taking into account the massive amount of heat generated by computer equipment and trying to retrofit computer farms into buildings that were not designed to warehouse machines generating that much heat (and consuming that much electricity).
Building occupants complain of symptoms such as: * Headache * Eye, nose, or throat irritation * Dry cough; dry or itchy skin * Dizziness and nausea * Difficulty in concentrating * Fatigue * Sensitivity to odors * Increased incidence of asthma attacks/appearance of asthma in non-asthmatics * Personality changes such as rage/weeping/paranoia/depression * Putative cases of bronchitis or pneumonia which do not respond to antibiotic treatment * Symptoms resembling Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) This is a shortened list, as over 50 possible symptoms are known. It is possible for a dozen sick occupants to report a surprising array of individual symptoms which may be dismissed as unconnected. The key to discovery is the increased incidence of illnesses in general with onset or exacerbation within a fairly close time frame - usually within a period of weeks. Some sources will insist that for SBS to exist, these symptoms must disappear soon after the occupants go outside. However, this view discounts the lingering effects of various neurotoxins, which may not clear up when the occupant leaves the building. In particularly sensitive individuals, the potential for long-term health effects cannot be overlooked.
* Headache * Eye, nose, or throat irritation * Dry cough; dry or itchy skin * Dizziness and nausea * Difficulty in concentrating * Fatigue * Sensitivity to odors * Increased incidence of asthma attacks/appearance of asthma in non-asthmatics * Personality changes such as rage/weeping/paranoia/depression * Putative cases of bronchitis or pneumonia which do not respond to antibiotic treatment * Symptoms resembling Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
This is a shortened list, as over 50 possible symptoms are known. It is possible for a dozen sick occupants to report a surprising array of individual symptoms which may be dismissed as unconnected. The key to discovery is the increased incidence of illnesses in general with onset or exacerbation within a fairly close time frame - usually within a period of weeks. Some sources will insist that for SBS to exist, these symptoms must disappear soon after the occupants go outside. However, this view discounts the lingering effects of various neurotoxins, which may not clear up when the occupant leaves the building. In particularly sensitive individuals, the potential for long-term health effects cannot be overlooked.
And I only heard him say it would help the country, not use the JFK quote. Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.
