September, 2008

September 25, 2008

 

Blog

Efficiency and the Jobs Argument

 

By Elisa Wood

September 25, 2008

 

How will the recent bad economic news affect energy efficiency efforts? Will state lawmakers retreat from the many financial commitments made over the last year?

 

It is too soon to know the answer. But one thing is for sure, the industry may have to shift its marketing message. Consumers and politicians typically are keener on protecting the environment in good times than they are in bad.

 

The fact that efficiency programs create jobs seems to strike a cord. If you are looking for facts and figures to bolster arguments about efficiency’s job-creation ability, check out the 300-plus page report, “Green Jobs: Towards decent work in a sustainable world.”

 

Released this month by the Worldwatch Institute, the report says that the global market for environmental products and services is likely double from $1,370 billion per year to $2,740 billion by 2020.  Half of this market is in energy efficiency.

 

US clean technologies are already the third largest sector for venture capital – bested only by information and biotechnology.

 

Further, the report cites data from the Apollo Alliance New Energy for America that says 827,260 jobs could be created in the United States through investment in high-performance buildings alone -- both retrofitting and new green construction.

 

To read and comment on the entire blog, go to

http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/ or

http://energyefficiencymarkets.blogspot.com/

 

 

Podcast

Improving the Efficiency of the Transmission Grid

 

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Kenneth Reich, partner in WolfBlock's Environmental and Land Use Practice Group in Boston. He discusses the need for federal policy to fix the outdated and inefficient US transmission system. A national energy policy must alleviate grid congestion, implement energy efficiency and demand side resources, and eliminate electric heat loss over long distances, he says.

 

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

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

 

 

News

California Adopts Groundbreaking Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan as Roadmap to Achieve Maximum Savings

http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/NEWS_RELEASE/91027.htm

 

Virginia Can Reduce Electricity Needs by 20% through Energy Efficiency, says ACEEE Report

http://www.aceee.org/press/e085pr.htm

 

Michigan Lawmakers Approve Sweeping Energy Plan

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/09/19/ap5447570.html

 

Vermont Unveils New Home Energy Efficiency Programs

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/82141/

 

The Nation's Fuel Economy is on the Rise

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/bd77b077d5574ea4852574c900509fcd!OpenDocument

 

Dell Driving Transition to Energy-Efficient LED Displays

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/dell-driving-transition-energy-efficient-led/story.aspx?guid={DC160909-8AC6-4C74-85B6-C5A694B76FF6}&dist=hppr

 

 

Requests for Proposals      

 

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection seeks a contractor to set up and operate the "Garden State Climate Fund,” a state greenhouse gas (GHG) voluntary offset program. The winner will establish ways to assess GHG offset projects and verify third parties, oversee voluntary offset projects, and create a business and marketing plan for promoting offset programs.

 

Submit intentions to bid by October 7 and applications by November 25.

 

Questions and bids should be sent to Sarah Barrett at Sarah.Barrett@dep.state.nj.us.

 

For more information go to http://www.state.nj.us/globalwarming/pdf/GSCFRFP916.pdf.

 

California Energy Commission

The California Energy Commission seeks contractors to conduct and direct integrated research under the PIER Buildings program. This RFP is the first of a possible series of annual technology innovation solicitations for energy efficiency research on buildings. The contractor should bring together a team with administrative, research and market expertise.

 

Proposals are due by October 24.

 

Direct questions to the commission’s contract office at rgrant@energy.state.ca.us.

 

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

 

Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy’s Environmental and Economic Research and Development Program (EERD) seeks to fund projects that research the impact of electricity generation and natural gas use on the environment and economy of Wisconsin. Studies should focus on environmental and economic impacts of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, biomass energy production and use, and impacts of climate change that may be attributed to electric or natural gas use.


Proposals are due by November 13. Prospective applicants must e-mail an Intent to Propose form to Ingrid Kelley at ikelley@ecw.org by October 23.

 

Questions should be directed to Ingrid Kelley at ikelley@ecw.org or (608) 238-8276 ext. 136.

For more information go to http://www.focusonenergy.com/Enviro-Econ-Research/Environmental_Research_Program.aspx

 

Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF)

The CEDF seeks proposals for state projects that promote the development and deployment of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electric power resources. The primary focus should be on renewable energy resources and the use of combined heat and power technologies for the long-term benefit of customers.

 

Proposals are due by October 1.

 

Questions and application materials should be directed to Anne.Margolis@state.vt.us.

 

For more information go to http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy/ee_cleanenergyfund.html

 

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 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

 

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 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.

 

Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.

