July 22, 2010

Blog

Energy waste the size of Japan

lisawood

By Elisa Wood

July 22, 2010

Here is a startling fact: US power plants waste more energy than many countries use, including advanced economies like that of Japan. The wasted energy is in the form of heat thrown off when power plants produce electricity.

This is one of the points being brought to light by the International District Energy Association (IDEA), as it promotes new federal incentives for heat efficiency.

While the US is focusing on cleaning up its electricity supply, it tends to ignore heat energy, even though it represents 31% of the energy we use, particularly to heat and cool buildings, warm water, and manufacture products.

IDEA is a group that promotes district energy and cogeneration (also called combined heat and power). These systems recycle heat waste for productive purposes. For example, a cogeneration plant might provide electricity to the grid and then recycle the wasted heat from the system into steam for use by a nearby factory. District energy systems often incorporate cogeneration. They supply water or steam to multiple buildings for space heating, domestic hot water, air conditioning and industrial processes.

IDEA, along with several environmental and efficiency groups, want Congress to approve a bill that will make available to heat the kind of incentives now given to clean forms of electricity. To that end, they are backing the Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act (S.3636), a bipartisan effort introduced by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.)

The bill would create federal production tax incentives for heat energy, much like those that have spurred the wind and solar industries in the US. It also would expand tax-exempt bonds for the systems and reauthorize and broaden certain grants.

“The economic and environmental costs of the BP Gulf disaster are yet to be tallied, and the hurdles to comprehensive climate legislation are daunting. That’s why we must act now to implement policies that reduce fossil fuel consumption using proven clean technologies like district energy and combined heat and power,” said Rob Thornton, IDEA president, in a July 22 letter to US Senate leaders.

With today’s introduction of a smart grid, we are seeing many new systems and gadgets that promise energy savings. Industry insiders understandably eye them with skepticism; many of these technologies are untried. However, cogeneration and district energy are old ideas, decades old, and proven many times over. The US already has about 2,900 district energy systems and about 3,500 cogeneration plants. Still cogeneration represents only 8% to 9% of US electric capacity.

Cogeneration and district energy face the same problem as other capital intensive projects today. High upfront costs and reticent lenders make it hard to develop new projects.

Incentives do help spur these technologies. When the state of Connecticut began offering grants for cogeneration a few years ago, businesses and institutions jumped at the opportunity and quickly added installations totaling several hundred megawatts.

IDEA wants the Senate to incorporate heat energy incentives into any energy legislation that might pass this year. But it appears increasingly unlikely that a major energy bill will make it through Congress. The US may continue to throw away several countries worth of energy for some time.

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Podcast

What's needed to jump-start EV use part 1 lisawood

Lisa Cohn of realenergywriters.com interviews Oliver Hazimeh, director and head of the global e-Mobility practice at the global management consulting firm PRTM, about what's needed to jump-start and sustain the electric vehicle industry. We need to create a viable "ecosystem," he says.

To listen and subscribe to Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast, go to

http://www.realwriters.net/rew/rtlnk.htm

Coming Soon: Energy Efficiency Incentives for Businesses 2010

Volume 1: Eastern States

By Elisa Wood and Lisa Cohn

For information about pre-ordering the guide at reduced rates, please e-mail us at realenergywriters@comcast.net

News

Energy ministers endorse clean-tech measures, back CCS group

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/07/20/20greenwire-energy-ministers-endorse-clean-tech-measures-b-89532.html

The top five players in demand response

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/top-5-demand-response

DOE announces $30 million for energy-efficient housing partnerships

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=370

While Reid ponders, some Democrats see time running out for energy bill

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/07/21/21climatewire-while-reid-ponders-some-democrats-see-time-ru-3776.html

Target, Wal-Mart, others, to pilot program for energy efficiency in commercial building

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/07/21/target-wal-mart-others-to-pilot-program-for-energy-efficiency-in-commercial-building/

Home size continues to decline; buyers increasingly opt for single-story homes

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=148&newsID=10898

Business opportunities & request for proposals

NEW The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

NYSERDA seeks proposals to conduct a curriculum inventory, contractor needs assessment and curriculum updates. The Green Jobs Green New York Act of 2009 promotes energy efficiency, conservation and the installation of clean energy technology, to reduce energy consumption, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It also focuses on sustainable community development and green job opportunities.

Proposals are due Aug. 31.

For more information go to,

http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2034rfp.asp

NEW The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

As part of Green New York, a statewide program to promote energy efficiency and clean technology, NYSERDA seeks projects that reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The program focuses on sustainable community development and green jobs.

Proposals are due Sept. 2.

For more information go to,

http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2080rfp.asp

NEW The Iowa Office of Energy Independence

The OEI seeks public, non-profit and private sector entities to implement energy efficiency retrofits that use demonstration technologies, install cost-effective onsite renewable energy applications, or provide outreach through energy-related training, information or education.

Proposals are due Aug. 13.

For more information go to,

http://www.energy.iowa.gov/

US Government & National Opportunities:

The Department of Energy

The DOE seeks grant applications for the 2010 Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income households, and establishes grant guidance and management information.

Proposals are due Aug. 1.

For more information go to,

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=J5ybMvQQp0zXGMtfJhM1z2KmC1YXCnLKpwnVYhndRSnb7QsxhLLW!-1402506127?oppId=50891&mode=VIEW

The Department of Energy

The DOE's State Energy Program offers grants to state energy offices in all states and U.S. territories to design and carry out their own renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding.

