-
Innovative solar energy applications point the way forward
Don Rosato EngineeringMost people no longer ask whether solar energy will be a success, the question is rather which forms of photovoltaic (PV) technology and system types will be successful.
-
The View from Europe: Supermarkets showing a natural confidence
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe supermarket sector in Europe has long been viewed as a driver of change in the world of refrigeration. European supermarkets are often large companies or co-operatives, which provides a naturally dominant position to all their supply chains. But arguably more than any other large companies, food retailers are constantly face-to-face with their customers, as well as their shareholders.
-
Facility management: Proactive vs. reactive
Jeannea Jones Facilities & GroundsAs with most things in life, an offensive position yields better results than a defensive one. The same holds true in facility management. Plant operations and maintenance personnel encounter reactive situations on a daily basis, but the wise FM professional who approaches service from a proactive position will be able to avert many equipment failures and down time.
-
Solar energy process technology developments to watch
Don Rosato ManufacturingSystem considerations such as reliability, overall energy production rate and competitiveness in the Levelized Cost of Energy are dominating solar energy or photovoltaic maturation as subsidized manufacturing is replaced by true grid parity.
-
The View From Europe: Fridge doors debate heats up
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe so-called "doors on fridges debate" has been a constant and at times controversial discussion in the United Kingdom. In the last three or four years, it has often pitted supermarket refrigeration engineers against their retail merchandising colleagues.
-
Back to the future with Ford bioplastics
Don Rosato ManufacturingSustainability is a megatrend driving innovations in automotive plastics with bio-based plastics gaining increased acceptance in the automotive industry. The Ford Motor Company is at the forefront of this trend, touting numerous renewable products in its vehicles. In fact, Ford's interest in bioplastics goes all the way back to the company's early days.
-
Solar energy electronic and plastic material advances
Don Rosato EngineeringMost solar cells are commonly designed to operate outdoors for 25-plus years. A variety of films and plastic coatings have been developed to allow more flexible and mobile power systems to be built. These barrier layers protect against oxygen and water and are highly resistant to damaging ultraviolet light.
-
High-performing buildings require highly‑qualified engineers
Peter Rojeski, Jr. Facilities & GroundsMany buildings have been designed to be energy efficient, but without proper "tuning" they will never achieve their potential. Like high-performance race cars, a high-performing building has many delicate control points that need to be periodically monitored and adjusted in order to maintain peak operating efficiency.
-
US natural gas exports revisited: A real debate emerges
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesI have summarized both sides of the debate previously on whether the U.S. should start exporting its natural gas internationally. Now on the back of a Senate hearing in January, the debate over the wisdom of a continued ban on U.S. oil and gas exports has intensified.
-
AHR Expo highlights important trends in HVAC&R industry
Denny Hydrick Facilities & GroundsI recently attended the AHR Expo 2014 in New York City along with several thousand more freezing souls. The show is co-sponsored by AHRI and ASHRAE, which is obviously pointed towards HVAC professionals, many of whom are employed in some type of facility (vs. construction or service companies). This fact alone made the Association for Facilities Engineering presence almost a necessity.
All Manufacturing Articles