Energy efficiency costs, budget to increase in Vt.
Oct 21, 2010 Bloomberg
The budget of Vermont's statewide energy efficiency program and the costs to ratepayers are going up.
Ratepayers currently pay less-than-a-penny tax per kilowatt-hour on their electric bills to support power-saving programs administered by Efficiency Vermont.
Under a Public Service Board order issued Wednesday, the tax on residential ratepayers will increase Feb. 1 from about from about seven-tenths of a cent to about nine-tenths of a cent. Put another way, for a homeowner using 600 kilowatt-hours a month, the efficiency charge will climb about 19 percent from $4.64 to about $5.51.
The money goes to support the $38.5 million that will be spent next year to encourage energy efficiency measures, with about two-thirds going to commercial and industrial applications, where the big potential energy savings are.
Blair Hamilton, policy director with the Burlington nonprofit Vermont Energy Investment Corp., which runs Efficiency Vermont under contract with the state, said ratepayers save in two ways: Families and companies using less power see smaller bills. Also, reducing the state's growth in demand for electricity causes Vermont power companies to reduce their purchase of expensive wholesale electricity for resale to their customers.
"If we weren't paying the energy efficiency charge and had not paid it for the past 10 years, rates would not be like what you're paying now, less the energy efficiency charge," Hamilton said. "We'd be paying a lot more."
Sandra Levine, a lawyer with the Conservation Law Foundation, said new power generation costs more than twice what conservation does.
"Energy efficiency continues to meet our power needs at far less than half the price of power supply, and that's particularly important with, for instance, the Hydro-Quebec deal at roughly 6 cents per kilowatt-hour," Levine said.
The state recently announced a long-term deal between Vermont power companies to buy power at a starting wholesale price of about 6 cents per kwh from the provincial utility, which has ample excess hydropower capacity.
William Driscoll, vice president of Associated Industries of Vermont, a manufacturers' group, said his group had argued that the Efficiency Vermont budget was growing too fast. The Public Service Board, which regulates utilities, said the budget would climb about 15 percent in 2011.
Businesses opting not to invest in new efficiency measures are paying to help others that make such investments, he said. Some of his group's member companies worry about "paying the efficiency charge, versus having that money for payroll investments or other business costs," he said.
Hamilton said Efficiency Vermont has begun to expand beyond conserving electricity and into helping Vermonters save on other energy sources used for heating. Other projects range from installing more efficient pumps for municipal water systems to helping grocery stores install more efficient refrigerators.
Last week, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy ranked Vermont No. 5 in the country for its energy efficiency programs. It gave the state high marks for conserving electricity, less so for heating efficiency and energy usage in transportation.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Lighting control and Energy Management
Are Performance-Based Models the Future of Commercial Building Energy Codes?
by Craig DiLouie, Lighting Controls Association
Posted October 2010
Commercial building energy codes are largely prescriptive, combining mandatory requirements for lighting controls with limits on lighting loads by application. The typical lighting load metric is lighting power density (LPD) measured in watts per square foot.
This approach is intended to ensure that a building is built (or renovated) to a certain standard of efficiency, but does not require that the building operate within a target limit for ongoing energy use for the simple reason that it does not account for the operating time of the building. Additionally, as energy codes become more restrictive and continue the prescriptive LPD approach, critics charge that they limit design flexibility.
As a result, code authorities are considering approaches to energy codes that are performance based instead of mainly prescriptive. In a performance-based code, the building would be designed so that it would operate within a target limit for energy consumption—using annual kWh/sq.ft. instead of W/sq.ft. as the primary metric. The limit, in turn, might be developed from whole building monitoring, historical data that is considered the most accurate, and/or building modeling.
"The performance basis can seem like a much more straightforward and potentially more effective way to show that a building is energy efficient," says Eric Richman, senior research engineer for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "Limiting energy use is, after all, the true goal of energy codes."
He points out that a performance-based code is more directly linked to actual or expected energy use, potentially allows maximum component tradeoff flexibility between building systems, is considered a way to achieve higher energy savings, and can more easily accommodate alternative energy features such as renewable energy.
One approach of a performance method is to compare modeled energy use for a proposed building against a predetermined energy target. In this approach, few items would actually be prescriptively required with the main goal being to comply with the energy consumption limit. This would provide maximum tradeoff flexibility between building systems, but establishing the right (and fair) target would be difficult considering the large variation in building types and uses. Another approach is to monitor the building's actual energy performance after occupancy over a period of time and compare it against the target. This would provide the most accurate measure of building energy use, but would require building departments to monitor buildings after construction, and begs the question of what happens if a given building fails to achieve its target.
