An Ignoble Experiment

The threat of cyberattacks on U.S. natural gas utilities and pipelines is a growing reality as more and more breaches are discovered. As utilities and the public are left increasingly vulnerable, industry organizations are also discovering how inadequately the infrastructure is protected.

"America's natural gas utilities are actively protecting the more than 2.4 million miles of pipelines that carry this clean energy source to homes and business throughout the United States," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the American Gas Association (AGA). "Natural gas is the foundation fuel for our nation's energy future and that means maintaining constant vigilance against emerging threats."

AGA's Cybersecurity Strategy Task Force has developed a three-point action plan to help reduce the threat of a cybersecurity attack: Cyberrisk management to evaluate how cyber-related threats could be exploited and to assess the industry's capabilities to manage against these threats; increase cybersecurity education and awareness across the industry; and advocacy through outreach to legislative and executive branch stakeholders and state regulators.

On the surface, this plan seems as easy as one, two, three. But dig deeper and it is easier said than done.

"Ensuring the protection and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure is a shared responsibility among multiple stakeholders," McCurdy said. "The ongoing public-private partnerships between industry and government foster information exchange in a community of dedicated professionals aware of malicious tactics, threats and risks. Continued information sharing and collaboration with government partners are key tools in the industry's work to combat cyberthreats."

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2. 2012 record year for wind

By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

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3. SMUD: "Energy stingy" facilities perform better

Wind is becoming an increasing force in the American power generation mix.

The frenzy to take advantage of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) before it expired helped spur wind to record levels in 2012.

Wind is becoming an increasing force in the American power generation mix. Among the historic highs in 2012, wind generation was up 17 percent, with more than 10 percent produced in nine states -- up from just five states in 2011 -- and the numbers continue to grow, according to research from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

The PTC deadline, in part, drove a record wind capacity installation in 2012 of 13,124 MW -- which leveraged $25 billion in private investment -- achieving more than 60,000 MW of cumulative wind capacity.

In the ultimate achievement, wind accounted for 42 percent of new electric generating capacity, making it the number one source of capacity in 2012. Overall, renewable energy (including wind) accounted for 55 percent of the new generating capacity.

As individual states increase the amount of wind in their generation mix, two reached generation levels greater than 20 percent in 2012 -- Iowa (24.5 percent) and South Dakota (23.9 percent). In 14 states, American wind energy provides 5 percent or more of generation. Across the country, wind energy produced 3.5 percent of the nation's electricity during 2012, according to the Energy Information Admiration's (EIA).

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By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

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4. LEDs offer lifecycle cost, energy savings benefits

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is coming off of a pilot so successful the utility will offer a full-blown version of the program this summer.

During SMUD's federally funded Complete Energy Solutions program pilot, 400 small and medium-sized businesses received rebates (which cover more than half of retrofit costs in most cases) to pay for comprehensive energy-efficiency retrofits that resulted in a nearly 8 GWh in savings combined. SMUD funded another version of the project for an additional 120 customers that will wrap up in June 2013.

SMUD explains that Complete Energy Solutions is designed to take into account the building as a system, using an innovative whole-building approach that makes a facility perform better by making it more "energy stingy."

Both pilots were so successful that SMUD is extending the project for three years, making it available to more customers. Energy-efficiency program upgrades, including fluorescent lighting, interior and exterior LED lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, controls, among others, have the potential to average energy savings of 20 percent in addition to increased comfort and value, and improved indoor air quality. SMUD also benefits by reducing peak demand, keeping rates stable, maintaining high service reliability and, ultimately, reaching its long-term energy-efficiency goals.

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By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

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5. New York PSC could suspend Liberty Power

The commercial building sector could drive the energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) market in the United States.

Lighting -- mainly incandescent, which has been the dominant technology choice in the industry for years -- is blamed for 15 percent of the energy consumed in commercial facilities. As building owners seek out more efficient systems for their facilities, LEDs are getting some attention due to their reasonable cost over time, technological advances and long life.

Frost & Sullivan has found that the use of energy-efficient lighting in outdoor applications has increased due to government funding for exterior lighting upgrades, as well as support from energy-efficiency legislation such as the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

But despite government support, higher initial costs of LEDs still hinder their widespread adoption. Tighter budgets and concerns over the national economy have led building owners to greater scrutinize any system claiming energy efficiency.

At face value, the initial capital output of LED lighting products appears prohibitive to building owners who do not have a clear idea of the short- to medium-term return on investment. Utilities are in an ideal position to educate customers about the lifecycle cost benefits of LED lighting systems and can demonstrate the potential energy savings of these systems. In fact, upgrading from incandescent to LED lighting can mean up to 80 percent more energy efficiency.

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Related Article:
LED lighting provides more than ROI

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By Travis Mitchell

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