Conservation Update — August 1996
U.S. Department of Energy
Free Resources Available: The 1995 NREL Information Resources
Catalogue is intended to inform anyone interested in energy efficiency
and renewable energy technologies of NREL's outreach activities,
including publications and services. The services section of the
catalogue represents many ways in which NREL makes information
available to the public, including a visitors' center, electronic networks,
and information hotlines. Documents listed were published by NREL
in fiscal year 1995 and include general interest publications, technical
reports, conference papers, journal articles, and patents.
The EnergyPubs Disk is produced by NREL and the DOE Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Technical Information Program. It is a
compilation of general interest publications produced during fiscal year 1995
on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Files are
in an ASCII format that is compatible with any word processing software.
Users are encouraged to pull information from these files for use in
their own publications. The catalogue and disk are free in limited quantities
and can be obtained through the document distribution service at
(303) 2754363 (phone), (303) 2754053 (fax),
or evanss@tcplink.nrel.gov (email). Contact: Anne Jones, (303) 275-3678.
Arizona
Rural Energy Efficiency and Economic Competitiveness Forum
The Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Division will host
a half-day forum on August 14, 1996 in Flagstaff, Arizona titled
"Rural Energy Efficiency and Economic Competitiveness."
The forum, which will be held in conjunction with the Energy
Policy Advisory Committee, will include a panel discussion featuring
northern Arizona electricity users, native American tribal representatives,
logging interests, and experts in municipal services and resource
conservation. The forum will draw together key individuals involved
in energy resource efficiency projects in northern Arizona. The
connection with economic development will be emphasized. The
entire program, including admission into the Museum of Northern
Arizona and lunch, is open to the public. Also featured on the
agenda is a tour of the Straw Bale House. For a meeting summary
and materials, contact Donna Drager at (602) 2801430.
Contact: Gloria Castro, (602) 2801402
California
Energy Commission funds research projects
Research on energy efficient residential water heaters, commercial
boilers, solar heating and air conditioning, and biorecycling
to convert animal waste into energy and liquid fertilizer have
been awarded funding by the California Energy Commission under
this year's Energy Technology Advancement Program.
A total of $1.72 million was awarded to the projects, three of
which focus on energy savings in residential and commercial buildings.
The participating companies are putting up over $18 million in
matching funds. All four awards are repayable research contracts.
The amounts "loaned" may be repaid through royalties
once the companies generate revenue as a result of the cofunded
projects. The funded projects are:
Alzeta Corporation Alzeta Corporation, located in Santa Clara,
will modify the design of a low emission perforated ceramic fiber
burner for residential water heaters, and use a proprietary method
of mass manufacturing to cut their price in half. Alzeta is undertaking
this project with A.D. Smith, a water heater manufacturer.
Alzeta Corporation, in association with PVI Industries of Fort
Worth, Texas, will modify an existing low emission metal burner
to integrate it into a smaller, less polluting firetube boiler
manufactured by PVI.
Bergquam Energy Systems This project features an innovative
heating and air conditioning system that uses solar energy in
an absorption refrigeration process. Bergquam Energy Systems
will use an advanced solar collector technology being developed
by Solar Enterprises International of Chicago. Known as an integrated
compound parabolic concentrator, this solar collector is capable
of operating at high temperatures and pressures.
Biorecycling Technologies, Inc. (BTI) Biorecycling Technologies
of Fontana will design, construct, and test a 5.5 megawatt bioconversion
plant in Corona to convert cow manure from dairies in the Chino
Basin into low-cost energy and farm fertilizer.
The Energy Commission's Energy Technology Advancement Program
(ETAP) leverages funds from private companies toward each project.
Since its establishment in 1984, ETAP has funded 68 projects
totaling more than $23.4 million, with project sponsors providing
more than $175 million in matching funds. The projects have provided
research, development and manufacturing jobs and tax revenues
to local and state government.
