Energy Storage
The California Energy Commission has compiled a list of suppliers of energy storage technologies, with specific breakouts for batteries, compressed air energy storage, flywheels, supercapacitors, superconducting magnetic energy storage systems, and compressed air energy storage systems.
Pumped hydropower is another form of energy storage, and while it does not focus specifically on pumped storage, the National Hydropower Association provides a list of hydropower services and equipment suppliers that would likely service any pumped hydropower installation.
Load Reduction
For energy efficiency, a wide range of products and services are provided by an extensive list of companies. For some indication of the range of products and services available, see the Northeast Energy Efficiency Council's member directory.
Energy service companies (ESCOs) are one aspect of energy efficiency services. While ESCOs may offer a wide range of services, an ESCO is generally a business that develops, installs, and finances projects designed to improve the energy efficiency and maintenance costs for facilities over a 7- to 10-year time period. ESCOs generally act as project developers for a wide range of tasks and assume the technical and performance risk associated with the project. The National Association of Energy Service Companies has a list of ESCOs.
Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are another tool in the energy management toolbox. GHPs are available from a number of manufacturers, and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) accredits installers. The Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium provides lists of manufacturers and installers.
Passive solar building design is yet another tool in the load reduction toolbox, but finding a local architect and builder is a task that hasn't been simplified much by Web-based resource lists. Specific lists are available for places like Vermont or Austin, Texas, but most people will probably need to contact their state energy office for suggestions, or simply contact local architects and builders. To that end, the American Institute of Architects provides a search function on its Web site that allows people to specify their location and select "Sustainable Design" as the service provided by the architect.
Solar water heating is another load-management tool. Solar water heating manufacturers can be found through their participation in the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), which provides independent certification of collectors and systems. The SRCC lists all participating companies on its Web site. A listing of solar water heating system businesses is also available on The Source for Renewable Energy Web site.
Yet another active solar technology, the transpired collector or "SOLARWALL," is available from Conserval Engineering Inc. The collector preheats ventilation air in buildings, reducing the energy needed to heat the air.
A general listing of suppliers of solar energy technologies can also be found on Solarbuzz.
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