The Eurofighter EF 2000 is a technological marvel representing everything that aeronautical research has learned in the 20th century. Developed by four European nations the EF 2000 is on track to become the Top Gun of the 21st century. This is the fighter plane of tomorrow and will be a major contributor to European air defence over the next 25-30 years. Encompassing new technology and made up of the developments of advanced aeronautical science the EF 2000 introduces the concept of hi-tech victory in modern aerial combat.

Europe’s latest superfighter is highly potent, agile, and extremely fast. The Eurofighter boasts flexibility with regard to ordnance combinations and mission capability. This is a true multi-purpose fighter designed to the precise specifications of the British, German, Spanish, and Italian air forces. With the latest in airframe design, engine advancements cutting edge avionics, weapons systems, and stealth technology the EF 2000 is without a doubt a futuristic high tech weapons platform.

The Rolls-Royce and MTU designed EJ 200 engines produce a whopping 20,257-lbs of thrust with afterburning. With a top speed of Mach 2.0+ the Eurofighter has the capability to intercept and take down a foe with marksmen like precision. This combined with the amazing manoeuvrability at low and high speeds and altitudes, provided by the delta wing and canard foreplanes, further reinforces the EF 2000’s ultimate fighter status.

The Eurofighters primary competitors are the Russian SU-27 Flanker, French Dassault Rafale, Swedish Saab Jas 29 Grippen, and the American Lockheed F-22 Raptor. The EF 2000’s technically advanced avionics, infra-red sensors and new radar system make it the best and most capable multi-role fighter flying today.

Although the building industry had a dark year in 2009, Green building seemed to somehow stick out and shine. According to the Multiple Listing Service date, certified sustainable green new homes actually rose the past year in the northern west coast areas like Portland and Seattle. This trend is believed to spread over the U.S. and green building is expected to grow within new home sales. Already new home sales are on a rise from a year ago with March of 2010 seeing the biggest jump in new home sales in 47 years. So what trends can we expect to see in 2010 in green new homes?

1. Energy Monitoring Home Dashboards. The increasing demand for energy efficient homes, the development of a custom web-based display panel within the home, will show real-time home energy use. This sophisticated produced can break down the real time energy use of homeowners appliances, which will help a homeowner change the way they use their electricity. For example the way an electric car miles per gallon indicator encourages the owner to adapt their driving habits, new homes that offer these Dashboards may encourage homeowners to reach lower energy use. Dashboards will also increase the probability that homeowners of green homes will reach the Energy Performance Score.

2. Energy Efficient Green Home Labeling. Like the miles per gallon label you would find when searching for a new car, energy rating systems for new homes has become popular among legislators. This energy rating system will make it easier for home buyers to see the energy efficiency of one green home compared to another. Each homes score will be available on the MLS.

3. Lenders and Green Homes Make for a Better Bottom Line. Lenders have come to the conclusion that green new homes are better for their bottom line. By seeing a trend of green home owners being more responsible and less probable to default on a loan, due to the fact that most green home owners are more accountable and likely to place higher value on home maintenance. Home owners are also less likely to default due to the decrease in energy coast within their green home. Lenders are now working to get reduced-rate loans and insurance packages for green new home owners.

4. Less Is More. Back when the housing market was booming, a larger homes lead to greater equity. However since that “bubble burst” this is no longer the case. With energy prices expected to rise over time, and the Federal Reserve likely to raise interest rates during 2010, home buyers are likely to feel more at ease with smaller new homes.

5. Water Conservation. Did you know that residential water usage accumulates for more than half of the public water supplied? The EPA decided in December 2009 to implement WaterSense. WaterSense specifies that new homes will need to reduce water use by 20 percent than conventional new home. Mandatory energy labeling in Europe already documents the water efficiency.

6. Net Zero Homes. A net zero home is a green home that generates more energy than it uses over a year. This is done by building a fairly small new home that is extremely energy efficient and uses on site renewable energy like wind, solar or geo-exchange systems.

If you want to do your bit for the environment in order to save the planet, then you’ll want to be as green as you can.

How green are you?

1. Do you recycle? – By recycling as much as you can, including paper, cardboard, cans, glass, and clothing, you’ll reduce the amount of raw materials that are needed. You’ll also reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down for paper and cardboard.

2. What do you do with unwanted food? – If you make too much food one mealtime, then why not freeze it for another day? Do you compost your waste food? Perhaps it comes as a surprise to learn that we throw away around a third of the food we buy. What will you do to reduce this waste?

3. Do you turn off electrical items when they’re not in use? – By ensuring that your TV, games console, computer, and other items are switched off when not in use, they won’t be using any electricity, which will save you money too.

4. Do you unplug your chargers? – If you leave your phone, laptop or games console chargers plugged in all the time, then they will be using electricity, even if they aren’t charging. It also doesn’t do your charger any good to be kept plugged in either, so why not unplug them and help your chargers and the planet last longer?

5. Do you turn off lights when you’re not in the room? – By turning lights off, you can reduce you electricity bill, and not waste energy. You’ll also help to lessen the effects of global warming too.

6. Do you turn off taps? – By turning off taps when you’re not using them, you’ll save water, which has got to be a good thing. You’ll be using less water, and so there will be less requirement for water.

7. Do you only boil as much water as you need? – Instead of boiling a whole kettle full of water, you should only boil as much as you need. This will reduce the amount of electricity you use, and so save you money and help to save the planet too.