Contact: Claudia Chandler, (916) 6544989
Colorado
Clean Air Campaign recognized as a model
The Clean Air Campaign of the Pikes Peak Region was cited as
a model in the development of voluntary air quality programs as
part of the state's annual Clean Air Colorado Partner of the Year
Awards program.
Campaign officials and volunteers were recognized at a reception
at the Governor's Mansion hosted by the Colorado Department of
Health and Environment and the Corporate Alliance for Better Air.
The awards acknowledged the role non-governmental agencies play
in protecting the state's air quality, and recognized businesses,
nonprofits and public agencies who have developed outstanding
programs. The Clean Air Campaign won the award for a program
whereby volunteers help guide local businesses in developing and
maintaining pollution prevention programs in their facilities.
Over 2,000 entities were invited to apply for the awards. Award
criteria included how the nominated program got started, its success
in getting employees, clients or citizens to participate, and
the program's air quality benefit.
Contact: Linda Lewis, (303) 6334211
Florida
Florida Energy Loan Program
The Florida Energy Loan Program (FELP) was developed to help
Florida's small business owners reduce energy use and increase
energy efficiency. Small businesses comprise 98% of all businesses
in Florida. FELP provides energy analyses and onsite energy audits. Qualified energy specialists make an analysis of energy bills,
chart energy consumption, rate operational equipment, and explore
the potential use of innovative equipment such as heat pipes,
enthalpy wheels, heat recovery, demand lighting controls and motion
detectors.
When a business meets the parameters of the loan program, the
energy specialists make a cost/benefit analysis and assist the
business in applying for a FELP loan. The program issues loans
from $1,500 to $75,000. Thus far, it has issued 72 loans totaling
$1,550,000.
Contact: Katherine Hoelscher, (904) 4442060
Iowa
Energy Bank Database
The Energy Bureau within the Energy and Geological Resources
Division of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources works to
implement all cost-effective energy management projects in public
facilities including public schools, hospitals, local governments,
private colleges and private schools. The Energy Bank Program
relies on the Energy Bank Database to track all aspects of the
program. From initial contact to the final stages of implementation,
the database tracks it all. The database consists of several
data tables, reports, and data entry forms. The following types
of information are stored in the energy bank database:
- Building and institutional information: address, contact person,
phone numbers, building construction year and square footage;
- Financing information: type of financing (self, Energy Bank),
amount, date financed;
- Participation information: when the client joined the program,
fees, number of buildings involved;
- Building consumption and end use: building's yearly energy consumption
and uses;
- Energy studies: which buildings were studied, when, and by whom;
and
- Energy Management Improvements: projects recommended, project
costs and savings, simple payback.
In addition to tracking client progress, the database is used
to determine what type of projects are typically recommended and
implemented, what the average energy savings and costs are for
each project type, and what the achievable energy savings are
by building size and type. This information is then used in the
review of analyses, to ensure technical accuracy based on historical
information. A complete description of the data available form
the Iowa Energy Bank Database and descriptions of our progress
tracking reports can be found on the World Wide Web. Please see
the Energy Bureau Home Page at http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/energy/index.htm.
Contact: Mary Jane Mewis, (515) 2816559
Iowa Renewable Energy Expo and Showcase
The Iowa Renewable Energy Association (IRENEW) will be presenting
their fifth annual Iowa Renewable Energy Expo and Alternative
Fuel Vehicle Showcase featuring displays, demonstrations and workshops
on wind, solar energy conservation, agricultural energy technologies,
energy efficient building design, utility issues and vehicles.
This event will be in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on September 7 and 8,
1996.
Contact: Nancy Ewald, (319) 3383200 or Tom Snyder, (319)
8758772
Kentucky
Kentucky greenhouse gas inventory
Kentucky has completed a study of the state's sources and emissions
of greenhouse gases (GHGs) for the year 1990. The project was
funded primarily by the US EPA. The principal investigator was
Dr. Hugh T. Spencer, Director of the Center for Environmental
Engineering at the University of Louisville. The major sources
of GHGs were electric power plants, the emission of refrigerant
compounds, the transportation sector, methane released from coal
mining, and the industrial sector. The growth of trees on abandoned
mine land absorbed significant amounts of carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere. The Kentucky Division of Energy assembled a technical
advisory committee representing a range of sectors to review and
comment on the draft report.
