EnviroLink Forum

Dear Group Members
the german non-profit organisation /e-politik.de/ e.V.
has released an animated online-video about Renewable Energies and
the German Energy Transition.
It can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25bmXpEPosc
The Clip is licensed as Creative Commons and can be used and distributed for free.
If you like the clip please share! Feedback would be appreciated!

Best regards,
Jan Künzl

the only criticism I have for that video is on their increasing efficiency part. Lighting is about 5-10% of the electrical load in homes so changing to high efficiency lights will only affect the total load less then 5% and ONLY when the use of air conditioning is required. What really uses energy is the heating and cooling systems for a home. Air-tight buildings, multi-pane windows, good sealing on windows and doors and insulation (including the basement) will all impact the 1/3 to 2/3 of the electricity load of most homes.

Buildings should produce all the electricity they need with alternative non-emissions energy. Super-insulation is great, but total air tightness can lead to poor indoor air quality. Especially when there are gas pilot lights and appliances. I have a 4" door for my Cozy heater, and my hot water heater has its own air intake as required. When using our gas oven, we have to open the kitchen window 2".
I use the sun oven whenever possible, sunny days above 40*F.
Even the Earthship needs fresh outside air for the plants, and to reduce humidity. Except on days which are too cold.

_________________
"With every decision, think seven generations ahead of the consequences of your actions" Ute rule of life.
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”
― Chief Seattle

heat recovery ventilation units (HRV) are required for air tight buildings (air-to-air heat exchangers). Also, this video is about Germany so I am assuming a colder climate and very expensive fuel. All new buildings in Germany are required to meet the stringent PassivHaus standards of air-tightness (and must have properly sized HRV) but it should have been mentioned in the video. Here in Canada, open fuel burning in homes is being phased out so new gas stoves will no longer have an open flame but a sealed combustion chamber and an outside air source and a chimney. The biggest problem is the humidity though... without air flow, the humidity rises (even from human breath) and so fuel exhaust needs to be vented to reduce the use of the ventilation system for dehumidification.