 | |||||
| March 2006 | Home · Event Calendar · Getting Here · Contact Us | ||||
Upcoming EventsLife Cycle Cost Analysis Planning & Conducting EcoCharrettes View a complete calendar of upcoming events. News Bits
SGIP Update ASES San Diego Chapter Forming CEC Adopts 2006 Renewable Energy Investment Plan ACEEE's 2006 Green Car Guide Released IRS Released Guidelines on Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Tech TipBenchmarking for energy savings and optimized maintenance management evaluates performance by comparing equipment (e.g. a chiller or a motor) or system operating characteristics and/or overall building-level differences to a "reference point/baseline." Variances in the before and after values represent savings achieved or targets missed. For example, conducting an infrared scan of a new motor installation after start-up and commissioning can allow a facility manager or technician to visually establish its "signature" condition. Image scans can plot temperatures at every spot in the picture. If an infrared camera scan indicates significant temperature increases or hot spots at the next maintenance check interval, then corrective measures can be taken to replace or adjust components. This will reduce the likelihood of premature failure and excessive energy use (heat loss = energy loss). Note that SDREO's Energy Resource Center has an infrared camera available for free loan through its diagnostic tool lending library. Benchmarking, whether on a building or real estate portfolio basis, helps illustrate problem properties with anomalies of excessive energy use (or costs) per square foot of floor area. Potential energy savings through benchmarking are proportional to the consistency and aggressiveness of your monitoring plan.
Quotables“Five years ago, no self-respecting American utility executive would have dared to even think out loud about building a new nuclear power plant. Today, with the U.S. fleet sporting a nearly flawless safety record and a 90% average capacity factor, and with global warming a growing concern, nearly a dozen utilities are on record as seriously considering adding nuclear generation. The question is no longer if – but when – the next U.S. nuclear plant will be built.”
-- Dr. Robert Peltier, PE, Editor in Chief, Power Magazine
Speak OutEnergy Connection is a monthly publication of the San Diego Regional Energy Office. We welcome your feedback and would like to hear from you. To submit comments, questions or suggestions, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
|
| ||||
| Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center |
|
Featured Display
Featured Instrument
| Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates |
|
Renewable Portfolio Standard ( RPS) R.06-02-012 On Feb. 17, the CPUC opened a proceeding to address the need to develop further rules, procedures, and policies for Renewable Portfolio Standard ( RPS) implementation. This rulemaking was initiated as an extension of CPUC proceeding R.04-04-026. Long-Term Procurement Planning R.06-02-013 Also on Feb. 17, the CPUC opened their 2006 proceeding. This proceeding will address California’s Load-Serving Entities’ (LSE) long-term plans for electricity supply. The first workshop has been scheduled for March 14 at 9:30 a.m. to cover policy issues related to new generation. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction D.06-02-032 On Feb. 16, the CPUC issued a draft decision that seeks to establish a load-based cap on greenhouse gas emissions for all Load-Serving Entities (LSEs) as part of the R.04-04-003 proceeding. LSEs include the three investor-owned utilities and other entities that serve load in the utilities’ service territories. California Solar Initiative Workshop R.04-03-017 On March 16, the CPUC will hold a workshop to discuss Performance-Based Incentives ( PBI) as an option for the California Solar Initiative. Specifically, they will address proposed PBI structure, suggestions for how to treat tax credits and other topics related to PBIs. Energy Efficiency Policies, Administration, and Programs R.01-08-028 Twenty-eight parties, including SDREO, filed protests against SDG&E’s 2006-2008 energy efficiency program selections. SDG&E is required to subcontract 20 percent of their energy efficiency portfolio to third-party administrators. The protests questioned SDG&E's application process and their decision to discontinue funding for the successful Cool Communities Shade Tree program. State Legislative Update Senate Bill 1539 was introduced on Feb. 23 by Senator Kehoe. It requests funding for the SANDAG Energy Working Group ( EWG) to facilitate participation in specified CPUC and CEC proceedings and other energy-related activities. For more information on previously introduced state legislation, please visit SDREO's Legislative Affairs & Resources page. - TOP - |
SANDEE Award Winners (cont.)
The SANDEE Awards are presented annually to outstanding business, government and institutional projects, persons or activities that achieved significant energy savings through energy efficiency, energy conservation or renewable energy measures in the County of San Diego.
In recognizing the winners, Irene M. Stillings, executive director of SDREO said, “Through the SANDEE Awards, we are raising awareness about those who are doing their part to help ensure a sustainable energy future for our region. By their examples, we hope to encourage others to do the same. Whether it’s installing a solar electric system, turning out lights when not needed, or retrofitting an entire building with more efficient materials and equipment, anything we do to save energy now will pay huge dividends for our children and grandchildren.”
2005 SANDEE Outstanding Achievement Awards
By an Organization
The San Diego Unified School District received top honors for continuing to be a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The district implemented the largest photovoltaic project in any school district nationwide with over 2,000 kW of solar electric power at 14 different schools. They also received ENERGY STAR certificates for nearly 200 facilities for meeting the EPA’s energy efficiency requirements. The district estimates that since its energy savings program started in 1995, total energy usage has decreased by 55 percent, saving the district about $15 million.
By an Individual
With the help of volunteers, David Kassel has been assisting October 2003 wildfire survivors rebuild their homes more efficiently which should result in about 200,000 kWh of energy savings annually. This was accomplished through outreach, workshops and meetings organized by the Cedar Fire Rebuilding Resource Group (CFRRG), which Kassel founded. Losing his own home in the Cedar Fires, Kassel himself rebuilt using a radiant barrier, tankless water heater, automated lighting and temperature controls, ENERGY STAR appliances, and a 5 kW photovoltaic system.