 

For a full description of the RFP go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/GP/Page.asp?PageID=1224&SiteNodeID=174

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Demand Response-Expo: October 6 - 7, Toronto, Ontario.

http://www.dr-expo.com/2008/toronto/

 

Demand Response and Energy Efficiency Canada: October 9 – 10, Toronto, Ontario.

https://www.euci.com/conferences/1008-dree-ca/

 

Transmission Renaissance 2008 - Building the Grid for Renewables, Reliability & Markets: October 15 – 17, Washington, DC.

http://www.infocastinc.com/index.php/conference/111   

 

FERC Compliance Summit: October 20 - 22, Washington DC.

http://www.infocastinc.com/index.php/conference/ferc08

 

Essentials of Energy Risk Management & Option Applications in Energy: October 21 - 24, Houston, Tex.

http://www.paradigmtraining.com/

 

The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) 25th Annual Conference: October 28 - 29, Santa Monica, Calif.

http://www.naesco.org/

 

The Future of Demand Response and Energy Efficiency for North America: November 5 – 6, Boston, Mass.

https://www.euci.com/conferences/1108-dr-boston/register.php

 

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

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

 

ArchLED ’08 LED Lighting for the Built Environment: November 12 – 14, Chicago Ill.

www.mwalliance.org/LEDworkshop

 

Transmission and Distribution Summit 2008: November 16 - 18, Colorado Springs, Colo.

http://www.t-dsummit.com/

 

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

http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/

 

Energy Efficiency Summit East 2008: December 8 – 10, Washington, DC.

http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=9e57ef57-81bf-470f-9b17-48b2d8060f0d

 

EcoBuild: December 8 – 11, Washington, DC.

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

 

MEEA's annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference: January 7 – 9, Chicago Ill.

www.mwalliance.org/conference

 

 

Editor: Reid Smith

realenergywriter@comcast.net

 

---------

September 18, 2008

 

Blog

Profile of a White Tag Project

 

By Lisa Cohn

September 18, 2008

 

Few topics we write about here draw as much attention as energy efficiency certificates. After we mention the certificates, we inevitably receive inquiries from data centers or other large energy users, who want more information.

 

The certificates also are called “white tags,” a term trademarked by marketer Sterling Planet.  Interest in the certificates likely stems from the increasing use nationwide of a more established sister product, renewable energy certificates or green tags. Green tags come from renewable energy projects, while the newer white tags are generated by efficiency measures, like lighting retrofits, combined heat and power, and demand response.

 

Both white and green tags can be bought and sold. Utilities and other electricity retailers need them to meet mandates in certain states that they provide a set amount of their supply from clean or efficiency energy sources. Voluntary markets also exist for the tags throughout the country. In this case, companies or institutions buy the tags not to meet a law, but as an environmental gesture.

 

Connecticut has led the way in creating a white tag market. The state requires that utilities and electric retailers make efficiency 2% of their power portfolios this year. The requirement grows to 4% by 2010.

 

Here we provide a profile of a recent white tag project we unearthed in the files of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control. An IBM data center in the town of Southbury created the white tags and won approval September 12 of their validity under Connecticut rules.

 

To read and comment on the entire blog, go to

http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/ or

http://energyefficiencymarkets.blogspot.com/

 

 

Podcast

Revolutionizing the Transmission System with Smart Technologies and Policies


Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Kurt Yeager, co-author of the new book "Perfect Power: How the Microgrid Revolution will Unleash Cleaner, Greener, More Abundant Energy." The electric transmission grid in the US is outdated and overloaded and is not sufficient for the addition of new, intermittent, renewable energy sources. He argues that we need to use smart technologies and implement new policies at the local and national level to solve this problem. His plan would put consumers in control of their energy usage.

 

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

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

 

 

News

Massachusetts Leading the Charge on Efficient Energy

 

DOE and Ad Council Launch Energy Efficiency Campaign for Youth

 

Power Integrations Launches Charger/Adapter Reference Designs Using New LinkSwitch

 

Chevrolet Volt Leads General Motors into Its Second Century

 

Energy Efficiency Key to Independence

 

How to Make Your House Energy Efficient Without Major Renovations

 

For links to the full news stories, go to

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

 

 

Requests for Proposals         

 

Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy’s Environmental and Economic Research and Development Program (EERD) seeks to fund projects that research the impact of electricity generation and natural gas use on the environment and economy of Wisconsin. Studies should focus on environmental and economic impacts of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, biomass energy production and use, and impacts of climate change that may be attributed to electric or natural gas use.

