Past Issues:
August 14, 2008
Blog
Why it is so Hard – and so Important – To Increase Distributed Resources
By Lisa Cohn
August 14, 2008
If distributed resources are such a good idea, why don’t we build more of them?
A report released this week by Tufts University sheds some light on the answer. Despite all of the talk about the efficiency they bring to the grid, resources like solar energy and combined heat and power still face significant regulatory and monetary hurdles.
Consider the following findings from “Distributed Energy: The Way Forward” produced by Tufts’ Center for International Environment and Resource Policy.
* A company that develops on-site power pays 200 – 300 more basis points in debt service than a utility competitor. This is because private developers, unlike utilities, do not enjoy guaranteed equity returns, which are highly valued by lenders.
* Parent companies of manufacturers often erect insurmountable financial hurdles to installation of combined heat & power. Firms like US Steel, BP and DuPont characterize them as non-core investments, only allowed if they can achieve a one-year payback.
* Developers often face hostile utility policy, characterized by high exit fees and standby power charges, as well as ineffective net metering.
To read and comment on the entire blog, go to
http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/
Podcast
New Technology to Implement Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Susan Haifleigh, director of sustainability solutions with VFA Incorporated in Boston, Mass. She discusses how to use technology to implement energy efficiency. The latest technology in newer buildings, for example, can monitor the amount of energy used by each boiler in real time from a control room.
To listen and subscribe to Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast, go to
http://www.realwriters.net/rew/rtlnkmr.htm
News
ACEEE Introduces a New State Energy Efficiency Policy Resource
http://aceee.org/press/0808state.htm
Canadian Provinces Receive Energy Grades
http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/382990
Oregon and Colorado Unveil Energy Efficiency Plans
http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/998/
Xcel Proposes Energy Efficiency Programs
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/08/11/daily14.html
The Answer to the Energy Problem
http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/06/denmark-energy-electricity-biz-energy-cx_wp_0807power.html
Housing Act Aims to Encourage Energy Efficient Mortgages
http://media-newswire.com/release_1070001.html
Requests for Proposals
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
NYSERDA seeks proposals that develop and/or demonstrate strategies for commercial technologies that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases and petroleum consumption. The proposals must reduce vehicle miles traveled in New York State without harming the state’s economy and quality of life.
Proposals are due by September 16.
Proposals should be sent to:
Roseanne Viscusi, PON No. 1239
NYS Energy Research and Development Authority
17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399
Technical questions concerning this solicitation should be directed to Joe Tario at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3215, jdt@nyserda.org or Richard Drake at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3258, rld@nyserda.org. Contractual questions should be directed to Nancy Marucci at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3335, nsm@nyserda.org.
For information go to http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1239pon.asp.
Ontario Power Authority
The OPA seeks proposals for the management and delivery of the EKC Power Savings Event in 2009 and 2010. The proposals should include, without limitation: program administration, coordination of management of suppliers and of program channel partners, in-store training and merchandising, coupon tracking and fulfillment, program monitoring and evaluation, and program design consultation.
Proposals are due by August 18.
Proposals should be sent to:
RFP - 2009 to 2010 Every Kilowatt Counts Power Savings Event External Program
Manager
Ontario Power Authority
120 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1600
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1
Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at
Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.
For information go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=6602
Ontario Power Authority
This RFP seeks consultants to develop a 20-year energy and demand forecast and a consistent conservation potential assessment.
Proposals are due Sept. 19.
For information go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=6580
Applications should be submitted to:
Ontario Power Authority
120 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1600
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1
Attention: Dan Slavei
Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.
US Department of Energy
The US DOE has opened the second round of solicitations for the Loan Guarantee program, which offers up to $30.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for projects that employ advanced energy technologies and that avoid, reduce or sequester anthropogenic emissions of air pollutants or greenhouse gases. The three solicitations are for (1) energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution technologies; (2) advanced nuclear power facilities; and (3) advanced nuclear facilities for the 'front-end' of the nuclear fuel cycle.
For application material and information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/keydocs.html.
Questions concerning the solicitation should be directed to the Loan Guarantee Program Office at lgprogram@hq.doe.gov or 202-586-8336. For additional contact information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/contact.html.
For information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/index.html.
