| This week's sponsor is Elster. | | 
| | Delivering answers that electric, gas & water utilities need to improve grid performance & operations. |
Today's Top Stories
1. Public Service Electric and Gas tops multi-family efficiency programs
2. ComEd supporting conservation with green grant program
3. Xcel files revised rate increase request
4. Pacific Gas and Electric making progress on NTSB recommendations
5. Maine debates smart meter opt-out fee Editor's Corner: Mandatory energy-efficiency motivation Also Noted: ABB
Spotlight On... CEC taking steps to improve product energy efficiency
DOE overpaid Oak Ridge contractor salaries and much more... CHP: A new generation of renewable power technology
Growing energy consumption is a global problem. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), worldwide energy use will jump 49 percent between 2007 and 2035. Clean energy generating Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units -- or co-generation systems -- produce electricity using the generator engine, converted diesel, to turn a standard generator. Feature Rural co-ops hold the secret to energy-efficiency success
Energy efficiency can be a great investment, but a lack of capital is often a barrier. Energy-efficiency financing programs designed to help energy users overcome this barrier have been around for at least 30 years. But in the residential sector, few of these programs have been successful. Feature HEMS: A no-brainer?
Some in the industry have touted home energy management systems (HEMS) as the next smart grid killer app. However, no one told homeowners and other residential energy consumers. In the U.S., only 5 percent of adults expect to purchase a home energy management system over the next 12 months, according to Zpryme research. Editor's Corner News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. Wake Electric completes transformer testing using smart grid as a service app
2. CenterPoint focuses on "total customer experience"
3. IEEE adds BPL smart grid standard
| 
Mandatory energy-efficiency motivation
Today, we have a label for just about everything -- EnergyStar appliances; Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index scores for newly constructed homes; green home labels; and energy scores for commercial buildings. Driving these labels are the numerous buildings that have undergone energy use benchmarking -- up more than 10 times over the last 10 years -- and the number of major cities that have recently implemented or are seriously considering building energy benchmarking laws and standards requiring energy use measurement and public disclosure. Just three weeks ago, Philadelphia became the latest city to require this type of benchmarking, and Boston is currently considering mandating reporting for energy use in office buildings, apartments and condominiums. Florida will soon embark upon a one-year initiative benchmarking energy use in government buildings. Competition among home energy users has been a strong motivator to conserving energy. The same can be said about commercial consumers, especially when building owners and facility managers can see where they rank among their peers. Read the entire Editor's Corner online at FierceEnergy. Read more about: benchmarking, Building Owners
back to top |
|
Today's Top News 1. Public Service Electric and Gas tops multi-family efficiency programs
The multi-family housing sector represents a big opportunity for utilities seeking to meet energy-efficiency goals, according to research from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and CNT Energy. "There is enormous opportunity to achieve energy savings in the multi-family sector, and utilities have an important role to play in delivering effective energy-efficiency programs," said Anne McKibbin, policy director for CNT Energy. "Utilities need to work with the multifamily sector to design programs that address the barriers that prevent multi-family building owners from investing in energy-efficiency upgrades." If the best current multi-family energy-efficiency programs were expanded nationwide, they could save up to $3.4 billion per year, according to ACEEE. One such program from Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) has been recognized by ACEEE for outstanding effectiveness and innovation. PSE&G's $39 million Residential Multifamily Housing Program has made thousands of apartments more energy efficient. The program has proven highly successful with more than 500 buildings and 16,000 individual apartments enrolled or active in the program to date. Applications for more than 100 additional buildings with 5,000-plus units are currently under review. "We're making these and other investments that provide for much better use of energy in market segments that would otherwise be overlooked," said Joe Forline, vice president of customer solutions, PSE&G. "So it's rewarding for us to see these programs get the kind of national praise and attention they deserve." Successful utilities like PSE&G design programs that address the diverse needs of different segments of the multi-family housing markets, making rebates easy to understand and access, and coordinating programs offered by natural gas and electric utilities. In addition, they develop programs to overcome the split incentive that occurs in rental housing where building owners are responsible for the costs of efficiency upgrades while tenants pay their own utility bills and reap the benefits of those upgrades. For more:
- get the report Related Articles:
Energy-efficient services market a good place to be
