“Global Powerhouse in Green Energy”

The United States is rapidly falling behind in the race to be positioned for a properous 21st century.  Decades ago, when it came to energy, there was not a domain in which the United States did not have (or at least share) the lead, and by a significant margin in many arenas.  “Green” is going to be the green machine of the 21st Century, and the signs are coming in one after another that that machine is not now likely going to be American. 

While America wallows in higher gasoline prices and even more money heading overseas to pay for oil imports:

Germany is seeing the payoff.

The [green] sector—both energy suppliers and equipment manufacturers—employs more than 235,000 people and generates annual sales upwards of $33 billion, government figures show. Nearly 60 companies in Germany specialize in wind systems….Nearly 100 companies manufacture solar cells or supply the sector, with more than half of those in the old East Germany, which has earned the nickname Solar Valley.

Driving renewable power through Building Code: German Style

Physical infrastructure (buildings) is, in short-hand, responsible for about one-third of global energy use and one-third of global warming (rough-hand guide way to think).  There are many ways to change this equation, strengthening building codes is one clear arena.  In my community, for example, 20 years ago, the ceiling “R” (insulation level) requirement was R-13, today it is R-38 (though expert guidance is ‘at least R-45’ and most of us who care about energy strive for above R-50).  That sort of change leads to significant reductions in energy use.

Well, the German government has just announced new building codes that will change the landscape when it comes to distributed renewable power:  starting 1 January 2009, all new homes built in German will have to meet 14 percent of total energy consumption for heating and domestic hot water with renewable power.