Contact: Geoffrey Young, (502) 5647192
Massachusetts
Massachusetts receives national energy award
Two state agencies, the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources
(DOER) and the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA),
have been nationally recognized for their work with Massachusetts
companies seeking federal funding for innovative technology.
DOER and OTA were presented the National Industrial Competitiveness
through Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE3) Communications
and Management Award at a national awards ceremony in Washington,
DC in May.
Sponsored by the US DOE's Office of Technologies, the award recognizes
the high quality and number of proposals submitted for NICE3 funding
since the program's founding in 1992. Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania
also were honored.
With the help of DOER and OTA, 15 Massachusetts companies have
sbmsubmittedoposals to the NICE3 program over the past three years.
Erving Paper of Erving was awarded a $425,000 grant, the largest
grant amount available in 1994. This year, two of the 17 total
national grants available were awarded to Massachusetts companies:
Brittany Dyeing and Printing Corp. of New Bedford and ThermoTrex
Corp. of Waltham, each of which will receive $425,000.
The federal program provides onetime grants to help offset startup
risks for innovative technology demonstration projects that significantly
conserve energy, reduce industrial waste, prevent pollution and
improve industrial cost competitiveness. The grants, which are
provided by US DOE and US EPA, award up to $425,000 and require
a cost share of at least 55% of the total project. After the
initial funding, the awardee is expected to commercialize the
process or technology.
Contact: Vicki Pitluk, (617) 7274732, ext. 133
Michigan
Draft AFV Plan Released for Public Comment
A draft Michigan State Plan for Alternative Fueled Vehicles has
been released for public comment. The Energy Policy Act of 1992
encourages states to develop alternative fueled vehicle plans
and requires state governments and fuel providers to purchase
alternative fueled vehicles. The state's response to this mandate
is included in the Michigan plan. A task force with representatives
from eight state departments developed the plan. The plan analyzes
the potential benefits of alternative fueled vehicles and a variety
of issues related to the development of these types of vehicles
in Michigan. Some of the issues analyzed are the tax treatment
of alternative fuels, public education, state motor vehicle fleets,
and the Clean Cities program.
The plan recommends that the state's long-term policy goals should
be neutral to all vehicle fuels, but the short-term policy of the
state should be to reduce market barriers to the introduction
of alternative fuels. Public comments are due August 30, 1996
and will be used by the state task force to prepare the final
Michigan plan which will guide state departments that could use
alternative fuels. The draft plan is on the world wide web at
http://ermisweb.state.mi.us/AFV.
Contact: John Sarver, (517) 3347234
Michigan Directory of Energy Efficiency Products and Services
Urban Options, a nonprofit organization dedicated to energy and
environmental education, and the Energy Resources Division have
developed Energy Efficiency: It's Our Business, a Michigan directory
of energy efficiency products and services. In addition to listing
energy efficiency businesses, the directory identifies information
resources and provides energy saving ideas for building managers.
Urban Options and Energy Resources will distribute 20,000 copies
to builders, architects, engineers, building managers, and consumers.
Contact: John Sarver, (517) 3347234
South Carolina
Energy Performance Contracting Manual
All across the country, methods of energy performance contracting
offered by energy service companies (ESCOs) are being used as
a practical way for public institutions and private companies
to finance needed capital energy projects for their facilities.
Numerous state and federal government agencies have enacted legislation
allowing the use of performance contracting to implement energy saving
capital projects. Due to the passage of the South Carolina Energy
Conservation and Efficiency Act of 1992, the state's school districts
and state agencies may now enter into guaranteed energy savings
contracts to implement these projects and reap the benefits of
substantial energy savings.
