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| February 2005 | Home · Event Calendar · Getting Here · Contact Us | ||||
Upcoming EventsOptimized All-Variable Speed Chilled Water Distribution Systems Renewable Energy/Self-Generation Systems (For those rebuilding from the October Wildfires) Site Planning, Building Envelope & Landscaping (for those rebuilding as a result of the wildfires) Public Workshop for Interested Parties of the Self-Generation Incentive Program Grand Re-Opening of SDREO's New Lighting Displays To view a complete calendar of upcoming events, click here. News BitsNew lighting saves Ice Rink energy and $$: T8 Hibay Case Study In December 2004, the lamps were retrofitted with six-lamp T8 hibay fixtures. Results show that replacing 400 Watt MH with six T8 fluorescent hibays will save 195 Watts per fixture. Additionally, both scotopic and photopic lumen levels were measured and S/P ratios were compared demonstrating advantages of a high (86+) CRI and high Kelvin (5000 K) light source. For the complete Case Study Report click here. New Hire Save the Date! Tech TipHigh Efficiency Furnaces convert gas to space heating with greater efficiency than conventional furnaces meeting current energy codes. This fuel efficiency is measured as the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). The Department of Energy regulates units that are less than 225,000 BTU/h, and requires a minimum AFUE of 78%, while the highest commercially available units are at 97%. Unlike steady-state conditions, the AFUE rating is based on average usage, including on and off cycling, as set out in the standardized DOE test procedures. Most models have intermittent ignition to prevent standby gas loss from a pilot light. As of December 2004, GAMA began noting the electrical use of gas-fired furnaces, and downloadable directories of GAMA rated heating equipment can be found here.
Quotables“Sustainability is about creating economic opportunities for our customers. It’s about improving the quality of life in our communities. It’s about looking inward, too, nurturing a quality workplace and workforce, and ensuring our company maintains the highest of ethical standards. Sustainability should not be mistaken for corporate altruism. There are solid business reasons for focusing our business on the ‘right thing to do.’ We’ve been doing it for years and it’s been paying dividends.” -- Jim Rogers, CEO, Cinergy
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 .
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Winners of 2004 "San Diego Excellence in Energy" (SANDEE) Awards Announced
The San Diego | Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center |
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Energy-efficiency policies, administration, and programs (R.01-08-028): The CPUC approved a change in administrative structure on 1/27/05, giving the IOUs control of energy efficiency program choice and administration. Each IOU will form a region-specific Program Advisory Group (PAG) to assist in determining the portfolio of future programs. A Peer Review Group (PRG) will also be formed as a subset of the PAG to review program proposals. SDG&E must file its proposed portfolio of 2006-2008 energy-efficiency programs with CPUC by 6/1/05. Self-Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP) (R.04-03-017): The 2005 SGIP Handbook is available online and reservation requests are being accepted as of 2/1/05. A statewide public workshop will be held in Downey, CA on 2/17/05 to discuss: 1) Adoption of a data release format, 2) Development of a SGIP exit strategy, and 3) development of a declining rebate schedule for all eligible technologies. Critical Peak Pricing ( CPP) (R.02-06-001): On 12/8/04, CPUC released a ruling requiring utilities to establish a default CPP tariff for large customers to address potential energy shortages this summer. SDG&E submitted a CPP tariff impacting bundled customers with demand over and equal to 300 kW. The process of serving testimony, followed by hearings and briefs begins 2/15/05 and will run through March. A decision is expected in April and new rates are to be implemented 6/1/05. On the legislative front, a renewables bill (SB 107) was introduced by Senator Simitian on 1/20/05 that would require each retail seller of electricity to procure 20% of its energy from renewable resources by 2010. It would also establish a renewable energy credits trading program. - TOP - |
SANDEE Award Winners... (cont.)
The SANDEE Awards are presented annually to outstanding business, government and institutional projects, persons or activities that save energy and/or contribute to the success of the “San Diego Regional Energy Strategy 2030” in the areas of transportation, infrastructure and buildings. The awards program is a joint project between SDREO and SDRCC and is cosponsored by SDG&E, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and NRG Energy.
2004 San Diego Excellence in Energy Award Winners
Project of the Year (Government): County of San Diego
The County of San Diego adopted mechanical and solar power technologies to reduce the operating costs of two sites – the North County and South Bay Regional Centers. The central chiller plants were converted to an all variable speed system, which lowered plant electricity usage by 45%. In addition, the 200 kW photovoltaic systems installed between both facilities achieved over 2 million kWh/ YR and $250,000/ YR in savings – a 4.3 year payback.