Proposals are due Aug. 31.

For more information go to,

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=J5ybMvQQp0zXGMtfJhM1z2KmC1YXCnLKpwnVYhndRSnb7QsxhLLW!-1402506127?oppId=53209&mode=VIEW

The Department of Energy

The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program will support metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments to help jurisdictions with: (1) economic competitiveness and revitalization; (2) social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; (3) energy use and climate change; and (4) public health and environmental impact.

Proposals are due by Aug. 26.

For more information go to,

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55456

Water Research Foundation

The WRF seeks to develop a guidance manual focused on drinking water pump station design and operation to minimize the energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions of a water utility.

Proposals are due by July 26.

For more information go to,

http://www.waterresearchfoundation.org/research/plansAwardsFunding/RFP.aspx

The Department of Energy

The DOE plans to award $15 million to advance research, development, and market adoption of solid-state lighting technologies. The department seeks two to eight light emitting diode and organic light emitting diode products that can significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

Proposals are due by Aug. 18.

For more information go to, https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/PublicPages/PublicSearch/Public_Opportunities.aspx

The Department of Agriculture

The Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance program is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the nation’s critical energy needs. The 2008 Farm Bill mandates that the recipient of a grant that conducts an energy audit for an agricultural producer or a rural small business require the agricultural producer or rural small business to pay at least 25% of the cost of the energy audit, which shall be retained by the eligible entity for the cost of the audit.

Proposals are due by July 26.

For more information go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=54851

The Department of Energy

The DOE is offering $210 million in 2010 weatherization funds to state governments and Native American tribes. States and tribes use the funds to weatherize low-income households. The DOE will make 58 awards, each no higher than $15 million and no lower than $79,000.

Proposals are due Aug. 1.

Questions should be directed to Amanda Lopez, (304) 285-4220, amanda.lopez@netl.doe.gov.

For more information go to

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50891.

California

California Energy Commission

The CEC seeks a technical support contractor to aid the commission in the development and implementation of a comprehensive energy efficiency program for existing residential and nonresidential buildings.

Proposals are due by July 29.

For more information go to,

http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/efficiency.html

California Energy Commission

Through the PIER Program, the CEC funds energy research, development and demonstration projects that are not adequately provided for by competitive and regulated energy markets. Projects must benefit California’s electric and natural gas ratepayers. Funds come from $62 million per year collected from ratepayers.

Proposals are due by Aug. 31.

For more information go to,

http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/smallgrant/10-02T_electricity/Application_Manual_10-02T_electricity.pdf

California Energy Commission

The CEC seeks a technical support contractor to aid the CEC with:

• Needs assessments for energy efficiency improvements in residential and nonresidential buildings

• Technical guidance for Phase Two of the Home Energy Rating System (HERSII)

• A Building Energy Asset Rating System (BEARS) for nonresidential buildings

• Residential and nonresidential rating and disclosure programs

• Residential and nonresidential efficiency improvement programs

• Approaches to reduce barriers to efficiency financing and tax credits for newly constructed affordable housing

• Streamlined permitting processes for alterations of existing residential buildings

• Approaches to evaluate and recommend improvements to the program

Proposals are due by July 29.

For more information go to, http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/efficiency.html

California Energy Commission

The Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program will provide more than $35 million for small cities and counties in California. The local governments can use these funds for cost-effective energy efficient projects in their communities. Projects might include lighting retrofits, building upgrades, mechanical equipment, clean energy systems, various energy management controls and other energy efficiency measures.

Available until funds run out.

For more information go to, http://www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html

Massachusetts

Massachusetts/NSTAR new business stimulus

Boston utility NSTAR is trying to expand business participation in energy efficiency with a 50% increase in its incentives. The program is geared to mid-to-large commercial and industrial customers.

The offer is available for projects approved by NSTAR before Aug. 1 and completed by Sept. 30 or until funding is depleted.

For more information go to, http://www.nstar.com/business/energy_efficiency/electric_programs/construction_solutions.asp or http://www.nstar.com/business/energy_efficiency/electric_programs/business_solutions.asp

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority

The NHCDFA seeks improvements to the overall energy efficiency performance of buildings owned by businesses and nonprofits to lower their energy costs and carbon emissions. These activities may include:

· Improvements to the building’s envelope, including air sealing and insulation in the walls, attics, and foundations;

· Improvements to HVAC equipment and air exchange;

· Installation of renewable energy systems;

· Improvements to lighting, equipment, and other electrical systems;

· Implementation of a comprehensive, fuel-blind energy audit.

Applications will be reviewed monthly until all funds are committed.

For more information go to http://www.nhcdfa.org/web/erp/eef/eef_overview.html

New Jersey

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority

Money is available for companies to site Class I renewable energy or energy efficiency product manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. New Jersey clean technology manufacturers can receive funding for project assessment and design, or project construction and operation.

Applications are now being accepted in an open, rolling process and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Questions should be directed to EdisonCEMF@njeda.com, (866) 534-7789.

For more information go to http://www.njeda.com/web/Aspx_pg/Templates/Npic_Text.aspx?Doc_Id=1085&menuid=1287&topid=718&levelid=6&midid=1175

New York