Irene M. Stillings CCSE Executive Director

From the Director's Desk:
Solar Leaders Illuminate San Diegans

Leaders in the solar energy field came together at Solar 2008, the 37th conference put on by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). Engineering, business and policy experts in the solar industry shared their knowledge with more than four thousand attendees at the San Diego conference. The California Center for Sustainable Energy shared in the experience. CCSE was one of the event’s title sponsors and helped market and promote the event locally to build awareness and help make the conference a success. CCSE and the California Solar Initiative team tabled at Solar 2008 providing information to thousands of attendees.

Solar 2008 Exhibitor Hall

“We want to set an example and challenge other elected officials across the country to follow that example, but I need your help and that is why I’m here, to gain more knowledge,” said City Attorney Mike Aguirre to the ASES audience. “We in San Diego want to achieve your vision and challenge every other city to achieve your vision as well.’

Van Jones, president of Green For All, spoke passionately about the need for “Green Collar Jobs. “It’s about uniting the people who need work the most with the work that needs most to be done, “ said Jones. “The potential of green jobs can bring 970 million dollars in revenue and 8.5 billion jobs.”

CCSE was happy to be a part of such a successful solar awareness event. This type of strategic partnering with industry leaders helps to further our mission and goals for community outreach. With a successful Solar 2008 behind us, we’re looking forward to our pinnacle annual event, Solar Energy Week, in October. Stay tuned for more on Solar Energy Week in upcoming newsletters.

New SDG&E “Critical Peak Pricing” Rate Tariff in Place

Medium to large size businesses in San Diego have a chance to save money on their electric bills, while making environmentally sound energy choices.

SDG&E has plans to restructure certain electricity rates approved by the California Public Utilities Commission this past February.

The new “Critical Peak Pricing ( CPP) Rate” went into effect May 1, 2008 for customers with a peak electrical demand that equals or exceeds 20 kW. These customers have 45 days from their first May meter reading to decide whether or not the new pricing rate is beneficial for them. If a business fails to respond within that time period, then SDG&E will automatically switch the rates to the new CPP rate.

The new pricing rate supports California’s Energy Action Plan, which addresses the state’s attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the leading cause in global climate change. The intent of the new CPP tariff is to reduce peak electrical demands during those periods when it is most critical to the grid and to minimize the need to bring peaking power plants online.

Throughout the course of a year, SDG&E can call for up to 18 Critical Peak Pricing Rate events. If SDG&E determines there is a need to reduce electrical demand, they can call for an event, but they must notify customers by 3 p.m. the day before. Events can be held between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, during the summer period of May 1- September 30. The rates for electricity are significantly higher during an event compared to those for peak hour usage during a non- CPP event.

In contrast, regular usage rates for on-peak hours (other than these event periods) are significantly lower, saving businesses money on electrical bills. SDG&E will also provide the businesses with detailed information regarding energy costs during peak-demand hours. SDG&E’s goal is to encourage businesses to conserve energy, something that’s good for the environment and customer bank accounts.

Future of Corn: Food or Fuel?

The cost of a box of Cornflakes today is more reflective of energy costs than it is an indication of the increased price of corn due to its new use as ethanol fuel. Although the demand for corn to produce the alternative fuel tripled from 2001 to 2006, so far the supply has kept up with demand.

The argument against the production of corn based ethanol is that the corn grown for the fuel takes away from the supply for food and feed consumption. However, the corn used to produce ethanol in its raw form is not the same corn grown for human consumption. In addition, ethanol can be produced from wheat, sorghum, yard clippings and other processes, which lowers the demand on corn.

The ethanol process actually only removes the starch portion of the kernel, leaving behind everything else to be turned into animal feed and human food ingredients, which has a higher world market value. While ethanol is a cleaner burning fuel than traditional petroleum, it is not totally free of carbon emissions. Furthermore, the production of ethanol requires the use of fossil fuel powered vehicles and plants. It costs a lot of money in fuel and power to grow the corn and refine it into ethanol.

Although ethanol may not be the silver bullet to our energy concerns, it is estimated that it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 28 percent. Ethanol is a short-term solution to a long term concern; however, it is creating the infrastructure necessary for discovering and implementing alternative fuel sources. As the research into other alternative fuels advances, we reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels, strengthening our energy independence.

Creator/Director reveals “Who Killed the Electric Car”

Chris Paine talks one on one with CCSE’s Kara Holman at the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) conference.

The Town and Country Hotel ballroom was packed at the ASES conference with a mix of business owners, college students and activists all eager to hear more about the in-depth documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” The film, a pseudo murder mystery, investigates the birth and death of the Electric Car.

