Hamburg, Germany- On April 24, 2012 Bulgaria passed an energy efficiency act and by doing so clearly emphasised the necessity for efficiency in energy use.

During a personal visit from Martin Richard Kristek, CEO of Care-Energy, to the Deputy Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism Valentin Nikolov in Sofia on April 25, Mr Kristek applauded this precedent-setting action and the country’s clear determination to use energy in an efficient and therefore sustainable fashion. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov adopted the new chapter – energy efficiency – on the implementation of EU energy efficiency guidelines.

The same day, Martin Richard Kristek, in his role as managing director and owner of the Care-Energy group of companies, created the company Care-Energy Bulgaria OOD, with its headquarters in Sofia. “I am very proud that Dr. Atanas Kanchev has agreed to take on the position of CEO for this company, and together with Care-Energy Bulgaria OOD, we will do everything in our power to support the objectives set by the government,” said Martin Richard Kristek.

Dr. Atanas Kanchev studied business at the highly acclaimed “D.A. Tsenov” Academy of Economics in Svishtov, held the post of Deputy Minister of Finance in Bulgaria from 2007 to 2009, and holds key positions in finance to this day.

Care-Energy Bulgaria OOD, with its headquarters in Sofia, will take on the responsibility of building and extending the business activities of Care-Energy in Bulgaria as well as in Croatia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. All Care-Energy business activities will be modelled on those practiced by Care-Energy in Germany. This includes an energy trading desk for delivering and supplying electricity, gas and other energy related and environmental products from and within the CEE region to resellers and bulk buyers.

Image Courtesy of    President of the European Council

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Power plant services represent a growing market that offers steady revenues and solid growth, in contrast with the much more cyclical market for new-build power stations. Fastest growing regions of China, India and ASEAN to account for almost quarter of the market by 2017, but China will not overtake the USA before 2025.

In the developed regions of Europe and North America, the main drivers are ageing power capacities that need replacing and, linked to this, the growing adoption of gas-fired generation.

Key drivers in emerging markets are rapid electricity demand growth, and industry privatization and liberalization which, in turn, push outsourcing of services. In the developed world, meanwhile, utilities struggling with skills shortages are also increasingly relying on outsourced services.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan World Power Plant Services Markets finds that the markets earned revenue of $27.40 billion in 2011 and estimates this to reach$35.41 billion in 2017.

“Global growth in electricity demand is a key driver behind the growth of the power plant services market,” notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Director Harald Thaler. “As electricity demand rises, new generating capacities are added to the system, which in turn, require servicing.”

The services market is, however, forecast to grow somewhat more rapidly than electricity demand. The global correlation, comparing forecast growth for both indicators, is 1.55.

Whilst the services market is forecast to grow by 4.2% between 2010 and 2017, world electricity demand growth will be 2.7% over that same period. Greater outsourcing and the increasing proliferation of gas-fired technology, where reliance on the equipment providers for servicing is high, are major contributory factors.

“Geographically, the balance of power in the power plant services market will gradually shift towards the emerging economies, as they progressively liberalize not only their power but also their gas markets,” remarks Thaler. “Such trends will allow for a much greater penetration of modern gas-fired plants which attract higher outsourced maintenance spend.”

The fastest-growing regions will be the emerging Asian giants of China, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Their combined share will rise from 18.1% in 2010 to 23.4% in 2017.

Gas turbines account for the largest share of the services market, globally. Their share will expand, albeit slowly, as ongoing coal-fired investments based on increasingly sophisticated supercritical technology fuel growth in emerging economies. This will partly offset the strong growth in gas-fired generation in some other parts of the world.

“Unlike in the market for new-build power plants, where China has been the leading world market for some time, the country’s position in the power plant services market is much more modest,” concludes Thaler. “Frost & Sullivan forecasts that in the lucrative services market, China will not overtake the USA before 2025.”

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The International Window Film Association (IWFA), a non-profit organization, is educating the public on window film use for residential and commercial applications, to reduce harmful solar glare, while delivering significant energy savings.

“People often wear sunglasses outdoors during winter months to protect from glare and UV rays, but glare is ever-present inside too,” said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA.  “With winter sun lower in the sky, it passes directly into windows with damaging effects on furnishings and art, along with unhealthy ultraviolet (UV) rays’ impact on people’s eyes and skin,” he added.

In northern states, snow on the ground can reflect up to 85% of harmful UV rays upwards, according to the Vision Counsel of America. This magnifies the issue of glare coming into windows, added Darrell Smith. “A simple, cost-effective solution is professionally installed window film to make interior environments more enjoyable.”

Glare issues can be ameliorated by window film, which uses advanced technology to deliver energy savings similar to low-e windows. Window film is available in a range of shades from clear to darker. It reduces glare and still allows adequate light in while blocking UV rays that can harm skin and eyes, and fade furniture, carpets and fabrics.

