SDREO "Walks the Talk" on Energy Efficiency

Learn steps your business can take

SDREO has dramatically reduced our electricity usage in 2004. Reductions were achieved through a combination of fairly simple measures like turning off office lights when not in use, switching to reduced lighting after regular business hours, and shutting off computer equipment, printers and copiers each day. Additional energy savings have been achieved through use of our rooftop PV array (see photo) and from the removal of an energy intensive soda machine from our break room. In June of this year, SDREO used 82% less energy than the same month last year. We have saved almost $2,000 over the first half of 2004 and reduced our electrical consumption by 10,260 kWh (Jan - June).

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Technical Spotlight: Energy Benchmarking

There is an old adage in the energy industry that you can't save what you don't measure. Energy Benchmarking is the collection, analysis and reporting of data to provide companies with a context for assessing comparative energy efficiencies and reference points for performance. Energy benchmarking and monitoring allow your company to establish baseline data, identify deficiencies and take appropriate action.

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Energy Regulatory Update

Many regulatory proceedings of interest to San Diegans are ongoing at the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) in San Francisco.

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SDREO Walks the Talk on Energy Efficiency

SDREO has dramatically reduced our electricity usage in 2004. Reductions were achieved through a combination of fairly simple measures like turning off office lights when not in use, switching to reduced lighting after regular business hours, and shutting off computer equipment, printers and copiers each day. Additional energy savings have been achieved through use of our rooftop PV array and from the removal of an energy intensive soda machine from our break room. In June of this year, SDREO used 82% less energy than the same month last year. We have saved almost $2,000 over the first half of 2004 and reduced our electrical consumption by 10,260 kWh (Jan - June).

Like SDREO, your business can take steps to save energy and money. For example, ensuring office equipment is Energy Star® compliant and all its power management features have been enabled. Additional help is available through SDREO’s Technical Assistance Program, which assists businesses and public agencies develop comprehensive energy management strategies, audit their facilities, and provide technical assistance to implement cost effective energy measures. For businesses that have a maximum electricity demand between 20 kW and 100 kW, consider our B.E.S.T. program, which can pay for up to 90% of lighting and other energy efficiency retrofits. If you prefer, the San Diego Energy Resource Center offers a Diagnostic Tool Lending Library – instantaneous reading and data-logging instruments to help determine performance and savings potentials. A statewide program that can also provide assistance is the Flex Your Power for Small Businesses. (See sidebar for the new “Flex Your Power Now!” initiative.)

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Technical Spotlight: Energy Benchmarking (cont.)

There is an old adage in the energy industry that you can't save what you don't measure. Energy Benchmarking is the collection, analysis and reporting of data to provide companies with a context for assessing comparative energy efficiencies and reference points for performance. Energy benchmarking and monitoring allow your company to establish baseline data, identify deficiencies and take appropriate action.

The first type of benchmarking is to monitor overall building performance. This typically consists of tracking energy usage and costs for the facility, then plotting the results. Sometimes these are divided by the facility square footage to get an Energy Usage Index or Energy Costs Index - which provides a metric for comparisons to other similar regional facilities. The key is to watch for significant changes or trends.

The second type of benchmarking is to monitor equipment or system performance. This typically involves metering and measuring through the use of instantaneous or data-logging instruments. A drop in airflow from the original commissioned/balanced value may indicate a blockage or need for a filter change. An infrared scan of a new motor and pump that establishes the original "signature" can be compared later to another image taken when there is a concern about overheating or bearing failure. Significant deviations from original performance can be readily determined. The Energy Star® Business Improvement site offers more information on benchmarking.

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Energy Regulatory Update (cont.)

Many regulatory proceedings of interest to San Diegans are ongoing at the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) in San Francisco. On July 9, each of the IOUs submitted their Long-Term Procurement Plans to the CPUC. These comprehensive plans detail how the utilities plan to address supply, demand, distributed generation, renewables, transmission and other electricity-related issues for the next ten years. The plans are to be updated every two years. The public has an opportunity to comment on the plans by Friday, August 6.

Also on July 9, the CPUC released a report on improving the Self Generation Incentive Program ( SGIP) and requested public comments by July 23. The report, prepared by the CPUC Energy Division, provided 11 recommendations and addressed changes mandated in AB 1685—the Assembly bill that extended the program through 2007. Recommendations included keeping SDREO as the SGIP Administrator for the SDG&E service territory, maintaining the statewide annual budget at $125 million through 2007, and reducing Level 1 incentive payments so that more customers will be able to participate. The Energy Division also recommended that the Commission increase the allowable project size from 1.5 MW to 5 MW (retaining a 1 MW incentive limit), eliminate the maximum percentage payment limits, and expand the Working Group to include industry participation. The Commission will release its own recommendations based on the energy division report and public comments.

As a follow-up to our July edition of Energy Connection, the CPUC has yet to decide how energy efficiency programs should be administered. This proceeding could potentially change how California's publicly-funded energy-efficiency programs are selected, administered and funded. A decision is expected soon. See last month’s article, Critical CPUC Program Funding Decisions Draw Closer, for more information.

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