“After they took away our cars in 2003, we were so angry that we had to make a documentary,” said Paine. “Finally, a car that did not need gasoline, but then the electric vehicles were taken away and demolished!” During the production of the documentary, Paine said he wanted to channel his passion into humor. This film wasn’t only “preaching to the choir,” but Paine’s goal was to also reach the skeptics.

Making of Who Killed the Electric Car

“I made this movie with my dad in mind, said Paine.” “I knew if I convinced my dad it had to be a great film.”

Chelsea Sexton, who stars in the film, is also president of “Plug-In America,” a company that focuses on consumer education. Sexton says consumers need to be wary of ad campaigns that are endorsed by the car companies. “There was 60 million dollars spent on negative advertising against Electric Cars in the 1990’s,” said Sexton. “60 million dollars!”

So Who Killed the Electric Car?

“If I had to give one answer, Fear of Change,” said Paine. “People have to change their ways…and that scares them”

Paine said it is reassuring to see that the ASES attendees are committed to making changes for a better future.

“A small amount of people can make a huge difference,” said Paine. “My advice is to set personal examples, keep trying and set strong examples in your own community.”

As for future documentarys Paine says he is working on a second film. As for the future of the electric car, “I am very…a… hopeful,” Paine said smirking.

Come hear Chris Paine talk about Who Killed the Electric Car at CCSE's annual Street Smart^SM event on July 27^th.

Not Just Smoke and Mirrors, Insulated Concrete Forms Prove Fire-Resistant

A blow-torch demonstration at CCSE this month sparked a lot of interest! The Energy Resource Center and the Rebuild Central Program hosted an informative workshop on Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF’s), a green building, energy-efficient and fire-resistant alternative to standard wood framing for homes.

Alex Morales of Magic Homes explains the basics of ICFs

A powerful blow torch, held to the technology for several minutes, demonstrated the fire-resistant material’s effectiveness during the workshop. The flaming torch that would typically set any wood-framed home alight, smoked a little and then slightly melted the outer layer of the wall leaving only a char mark on the insulated concrete form interior; the full infrastructure of the wall remained in tact.

Wally Greer of Greymar Associates and Alex Morales, Magic Homes of California, explained how the hollow forms lock together like Lego bricks to create the outer structural walls of a building. Reinforced steel is added to give the walls flexural strength and then concrete is pumped into the hollow form. The final outer coating is made from a fire-resistant polyurethane material that melts rather than catching on fire when burned, leaving the home scorched, but still standing.

The materials used to build ICFs are fire-resistant.

Both the benefits and downfalls were discussed during the workshop to give participants an unbiased view of the new technology. Apart from being demonstrably fire resistant, ICFs prevent mold damage, create minimal, if any, air leaks and are very energy efficient. One drawback of ICFs is that adding or moving doors, windows or utilities is somewhat harder once the building is complete, because it requires concrete cutting tools. In addition, cost can be anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent higher than traditional non-fire resistant building technologies.

The green building information reached a wide audience, including the local television media! KUSI, Fox 6 and Univision reported on the event; And, Channel 8 filmed the demonstration live for their popular noon newscast.

Refrigerator Round-Up

Appliance Recycling Center of America plant in Compton, CA

You may have seen the recent TV commercials cleverly depicting a cowboy on horseback lassoing a refrigerator, as if it was a cow at round-up. The ad campaign isn’t just for grins, it’s meant to let people know about the ongoing refrigerator recycling round-up. Did you know you can get paid for recycling your old working refrigerator and purchasing a new energy efficient one? Free pick-up, cash in your pocket and helping the environment, that’s what CCSE employees learned on a tour of the Appliance Recycling Center of America plant (ARCA) in Compton, CA.

There are many environmental and consumer benefits to recycling your refrigerator. Turning in your old refrigerator or freezer will keep hazardous materials from entering the environment. These include PCBs, mercury, oil and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs deplete the ozone layer and contribute to climate change. Refrigerators made in the 1980s use between 110-1700 kWh (kilowatts per hour), but units made now use less than 500 kWh. Replacing the old unit saves the consumer a significant amount of money every month.

Carol Hedberg, a Sr. Business Development Associate for ARCA, says the recycling program has been a great success.

“ARCA has properly recycled more than two and a half million refrigerators since 1988 through appliance recycling programs,” said Hedberg. “Consumers are proud to help the environment and they appreciate their utilities for making it possible to do this and save money, too.”

To start the process of recycling your old refrigerator contact ARCA at 1-800-599-5792.

CCSE Administers Palo Alto's Solar Water Heating Program

CCSE has been subcontracted by the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) to run the municipality’s new Solar Water Heating Program. The CPAU used their “Greenstock” event to launch the new program on May 17th. Annie Henderson presented an introductory workshop to residents of Palo Alto at the event, which drew approximately 300 attendees.

