In its just-released Summer Assessment for 2008, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) says that electricity supply is “adequate to handle a broad range of operating conditions,” but that grid operations will be “challenging at the extremes.” As in previous years, the challenging area is Southern California, where CAISO says maximizing imports is “essential” to maintaining adequate supplies during high-demand and/or high-outage periods. Nearly 500 megawatts (MW) of new generation will be online this summer to help offset load growth, says CAISO. By summer 2009, generators will add 2,800 MW more, though CAISO notes that a significant portion of this new capacity will be intermittent sources such as wind power. Once again, conservation and demand response programs will play an important role in maintaining grid reliability, especially during peak summer hours. To help get out the word when conservation is needed when electricity demand is climbing, this summer Flex Your Power will again partner with CAISO to announce “Flex Alerts.” To receive Flex Alerts via your e-mail inbox or as a text message on your mobile phone, sign up at our website.

Conservation in action: August 30, 2007. The gray dotted line represents CAISO’s day-ahead demand forecast; the solid red line represents actual demand. Notice the gap that opens between the two lines beginning around 1:00 p.m. At its most pronounced, around 4:00 p.m., more than 1,500 MW separates forecast from actual demand (Graphic: CAISO)

• Read background on (PDF, 79 KB) and the complete 2008 Summer Loads and Resources Operations Preparedness Assessment (PDF, 849 KB), CAISO (4/28/08)
• Read more: “Conservation Works! CAISO Credits ‘Remarkable’ Conservation Effort With Off-Loading More Than 1,000 MW From the Grid on August 30” (e-Newswire, 9/05/08)
• Read about California demand response programs and see some conservation tips
• Sign up to receive e-mail or text message notification of Flex Alerts

(Photo: LaurieDavid.com)

“The real truth is that we are all environmentalists, we all love a beautiful spring day, cool summer nights, snowy winters, clean air and clean water. My point is that it’s not about everyone doing everything, it’s about everyone doing something. It’s impossible to live in today’s world and not be a carbon emitter so we are all guilty and we all have to be part of the solution. If we all did something we would be well on our way to solving this mess.”

• Read “Earth Chats: Laurie David,” Slate (4/25/08)

The 2008 Title 24 standards include new requirements for lighting, windows, skylights, swimming pool and spa equipment, HVAC equipment and controls, the New Solar Homes Partnership, and “cool roofs,” such as the one found here on the Solano County Government Center (Photo: California Energy Commission)

Last week, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved dozens of changes to the state’s building energy efficiency standards for new construction, commonly known as Title 24. The updated rules are expected to cut California’s peak energy demand by 129 megawatts (MW) in just their first year in effect, according to the CEC. Among the updates for new homes, are requirements for better insulated, heat-reflecting windows and “cool roofs” that, by staying up to 40 degrees cooler than a normal roof under the hot afternoon sun, reduce air conditioner demand and can cut a homeowner’s electricity consumption by as much as 20%. A significant change for businesses is a requirement that warehouses starting at 8,000 square feet — down from 25,000 square feet under existing rules — must install skylights to take advantage of daylighting and cut electricity consumption. Noah Horowitz, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, estimates that by 2013 the 2008 Title 24 standards will save as much as 500 MW, equivalent to the output from a large coal or natural gas power plant.

• Read background and complete information on the 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards
• Read more: “SMUD Launches Residential ‘Cool Roof’ Rebates Program” (e-Newswire, 5/16/07)
• Read more: “‘Cool-Colored’ Roofs Helping Two Sacramento-Area Homeowners Save Energy and Money” (e-Newswire, 8/23/06)
• Energy- and money-saving tips

Johnson Controls’ second annual Energy Efficiency Indicator survey found that corporate energy decision-makers are more aware of the benefits of energy efficiency improvements than in 2007 (e-Newswire, 5/30/07), but investment in energy efficiency has not increased. While 80% of respondents said they believe natural gas and electricity prices will rise over the next year, plans for investment in energy efficiency remained constant from 2007 to 2008. The trend toward replacing inefficient equipment before the end of its useful life, however, rose from 13% to 41% from 2007 and 2008, and a switch to energy-efficient lighting rose to 78%, up from 11% in 2007. For 53% of respondents in 2008, environmental responsibility is an equal or greater motivator than cost reduction for energy efficiency investments — up from 48% in 2007. In 2008, 28% feel climate change has an extremely or very significant influence on their energy efficiency investments and 39% think that significant legislation mandating energy efficiency and/or carbon reduction is extremely or very likely. In addition, 38% said they were including or considering solar electric technology in new construction or retrofit projects, while 24% were also considering solar thermal.

