Contemporary innovation in the field of energy seems to be all about finding power in sources that are all around us, such as the sun and wind. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have taken that idea one step further having found a way to harness electricity from thin air.

More specifically, the scientists have developed a method to harness electricity from ambient magnetic fields generated by everyday household appliances.

Reporting in the journal “Energy and Environmental Science,” they note home devices, and especially the cords that supply electricity to them, generate small magnetic fields that otherwise dissipate into the air around them.

The scientists have developed a new mechanism capable of harvesting this wasted magnetic field energy and converting it into enough electricity to power next-generation sensor networks for smart buildings and factories.

One of the study’s co-authors, Shashank Priya, professor of materials science and engineering and associate vice president for research at Penn State, says the device he and his colleagues developed “allows for achieving high power density under low amplitude magnetic fields.”

He and his team designed paper-thin devices, about 11/2 inches long, that can be placed on or near appliances, lights or power cords. They used a composite structure by layering two different materials together. One of these materials is magnetostrictive, which converts a magnetic field into stress, and the other is piezoelectric, which converts stress, or vibrations, into an electric field. The combination allows the device to turn a magnetic field into an electric current.

The devices have a beam-like structure with one end clamped and the other free to vibrate in response to an applied magnetic field. A magnet mounted at the free end of the beam amplifies the movement and contributes toward a higher production of electricity.

In testing, when placed 4 inches from a space heater, the device produced enough electricity to power 180 LED arrays, and at 8 inches, enough to power a digital alarm clock.

According to the scientists, the technology has implications for the design of smart buildings, which will require self-powered wireless sensor networks to do things such as monitor energy and operational patterns and remotely control systems.

While electric utilities and renewable energy associations have noted the negative impact of the pandemic on employment, performance and supply chains in their industries, energy storage seems to be doing relatively well.

A new report released by the Energy Storage Association (ESA), “U.S. Energy Storage Association Survey Reveals COVID-19 Impacts on Storage Industry Revenue and Employment,” noted that, while 63% of respondents anticipated a decrease in revenue, only 33% of those expected a 20% or greater reduction; 75% did not expect to have to reduce employment at all. Of the 25% who did expect to have to reduce employment, most expected reductions of 20% or less.

The news is even better for those who implement and install storage projects, such as electrical contractors. Specifically, the report noted, “The manufacturing segment of the industry expected more widespread and deeper revenue reductions than the industry segment that includes developers and installers who implement storage projects.”

While other industries are currently experiencing or expecting downturns in the near future and beyond, this is not the case for the storage industry.

The report continued, “[It] is clear the energy storage industry expects a deep, albeit brief, revenue downturn this quarter. Most companies are focused on retaining their employees during this time in order to better prepare and respond once business returns.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the energy storage industry tremendously,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO of the ESA. “While we still anticipate year-over-year growth, it is clear our industry is suffering with immediate and significant risks of workforce reduction and economic damage.”

While the ESA is of course concerned with these short-term downturns for its own members directly, its real concern is how the pandemic will affect customers.

“These delays upend grid reliability and resilience efforts, just as we enter fire and hurricane season, and as states, towns, and utilities are beginning to incorporate energy storage systems as backup power to prevent power system disruptions for critical healthcare facilities,” Speakes-Backman said.

May is National Electrical Safety Month

The theme for this year’s National Electrical Safety Month is Smart Home. In May, the Electrical Safety Foundation International will showcase resources focusing on the lifesaving devices that keep a home “smart and secure.”

“Having a smart home doesn’t mean you need a new home, you just need the right equipment to keep your family safe,” ESFI president Brett Brenner said in the announcement. “Smart homes let you save money and save time.”

The organization is providing videos such as “Smart Home: Safe, Secure, and Energy Efficient” and other informational materials to educate consumers on the devices that can meet their home’s electrical needs: ground-fault circuit interrupters, surge protective devices, arc-fault circuit interrupters and tamper resistant receptacles. These devices are all required in new or renovated homes according to the National Electrical Code.

National Safety Month Still Set for June

For June’s National Safety Month, the National Safety Council will focus on four weekly topics:

• June 1-7: Emergency Preparedness - “When a medical emergency occurs, time is of the essence. Knowing and performing first aid and CPR can drastically increase a victim’s chance of survival,” the organization said in its announcement.
• June 8-14: Driving - “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in the workplace,” the NSC said. “Whether you drive for your job or just for your commute, responsible roadway habits can keep everyone safe.”
• June 15-21: Ergonomics - “Poor ergonomics can lead to overexertion, the leading cause of preventable workplace injury. Listening to your body and properly setting up your workstation can reduce your chance of injury.”
• June 22-30 - Employee Engagement - “Complacent employees may be unaware of the hazards around them. Getting employees engaged can improve an organization’s safety culture and performance.