2005 SANDEE Special Achievement Awards
By a Medium to Large Business
Kyocera’s “Solar Grove” uses a network of 25 solar trees that also provide shade to a 186-vehicle parking lot. The solar trees represent a 235 kW photovoltaic system that will generate 420,867 kWh per year, saving approximately $50,000 in energy costs annually. Solar Grove is the largest privately owned photovoltaic system in San Diego County, and serves as a symbol of Kyocera’s goal of making the San Diego-Tijuana region an important hub in the North American solar industry.
By a Small Business
Jeff Katz Architecture served as the lead in making the City of San Diego’s George L. Stevens Senior Center 28 percent better than California’s 2001 Title 24 Building Standards. The building uses dual pane low-e windows, natural daylighting, high efficiency HVAC units, lighting that is 26 percent better than Title 24, water-efficient landscaping, and a 7.3 kW photovoltaic system. The center also engaged in a two-year Green Tags contract that will ensure generation equal to 100 percent of the building’s remaining electrical use from renewable wind power. Nearly 75 percent of the project’s construction waste was diverted from landfill disposal by recycling and reusing materials. A team effort, the City of San Diego was also recognized for its leadership in spearheading the project.
By a Government or Institution
The University of California San Diego (UCSD) refurbished its oldest and largest steam turbine powered chiller with a 3 MW steam turbine electrical generator, resulting in a 10 percent increase in operating efficiency and a 25 percent reduction in steam required for cooling. The purpose of the project was to maximize the effectiveness of the captured waste heat from the campus cogeneration plant by increasing energy effectiveness of the combined chiller and power generating system. The project reduced load by over 565,000 therms per year in natural gas and over 35 million kWh per year in imported electricity, saving UCSD about $3.5 million annually in total energy costs.
By a Nonprofit
After analyzing over 100 combinations of chiller equipment, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, with the help of Next Edge Inc, chose a system based on energy efficiency and life cycle cost instead of lowest price. SDCCC replaced 3,400 tons of absorption chiller machines, used for their venting and air conditioning needs, with three new chillers, an upgraded energy management system and over 20 variable frequency drives. This resulted in an annual energy savings of $344,000 and a reduction of energy consumption by 2.9 million kWh per year. The new systems are two times as efficient as the average central plant operating in San Diego.
By a Homeowner
After his home was destroyed in the Cedar Fires, Richard Caputo rebuilt with energy efficiency and renewable energy in mind. His new 1,712 square foot home uses 25 percent less energy than required under California’s Title 24 Building Standards. The home has a solar water heater that provides 75 percent of its hot water, a solar water heating panel that heats a well-insulated hot tub, and a 2.5 kW photovoltaic system that provides 90 percent of the home’s electricity. The home’s one-quarter acre garden uses a gray water system that captures 50 percent of the house water for use in a drip irrigation system.
The home was also constructed with a passive direct gain solar design that provides 50 percent of the home’s heat during the winter. With a pellet stove using wood by-products providing the remaining half, Caputo’s home is now heated using only renewable energy.
Runners-up
Other organizations and individuals who were recognized included:
- Global Energy Network Institute (GENI) for the development of the KLD Global Climate 100 Index, a list of 100 companies that will provide near-term solutions to global warming and climate change through renewable energy, alternative fuels, and energy efficiency
- Lopez Engineering, Inc. for a 60 kW photovoltaic system and display at the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s headquarters, providing 33 percent of the building’s energy
- Marriott Mission Valley for energy efficiency and demand response at their 350 room hotel, which saved 714,690 kWh
- Naval Air Depot, North Island for their Process Improvement Project, which identified opportunities for energy efficiency and demand reduction, saving over 3.6 million kWh and 28,126M BTU
Judging
All submissions were evaluated by the following local energy and planning experts:
- Scott Anders, Energy Policy Initiatives Center, University of San Diego School of Law
- Robert J. Gilleskie C.E.M., Tetra Tech EMI, Inc
- Stephen L. Kapp C.E.M., LEED-AP, San Diego Regional Energy Office
- Robert R. Miller C.E.M., P.E. (Retired), CCP
- Christopher Weixelman P.E., LEED-AP, Randall Lamb
The awards presentation was held at the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in downtown San Diego. The San Diego Business Journal was the official media sponsor for the 2nd Annual SANDEE Awards.
- TOP -
Sunrise Powerlink (cont.)
On Dec. 14, 2005, SDG&E filed a needs assessment application with the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) for the Sunrise Powerlink, a proposed 500 kV east-west transmission line from Imperial Valley to San Diego County.
SDG&E is using a bifurcated process with their application, which translates into initiating a needs assessment prior to the Proponent Environmental Analysis (PEA). Protestors question the legality of the process, specifically referencing Public Utilities Code 1003, which states that applications must include a needs analysis and an environmental and cost analysis to be filed simultaneously.
SDG&E states that by 2010, at least 1,000 MW of additional power will be needed, and the Sunrise Powerlink can provide that power, some of it through renewable sources. What prompted SDG&E’s request for a bifurcated process is that it takes three to four years to license, design and construct a transmission line; they believe that this modified approach would streamline that process.
Besides the bifurcation issue, concerns raised with SDG&E’s proposal are lack of true public involvement in the decision-making process, not enough information on how the public can participate in the process, lack of alternatives mentioned in the application (e.g. in-region renewables, Green Path, repowering current San Diego facilities, etc.), vague cost estimates, skepticism about the amount of “green” energy that will be imported with the line, and perceived failure to adhere to the Regional Energy Strategy 2030 (PDF).
SDG&E will hold two public workshops and six open houses throughout the county on March 20-29 to identify their proposed route selection and to list alternatives. Visit CPUC’s Sunrise application page to read the application materials and protests.
- TOP -
Copyright 2006 San Diego Regional Energy Office
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