According to the IWFA, window films may also eliminate uncomfortable hot spots by blocking solar heat.  This enables HVAC systems to work more efficiently. For larger commercial and office buildings, which run heating and cooling systems year-round, energy savings are even more significant.

For more information on protecting a home or office from glare, please visit www.iwfa.com online for facts on UV protection and to locate a professional near you who can conduct an energy savings audit and share window film options to best meet your needs.

About the International Window Film Association:
The International Window Film Association (IWFA) (www.iwfa.com) is a unified industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers that facilitates the growth of the industry by providing unbiased research, influencing policy and promoting awareness of window film. The organization builds alliances with trade associations, utilities and government agencies to advance dealers and distributors businesses and provide value to their customers.

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R. Buckminster Fuller, inventor and futurist, has become a major influence in the Occupy Movement. Represented by his book, “Grunch of Giants”, and by his geodesic dome, Fuller’s spirit is infusing the hearts and minds of humanitarians working to implement global change through sustainable design science. The time for change is now, and synergy can save the world.

Fuller coined the term, “synergy”, to demonstrate how the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the individuals. Through the synergy of the inventive mind and generous hearts of humanity “Spaceship Earth” can be turned around. He understood that we have all the technology and resources necessary to foster Earth as an integrated regenerative system.

In his cautionary tale, “Grunch of Giants”, Fuller warns of the immediate dangers posed by the “invisible, abstract, and completely ruthless empire of corporations that control the world’s finances.”  It is time to create a true economy, a sustainable economy, that recognizes the proper resources and technology that will nurture and support all life.

Through design science, Fuller envisioned our entire planet operating with a higher standard of living. The Buckminster Fuller Institute is promoting design science through The BFI Challenge which awards $100,000 to support the development of strategies to solve world problems.

Buckminster Fuller’s most famous invention, the geodesic dome, is the strongest structure known to man. Pacific Domes has helped to supply the Occupy Movement with their portable domes in four key locations: Occupy UC Davis, Occupy Buffalo NY, Occupy Eugene, and Occupy Harvard University.

Following Fuller’s lead, Pacific Domes has been working to create sustainable solutions for humanity for 30 years and is now actively supporting the Occupy Movement as well as many sustainable Earth projects, including Bee Restoration, Bio-Energy, Aquaponics, Mycological Restoration, and Eco-Living. Pacific Domes has plans to support a further vision “Occupy Earth”.

Occupy Earth will be a global organizational tool to help educate and create sustainable villages all over the globe. Pacific Domes is currently working with The Global Eco-Village Network to create a database that will support the birth of a new world.

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When a new government takes charge, there is often divisions over how past policy will fit in, if at all, with their new policy outlooks.

While in Opposition Ted Bailleu, Victoria’s new State Premier was extremely critical of the smart meter system, parictulalry when complaints of shocks resulting in injury were reported to the government and the media.

According to The Age, more then 3500 households in Victoria are at risk of possibly life-threatening electrical hazards due to faults in the installment of the smart meters.

The possibility of electric shock is not the only problem facing the smart meter roll out, with the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) expressing concern over the approval of price increases for the smart meters.

Craig Memery, ATA’s Energy Policy advocate said that “Energy consumers will be charged too much for services that are meant to be automated by smart meters. We accept that it will take some time for energy businesses to get their new systems in order, but in the meantime this is like charging $5 to send a text message.”

The ATA is not the only organisation expressing concern, with Electrical Trade Union secretary Dean Mighell saying on Victorian radio that he was concerned smart meters were sometimes being installed by people without the right qualifications, which could increase the risk of danger in the installation.

The Bailleu government has begun a review of the current roll out of the smart meters, but installments of the meters will continue while the review is being carried out.

The last study on smart meters was conducted in September last year by the then Labor government, led by John Brumby.

Brumby’s government commissioned an independent report conducted by Oakley Greenwood, which found that smart meters would deliver benefits to Victorian households.

Then Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor said that the smart meter would bring out of date technology into a digital age. .

“Through the roll-out of smart meters we are equipping Victorian families with the tools to manage their energy bills and connect more easily to new technology such as solar panels.”

The Bailleu government’s study will explore the cost effectiveness of the smart meters, with the government waiting until the completion of the report before deciding to halt the program.

SMART METERS KEY FACTS

•    Smart meters are designed to replace current electrical meters on households throughout Victoria.
•    By 2013 Victorian government aims to have the new smart meters installed in 2.5 millions homes and businesses in the state.
•    Smart meters do not need meter readers or estimated bills.
•    Electricity distributors will be able to reconnect power much quicker when power goes out.
•    The smart meters will have more detailed information and household electricity use.
•    The smart meters read outs are said to allow better control over energy use, and could potentially lower bills.

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