August, 2008

August 28, 2008

Blog

Efficiency’s Role in Carbon Cap-and-Trade

By Elisa Wood

August 28, 2008

We hear a lot about how efficiency will play an increasingly important role as the United States undertakes efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But how does that play out in a practical sense under cap-and-trade programs?

The Offset Quality Initiative provides insight in a new white paper on greenhouse gas offsets:

http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/OQI-Ensuring-Offset-Quality-white-paper.pdf

A cap-and-trade program, like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), caps emissions at a certain level in a geographic location, and then lets players use various trading mechanisms to operate within the cap. See Lisa Cohn’s blog in August 21 issue of Energy Efficiency Markets: http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/eastern-states-ready-for-big-ee-boost/

One of those mechanisms is an offset, which acts as a counterbalance to reduce overall greenhouse gases. More specifically, an offset represents emissions reduced at one site to make up for emissions produced elsewhere.

Offsets can be bought and sold in the form of credits. A commercial building owner might install efficiency improvements that reduce the amount of carbon dioxide the building produces. The owner then translates the emissions reductions into offsets under standards set by the cap-and-trade program. A power plant might buy the offsets to ‘reduce’ its emissions. The plant does not actually cut back on what it emits, but instead piggybacks on the building’s reductions. Overall emissions fall, so the cap-and-trade program achieves its goal.

To read and comment on the entire blog, go to

http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/ or

http://energyefficiencymarkets.blogspot.com/

Podcast

Energy Efficiency Business and Reaching New Markets, Part 1

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Steve Wunker, senior partner with Innosight, which advises businesses about entering new markets. He discusses the strategic side of entering new markets for companies that offer energy efficiency technologies. He recommends that expanding businesses avoid chasing big name customers initially and instead seek strong “foot-hold” customers that need the efficiency product and do not compete with other customers.

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

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

News

PSC Sets Energy Efficiency Incentives for Utilities

http://readme.readmedia.com/news/show/PSC-Sets-Energy-Efficiency-Incentives-For-Utilities/280327

U.S. National Clean Energy Summit Generates Fresh Ideas

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-20-02.asp

DOE to Invest $26 Million in Industrial Energy Efficiency Projects

http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11946

National Grid is Promoting Energy Efficiency

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20080825/OPINION02/29880/National+Grid+is+promoting+energy+efficiency

Cemtrex Launches Green-DCV Based Energy Efficiency System for Commercial Buildings

http://www.theenergydaily.com/pressreleases/environmental_services/200808140800PR_NEWS_USPR_____NETH020.html

Maryland Announces $1.5 Million for Energy Efficiency Loans

http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/8184.shtml

Easy On the Environment: Paducah Firm Spurs Bond Fund for Energy Efficiency Programs

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1842174/

Requests for Proposals

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)

The CCEF seeks experienced applicants with in-depth knowledge of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry, as well as economic analysis and evaluation experience. The project winner will develop a renewable energy/energy efficiency economy baseline study for the state.

Proposals are due by October 2.

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to info@ctcleanenergy.com. All questions, and subsequent responses, will be posted on CCEF's Web site at www.ctcleanenergy.com.

For information go to http://www.ctcleanenergy.com/Portals/0/CCEF-CTCEEBS-001.pdf

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

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.

Applications are due Dec. 11.

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.

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

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/

Optimizing and Innovating to Shape Your Future: Next Generation Supply Chain: September 14 - 16, San Fancisco, Calif.

www.upmg.org

Energy Camp Interop: September 16, New York, NY.

http://www.energycamp.org/

The 21st Annual E Source Forum and Exhibit: September 21 - 25, Denver, Colo.

http://www.esource.com/node/23535

GridWeek 2008 Delivering Sustainable Energy: September 23 – 25, Washington, DC.

http://www.energycentral.com/centers/calendar/event.cfm?eid=18756

Demand Response and Energy Efficiency Canada: 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

Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Symposium, 2008: November 5 – 8, Atlanta, Ga.

http://www.greentechnewsmag.com/energy08_program.php

Green Build International Conference and Expo: November 19 – 21, Boston, Mass.

http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/

EcoBuild: December 8 – 11, Washington, DC.

http://www.ecobuildamerica.com/fallhome.html

Editor: Reid Smith

realenergywriter@comcast.net

-------------

August 21, 2008

Blog

Eastern States Ready for Big EE Boost

By Lisa Cohn

August 21, 2008

Several eastern states will see a large injection of cash for energy efficiency after the nation’s first mandatory auction of carbon dioxide allowances September 25.

The auction marks the United States entry into the world of capping and trading carbon dioxide emissions. Ten states are participating in the program, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), or more commonly called “Reggie.”

To comply with RGGI, power generators must purchase carbon allowances, or permits. The September auction marks the first open sale of the allowances.

Why is this good for energy efficiency? Because the states will earn significant revenue from the sale of allowances, and many plan to put the money into efficiency programs.

By some estimates the first auction could earn the states as much as $63 million. That is with only six states participating: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. The other four states, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York did not have time to finalize their auction rules. However, those states have an opportunity to participate in a second auction in December.

To read and comment on the entire blog, go to

http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/

Podcast

How Companies Benefit from Carbon Footprint Reduction

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Mark Breuker, director of energy consulting for Advantage IQ, a comprehensive expense management and an energy and environmental solution service for multi-site companies. He explains how companies can measure and reduce their carbon footprint in order to receive carbon credits, which are quickly becoming a hot commodity as legislation changes. He discusses how CEOs and employees feel empowered once they get a handle on their carbon emissions by cutting operational costs, helping control climate change, as well as generating good PR.

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

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

News

Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine: The Electric Sector's Price Inversion

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/8/15/122544/289

DOE Wants Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings Available by 2025

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53339

Less Juice: Clinton Wants Power Companies to Sell Efficiency

http://blogs.wsj.com/environmentalcapital/2008/08/19/less-juice-clinton-wants-power-companies-to-sell-efficiency/

Duke CEO to Make its Case for Save-a-Watt

http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1182441.html

'EZ' Focuses on Energy Efficiency

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.ezprogram14aug14,0,2289510.story

Utilities to Push Energy Efficiency

http://news.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2008_08_20_Utilities_to_push_energy_efficiency/srvc=home&position=also

Requests for Proposals

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

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

For information go to http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1239pon.asp.

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

Applications are due Dec. 11.

For application material and information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/keydocs.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

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

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/

Energy Camp Interop: September 16, New York, NY.

http://www.energycamp.org/

GridWeek 2008 Delivering Sustainable Energy: September 23 – 25, Washington, DC.

http://www.energycentral.com/centers/calendar/event.cfm?eid=18756

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/

EcoBuild: December 8 – 11, Washington, DC.

http://www.ecobuildamerica.com/fallhome.html

Editor: Reid Smith

realenergywriter@comcast.net

---------

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

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

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

For application material and information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/keydocs.html.

For information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/index.html.

US Department of Energy

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

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

realenergywriter@comcast.net

----------

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

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/constellation-energys-projects--services/story.aspx?guid=%7BE4025110-F390-490E-94BD-B7BE36B663FE%7D&dist=hppr

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

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

For information go to http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1239pon.asp.

Ontario Power Authority

Proposals are due by August 18.

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

For application material and information go to http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/keydocs.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

Applications are due on or before Aug. 27, with funding subject to appropriations from Congress.

For more information: http://hydrogen.energy.gov.