These are questions that must be debated before effective solutions can be considered for policy, but Richman says there is a great deal of interest among the lighting community in a kWh approach as a way to slow down perceived excessive ratcheting down of LPD limits. If target energy savings can be realized through controls, for example, this would give breathing room for lighting power allowances. Energy advocates, meanwhile, are also interested in performance-based codes as a way to harvest missing energy savings.
Lighting sections of energy codes already consider energy consumption, however, by virtue of the fact that each generation of codes contains more extensive mandatory requirements for advanced lighting control strategies such as automatic shutoff and daylight harvesting. Because of this, significant additional energy savings accounting for time of use may not be realized by implementing a performance-based code.
"This is the very reason that it is not clear that a performance-based method will automatically save more energy than the newest energy code requirements," Richman says. "Building modeling as a compliance method does offer additional flexibility and is currently allowed in all major energy codes. However, it is not clear that setting building energy targets of future building operation as the comparison for compliance is accurate or practical and/or that it will garner additional energy savings."
As a result, policy makers may find it difficult to turn the ideal of a performance-based code into a practical reality that will be accepted by designers and building departments. But they have time: Richman says do not expect such a code anytime soon—or at least one that functions smoothly or fairly.
"There is work being done on methods to implement performance-based approaches but since changes for the two major national code standards—90.1 and IECC—are already 'in the can' for 2010 and 2012, I don't expect to see anything for a couple of years, at least."
by Craig DiLouie, Lighting Controls Association
Posted October 2010
Commercial building energy codes are largely prescriptive, combining mandatory requirements for lighting controls with limits on lighting loads by application. The typical lighting load metric is lighting power density (LPD) measured in watts per square foot.
This approach is intended to ensure that a building is built (or renovated) to a certain standard of efficiency, but does not require that the building operate within a target limit for ongoing energy use for the simple reason that it does not account for the operating time of the building. Additionally, as energy codes become more restrictive and continue the prescriptive LPD approach, critics charge that they limit design flexibility.
As a result, code authorities are considering approaches to energy codes that are performance based instead of mainly prescriptive. In a performance-based code, the building would be designed so that it would operate within a target limit for energy consumption—using annual kWh/sq.ft. instead of W/sq.ft. as the primary metric. The limit, in turn, might be developed from whole building monitoring, historical data that is considered the most accurate, and/or building modeling.
"The performance basis can seem like a much more straightforward and potentially more effective way to show that a building is energy efficient," says Eric Richman, senior research engineer for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "Limiting energy use is, after all, the true goal of energy codes."
He points out that a performance-based code is more directly linked to actual or expected energy use, potentially allows maximum component tradeoff flexibility between building systems, is considered a way to achieve higher energy savings, and can more easily accommodate alternative energy features such as renewable energy.
One approach of a performance method is to compare modeled energy use for a proposed building against a predetermined energy target. In this approach, few items would actually be prescriptively required with the main goal being to comply with the energy consumption limit. This would provide maximum tradeoff flexibility between building systems, but establishing the right (and fair) target would be difficult considering the large variation in building types and uses. Another approach is to monitor the building's actual energy performance after occupancy over a period of time and compare it against the target. This would provide the most accurate measure of building energy use, but would require building departments to monitor buildings after construction, and begs the question of what happens if a given building fails to achieve its target.
These are questions that must be debated before effective solutions can be considered for policy, but Richman says there is a great deal of interest among the lighting community in a kWh approach as a way to slow down perceived excessive ratcheting down of LPD limits. If target energy savings can be realized through controls, for example, this would give breathing room for lighting power allowances. Energy advocates, meanwhile, are also interested in performance-based codes as a way to harvest missing energy savings.
Lighting sections of energy codes already consider energy consumption, however, by virtue of the fact that each generation of codes contains more extensive mandatory requirements for advanced lighting control strategies such as automatic shutoff and daylight harvesting. Because of this, significant additional energy savings accounting for time of use may not be realized by implementing a performance-based code.
"This is the very reason that it is not clear that a performance-based method will automatically save more energy than the newest energy code requirements," Richman says. "Building modeling as a compliance method does offer additional flexibility and is currently allowed in all major energy codes. However, it is not clear that setting building energy targets of future building operation as the comparison for compliance is accurate or practical and/or that it will garner additional energy savings."
As a result, policy makers may find it difficult to turn the ideal of a performance-based code into a practical reality that will be accepted by designers and building departments. But they have time: Richman says do not expect such a code anytime soon—or at least one that functions smoothly or fairly.
