Also Noted: SmartGrid Careers
CPUC looking at losing big and much more... Appeals court ruling could set coal precedent
The United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has made a major ruling in favor of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and clean air advocates, by giving the EPA full authority to enforce federal regional haze regulations to clean up coal plants run by Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E).Article
Utilities face a perception problem
New research shows that 43 percent of customers are less than satisfied with their electric utility. That is according to Shelton Group, a marketing communications firm in the sustainability and energy efficiency sectors, who also found that nearly 25 percent say there is nothing their utility could do to earn a perfect customer satisfaction score. Article
ACEEE, NRDC research promotes clothes washer efficiency
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) are collaborating to identify opportunities for energy and water savings in a sector that utilities will find interesting -- clothes washers -- as part of the development of an innovative program for the Great Lakes region. Article
News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. Harmonizing EV and smart grid technology
2. Data dissection an issue for utilities
3. Zigbee SEP 2.0 marks major communications shift
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Today's Top News 1. Self-reliant buildings could be future face of resilience
Sandia National Laboratories has a vision of self-reliant buildings in the face of hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorism and cyberattacks and has the Department of Homeland Security's backing.  | | A home in Gilchrist, Texas, designed to resist flood waters survived Hurricane Ike in 2008. Credit: FEMA/Joselyne Augustino | The self-reliant building might have its own small electrical generating system to maintain lights, computers and mobile communications during a power outage, compartmentalized clusters of rooms to prevent water damage in one sector from affecting others, shatterproof windows to minimize hazards from imploding glass and sufficient electronics to quickly pinpoint a trouble spot, according to Sandia's vision. It won't be easy to secure voluntary adoption by the industry without adequate justification, but Sandia makes several suggestions to drive the concept of resilient buildings forward. For example, government-based incentives, public-private partnerships, training and education programs, and simple, clear explanations of the federal governments' multiple programs "to minimize confusion by describing the different role each plays." Sandia's research is being funded by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Policy. For more:
- see this article Read more about: Sandia National Laboratories
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2. Effective policies driving solar states
The Environment America Research & Policy Center has released its ranking of the top 12 solar states in the country. Per capita, the top 12 solar states are: Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii New Jersey, New Mexico, California, Delaware, Colorado, Vermont, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Maryland. While these 12 states account for only 28 percent of the U.S. population, they make up 85 percent of the nation's installed solar energy, leading due to state and local governments that have created effective public policy for the development of solar.  | | Antelope Valley Solar Ranch Credit: First Solar | For example, according to the research, 11 of the 12 leading states have net metering policies, which allow customers to offset their electric bills with onsite solar and receive reliable and fair compensation for the excess electricity they provide to the grid. Second, 11 of the 12 states have renewable electricity standards, requiring utilities to provide a minimum amount of their power from renewable sources, nine with solar carve outs, which set specific targets for solar or other forms of clean onsite power. Next, 10 of the 12 have statewide interconnection policies which reduce the time and effort required for individuals and companies to connect solar energy systems to the grid. Finally, the majority of the top solar states allow for creative financing options such as third-party power purchase agreements and property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing. Of these states, Maryland's renewable energy portfolio standard and energy consumption reduction goals are among the most aggressive in the country. The state has more than 1,410 times the solar on its grid and 2,000 more solar installation jobs than in 2007. In Hawaii, Governor Neil Abercrombie recently enacted legislation to establish Hawaii's Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program, which will provide a financing model to make clean energy improvements more affordable and within reach to underserved community members, including small businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and individuals. For more:
- see this article Related Article:
U.S. part of elite solar market Read more about: solar states
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3. Entergy in spotlight after falsified records discovered
A former employee of Entergy has been brought up on federal charges of falsifying documents.  | | Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. Credit: Wikimedia Commons | The Indian Point Energy Center employee is accused of allegedly falsifying documents at Indian Point in 2012. Indian Point employees uncovered the falsification and reported it to plant management who, in turn, notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The utility told Enformable Nuclear News that Daniel Wilson, 57, who was "in charge of ensuring compliance in critical safety areas, falsified tests and records related to the quality of fuel in back-up tanks for the emergency diesel generators installed at the nuclear power plant which are necessary to prevent core damage in the event of a loss of power." Entergy conducted an investigation that concluded deliberate falsification of records likely occurred, during which time, the accused individual ended his employment with the company, according to Entergy. Although the alleged falsification related to the quality of fuel in back-up tanks for use in the plant's emergency generators, the plant was never unsafe, Entergy claims. An evaluation of the fuel oil was completed and it was determined that all the generators would have performed as designed, Entergy adds. For more:
