An Ignoble Experiment

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The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that the annual energy cost savings of intelligent efficiency for the commercial and manufacturing sectors could reach more than $50 billion by 2020 and that system optimization will bring non-energy benefits including better services and quality control, and lower operating costs which free up capital for additional investments in productivity and capacity.

Over the near term, the best opportunities for intelligent efficiency appear to be in the commercial and industrial sectors, according to the research, which embrace automation more readily than other sectors due to the need for sharply controlled operating costs in competitive environments.

Intelligent efficiency not only achieves energy savings at the device level but at the system level and above, utilizing ICT-based enabling technologies. Intelligent efficiency manifests itself trhough the emergence of the "Internet of Things," whereby all of the components of a manufacturing system can inform other parts of the system to react to incoming information from them.

In the commercial and industry sectors, intelligent efficiency eliminates the need for energy consuming equipment by replacing it with a device or service that uses much less energy. For example, the report cites cloud computing, which eliminates the need for every site to have its own server. Via intelligent efficiency, organizations are providing IT services through cloud computing instead of a dedicated local area network to support desktops and laptops. With cloud computing, large servers are located in off-site data centers that provide computing, storage and software services connected to the user via the Internet. The energy used by these data centers is significantly less than would be collectively used by individual companies with local servers.

For more:
- download this report

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2. States collaborate to drive EV adoption

By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

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3. Credentialing Coalition to build confidence in renewable energy and energy-efficiency

Eight states have announced an ambitious partnership to accelerate the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EV). California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont will develop fueling infrastructure and EV-ready building codes, purchase EVs for state fleets, and expand incentives and public education programs to dramatically increase the number of plug-in electric and fuel cell vehicles.

Credit: Adam E. Moreira/Wikimedia Commons

The partnership aims to put 3.3 million new electric and zero-emission cars and trucks on the roads by 2025. The agreement will support zero-emission vehicle policies by providing incentives for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles modeled on California's successful efforts.

In the first half of 2013, EV sales doubled and more models are available now than ever before. Last month, during National Plug In Day, more than 35,000 people attended events in 98 cities across the country.

"Today's announcement shows commitment from these states to support a successful and growing market for electric vehicles, a key solution for tackling climate change and cutting our nation's projected oil use in half over the next 20 years. Reducing barriers to electric vehicle adoption through incentives and support for refueling infrastructure will provide more choices for consumers, lower fuel costs, and reduce pollution," said David Reichmuth, senior engineer with the Clean Vehicles program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "Auto manufacturers, lawmakers, and citizens need to work together so that we can enjoy cleaner vehicles across the United States. [This] agreement, signed by eight states representing a quarter of all new vehicles sales, is an important step toward ensuring that the market for electric vehicles continues to expand."

For more:
- see this article

By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

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4. Drought affecting Texas water utilities' revenues

Several nationally accredited credentialing organizations have formed a unique Clean Energy Credentialing Coalition (CECC) in response to groundbreaking growth in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries. The group joins together organizations to demonstrate and promote the importance of third-party quality assessment, and the value it brings to building strong and competent renewable energy and energy-efficiency markets. A quality credential is a mark of excellence that can boost consumer confidence in renewable energy and energy-efficiency professionals, products and programs.

The CECC is creating a campaign to build awareness of the value of credentialing -- particularly as a distinguishing tool for consumers, energy incentive programs, employers and industry. The goal of the campaign is to educate, enlighten and elevate interest in the benefits associated with clean energy credentialing from consumers, educators, manufacturers and government decision makers.

Recognized quality credentials send a strong signal that a rigorous standard has been met, offering a mark of distinction that strengthens the credential holder. Educational programs can use accreditation to improve enrollment in light of a competitive training market. Clean energy programs that provide financial incentives to consumers have an added assurance of safety, performance and reliability to justify their investment.

"For customers to be happy and the industry to thrive, quality must be central to every aspect of renewables and efficiency," said Richard Lawrence, executive director of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. "To have a solar system successfully operate for decades, the components must be reliable and perform as promised…Respected credentialing organizations assure that customers are getting the quality they expect."

The Coalition is comprised of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council; Building Performance Institute; Solar Rating & Certification Corporation; North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners; and Small Wind Certification Council.

For more:
- visit this website

By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

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5. HEC wants waiver from competitive bidding on latest PV project

Texas' public water and sewer utilities continue to face challenges presented by the current drought, according Fitch Ratings.

The Texas Drought: This boat is sitting in the middle of what is normally a branch of Lake Travis, part of the Colorado River. Credit: Erik A. Ellison/Wikimedia Commons

"With reservoir levels again dropping this year, we expect water conservation efforts to date to result in reduced usage and, therefore, sales revenue in this year's financial results," said Doug Scott, Fitch managing director. "In addition, meteorological models predict the drought to persist or worsen in many areas of Texas over the coming months. Retailers' ability to offset declining revenues will be key to maintaining financial flexibility."

With most utilities capturing 80 percent or more of revenues from volume charges, one option is to increase base charges, Fitch says.

Since April 2013, Fitch downgraded the city of Fort Worth's water and sewer bonds, the first directly correlated to the drought, and placed two other systems on negative outlook, including water and sewer revenue bonds issued by the city of Garland and the San Patricio Municipal Water District.

While the Texas drought will continue to be an issue for public water utilities, varying supply levels, precipitation and financial cushion will impact individual utilities and their ratings differently.

For more:
- see this report

Read more about: Fitch ratings, water utilities
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By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

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