Participating contractors will be able to receive informational materials to pass onto their workers and customers, including NSC’s “5-Minute Safety Talks,” weekly posters, videos, tip sheets, articles and social media graphics.

Construction Safety Week Postponed

Meanwhile, Construction Safety Week has been postponed until late summer or early fall, said Scott Cassels, national chairman of Safety Week and executive vice president at Kiewit Corp., Omaha, Nebraska.

“As the COVID-19 issue rapidly evolves and impacts our companies, the industry and many others globally, this decision was warranted,” Cassels said in the announcement. “Companies in our industry need to focus on the safety and security protocols that are best for their people and business continuity during this crisis. Safety Week is important, but there is time enough to bring our industry together once we have this serious issue controlled.”

In the meantime, the Construction Safety Week website will be periodically updated with pertinent safety information, training materials and best practices to keep operations safe.

“As an industry, we’ve improved our recordable frequency three-fold over the last decade because of this safety-first focus—and this is no time to lose that momentum,” Cassels said. “Let’s ensure we continue to improve by better planning safety into our operations, holding effective safety reviews and training with the men and women building our work, and supervising our operations with a keen eye on eliminating all risks and exposures that could cause an incident.”

“Nobody gets hurt is an outcome we owe to everyone who works on and near our projects and for our companies,” he said.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, NECA has postponed the 2020 NECA Safety Professionals Conference (NSPC), presented by WESTEX by Milliken, which was to take place in Scottsdale, Ariz., May 18–20.

The NSPC will now be held Oct. 5–7, in conjunction with the NECA Convention and Trade Show in Chicago.

“NECA recognizes all the hard work that so many contractors, chapters, exhibitors, speakers and staff have put into making the NSPC and all NECA conferences successful,” the organization said in a statement on the event website. “Given the developing circumstances, the association's main priority is to keep all of conference participants safe and sound.”

NECA also remains active supporting members and the industry at large with the latest COVID-19 materials and resources for those projects that continue to operate. 

“NECA recognizes the importance of continuing to host an event where NECA Safety Professionals can convene and accomplish important work,” said Michael Johnston, NECA’s executive director of standards and safety. 

The organization has worked with the Scottsdale McCormick Ranch to cancel reservations made within the NECA Safety Professionals Conference hotel block. 

NECA will process refunds for individual attendee registrations and exhibitors will be contacted directly.

Public support for solar power is strong and growing, but it’s not always strong enough to overcome the high upfront costs of installation. To help home and business owners make that initial investment towards utilizing solar power, Philadelphia re-opened its popular Solarize Philly program.

In April, Solarize Philly began accepting to new applications. The last phase closed in November 2019 after 2,068 signups. The program has helped 6,200 customers since its launch in 2017.

Program participants benefit from group-buying discounts and consumer protections. Installers are kicking off the new phase by providing free remote solar assessments.

The program is run by the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), an independent municipal authority chartered by the city in 2010 to provide targeted expertise and focus to city efforts to reduce energy consumption and expense.

The authority offers other financial incentives that are available to Solarize Philly participants. The Philadelphia Solar Rebate offers a one-time rebate incentive of 10 cents/watt to commercial and 20 cents/watt to residential projects. The rebate comes to about $1,000 for homeowners.

Fees generated by Solarize Philly also support the PEA's Solar Savings Grant Program, which provides grants plus financing to low- and moderate-income households to go solar at no upfront cost. Grants cover up to half the cost of the project, and utility bill savings start in the first year.

To participate in Solarize Philly, homeowners complete a sign-up form and are then connected to one of the city's approved installers. An installer will provide a free project proposal tailored to the home’s specific needs, based on roof space, electricity usage and other factors.

After the owner approves and signs a contract, the installer handles all permitting and engineering requirements and works with the local utility, PECO, to manage the interconnection process before the installation.

The city says Solarize Philly is also helping create jobs. Darell Clarke, city council president, said “of all energy projects, rooftop solar creates the most jobs per dollar invested.”

The PEA references a study conducted for the authority by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, which found that 15 living wage jobs are created for every 100 solar installations. PEA also leads Bright Solar Futures, a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia to establish Pennsylvania’s first vocational solar program for high school students.