Institutional Acupuncture | Blogs

How to defeat the massive plug-load monster
By Tolga Tutar, May 16, 2012
Maybe you just got to the office, grabbed some coffee and pulled up to your desk to start your day. Your printer sits innocuously next to your lamp, computer and phone, but they feed an insatiable monster -- they all draw electricity around the clock. This drain, called plug load, which accounts for about a third of commercial building energy use, might be why your electricity use has...

How businesses can use games to spur greener behavior
By Ben Holland, March 26, 2012
Most people want to do the right thing about energy and the environment, but how many actually do so is another story. It turns out that playing on peer pressure and oneupmanship can help....
How your company can benefit from the evolution of energy
By Lena Hansen, March 05, 2012
Two big trends in energy generation -- shifting to renewables, and evolving to smaller, decentralized systems -- will have a profound impact on utilities and almost every energy-using company....
Gathering Low Hanging Fruit is Not Enough to Green Industry
By Ryan Matley, February 27, 2012
The industrial sector is responsible for more than 40 percent of the United States' GDP -- and uses one quarter of its energy, almost all from fossil fuels. It's clear this is where the...
The Benefits of Building Efficiency Go Far Beyond Energy Costs
By Mathias Bell, February 21, 2012
Today, improving buildings' energy efficiency is a rapidly growing industry blossoming with new business ideas and models. Here are some ways business can profit....
3 Disruptive Lessons Automakers Should Learn for Greater Efficiency
By Greg Rucks, February 13, 2012
Recent advances in materials design -- partly inspired by the evolution of the human body -- make possible passenger vehicles that get 240 miles per gallon. Here are three steps that the......
How Can Business Leaders Accept the Challenges of the New Energy Era?
By Ned Harvey, February 06, 2012
A relatlively large number of business leaders are shifting their firms to be ready for the new energy economy, but important questions remain, including how to measure success and how to convince...
How Lifecycle Cost Analysis Can Make a Better Case for Green Building
By Molly Miller, January 06, 2012
Design teams that consider the impacts of a building across its lifetime can help their clients make choices on materials, structural elements and systems that will reduce operations and......
10 Ways to Boost Your Building's Energy Efficiency in 2012
By Elaine Gallagher Adams, December 28, 2011
Has your building become fat and lazy? Here are retrofit tips on how to turn that energy hog into an efficient, high-performer....
Video: Six Critical Levers to Transform our Energy Future
By Kelly Vaughn, October 21, 2011
From building retrofits to energy generation, there are just a few areas -- each of which poses big challenges -- that, if tackled right, can put us on the path to a clean energy future....
Why Talk of a Green Jobs 'Bust' is Just Hot Air
By Josh Agenbroad, September 18, 2011
Despite much punditry decrying the president's green jobs funding as wasted effort and money, there are three good reasons why renewables are the key to a new boom in green jobs.
Making the Case for EVs' Job-Creation and Economic Benefits
By Matt Mattila and Justin Lowell Bellew, August 10, 2011
The electric vehicle manufacturing capacity springing up across the United States are serving as a multipler for creating new jobs -- but public perception hasn't caught up to reality. Here's how......
How Chicago Can Make an Even Bigger Impact with Building Retrofits
By Michael Bendewald, July 25, 2011
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has set up a bold program to make 6.5 million square feet of city-owned buildings more energy efficient -- but by using deep energy retrofit approach, the city could save as......
Inspiring Cities to Break Down Solar Roadblocks
By Sam Newman, June 09, 2011
Widespread adoption of solar power faces a number of tall hurdles, but the biggest of which may not be technological at all; instead, it's dealing with the complexity of 25,000 different local......
Deep Building Retrofits Drive Big Gains in Energy, Cost Savings
By Rebecca Cole, February 07, 2011
President Obama's announcement last week of plans to reduce energy use in the commercial building sector 20 percent by 2020 underscored the economic opportunity that retrofitting the U.S.......
Giving GSA Retrofits More Bang for the Stimulus Buck
By Kelly Vaughn, September 14, 2010
Government-owned buildings are ripe for efficiency upgrades, but incorporating better building design is only half the battle when pursuing ambitious federal goals. The Rocky Mountain Institute is......
GM's $5M Jumpstart for Bright Automotive
By Kelly Vaughn, August 16, 2010
Bright Automotive, spun off from Rocky Mountain Institute in 2008, now has bragging rights as the first investment of GM Ventures, LLC. The $5 million investment by the auto giant couldn’t......
Making Solar Technology a Competitive Force in the U.S.
By Ben Holland, June 01, 2010
Can the U.S. surpass China in the solar PV market? The challenges are many, but the Green Race isn't over yet.
...
How the Feds Can Make Every Dollar Count for Electric Vehicles
By Kelly Vaughn, May 03, 2010
While automakers appeal to Washington for the next round of EV subsidies, experts warn to spend wisely....
Three Simple Checkpoints on the Road to a Clean Energy Future
By Kelly Vaughn, March 09, 2010
In the midst of a gold rush of clean technologies, some observers believe we're still years from making a dent in the national carbon footprint. But these three shovel-ready technologies show a......
With Money on the Table, What's the Best Move for Green Trucking?
By Kelly Vaughn, January 19, 2010
Last week, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Energy Department is awarding $115 million for "super truck" efficiency projects. What will bring the best return? RMI......

Institutional Acupuncture

Rocky Mountain Institute is an independent, entrepreneurial, 501(c)(3) nonprofit think-and-do tank™. We envisage a world thriving, verdant, and secure, for all, for ever. To that end, our mission is to drive the efficient and restorative use of resources. RMI is engaged in cutting-edge research on oil independence, renewable energy technologies, distributed energy, resource planning, green buildings and radically efficient transportation. RMI’s work incorporates a unique blend of whole-system thinking, integrative design, end-use/least-cost analysis, and an interdisciplinary knowledge of advanced technologies and techniques.