"There is work being done on methods to implement performance-based approaches but since changes for the two major national code standards—90.1 and IECC—are already 'in the can' for 2010 and 2012, I don't expect to see anything for a couple of years, at least."
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Energy Management
Poor municipal service delivery is largely due to a shortage of artisans, which are not being produced in sufficient numbers to operate and maintain municipal infrastructure.
John Botha, the general manager of the Production Management Institute, a subsidiary of Adcorp, said this week: "When you scratch the surface of poor delivery, you inevitably find that the one constant factor is a lack of skills. We just don't have enough artisans to do the work. We are producing less than half the number we should be."
He was commenting on recent reports that at least R2 billion was left unspent by local government, with many municipalities plagued by poor infrastructural maintenance.
Artisans are critical for the operation and maintenance of municipal infrastructure and equipment. This includes heavy-current electricians, plumbers, fitters and turners, welders, carpenters, bricklayers and handymen.
He said the main reason for the shortage of artisans was the lack of suitably qualified candidates with qualifications in science and maths, the foundation of many artisan trades.
Prior to 1990, artisan trades were restricted to those who had passed Standard 7 (now Grade 9) - a level denied to most black people. "Currently, the school system is turning out woefully insufficient numbers of black science and maths students," said Botha.
Another reason for the shortage is that Eskom and Telkom, which used to train a large number of artisans through apprenticeships, no longer do so due to the commercialisation of their operations.
Emigration has also dented the skills base as has the fact that companies have scaled down their training as Seta learnerships have replaced company apprenticeships
John Botha, the general manager of the Production Management Institute, a subsidiary of Adcorp, said this week: "When you scratch the surface of poor delivery, you inevitably find that the one constant factor is a lack of skills. We just don't have enough artisans to do the work. We are producing less than half the number we should be."
He was commenting on recent reports that at least R2 billion was left unspent by local government, with many municipalities plagued by poor infrastructural maintenance.
Artisans are critical for the operation and maintenance of municipal infrastructure and equipment. This includes heavy-current electricians, plumbers, fitters and turners, welders, carpenters, bricklayers and handymen.
He said the main reason for the shortage of artisans was the lack of suitably qualified candidates with qualifications in science and maths, the foundation of many artisan trades.
Prior to 1990, artisan trades were restricted to those who had passed Standard 7 (now Grade 9) - a level denied to most black people. "Currently, the school system is turning out woefully insufficient numbers of black science and maths students," said Botha.
Another reason for the shortage is that Eskom and Telkom, which used to train a large number of artisans through apprenticeships, no longer do so due to the commercialisation of their operations.
Emigration has also dented the skills base as has the fact that companies have scaled down their training as Seta learnerships have replaced company apprenticeships
Lighting control and Energy Management
Energy SETA placed under administration
After many years of both the ECA(SA) and employers having to deal with the dysfunctional Energy SETA, it was placed under administration on 17 September 2010. The director general of the Department of Higher Education, Prof. Mary Metcalf, by notice in the Government Gazette has suspended all members of the board and the operation of the ESETA's constitution. Accordingly, all of its committees are also suspended. The chief executive officer was also dismissed by the accounting authority before that date.
Tsakani Matshazi has been appointed as the administrator for six months, and her appointment will be reviewed on the expiry of that period. She will have all the powers, rights and duties that previously rested with the accounting authority.
The ECA(SA) has been asked by the administrator to meet with her regarding its specific requirements, to ensure that skills and educational instruction within the sector are developed, implemented and approved. Hopefully a meeting will take place shortly, and extensive training will once again take place to address the current skills shortage
After many years of both the ECA(SA) and employers having to deal with the dysfunctional Energy SETA, it was placed under administration on 17 September 2010. The director general of the Department of Higher Education, Prof. Mary Metcalf, by notice in the Government Gazette has suspended all members of the board and the operation of the ESETA's constitution. Accordingly, all of its committees are also suspended. The chief executive officer was also dismissed by the accounting authority before that date.
Tsakani Matshazi has been appointed as the administrator for six months, and her appointment will be reviewed on the expiry of that period. She will have all the powers, rights and duties that previously rested with the accounting authority.
The ECA(SA) has been asked by the administrator to meet with her regarding its specific requirements, to ensure that skills and educational instruction within the sector are developed, implemented and approved. Hopefully a meeting will take place shortly, and extensive training will once again take place to address the current skills shortage
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Energy Management
When Selling Energy Efficiency, Don't Say 'Retrofit,' Say 'Upgrade' -- Study
Oct 5, 2010
JENNY MANDEL of
Give the people what they want. Know your customer. Make it easy to do the right thing.