8. Do you donate your unwanted items? – Rather than throwing your things in the bin and letting them go into landfill, if they are still worth something, you could sell them via an internet auction site. If you don’t think they are worth selling, then why not take them to a charity shop or see if anyone else wants them using via newspaper or internet adverts?

9. Have you stopped relying on your car? – By walking, cycling and using public transport more, you can reduce the need to drive everywhere, and so reduce the amount of fuel you use in order to do your bit for global warming. Why not walk more, or get on your bike? You’ll be saving money and the planet, and you’ll also be getting fitter too.

10. Is your company environmentally friendly? – How much packaging do you use for your products? How much do you use video conferencing instead of driving or flying to meetings? How much paper do you use? How much paper could you save using technology? By asking and answering these questions, you’ll be able to put together a strategy for being greener, and helping to do your bit for the environment.

Now you know how green you actually are, and how environmentally friendly green you could be, are you as green as you thought?

Virtually all utility customers have the opportunity to benefit from renewable energy incentives. This creates green jobs in the service sector. However, California also has production incentives in place to meet the renewable energy goals set in the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program. These incentives directly create jobs in the production sector.

California solar production incentives come in the form of feed-in tariffs and the purchase of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs).

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has made feed-in tariffs available to small facilities with renewable generating capacity for the production of up to 500MW. Feed-in tariffs will be based on the CPUC market price referent (MPR) and time-of-use factors. A single customer-generator can enter into a 10, 15, or 20 year standard contract to sell renewable energy to utility companies up to 3MW.

Utilities offering California feed-in tariffs include Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas and Electric Company, PacifiCorp, Sierra Pacific Power Company, Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES) Division of Golden State Water Company, and Mountain Utilities (MU).

Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) offers feed-in tariffs for all renewable energy technologies plus combined heat and power (CHP). SMUD feed-in tariffs do no use a market price referent and are based on the year placed in service, time of day, time of year, and length of contract.

City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) purchases Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) from within their own local commercial and industrial sectors instead of from outside renewable sources.

California must employ customer-generated energy to produce 33% of the state’s power demand from renewable sources by 2025.

Learn more about California solar incentives.

An average American household consumes 935 kWh (Kilowatt hours) each day, or 28, 050 kWh per month. You may be spending around $200 in electricity bill, or if you have more residents in your household, naturally, this amount could rise. As the population in your residence grows, as you acquire more energy-consuming appliances, and as the electricity charges rises each year, your electricity bill will rise as well and you might find yourself puzzled over the sudden changes. The changes on your electricity bill may be gradual but they could still burn a hole through your pocket if expenses pile on top of each other; hence, it is important to know how to monitor your energy consumption to avoid more financial woes.

There are 10 things which you can do to conserve energy around your home, as well as regulate your monthly electricity expenses. By knowing how to regulate your consumption, not only will you be able to save electricity, you will also save on cash.

1. It is important to know the ideal temperature within your household, which is usually 68 degrees for a medium-sized home. During colder days or during the winter season, it is advised to turn the thermostat down, perhaps just a few degrees. By doing so, you could save around $30 each month on your bill. During the summertime, you should try to set your thermostat to 75-80 degrees. Watch the temperature within your home by installing a temperature monitor system. A temperature monitor system can tell you the critical temperature changes in your household and if your temperature is fixed on a certain level, it will help you keep track of any unexpected temperature changes.

The energy consumption of your appliances also varies depending on the season. During the summertime, you might notice that your bill has gone up since the hotter it gets, more energy is used by electronic devices.

2. Make sure your house is properly insulated since this can help you save 25% in cooling and heating costs at home. Add more insulation if you believe your house lacks the right system.

3. The age old tip in conserving energy is turning-off or unplugging anything that consumes power, when not in use. For example, by unplugging your television set from the source, you can save around 30% from your total electricity bill.

4. If your heating or cooling equipment has been in use for over 20 years, it is advised to replace your units for newer ones since new products have been designed to conserve 15% more energy. It is also recommended to purchase properly sized equipment.

5. Make use of nature to help you control the heat within and outside your home. During colder days, if you have window blinds or shades, keep heat within your home by closing your windows at night and during daytime, open your windows to let fresh wind and heat circulate around your house. This can help you save on heating and cooling costs. During hotter days; however, it is advised to close your window blinds or shades to prevent too much heat in entering your home.

6. If you still use incandescent light bulbs, consider replacing them with LED bulbs or compact fluorescent lights. Doing so can help you cut down 75% in lighting and 1, 000 lbs. of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, CFL’s last longer than incandescent lights.

7. If you use a water heater for your home, turn it up to 110-120 degrees in the morning for bathing or for washing purposes. Once everyone in the household is through with their use of warm water, it is advised to turn it off or down to its lowest level.

8. Battery charges are what we would consider “vampires” in the household since they consume energy as long as they are attached to a socket. Once you are done charging your mobile phone or computer, detach your charger from its socket right away to keep it from consuming energy.

9. There are engineers and architects who also specialize in identifying certain parts of your home which trap heat as well as identify which, among your household appliances, consume more electricity. It is recommended to talk to people who know how to insulate and improve certain parts of your home, so you can consume less on heating or cooling.

10. Last but not the least, if you have not tried setting a Pioneer day for the family, it is advised to schedule it every week. A pioneer day is when you refrain from using any of the “big” appliances or all of them within your household for 24 hours.