US Department of Energy
The US DOE is offering up to $130 million over three years to advance development and use of fuel cells for automotive, stationary and portable power applications. This is part of the President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, which accelerates the pace of research and development of hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
Applications are due on or before Aug. 27, with funding subject to appropriations from Congress.
For more information: http://hydrogen.energy.gov.
Ontario Power Authority
The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) was directed by the Minister of Energy to procure up to 1,000 MW of high efficiency combined heat and power projects across Ontario. CHP configurations may be natural gas-fired industrial cogeneration, by-product fuel-fired industrial cogeneration, district energy cogeneration, or renewable fuel-fired industrial cogeneration.
Proposal submission deadline is Oct. 16.
For a full description of the RFP go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/GP/Page.asp?PageID=1224&SiteNodeID=174
Upcoming Events
2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: August 17 – 22, Pacific Grove, Calif.
http://www.aceee.org/conf/08ss/08ssindex.htm
Smart Metering West Coast: August 18 – 19, Seattle, Wash.
http://www.metering.com/events
Energy Efficiency Summit East 2008: September 8 – 10, Washington, DC.
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=9e57ef57-81bf-470f-9b17-48b2d8060f0d
Utility Integrated Resource Planning: September 8 – 10, Atlanta, Ga.
http://www.marcusevansbb.com/UIRP2008
Energy Efficiency for the Mass Market: September 8 – 9, Atlanta, Ga.
https://www.euci.com/conferences/0908-efficiency/
EUCI: Demand Response and Energy Efficiency: October 9 – 10, Toronto, Ontario
https://www.euci.com/conferences/1008-dree-ca/
EUCI: NexGen – The Future of Demand Response and Energy Efficiency for North America: November 5 – 6, Boston, Mass.
No link for the moment
Green Build International Conference and Expo: November 19 – 21, Boston, Mass.
http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/
Editor: Reid Smith
----------
August 7, 2008
Blog
Reducing Hospital Costs through Efficiency
By Elisa Wood
August 7, 2008
The energy and healthcare industries share a mutual woe. Both are experiencing meteoric price increases.
The Alliance to Save Energy projects a household’s energy costs will be about $6,300 this year, representing about 13% of median pre-tax earnings. Meanwhile, the National Coalition on Health Care reports that medical costs rose 6.9%— two times the rate of inflation last year with total spending of $2.3 trillion or $7,600 per person. http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml
Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Energy has launched a program that brings energy efficiency to hospitals to drive down energy costs and reduce some of the financial pressure on the healthcare industry. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmarthospitals/
The program is important because hospitals are significant energy consumers. A hospital’s energy intensity is 2.5 times that of a commercial building. U.S. hospitals spend more than $5 billion annually on energy, which is 1-3% of their budgets and equivalent to at least 15% of profits.
The program’s goal is to improve efficiency 20% in existing buildings and 30% in new construction. Cost savings are expected to be large -- every $1 a non-profit hospital saves on energy is equivalent to generating $20 in new revenue, according to the DOE.
To read and comment on the entire blog, go to
http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/
Podcast
Increasing Car EE by Using Plastics
Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Jim Kolb, senior director of automotive programs for the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council. He discusses how plastics are used for light-weighting cars for energy efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, lightweight cars are not necessarily small and often rival the safety of their heavier counterparts.
To listen and subscribe to Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast, go to
http://www.realwriters.net/rew/rtlnkmr.htm
News
Senators Unveil Bipartisan Energy Plan
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-energy2-2008aug02,0,5500595.story
Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group Announces Acquisition of Water & Energy Savings Corporation
Tendril: Smart Grid Meets Zigbee Home Networks
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10001329-54.html
Savvy Consumer: Texas Takes Lead in Energy Efficient Houses
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/columnists/teresa_mcusic/story/800322.html
California Public Utilities Commission Sets Energy Efficiency Targets
http://eastbay.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/07/28/daily77.html
Rebates for Using Energy Efficient Storage Technologies on the Way
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/080408-energy-efficient-storage.html
DOE to Pursue Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings
http://www.energy.gov/news/6454.htm
Requests for Proposals
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
NYSERDA seeks proposals that develop and/or demonstrate strategies for commercial technologies that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases and petroleum consumption. The proposals must reduce vehicle miles traveled in New York State without harming the state’s economy and quality of life.
Proposals are due by September 16.