These are some of the common-sense recommendations featured in a new report that highlights just how unprepared many energy program designers are when it comes to selling efficiency to the public.
In a study (pdf) of programs aimed at improving residential energy efficiency, researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found much to learn from. The results, they say, should serve as a guide to the more than 2,000 towns, cities, states and regions with stimulus funding to spend on clean energy programs and with minimal experience to draw from.
For starters, the researchers said, don't offer "audits" or "retrofits" -- customers shy away from the negative connotations. Instead try offering "energy assessments" and "upgrades," but focus messaging on health benefits, improved comfort, community pride or other benefits that consumers tend to care more about.
Other suggestions included working with trusted local partners, minimizing the paperwork and hassles that customers face, and following the marketing rule of thumb that it takes three "touches" to convince most people that something is worth buying into.
A key partner for such programs should be the contractor workforce, the authors said, because contractors know the marketplace for residential construction work and will be the "face" that customers see when they interact with the program. Ensuring that contractors are well-trained, they added, can help to avoid problems and consumer backlash.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu is fond of saying that his goal is to make people save money through energy efficiency. But the new report underscores the psychological components to energy consumption patterns that have historically proven difficult to change.
"Convincing millions of Americans to divert their time and resources into upgrading their homes to eliminate energy waste, avoid high utility bills and help stimulate the economy is one of the great challenges facing energy efficiency programs around the country," said Merrian Fuller, an author of the study and energy analyst in the Berkeley Lab's Electricity Markets and Policy group.
"Usually, when policymakers address the issue of energy efficiency benefits, they ... neglect the issue of how to motivate consumers to take advantage of home energy upgrade programs," she said. "This is often a missing element in policy discussions and a primary impetus for us in writing this report."
The study examined 14 home efficiency programs that the authors felt were successful, including one by the Bonneville Power Administration in the Pacific Northwest and efforts in Houston, Minneapolis, Kansas, Boston, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and the District of Columbia.
Click here (pdf) for the report.
Copyright 2010 E&E Publishing. All Rights Reserved.
For more news on energy and the environment, visit www.greenwire.com.
Greenwire is published by Environment & Energy Publishing. Read More »
Oct 5, 2010
JENNY MANDEL of
Give the people what they want. Know your customer. Make it easy to do the right thing.
These are some of the common-sense recommendations featured in a new report that highlights just how unprepared many energy program designers are when it comes to selling efficiency to the public.
In a study (pdf) of programs aimed at improving residential energy efficiency, researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found much to learn from. The results, they say, should serve as a guide to the more than 2,000 towns, cities, states and regions with stimulus funding to spend on clean energy programs and with minimal experience to draw from.
For starters, the researchers said, don't offer "audits" or "retrofits" -- customers shy away from the negative connotations. Instead try offering "energy assessments" and "upgrades," but focus messaging on health benefits, improved comfort, community pride or other benefits that consumers tend to care more about.
Other suggestions included working with trusted local partners, minimizing the paperwork and hassles that customers face, and following the marketing rule of thumb that it takes three "touches" to convince most people that something is worth buying into.
A key partner for such programs should be the contractor workforce, the authors said, because contractors know the marketplace for residential construction work and will be the "face" that customers see when they interact with the program. Ensuring that contractors are well-trained, they added, can help to avoid problems and consumer backlash.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu is fond of saying that his goal is to make people save money through energy efficiency. But the new report underscores the psychological components to energy consumption patterns that have historically proven difficult to change.
"Convincing millions of Americans to divert their time and resources into upgrading their homes to eliminate energy waste, avoid high utility bills and help stimulate the economy is one of the great challenges facing energy efficiency programs around the country," said Merrian Fuller, an author of the study and energy analyst in the Berkeley Lab's Electricity Markets and Policy group.
"Usually, when policymakers address the issue of energy efficiency benefits, they ... neglect the issue of how to motivate consumers to take advantage of home energy upgrade programs," she said. "This is often a missing element in policy discussions and a primary impetus for us in writing this report."
The study examined 14 home efficiency programs that the authors felt were successful, including one by the Bonneville Power Administration in the Pacific Northwest and efforts in Houston, Minneapolis, Kansas, Boston, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and the District of Columbia.
Click here (pdf) for the report.
Copyright 2010 E&E Publishing. All Rights Reserved.
For more news on energy and the environment, visit www.greenwire.com.
Greenwire is published by Environment & Energy Publishing. Read More »
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