Energy efficiency to move ahead without federal mandates
Pacific Gas and Electric leads utility energy-efficiency programs Read more about: ACEEE, Multifamily Sector
back to top |
| This week's sponsor is Equifax. |  | Webinar: The Equifax Big Picture Outlook on the US Economy
Monday, April 15th, 2pm ET / 11am PT
Attend this webinar, and you'll gain a clearer understanding of current and future economic indicators along with a high-level analysis of the big issues facing markets today. Register today! |
2. ComEd supporting conservation with green grant program
ComEd has launched Illinois' first annual Green Region grant program to conserve open green spaces. Through the initiative, $125,000 in grants will be distributed over the next two years to nonprofits and municipalities throughout Northern Illinois. In partnership with land conservation nonprofit, Openlands, ComEd's Green Region grants will subsidize existing open space projects at the municipal level that focus on conservation, preservation, protecting endangered species, and improvements to local parks and recreation resources. "This innovative program is a natural extension of ComEd's commitment to protect and conserve natural resources, and serve the communities where our customers and employees live and work," said Fidel Marquez , senior vice president of Governmental and External Affairs, ComEd. "Whether it's helping our customers save more than $400 million on their electric bills since introducing ComEd's Smart Ideas energy efficiency programs in 2008, to recycling 100 percent of our tree trimmings each year and sharing a portion with the Brookfield Zoo for animal nutrition and enrichment, we're always looking for new ways to save energy and save resources and we're pleased to offer the Green Region grant program," he said. For more:
- visit this website Read more about: ComEd, Endangered Species
back to top |
3. Xcel files revised rate increase request
After much customer backlash, Xcel Energy has revised a rate increase request currently under review by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, citing a change in circumstances and proposing a reduction to the increase request. "This case is needed to support investments that will serve our customers well over the long term," said Judy Poferl, president and CEO of Northern States Power Co. - Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. "Our revised request allows us to facilitate these investments while reducing the size of our requested increase for customers," from $285 million to $220 million, representing an overall rate increase of approximately 8.2 percent, down from 10.7 percent originally. Proposed reductions include $35 million for Sherco Generating Station Unit 3 by deferring some 2012 and 2013 costs; $8 million for Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant by deferring some 2013 costs; and $9 million by smoothing the impacts of the 2008 recession on pension expenses. "Our proposal takes a balanced approach, mitigating customer impacts now while also meeting the company's need to recover investments already made," Poferl said. "Rate requests are subject to extensive review prior to approval, and customers can have confidence that the rate increases granted are necessary for providing high-quality energy service." For more:
- see this article Related Articles:
Xcel gets rate case, customer rebate approval
Xcel to spend more than $30M on transmission upgrades
Xcel completes $90M in transmission line upgrades
Xcel tries to recoup billions in nuclear investments Read more about: Xcel Energy, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
back to top |
4. Pacific Gas and Electric making progress on NTSB recommendations
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recently completed three more of the 12 total safety recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in response to the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion. First, PG&E has completed Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) validation for gas transmission pipelines running through high-consequence, populated areas and is on track to complete MAOP validation for the remainder of its transmission pipelines by April 2013. Second, PG&E's work clearance procedures now include the development of contingency plans for planned work on the natural gas transmission system. These procedures will ensure accurate and complete clearance forms, and require that specific personnel have complete knowledge of the intended work and clearance procedures. PG&E's work clearance procedures define the planning and controls that must be in place before work is performed on the gas system. Finally, PG&E has developed and incorporated written performance measurements and guidelines into its Public Awareness Plan for evaluating the plan and continuous improvement. The plan helps ensure communities served are aware of important gas safety information. PG&E has now completed seven of the 12 safety recommendations. Of the five remaining, the NTSB considers PG&E's progress "open - acceptable pending completion." The utility continues to make progress, including revisions and improvements to its integrity management program to ensure safe operation of its pipelines. For more:
- see this article Related Articles:
PG&E satisfies 33% of NTSB safety actions
Pacific Gas & Electric scrutinized after natural gas explosion
Pacific Gas and Electric steps up pipeline safety
Gas detection tech makes Pacific Gas and Electric safer
Laser scanner provides high-tech pipeline safety Read more about: Safety Recommendations, Pacific Gas and Electric