Proposals should be sent to:
Roseanne Viscusi, PON No. 1239
NYS Energy Research and Development Authority
17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399
Technical questions concerning this solicitation should be directed to Joe Tario at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3215, jdt@nyserda.org or Richard Drake at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3258, rld@nyserda.org. Contractual questions should be directed to Nancy Marucci at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3335, nsm@nyserda.org.
For information go to http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1239pon.asp.
Ontario Power Authority
The OPA seeks proposals for the management and delivery of the EKC Power Savings Event in 2009 and 2010. The proposals should include, without limitation: program administration, coordination of management of suppliers and of program channel partners, in-store training and merchandising, coupon tracking and fulfillment, program monitoring and evaluation, and program design consultation.
Proposals are due by August 18.
Proposals should be sent to:
RFP - 2009 to 2010 Every Kilowatt Counts Power Savings Event External Program
Manager
Ontario Power Authority
120 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1600
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1
Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at
Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.
For information go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=6602
Ontario Power Authority
This RFP seeks consultants to develop a 20-year energy and demand forecast and a consistent conservation potential assessment.
Proposals are due Sept. 19.
For information go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=6580
Applications should be submitted to:
Ontario Power Authority
120 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1600
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1
Attention: Dan Slavei
Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.
US Department of Energy
The US DOE has opened the second round of solicitations for the Loan Guarantee program, which offers up to $30.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for projects that employ advanced energy technologies and that avoid, reduce or sequester anthropogenic emissions of air pollutants or greenhouse gases. The three solicitations are for (1) energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution technologies; (2) advanced nuclear power facilities; and (3) advanced nuclear facilities for the 'front-end' of the nuclear fuel cycle.
For application material and information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/keydocs.html.
Questions concerning the solicitation should be directed to the Loan Guarantee Program Office at lgprogram@hq.doe.gov or 202-586-8336. For additional contact information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/contact.html.
For information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/index.html.
Progress Energy Florida
Progress Energy Florida (PEF) seeks proposals from potential suppliers of electric generating capacity and associated energy for alternatives to the “Next Planned Generating Unit,” which is approximately 1,159 MW of capacity available for commercial delivery by June 1, 2013. Proposals will compete with PEFs self-build option, consisting of a highly efficient, combined-cycle, natural gas unit to be built on company property at its existing Suwannee plant in Suwannee County, Fla.
Proposal must be received by Aug. 12. All inquiries and proposal submissions must be directed in writing to:
David Dawson
PEF Resource Planning
6565 38th Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
ph: (727) 344-4165
Fax : (727) 344-4184
PEF2013RFP@pgnmail.com
For information on this RFP: www.progress-energy.com/PEF2013RFP
US Department of Energy
The US DOE is offering up to $130 million over three years to advance development and use of fuel cells for automotive, stationary and portable power applications. This is part of the President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, which accelerates the pace of research and development of hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
Applications are due on or before Aug. 27, with funding subject to appropriations from Congress.
For more information: http://hydrogen.energy.gov.
Ontario Power Authority
The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) was directed by the Minister of Energy to procure up to 1,000 MW of high efficiency combined heat and power projects across Ontario. CHP configurations may be natural gas-fired industrial cogeneration, by-product fuel-fired industrial cogeneration, district energy cogeneration, or renewable fuel-fired industrial cogeneration.
Proposal submission deadline is Oct. 16.
For a full description of the RFP go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/GP/Page.asp?PageID=1224&SiteNodeID=174
Upcoming Events
2nd International conference on Energy Sustainability: August 10 – 14, Jacksonville, Fla.
http://www.asmeconferences.org/ES2008/
2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: August 17 – 22, Pacific Grove, Calif.
http://www.aceee.org/conf/08ss/08ssindex.htm
Smart Metering West Coast: August 18 – 19, Seattle, Wash.
http://www.metering.com/events
Energy Efficiency Summit East 2008: September 8 – 10, Washington, DC.
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=9e57ef57-81bf-470f-9b17-48b2d8060f0d
Utility Integrated Resource Planning: September 8 – 10, Atlanta, Ga.
http://www.marcusevansbb.com/UIRP2008
Energy Efficiency for the Mass Market: September 8 – 9, Atlanta, Ga.
https://www.euci.com/conferences/0908-efficiency/
EUCI: Demand Response and Energy Efficiency: October 9 – 10, Toronto, Ontario
https://www.euci.com/conferences/1008-dree-ca/
EUCI: NexGen – The Future of Demand Response and Energy Efficiency for North America: November 5 – 6, Boston, Mass.
