From Guest Blogger Erika Remmington: Seven Green Innovations in the Electric Power Industry

The electric power industry is becoming more active in the development of green innovations in both the residential and commercial sectors that lessen its carbon footprint. Some well-known and widely used innovations include energy efficient appliance and equipment, the wider use of wind power and similar steps.
Oftentimes in partnership with other entities, the electric power industry has supported other more unique and creative green innovations in an effort to better protect the environment.

Urban Garden Initiatives
The electric power industry has been involved in the development of a unique type of urban garden initiative. Through the years, vacant plots of land in urban areas has been set aside for urban gardens. However, in more recent years, as part of an endeavor to green the electric power industry, new buildings are being designed and constructed that include rooftop gardens. Similarly, existing structures are being retrofitted to permit these types of gardens. Not only do these efforts provide fresh fruits and vegetables, they are demonstrated effective at reducing electricity consumption in a building.

Solar Roofing Tiles
Since the 1970s, solar panels have been installed on commercial and residential properties as a means of reducing energy costs. In recent times, these panels have been used not only to heat a building and water, they are designed to generate electricity. A more recent development is the advent of uniquely crafted roofing tiles that are in fact mini-solar panels. These tiles look exactly like any other commonly used roofing product and are gaining in popularity. These solar roofing tiles represent another of the more unique green strategies supported by the electric power industry.

Net Zero Energy All- Electric Residences
An very recent green innovation supported by the electric power industry is the net zero energy, all-electric residence. Such a home is designed and outfitted to produce enough electricity on its own to cover all its energy needs. An experimental home has finished its first year of operation in suburban Washington, D.C. Not only did the residence meet all of its energy needs for the year, surplus power was exported to the local electric utility company.

Powering Stations for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
The electric power industry has been on the forefront of innovations associated with electric and hybrid vehicles. Another innovation that the industry has been pushing in the past few years is the installation of powering stations or outlets for electric vehicles at locations adjacent to public roadways. This innovation is extending the usefulness of all-electric cars that still have what some perceive as fairly significant distance limitations when it comes to a single charge.

Personal Carbon Footprinting
In conjunction with Princeton University, the electric power industry is developing and implementing the use of applications that monitor an individual’s personal carbon footprint on a real time basis. The theory is that reducing the overall carbon footprint is best done on an individual level, best accomplished when a person really appreciates his or her carbon footprint.
Personalized Wind Electricity Systems
The electric power industry is involved in the development of home-based wind electricity generation systems. These are being used in both urban and rural settings — using wind devices that are mounted in a manner not unlike satellite television dishes. Although an innovation, it is also something of a homage to the past when windmills power farm operations in different locations around the world.

High-Density Hydroponic Vertical Farming
The agriculture industry expends a great deal of energy each year, including electric power. The carbon footprint of the agriculture industry is significant. A technology in development takes hydroponic crop growing to a new level. The system uses stacks of rotating trays and coanda filtering screens which are powered by electricity generated through green resources. This increases crop production 20-fold for the amount of land utilized through the system.

Information provided by Elgin Industries.