• View results from the second annual Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator (PDF, 140 KB)
• Read background on the survey from GreenBiz.com and YourEnergyForum.com
• View results from last year’s inaugural survey: “Johnson Controls Releases First Survey of Corporate Energy Decision-Makers” (e-Newswire, 5/30/07)
• Energy efficiency resources for the commercial and industrial sectors
• Read Flex Your Power’s Best Practices Guide for Commercial Office Buildings

Over their first five years, the new ENERGY STAR standards for water heaters will save consumers more than 3.9 billion kWh and 270 million therms of natural gas (Photo: Nebraska Energy Office)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced its first ENERGY STAR standards for water heaters. Models of residential water heaters eligible for the ENERGY STAR label will include high-performance gas storage, whole-home gas tankless, advanced drop-in or integrated heat pump, solar and gas condensing. By 2014, DOE says the new rules, which take effect January 1, 2009, will save consumers approximately $780 million in utility costs and avoid 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. According to DOE, water heating accounts for up to 17% of national residential energy consumption and is the third largest energy user in homes after heating, cooling and kitchen appliances.

Also taking effect January 1, 2009, are new ENERGY STAR standards for cable, satellite and telecom set-top boxes. The rules call for set-top boxes to be at least 30% more efficient than conventional models. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation notes that nearly 148 million set-top boxes are already installed in the United States and 23 million more are expected to ship just this year. If all set-top boxes sold in the U.S. met the new ENERGY STAR standards, consumers would save $2 billion each year.

• Read background on the new ENERGY STAR rules for water heaters and set-top boxes
• Read more: “DOE Sets ENERGY STAR Requirements for CFLs and Washing Machines” (e-Newswire, 3/19/08)
• Read more: “DOE’s New Furnace Standards Fall Short, Miss Out On Potential Energy Savings, Say Efficiency Advocates” (e-Newswire, 11/28/07)
• Water heaters product guide

Allan Dusault, a Program Director at Sustainable Conservation, checks out the dairy cattle at Joseph Gallo Farms (Photo: Flickr)

Agricultural producers and food processors in the Southern California Edison (SCE) service territory have until November 2008 to take advantage of incentives offered under the Ag Efficiency Plus program. Eligible Ag Efficiency Plus customers, including dairies, greenhouses, livestock farms, food processing facilities, orchards, crop farms, feedlots, aqua farms, wineries, cold storage facilities and water districts, can get no-cost energy audits and cash incentives on more than 160 types of equipment. The program offers cash incentives on energy-efficient equipment including: interior and exterior lighting, sensors and clocks; variable-speed drives for well, milk-transfer and milk-vacuum pumps; exhaust and circulation fans; refrigeration; conversion from sprinkler-to drip irrigation; and scroll compressors. Since 2006, Ag Efficiency Plus has saved its 225 participants more than 12.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. For more information or to schedule a no-cost energy audit, call 1-800-791-7541 or visit the Ag Efficiency Plus website.

• Read background (PDF, 50 KB)
• Read more: “$221 Million in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grants and Loans Now Available Through U.S. Department of Agriculture” (e-Newswire, 3/19/08)
• Read more: “New Rebate Programs Seek to Boost Efficiency of Farms, Food Processing Facilities and Dairies” (e-Newswire, 12/13/06)
• Read Flex Your Power’s Best Practices Guide for Food Growers and Beverage Processors
• Search for rebates, incentives and services for the agricultural sector by ZIP code

Lynwood will use a CEC loan to install LEDs in the city’s traffic signals (Photo: City of Lynwood)

Two more California cities, Lynwood and Chula Vista, have received loans from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to make energy efficiency improvements to city facilities. Lynwood will use its $330,000 loan to replace 1,905 incandescent lamps in traffic signals at 55 intersections with light-emitting diode (LED) modules. The upgrade will save the city more than 425,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and $44,000 annually. And, because the LED traffic signals last 10 times as long as the incandescents they replace, the city will save on avoided maintenance costs as well. Chula Vista, which earlier this month pledged to enact green building rules for all new construction (e-Newswire, 4/16/08), will use its $607,000 loan to upgrade lighting, HVAC systems, water pumps and air-handling systems at six city facilities. The efficiency measures are expected to shave energy consumption in city buildings by 12%, and save taxpayers $180,000 in energy costs, annually.