No link for the moment
Green Build International Conference and Expo: November 19 – 21, Boston, Mass.
http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/
-----------
July 31, 2008
Blog
Congress Feels No Pain
By Elisa Wood
July 31, 2008
A big question often asked by energy analysts is: How high must energy prices be to motivate customers to change their behavior? We are beginning to think that the more perplexing matter is just how much do we pay before Congress reforms its behavior.
Prices are plenty high enough to encourage customers to conserve. Driving is down and pursuit of efficiency is up. Federal lawmakers, however, can’t seem to get beyond partisan maneuvering to extend efficiency incentives.
Wednesday they again came up short on votes for efficiency, solar and wind tax credits. Since existing credits expire at the end of the year, time is running out, and these industries are left with business-killing uncertainty. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073003020.html
The Jobs, Energy, Families & Disaster Relief Act of 2008, S. 3335, offers a range of measures aimed at encouraging several key efficiency policies. The bill extends tax credits for energy-efficient homes and appliances, and deductions for efficient commercial buildings. It creates incentives for plug-in electric cars and smart electric meters and grids.
Congress has been attempting to pass clean energy measures for months, but they keep getting leveraged against approval of other measures, this time oil drilling. Meanwhile, American households find themselves now paying 13% of pre-tax earnings on energy, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/4866
To read and comment on the entire blog, go to
http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/
Podcast
Market Drivers for Energy Efficient Building Retrofits
EE Markets Podcast interviews Gail Suchman, an attorney at the New York law firm, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, who discusses forces that drive today’s building retrofits. She explains how building owners can offset the cost of retrofitting by following state green building codes and pursuing efficiency tax credits.
To listen and subscribe to Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast, go to
http://www.realwriters.net/rew/rtlnkmr.htm
News
PG&E Planning for California’s Energy Future: Utility Files to Enhance Energy Efficiency Programs and Ensure Reliable Future Supply
http://www.pge.com/about/news/mediarelations/newsreleases/q3_2008/080722.shtml
USDA Awards $6.9 Million for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/07/0192.xml
ATC Transmission Improvements Double as Major Energy Efficiency Upgrades
DOE Launches EnergySmart Hospitals to Promote Improved Energy Efficiency in Healthcare
http://www.energy.gov/news/6428.htm
Scientists Test Computer Energy Efficiency
Protesters Say Duke Energy Will Gouge Customers with New Program
http://www.charlotte.com/business/story/732638.html
Requests for Proposals
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
NYSERDA seeks proposals that develop and/or demonstrate strategies that enable commercial technologies that have the potential of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and the consumption of petroleum product by reducing vehicle miles traveled in New York State without adversely affecting the State’s economy and quality of life.
Proposals are due by September 16.
Proposals should be sent to:
Roseanne Viscusi, PON No. 1239
NYS Energy Research and Development Authority
17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399
Technical questions concerning this solicitation should be directed to Joe Tario at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3215, jdt@nyserda.org or Richard Drake at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3258, rld@nyserda.org. Contractual questions should be directed to Nancy Marucci at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3335, nsm@nyserda.org.
For information go to http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1239pon.asp.
Ontario Power Authority
The OPA invites prospective proponents to submit proposals to manage and deliver the EKC Power Savings Event in 2009 and 2010. The proposals should include, without limitation: program administration, coordination of management of suppliers and of program channel partners, in-store training and merchandising, coupon tracking and fulfillment, program monitoring and evaluation, and program design consultation.
Proposals are due by August 18.
Proposals should be sent to:
RFP - 2009 to 2010 Every Kilowatt Counts Power Savings Event External Program
Manager
Ontario Power Authority
120 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1600
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1
Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at
Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.
For information go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=6602
Ontario Power Authority
This RFP seeks consultants to develop a 20-year energy and demand forecast and a consistent conservation potential assessment.
Proposals are due Sept. 19.
For information go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=6580
Applications should be submitted to:
Ontario Power Authority
120 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1600
Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1
Attention: Dan Slavei
Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.