Project of the Year (Institution): University of California San Diego
UCSD retrofitted two laboratory research buildings with variable frequency drives and rebalanced them to newer campus standards with lower air change requirements. These two modifications achieved 1.74 million kWh, 114,000 therms and $314,000 in annual energy savings – a 2.6 year payback.
Outstanding Organization Achievement (Government): City of Chula Vista
Chula Vista constructed a Municipal Clean Fuel Demonstration Project to showcase clean fuel technologies in real-world applications. This included the world’s first zinc-powered fuel cell car, followed by the region’s first public hydrogen fueling station. The City concluded that replacing its entire vehicle fleet would avoid approximately 8,000 tons/ YR of CO2 emissions and conserve about 105 million BTU/ YR of diesel, gasoline and natural gas.
Outstanding Organization Achievement (Business): Qualcomm Incorporated
Qualcomm was recognized for their consistent and ongoing commitment to energy efficiency, product and project performance, regional advocacy, and long-term infrastructure planning and implementation. All of which directly support the goals of the San Diego Regional Energy Strategy 2030.
Outstanding Organization Achievement (Institution): IBEW/NECA San Diego Electrical Training Trust
The nonprofit San Diego Electrical Training Trust’s “Apprenticeship and Journeyman Training Center” offers an innovative program to train skilled electrical and telecommunication workers in a manner that achieves energy savings and promotes solar technology.
Special Recognition Award: Tom Blair
Tom Blair has been the Energy Conservation and Management Administrator for the City of San Diego since February 2002. Under his direction, the City has reduced energy consumption and costs to taxpayers by over $3 million, and is on targeted to install 50 MW of renewable energy systems by the year 2013.
For more information on the 2004 SANDEE Award Winners, click here.
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SDREO and the County... (cont.)
The workshop demonstrated how to operate County chiller plants with improved efficiency and more reliable control methods, such as those provided by the Hartman LOOP™. This cutting-edge technology is installed at several County facilities, including the County Operations Center, South Bay Regional Center and the North County Regional Center. Soon this control strategy will be installed at eleven County facilities.
Tom Hartman, the creator of the technology, explained why it can offer significant efficiency improvements with simpler, more stable and reliable controls. The workshop was so successful that the County has requested SDREO to provide identical training for staff that were unable to attend.
This high tech training is just one example of the successful partnership between the County of San Diego and SDREO. Many of the services SDREO offers are free or at very low cost. In addition to these types of trainings, SDREO has provided technical assistance, site feasibility studies and energy audits at many of the County’s facilities. In tight budget times, this partnership has provided increased energy education for County staff, identified several renewable energy projects and decreased energy costs for County facilities. The County was one of the first local governments to take advantage of the services offered by SDREO and hopes others will follow their lead.
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Program Spotlight: RCx Program (cont.)
Retrocommissioning or “RCx” applies a systematic process for improving an existing building's performance by verifying and resolving variances from the original design intent or owner's operational objectives. It entails a rigorous investigation using a whole building systems approach to identify problems and integration issues. The primary focus is identifying operational improvements to obtain comfort and energy savings. RCx may be performed alone or in concert with a retrofit project. Typical energy cost savings for RCx are between 5% and 20%, often achieving a simple payback of less than two years.
The San Diego RCx Program runs through 2005 and is supported by electric public goods charges administered by the CPUC. The Program was designed to expand RCx capabilities in the region by advancing the development of clear RCx protocols, offering training to commissioning providers and building operators, and using building operations tracking systems to verify that the benefits from installed RCx measures persist over time. Together, these program elements are in place to help overcome uncertainty in the industry about how RCx works and what building owners, in particular, should expect.
The Program offers building owners:
• A free Scoping Study to determine the potential for energy savings opportunities at your facility (valued at $2,500).
• A more in-depth RCx Investigation to identify specific improvements for the operation of mechanical equipment, lighting, and related controls (incentive: up to $0.10 per square foot of conditioned space).
• Financial assistance to implement energy saving measures (incentive: up to $0.05 per square foot of conditioned space).
• Complete documentation of the process and building operator training to help sustain the energy savings over time (incentive: $5,000).
For more information, visit the San Diego RCx Program web site or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Senior Project Coordinator at PECI.
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Copyright 2004-2005, San Diego Regional Energy Office
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