The SCI-Arc/Caltech team in the U.S.
Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 has a
truly "out of the box" approach to the design of the
home. The team wrapped its polygonal home in a skin
that acts as what the team refers to as "outsulation."
In 2007, about 58% of the petroleum consumed in the U.S. was imported from foreign countries--primarily Canada, Saudia Arabia, Venezuela, Mexico and Nigeria. (Source: EIA)
Appliances account for roughly 65% of electricity consumption in the average American household (2001), with refrigerators and lighting making up the largest categories. (Source: EIA)
Public policies such as appliance and vehicle efficiency standards and building codes are responsible for at least 20% of the improvement in the US's energy intensity--energy use per unit of GDP. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
55 of the world's 65 largest oil producing countries are past their production peaks and in decline.