US Department of Energy
The US DOE has opened the second round of solicitations for the Loan Guarantee program, which offers up to $30.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for projects that employ advanced energy technologies and that avoid, reduce or sequester anthropogenic emissions of air pollutants or greenhouse gases. The three solicitations are for (1) energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution technologies; (2) advanced nuclear power facilities; and (3) advanced nuclear facilities for the 'front-end' of the nuclear fuel cycle.
For application material and information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/keydocs.html.
Questions concerning the solicitation should be directed to the Loan Guarantee Program Office at lgprogram@hq.doe.gov or 202-586-8336. For additional contact information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/contact.html.
For information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/index.html.
Progress Energy Florida
Progress Energy Florida (PEF) seeks proposals from potential suppliers of electric generating capacity and associated energy for alternatives to the “Next Planned Generating Unit,” which is approximately 1,159 MW of capacity available for commercial delivery by June 1, 2013. Proposals will compete with PEFs self-build option, consisting of a highly efficient, combined-cycle, natural gas unit to be built on company property at its existing Suwannee plant in Suwannee County, Fla.
Proposal must be received by Aug. 12. All inquiries and proposal submissions must be directed in writing to:
David Dawson
PEF Resource Planning
6565 38th Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
ph: (727) 344-4165
Fax : (727) 344-4184
PEF2013RFP@pgnmail.com
For information on this RFP: www.progress-energy.com/PEF2013RFP
US Department of Energy
The US DOE is offering up to $130 million over three years to advance development and use of fuel cells for automotive, stationary and portable power applications. This is part of the President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, which accelerates the pace of research and development of hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
Applications are due on or before Aug. 27, with funding subject to appropriations from Congress.
For more information: http://hydrogen.energy.gov.
Ontario Power Authority
The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) was directed by the Minister of Energy to procure up to 1,000 MW of high efficiency combined heat and power projects across Ontario. CHP configurations may be natural gas-fired industrial cogeneration, by-product fuel-fired industrial cogeneration, district energy cogeneration, or renewable fuel-fired industrial cogeneration.
Proposal submission deadline is Oct. 16.
For a full description of the RFP go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/GP/Page.asp?PageID=1224&SiteNodeID=174
Upcoming Events
Enabling Tomorrow’s Utility with Advanced Smart Grid Technologies: August 4 – 5, Chicago, Ill.
https://www.euci.com/conferences/0808-smart-grid/
7th Annual Outage Management for Power Plants: August 4 – 6, Las Vegas, Nev.
http://www.marcusevansbb.com/OMPP2008
2nd International conference on Energy Sustainability: August 10 – 14, Jacksonville, Fla.
http://www.asmeconferences.org/ES2008/
2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: August 17 – 22, Pacific Grove, Calif.
http://www.aceee.org/conf/08ss/08ssindex.htm
Smart Metering West Coast: August 18 – 19, Seattle, Wash.
http://www.metering.com/events
Energy Efficiency Summit East 2008: September 8 – 10, Washington, DC.
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=9e57ef57-81bf-470f-9b17-48b2d8060f0d
Utility Integrated Resource Planning: September 8 – 10, Atlanta, Ga.
http://www.marcusevansbb.com/UIRP2008
Energy Efficiency for the Mass Market: September 8 – 9, Atlanta, Ga.
https://www.euci.com/conferences/0908-efficiency/
Green Build International Conference and Expo: November 19 – 21, Boston, Mass.
http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/
---------
July 24, 2008
Blog
What’s Cool about Air Conditioning
By Elisa Wood
July 24, 2008
Conservationists often mock Americans for their love affair with the car. But the air conditioner appears to be a growing rival for our affection.
Twenty years ago only about one-quarter of US residences had central air conditioning; by 2005 it was up to 62%, according to the United States Census Bureau. http://www.ahrinet.org/ARI/util/showdoc.aspx?doc=703.
As a result, for a handful of hot days, we use enormous amounts of electricity. We must build expensive power plants to ensure that we have enough electricity to run the air conditioners, even though the power plants aren’t needed for the rest of the year. Our grid operators usually use the least expensive power first. But with demand so high, even the dirty and high priced plants are called upon. With everything running full tilt in the heat, the system is vulnerable to outages.
The problem reveals itself again and again each summer, most recently l