Green Career Trends: Green Products Innovation Institute Creates Mfg. Standards, "Commissioning" for Buildings Going Green, The Smart Grid Needing More Consumer Education

The recently created Green Products Innovation Institute is providing consumer product manufacturers with information about using safer, less toxic chemicals.  Based on the Cradle to Cradle model, the California organization will help create green manufacturing standards for regulators and policy makers as well as manufacturers.

The model of "commissioning" could be used to improve the energy efficiency of skyscrapers and other commercial buildings. The term commissioning is taken from the naval practice of commissioning a new ship to determine its seaworthiness. In building commissioning, engineers find and fix small problems that may be preventing a building from reducing its energy consumption. In years to come commissioning agents may consult with building architects on energy systems, follow the building through construction, train the operating staff and track the energy usage through the first year to insure economic and green goals are achieved.

A newly released study from EcoPinion (a opinion survey) found 70% of consumers are not familiar with the term Smart Grid. Upon finding out more about the Smart Grid consumers warmed up to the idea, especially the cost savings portion. Utilities and other businesses involved in creating the Smart Grid now have their marketing and PR work cut out for them to inform consumers of the benefits of saving energy at home.