A performance contract is defined as a shared savings agreement
whereby an ESCO pays for the entire cost of the contract up front.
In return for its investment, the ESCO gets a fixed share of
the future energy savings and the facility owner gets the remaining
monthly savings. These contracts usually last for five years
or more, and during that time the ESCO owns the equipment and
maintains it. After the contract term, the facility owner owns
the equipment, assumes responsibility for the maintenance, and
gets the entire energy savings.
The South Carolina office will be soliciting proposals to contract
for the development of an energy performance contracting manual.
This step-by-step "how to" guide will assist state agencies
and public school districts in selecting and using a performance
contractor in an effort to reduce energy consumption and costs
in their facilities. The guide will help the reader evaluate
energy conservation measures, wade through the terminology, negotiate
the contract, and execute the agreement.
The energy office anticipates that the guide will be completed
in September. In addition, the energy office will conduct two
one-day workshops on the manual for state agency and public school
district personnel.
Contact: Reneé Daggerhart, (803) 7378030
Tennessee
State Building Energy Management Handbook
The Tennessee Department of General Services, State Building
Energy Management Program, has just published the second edition
of the Energy Management Handbook. Originally published in 1980,
it has been revised and updated to include the latest technologies,
and has been prepared to serve as a practical guide for planning
and implementing building energy management activities in state-owned
facilities. New sections include Energy Monitoring and Control
Systems and Building Commissioning, while the original lighting
section has been expanded and retre-titled cover the entire electrical
system. Other chapters cover mechanical and building envelope
upgrades.
Written primarily for building managers, coverage of capital
energy conservation opportunities is intentionally brief, with
a focus on the practical aspects of energy savings. Two appendices
provide 24 pages of energy audit forms and a 38-page economic conservation
opportunities checklist covering building envelope, electrical,
HVAC, and domestic hot water systems.
Technical support was provided through a contract with the Center
for Research Service and Inquiry, Inc. (CRSI), of Knoxville, Tennessee,
a nonprofit organization that has provided similar services to
the US Army at more than twenty military installations, and in
more than 1,500,000 gross square feet of space in TVA buildings
and other related facilities, for both the private and public
sectors. During June, CRSI staff, together with Department of
General Services Energy Management staff, conducted energy management
workshops in Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville for state facility
administrators, managers, and supervisors, as well as interested
representatives of academic facilities, the engineering community
and private industry. Because of the interest shown, additional
summer and fall workshops are being scheduled across the state.
For more information regarding upcoming workshops, or to obtain
copies of the Energy Management Handbook, please contact Mary
Charlotte Hall at the number below.
Contact: Mary Charlotte Hall, (615) 7419358
Wisconsin
Solar Wise for Schools Makes PV Educational
Initiating what could well be one of the most innovative photovoltaic
(PV) programs in the country, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
of Green Bay announced that it will begin putting operating PV
systems on public high schools in its service territory. Solar
Wise for Schools is designed to promote installation of line-connected
PV systems in an educational setting. Participating schools will
receive a 12 kW system which will deliver about 16,000 kilowatt
hours of electricity and save the school about $2,100 a year.
In addition, the systems are expected to save 21,000 pounds of
coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 37,000 pounds annually.
The systems are expected to last 20 to 30 years and require very
little maintenance. Each system will be monitored daily by a
computer.
The PV systems will be paid for through a variety of sources,
including the first "green pricing" program offered
in Wisconsin. Green pricing allows utility customers to make
a tax-deductible contribution to "green energy" of $4,
$2, or $1 in their monthly utility bill payment. Participating
schools will be able to use their working systems to teach students
about solar and other alternative energy sources. The utility
will also provide renewable energy teaching materials to schools
and has added a Solar Wise section to its Internet home page (http://www.wpsr.com)
to facilitate student research into solar energy and to post
student reports for others to learn from.
Contact: Jeff DeLaune, (414) 4331722