 

Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF)

The CEDF seeks proposals for state projects that promote the development and deployment of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electric power resources. The primary focus should be on renewable energy resources and the use of combined heat and power technologies for the long-term benefit of customers.

 

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.

 

Ontario Power Authority

This RFP seeks consultants to develop a 20-year energy and demand forecast and a consistent conservation potential assessment.

 

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.

 

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.

 

For full descriptions of the RFPs, go to            

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

 

 

Upcoming Events       

 

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

 

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

 

International Policy Leaders Dialogue Energy Efficiency: Cost-Effective Carbon Reduction: September 25, Washington DC.

 

Demand Response and Energy Efficiency Canada: October 9 – 10, Toronto, Ontario.

 

Transmission Renaissance 2008 - Building the Grid for Renewables, Reliability & Markets: October 15 – 17, Washington, DC.

 

Essentials of Energy Risk Management & Option Applications in Energy: October 21 - 24, Houston, Tex.

 

The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) 25th Annual Conference: October 28 - 29, Santa Monica, Calif.

 

The Future of Demand Response and Energy Efficiency for North America: November 5 – 6, Boston, Mass.

 

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

 

ArchLED ’08 LED Lighting for the Built Environment: November 12 – 14, Chicago Ill.

 

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

 

Energy Efficiency Summit East 2008: December 8 – 10, Washington, DC.

 

EcoBuild: December 8 – 11, Washington, DC.

 

MEEA's annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference: January 7 – 9, Chicago Ill.

 

For more information on the upcoming events, go to:

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

 

 

Editor: Reid Smith

realenergywriter@comcast.net

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

September 11, 2008

 

Blog

Next, the Air Car?

 

By Reid Smith

September 11, 008

Vehicles account for 26% of the nation's carbon dioxide emissions, and 51% of the average household's daily CO2 output (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/climate.shtml), according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. So, clearly fuel economy is critical to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Big car manufacturers, like GM, Ford and Toyota, have seen a dramatic drop in recent sales. In response, they are beginning to make smaller, more fuel-efficient, vehicles, as well as step up research on new fuels. GM announced development of the battery-powered Chevy Volt, set to be released in 2010. This is a much needed move in the right direction.

However, we need more revolutionary change. The solution, it seems, will come from companies that are reaching far outside traditional lines of thought and coming up with truly innovative ways to fuel our cars. One such company, Motor Development International (MDI) (www.mdi.lu) of France, has developed a vehicle that can run almost exclusively on compressed air, and therefore only emits air. MDI, which is headed by Guy Negre, founded the company in the 1990s in pursuit of a new environmentally friendly engine that was also cost competitive.

The car runs on compressed air at speeds up to 35 mph. Then conventional fuels kick in – fossil fuels or biofuels.  These cars could be particularly effective in reducing city pollution, since we tend to drive slower on urban roads.

 

One tank of compressed air lasts up to 93 miles before it needs to be filled. The tank can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet and filled in about four hours. It is also possible to refill the tank much more quickly – in as little as three minutes using a high-pressured air pump.

 

To read and comment on the entire blog, go to

http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/ or

http://energyefficiencymarkets.blogspot.com/

 

 

Podcast

Science Fiction Is Now a Reality: Smart Building

 

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Nancy Edwards Cronin, principal partner with IP Capital Group. She discusses the growing market for "new" Smart Buildings and how science fiction is becoming a reality as technology advances and prices drop for energy efficient appliances. For example, technologies are under development that may deliver wireless electricity or turn off all appliances and lights with one main switch.

 

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

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

 

 

News

 

DOE Announces $6.6 Million in Competitive Grant Selections for Innovative State Efficiency, Renewables Initiatives

http://www.energy.gov/news/6515.htm

 

Allegheny Power Proposes Projects to Help Meet EmPOWER Maryland Targets

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/allegheny-power-proposes-projects-help/story.aspx?guid={63E0ACF2-7BBC-47E2-B659-818304A6B6C7}&dist=hppr

 

Energy Efficiency on Menu for Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting

http://www.eagletribune.com/pubiz/local_story_253092344.html?keyword=topstory

 

Wisconsin Proposal Promotes Energy Efficiency

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080904/GPG03/809040554/1247

 

Texas Instruments Does Energy Efficiency on a Chip

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10033769-54.html

 

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance & the Passage of House Bill 670 in 2008

http://www.carriagetradepr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=553&Itemid=16

 

 

Requests for Proposals      

 

Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF)

The CEDF seeks proposals for state projects that promote the development and deployment of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electric power resources. The primary focus should be on renewable energy resources and the use of combined heat and power technologies for the long-term benefit of customers.