Training for contractors and city officials took place that same week. The interest was so great that additional training was scheduled for June 4th.

The CPAU is anticipating 100 SWH applications in the first year of the program. All application forms, handbooks and guidelines were developed by CCSE and are available on the CPAU program website, www.cityofpaloalto.org/ SWH. The SWH Program is a pre-emptive effort to comply with AB 1470, a state mandate that will require all IOUs and municipalities to create SWH programs.

Young Scientist Flush with First Place Prize

Joshua Klein, first place winner of the AV Angels Young Scientists' Innovation Fair

Do you ever think about all the millions of gallons of water that are flushed down people’s drains every day? Joshua Klein, possible full-time future inventor and current sixth grader at High Tech High Middle School does. He wondered if he could create something to capture the potential energy of this wasted water. He imagined a fan, or turbine, that would act as a waterwheel and create electricity. Klein said, “My invention would be very helpful in large buildings because the water will go faster due to gravitational pull. The water wheel will turn faster and create more electricity.” He built a working model out of Legos, PVC pipe and duct tape and called it Drain Power. This invention won him first place (an Xbox 360) in the AV Angels Young Scientists’ Innovation Fair, which was itself an innovation started by two Bishop’s high schoolers, Vasu Prathipati and Ankur Rathee.

Drain Power was only one example of the brain power showed by all the 4th -6th grade contestants at the event sponsored by the California Center for Sustainable Energy. The energy conservation and efficiency theme of the fair was designed to make the students think about conservation and find ways to decrease negative environmental impacts. A faster hot water heater, a use for static electricity, a way to save rainwater, a diaper decomposer that doubled as a plant fertilizer, a domed solar panel, a skateboard-powered iPod charger and a program to dispose of unused medicines were some of the other winning ideas presented.

AV Angels Young Scientists' Innovation Fair Participants

Says Klein, “This fair was a great way to promote sustainability to the next generation. After all, we’re the ones who will really be affected by global warming and all that it leads to.” Half of the donations received for the event went to the Rebuild Central program that provides assistance to fire survivors. With support from CCSE, Prathipati and Rathee plan to make the AV Angles Young Scientists’ Innovation Fair an annual event.

Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center Lending Library

The Energy Resource Center ( ERC) has a vast array of books, periodicals, DVD's and tools to assist businesses and home owners with energy efficiency products, services and practices. Books, periodicals and DVD's can be checked out free of charge. Please call toll-free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information. For a look at tools and resources available in the lending library, click here. ERC Featured Display Name: Variable Speed Pump Description: The Grundfos variable speed pump uses a variable frequency drive integrated into the pump to pump water efficiently. The integrated drive can be used to maintain a pre-programmed pressure set point and will vary the pump speed to maintain that pressure set point. The red valve handle on the side can be turned to change the resistance of the valve and will allow the pump to change its speed. The readout on the top of the display shows the flow rate of the water in the system. Systems Addressed: HVAC ERC Featured Instrument Name: Dent Instruments, ELITEpro Description: The ELITEpro helps pinpoint electric usage and quantify consumption. It can monitor up to four single-phase loads, two three-phase Delta loads, or one three-phase Wye load. It includes four channels of current (0-6,000 amps with appropriate CTs) and three channels of voltage (0 – 600V AC or DC). The ELITE pro also offers some power quality features such as the ability to view voltage, current and power waveforms. It will calculate harmonics from DC through the 63rd , then report total harmonic distortion (THD), crest factor, peak voltage and current. Features and Benefits: Measures and logs Volts, Amps, Watts, Volt-Amps (VA), Volt-Amps reactive (VAR), kilowatts ( kW), kilowatt Hours ( kWh), Power Factor and harmonics; 144 different parameters. Max volts through leads: 600 volts. Max amperage for supplied CTs: 150 amps. Availability: Loaned free of charge for up to 5 business days. Remember: Safety first! ERC Featured Book Name: Daylighting for Sustainable Design Author: Mary Guzowski Description:This book features exciting new daylighting techniques for architectural design! Just as natural light reveals colors in a richer, truer spectrum, daylighting opens new perspectives for architectural design. Daylighting for Sustainable Design, by noted architectural thinker Mary Guzowski, gives you practical design strategies that create a brighter, greener architecture by weaving together environmental, architectonic and humanistic factors. Daylighting encompasses sensitive land-use, energy conservation, the use of healthy materials and waste-reduction; design, technological and mechanical factors; and aesthetics and quality of life issues. This stimulating resource helps you adapt daylighting to your own work with... color illustrations that bring techniques vividly to life. case studies that illustrate how each principle can be implemented checklist and design approach summaries guides to daylighting resources, manufacturers and specialist firms.   NOTE: Books, periodicals and videos can also be checked out free of charge at CCSE. Please call Toll Free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information. To find prior editions of "Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center Lending Library" information, including DVD reviews, click here.

Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates

A Summary of Recent California Public Utilities Commission regulatory activity, and what it mean to to the average consumer, business and/or public agency: Energy Efficiency (R.06-04-010) What’s this? This is the forum for initiating the next planning cycle for 2009-2011 energy efficiency ( EE) program plans, funding levels and related issues. What’s new? On May 5, the Assigned Commissioner’s and Administrative Law Judge’s Ruling Regarding Due Dates for 2009-2011 Energy Efficiency Portfolio Plans and Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan Applications was issued. The Ruling extended the due date for the final California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan to June 2 and the due date for the utilities’ energy efficiency portfolios to June 23 to allow them time to incorporate the final Database for Energy Efficient Resources (DEER) 2008 Update numbers in their 2009-2011 portfolio plans. These items were originally to be filed no later than May 15; however, the final DEER 2008 Update was to be released approximately May 30, thus the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) found it reasonable to extend the deadlines. On May 13, a Prehearing Conference and Workshop was held regarding the energy efficiency savings goals for 2013-2020. The Prehearing Conference allowed for consideration of the issues presented by the parties in their opening and reply comments and discussion of the schedule for a proposed decision, while the Workshop allowed the parties to view presentations by Itron and Energy Division staff regarding the goals update work. On June 2, a third Energy Efficiency Goals Update Workshop was held and included a presentation regarding the gas goals scenario forecast as well as a facilitated discussion. California Solar Initiative, Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues (R.08-03-008) What’s this? This new rulemaking will continue the work of R.06-03-004, developing and refining policies, rules and programs for the California Solar Initiative ( CSI) and the Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP) and considering policies for the development of cost-effective, clean and reliable distributed generation ( DG). What’s new? On May 15, the CPUC released the Scoping Memo and Ruling of Assigned Commissioner and Administrative Law Judges, which defined the scope of the proceeding and set forth the procedural schedule. SWHPP: On May 21, the proposed Decision Granting in Part and Otherwise Denying Petition for Modification of Decision 06-01-024 Regarding Solar Water Heating Pilot Program was issued for comment. Via the Petition for Modification, CCSE and the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) sought to expand the geographic reach of the SWHPP, extend the SWHPP for an additional six months and provide an increased incentive for residential systems. If approved, the Proposed Decision would allow CCSE to extend its SWHPP offered to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) customers until December 31, 2009, or until the $3 million pilot program budget is exhausted, whichever occurs first, but would deny the Petition for Modification in all other respects. Comments are due June 10, and reply comments are due June 16. CSI: Comments on the Assigned Commissioner’s Ruling Requesting Comments on Proposed Energy Efficiency Measures for the California Solar Initiative Program were due May 12, and reply comments were due May 22. Parties were requested to comment on the two options proposed by the CPUC to modify the energy efficiency requirements for receiving incentive payments under the CSI. SGIP: At its April 24 meeting, the CPUC approved its proposed decision, granting in part FuelCell Energy’s Amended Petition for Modification of Decision (D.) 04-12-045. This decision will allow for payment of incentives for projects up to 3 megawatts ( MW) from prior years' SGIP carryover funds, with incentives for projects between 1 MW and 2 MW receiving incentives at a 50% incentive rate and between 2 MW and 3 MW at a 25% incentive rate. Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project (A.06-08-010) What’s this? San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) seeks authority from the CPUC to construct a 500 kV transmission line in conjunction with several 230 kV transmission lines, expected to run 150 miles between the Imperial Valley to San Diego. What’s new? Phase 2 evidentiary hearings concluded the first week in May. Subsequently, Phase 2 Opening Briefs were due May 30, and Phase 2 Reply Briefs are due June 13. Additionally, the final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) is expected to be published in June. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap (R.06-04-009) What’s this? Initiated out of Assembly Bill ( AB) 32, this will design and implement a greenhouse gas ( GHG) cap for the regulated electric utilities, including consideration of a GHG performance standard. What’s new? Parties’ comprehensive comments on emission allowance allocation policies, GHG emission reduction measures, annual GHG emissions caps, combined heat and power ( CHP) policies, the GHG calculator, model results and presentations and flexible compliance policies were originally due May 27, with reply comments due June 10. Due to the late release of the revised final model and GHG calculator, which was expected to be posted no later than May 10, but instead was posted on May 13, and the scope of the requested comments, the ALJs issued their Ruling Modifying Schedule and Correcting Suggested Outline for Comments and Reply Comments on May 20. This Ruling extends the due date for opening comments to June 2, and for reply comments to June 16. . For a complete list of energy-related State and Federal legislation, please visit our Web site at www.energycenter.org.