back to top |
5. Maine debates smart meter opt-out fee
Maine is considering legislation that would eliminate the fee associated with its smart meter opt-out program. LD826, sponsored by State Representative Roberta Beavers, would prohibit transmission and distribution utilities from charging customers who choose not to accept newly deployed smart meters. It would also grant utilities the ability to read these standard meters as infrequently as once a year and bill using monthly average usage in order to minimize truck rolls. Central Maine Power (CMP) currently has a one-time $40 charge plus a $12 monthly fee for customers choosing to retain their electromechanical meters. Smart meters that emit no radio signals are available for a $20 up-front fee and a monthly charge of $10.50. CMP says about 8,500 customers have chosen to opt out of a smart meter. The proposed change was debated for more than six hours last week, according to the Bangor Daily News. In February, CMP released the results from an independent study that showed that radio emissions from its smart meters are well below the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) maximum exposure levels. For more:
-see the proposed legislation
-see this article Related Articles:
CMP's 1920s equipment gets a $3M makeover
Smart meter opt outs gain popularity
Maine study affirms smart meter safety compliance
Read more about: Smart Meters
back to top |
Also Noted | This week's sponsor is ABB. |  | Webinar: The IT/OT Integration Imperative
April 23, 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT
Traditionally, IT and OT systems worked as separate entities; however, the smart grid requires a convergence of both. Join FierceEnergy and a panel of experts as they examine the effects on utilities that do not take steps to converge/integration their IT/OT systems. Register Today. |
SPOTLIGHT ON... CEC taking steps to improve product energy efficiency The California Energy Commission (CEC) is taking steps to improve energy efficiency for 15 products in four categories, including consumer electronics, lighting, water appliances, and other appliances. The products include computers; displays; game consoles; set-top cable boxes; fluorescent dimming ballasts; light-emitting diodes; multifaceted reflector lamps; faucets; toilets; urinals; water meters; commercial clothes dryers; air filters; residential pool pumps and motors; and portable electric spas. Article Quick news from around the web: >Massive denial-of-service attack sets records, slows internet speeds. Article
>A newly introduced Senate bill aims to beef up the National Guard's cybersecurity capabilities. Article
>DOE overpaid Oak Ridge contractor salaries. Article
>ERCOT pilot provides new incentives for DR. Article
>Utilities push for updated water meter standards. Article
>The Ontario government has completed the largest hydroelectric project to come into service in Ontario in the past 50 years. Article > The Equifax Big Picture Outlook on the US Economy- April 15th, 2pm ET / 11am PT Attend this webinar, and you'll gain a clearer understanding of current and future economic indicators along with a high-level analysis of the big issues facing markets today. Register today! > The IT/OT Integration Imperative - April 23, 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT Traditionally, IT and OT systems worked as separate entities; however, the smart grid requires a convergence of both. Join FierceEnergy and a panel of experts as they examine the effects on utilities that do not take steps to converge/integration their IT/OT systems. Register Today.
| > Inaugural Healthcare Growth Capital Conference - April 11 - W Hotel NYC Conference to cover strategies on growing existing healthcare businesses to scale & providing expansion capital to high-growth companies with tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues. Register now to receive $100 off with discount code: GCCFRC. > IEC 61850 Europe 2013 - May 22-24, 2013 - NH Hotel Prague, Czech Republic Join us and enjoy a real-life review of IEC 61850 practical implementations by the key European TSOs and DSOs. 16 case study presentations will be given by representatives of National Grid, Elia, RTE, Gas Natural Fenosa, ENEL, DONG Energy, Alliander, Stedin, amongst others. Register today!
| > White paper: Cyber Security and the Energy Sector Utilities face many security challenges today. AT&T and Sierra Wireless are working together to provide strong and proven security technologies enabling utilities with a secure and flexible two-way communications infrastructure to connect and communicate in real time. Download now. > eBook: Smarter Service: The Contract Center of the Future This eBook explores the challenges facing traditional contact centers and the benefits of deploying the contact center of the future. You'll find links to further resources on the final page. Download today. > eBook: How to Get a Return on Knowledge in a Big Data World Get ahead of the market - learn how to get a higher return on your company's collective knowledge with advanced enterprise search technology and watch your employee productivity rise and profits soar. Download For Free Now! > Research: How to Unlock Knowledge from Big, Unstructured Data to Improve Customer Service Learn how to unlock knowledge trapped in silos and systems and read how advanced enterprise search technology can put your organization's collective knowledge in the hands of your service reps. Watch your service performance improve and customer satisfaction soar. Download Now! | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.