 

Proposals are due by October 1.

 

Contact Anne.Margolis@state.vt.us for application materials and/or questions.

 

For more information go to http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy/ee_cleanenergyfund.html

 

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.

 

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.

 

For information go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=6580

 

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.

 

Questions should be directed to Dan Slavei at Dan.Slavei@powerauthority.on.ca.

 

For a full description of the RFP go to http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/GP/Page.asp?PageID=1224&SiteNodeID=174

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

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

www.upmg.org

 

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

http://www.energycamp.org/

 

Climate Control Regimes in California and the West: September 17 – 19, San Francisco, Calif.

http://www.infocastinc.com/index.php/conference/climate

 

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

 

International Policy Leaders Dialogue Energy Efficiency: Cost-Effective Carbon Reduction: September 25, Washington DC.

http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/events1/international/

 

Demand Response and Energy Efficiency Canada: October 9 – 10, Toronto, Ontario.

https://www.euci.com/conferences/1008-dree-ca/

 

Essentials of Energy Risk Management & Option Applications in Energy: October 21 - 24, Houston, Tex.

http://www.paradigmtraining.com/

 

The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) 25th Annual Conference: October 28 - 29, Santa Monica, Calif.

http://www.naesco.org/

 

The Future of Demand Response and Energy Efficiency for North America: November 5 – 6, Boston, Mass.

https://www.euci.com/conferences/1108-dr-boston/register.php

 

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/

 

Energy Efficiency Summit East 2008: December 8 – 10, Washington, DC.

http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=9e57ef57-81bf-470f-9b17-48b2d8060f0d

 

EcoBuild: December 8 – 11, Washington, DC.

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

 

 

Editor: Reid Smith

realenergywriter@comcast.net

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

September 4, 2008

 

Blog

Getting Ready for the Next US Industrial Boom

 

By Elisa Wood

September 4, 2008

 

Selling large manufacturers on energy efficiency isn’t easy, even though they stand to achieve great bang for the buck. Manufacturers are apt to only consider efficiency improvements as part of a major plant expansion or improvement. Such capital expenditures tend to occur in a cyclical fashion, and manufacturers give little thought between cycles to new efficiency measures. 

 

The good news is that the United States appears to be readying for a new cycle of industrial capital investment, creating a window of opportunity for energy efficiency companies, according to a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

 

“Trends in Industrial Investment Decision Making” points to several clues that factories are preparing to refit and expand after years of avoiding the risk of such investments.

 

•Plant capacity, or level of output in producing goods, is rising to historic levels. High capacity rates encourage factory owners to expand and new competitors to enter the market and build plants.

•Product output per employee is up, a frequent precursor to new capital investment by manufacturers.

•The cost to ship goods to the United States has escalated dramatically because of a shortage of ships and high fuel prices. Thus, it is increasingly cost-effective to produce goods within the country rather than overseas.

 

To read and comment on the entire blog, go to

http://energyefficiencymarkets.wordpress.com/  or

http://energyefficiencymarkets.blogspot.com/

 

 

Podcast

Energy Efficiency Businesses and Reaching New Markets, Part 2

 

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 try to win on several performance metrics and seek trade offs to facilitate innovations.

 

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

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

 

 

News

 

ConsumerPowerline Acquires DemandDirect LLC

http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews+articleid_2573111.html

 

The World's Most Fuel-Efficient Car

http://autospeed.com/cms/A_1417/article.html?popularArticle

 

Connecticut Offers Rebates for New, Efficient Furnaces

http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7621:state-offers-rebates-for-new-efficient-furnaces&catid=46:rfd-local&Itemid=25

 

USDA Awards $35M for Energy Projects

http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews+articleid_2555710.html

 

AmerenUE Invests $77M in Energy Efficiency Programs

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/08/25/daily71.html

 

Cray Unveils High-Efficiency "Green" Cooling Technology for the Petascale Computing Era

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0428772.htm

 

 

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

 

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/

 

Climate Control Regimes in California and the West: September 17 – 19, San Francisco, Calif.

http://www.infocastinc.com/index.php/conference/climate

 

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/

 

The Future of Demand Response and Energy Efficiency for North America: November 5 – 6, Boston, Mass.

https://www.euci.com/conferences/1108-dr-boston/register.php

 

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/

 

Energy Efficiency Summit East 2008: December 8 – 10, Washington, DC.

http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=9e57ef57-81bf-470f-9b17-48b2d8060f0d

 

EcoBuild: December 8 – 11, Washington, DC.

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

 

 

Editor: Reid Smith

realenergywriter@comcast.net

 

 

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