The California Energy Commission’s Energy Efficiency Financing program offers California schools, hospitals and local governments loans of up to $3 million, with rates as low as 3.95%, for energy saving projects. We’ve written about several CEC-funded local government projects in recent months, including retrofits in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and the City of Alhambra. For more information, visit the CEC’s Energy Efficiency Financing page or call (916) 654-4147. For more information on the CEC’s Energy Partnership program, which provides technical assistance in identifying energy efficiency opportunities in existing and planned city, county, college, hospital, special district and public care facilities, visit the program website, or call Karen Perrin at (916) 654-4104.

• Read background on the City of Lynwood (PDF, 747 KB) and Chula Vista retrofit projects
• Read more: “Loan-Funded Project Will Save Alameda County Over $350,000 on Annual Lighting Costs” (e-Newswire, 1/23/08)
• Read more: “With CEC Loan, Contra Costa County to Retrofit Lighting in County Buildings” (e-Newswire, 10/17/07)
• Read more: “LED Lighting to Save City of Alhambra 90,000 Annually” (e-Newswire, 8/22/07)
• Read Flex Your Power’s Best Practices Guide, Cutting Costs With Energy Efficiency and Conservation: A Guide for Local Government Agencies

Through July 31, homeowners in San Jose can install solar for no money down under a promotional deal offered by SolarCity (Photo: GoSolarCalifornia.ca.gov)

SolarCity recently announced that it will offer a 15-year solar-leasing contract to customers living in San Jose requiring no down payment, taking the initial upfront payment from its customary fee of about $2,000 to $0. Under the program, customers pay a monthly fee and get lower utility bills while SolarCity retains ownership of the photovoltaic panels. The company says the promotional program for San Jose residents will be available through July 31. Last week, at the launch of the 2008 California Clean Tech Open (Power Plug, 4/23/08), San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed challenged solar installers to figure out a way — in 60 days — that San Joseans could get solar for no money down instead of paying for an entire system upfront, typically $20,000 to $30,000. SolarCity’s program does just that.

• Read “SolarCity Offers Solar-Leasing Contract for No Money Down,” By Matt Nauman, San Jose Mercury News (4/15/08)
  
• Read more: “California Clean Tech Open Launches 2008 Competition” (Power Plug, 4/23/08)
• Read more: “Bill Enabling Berkeley’s Innovative Solar and Energy Efficiency Financing Plan Passes Assembly Committee” (Power Plug, 1/25/08)
• Read more: “Berkeley Unveils Financing Plan That Pays Upfront Cost of Solar and Efficiency Improvements” (e-Newswire, 10/31/07)
• Energy efficiency resources for the residential sector

Shelly Sharp, Senior Director Sales and Service with PG&E, presents Hashem Akbari and Ronnen Levinson of the Heat Island Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with an Innovative Products and Services Award at the 5th Annual Flex Your Power Awards (Photo: Flex Your Power)

The best way to cut summer cooling costs is to keep buildings from getting hot in the first place. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) has developed innovative cool roofing materials with solar reflecting pigments that will cut energy consumption in warm climates by 10% to 20%. This technology is innovative because it is not simply a reflective light color; it is an improvement to the reflectivity of dark-colored roof materials, which are preferred by U.S. consumers. This allows cool roof benefits to be integrated into all types of popular roofing materials. LBNL is working with a number of California companies to advance these technologies, and if California was to adopt them under Title 24 (see the story above or online on the 2008 update to Title 24) it could save 65 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year. The Heat Island Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was an Innovative Products and Services Award winner in the 5th Annual Flex Your Power Awards.

• Read background
• Read Flex Your Power’s cool roofs product guide
• View the winners of the 5th Annual Flex Your Power Awards