- see this article Read more about: Entergy
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4. Dominion among bidders in offshore wind lease sale
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold its second competitive lease sale for renewable energy on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The auction, scheduled to take place on Sept. 4, will offer nearly 112,800 acres offshore Virginia for commercial wind energy leasing.  | | Credit: Ashley Dace/Wikimedia Commons | "The competitive lease sale offshore Virginia will mark an important transition from planning to action when it comes to capturing the enormous clean energy potential offered by Atlantic wind," said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. "Responsible commercial wind energy development has the potential to create jobs, increase our energy security, and strengthen our nation's competitiveness." Under the terms of the Final Sale Notice, the wind energy area located 23.5 nautical miles offshore Virginia will be auctioned as a single lease and has the potential to support more than 2,000 MW of wind generation. As part of President Obama's comprehensive climate action plan, he challenged Interior to re-double efforts on the renewable energy program by approving an additional 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy production on public lands and waters by 2020. "This lease sale announcement…is the culmination of an extraordinarily collaborative effort with our federal, tribal, state and local government partners," said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. "With the help of key stakeholders, including the wind industry, maritime interests and conservation organizations, we have identified an area offshore Virginia that is well-suited for commercial wind energy development and thoroughly reconciled with the environment and other important uses." Dominion Virginia Power is among the companies eligible to participate in the upcoming lease sale based on legal, technical and financial qualifications. For more:
- see this article Related Articles:
Wind lease auction history in the making
Dominion taps Virgina's offshore winds
Streamlining offshore wind development
Maine home to world's first grid-connected offshore floating wind turbine Read more about: Dominion Virginia Power
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5. Unaware customers are unsatisfied customers
While many electric utility companies provide programs to help their customers manage their energy costs, a large percentage of their customers are not aware of the programs available to them, according to J.D. Power. Research from J.D. Power reveals that overall satisfaction is highest among customers who participate in one or more of their electric utility's programs (679 on a 1,000-point scale) and declines to 642 among those who are aware of the offerings but choose not to participate in them. Satisfaction declines even further to 582, when customers are altogether unaware of their utility's offerings. "Creating awareness and motivating customers to engage with new energy programs, products and services is a huge opportunity for utilities to improve customer satisfaction," said Jeff Conklin, senior director of the energy utility practice at J.D. Power. "Customer satisfaction is higher when consumers are merely aware of programs, and then satisfaction increases substantially with each additional program a consumer joins." Customers were asked about their awareness of 29 various programs, products and services commonly offered by utilities. The study revealed that 19 percent of customers are not aware of any of the programs being offered by their utility providers. Electric utility company programs with the highest awareness rates are e-bill or electronic bill statements and payments (53 percent); in-home energy audit (28 percent); and awareness of rebates on Energy Star appliances (28 percent). Among customers familiar with their utility's programs and services, the highest usage levels are for e-bills (43 percent); high-efficiency light bulb rebates/discounts (27 percent); and household electricity usage comparison tools (26 percent). "Only about a dozen utilities excel at offering a wide variety of options for their customers (including Arizona Public Service, Clark Public Utilities, Salt River Project, Seattle City Light, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District)," said Conklin. "While many other utilities do a good job, far too many utilities lag behind in engaging with their customers." For more:
- see this article Related Articles:
Utilities face a perception problem
Consumer trust in utilities lowest since 2009 Read more about: consumer engagement
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Also Noted
> New Judges Added! Fierce Innovation Awards 2013: Energy Edition - Deadline: August 23 Have your product reviewed by executives from San Diego Gas & Electric, National Grid, Midwest Energy Cooperative, and more. This awards program recognizes the innovative companies and products defining the future of the energy & smart grid industries. Applications due 8/23. Apply Today! > RETECH 2013 - September 9-11 - Washington, D.C. RETECH, the Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition educates and informs its international attendee base with a technical program that addresses cutting-edge topics in renewable energy technologies, power generation, military and government, & business. Learn more at www.retech2013.com > 2013 Smart Grid Hiring Trends Study Zpryme Smart Grid Insights and Smart Grid Careers would like to invite hiring managers or employees who play an active role in hiring, recruiting and/or retaining employees for Smart Grid roles in the U.S. to participate in the 2013 Smart Grid Hiring Trends Study. Participants receive a FREE Executive Summary and a discount on the report. Get started here.
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