CCSE and Local Governments Team Up for New CPUC Programs
Irene M. Stillings, Executive Director As most of you probably know, several of CCSE's programs, including our Energy Resource Center ( ERC) and Shade Tree program, are funded by the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) using Public Goods monies collected on utility bills as mandated by the California legislature.
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Program Spotlight
Business Energy Services Team (B.E.S.T.) Program: $1 Million Incentive Program for Small Businesses In today’s economy, high production costs as well as many other factors can obstruct the road to success for a number of small business owners. That’s why CCSE has a program designed to at least help reduce the cost of installing energy efficient technologies for San Diego’s small businesses. With rebates covering up to 75% of the project costs, the B.E.S.T. Program is successfully 100% subscribed.
learn more >> Success Stories
Advancing the Energy Efficiency Market through Education The San Diego Energy Resource Center ( SDERC) Program continues to advance best practice methods and energy technologies through informative workshops and engaging discussions to both practitioners and consumers.
learn more >> | Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center | |
Featured Display
 Name: Fenestration Display
Description: Contains several window frame profiles with identical glazing units, and multiple glazing units with various samples, such as: clear, tinted, low-e, applied film, laminated, and suspended film – that can be placed in a beam splitter for comparison.
Systems Addressed: Building Envelope
Illustrates: Components of the solar spectrum, thermal impacts of different frame types with the same glazing unit; thermal, optical and infrared impacts of different glazing samples, and recognized metrics used to quantify the performance of fenestration products.
Featured Instrument
Name: Extech Heavy Duty CFM Thermo-Anemometer
Description: Measures Air Flow, Air Velocity, and Temperature.
Benefits: Lightweight and small size along with ability to read several measurements at once makes it easy to use and convenient.
Examples of Use: Measure flow rate, velocity and temperature in HVAC duct systems – such as walk-in air handlers.
Availability: Loaned free of charge for up to 5 business days. Remember: safety first!
Featured Book
Name: Builder's Guide for Hot-Dry & Mixed-Dry Climates is written by Joseph Lstiburek and includes over 400 pages of practical information and useful illustrations to encourage healthy, comfortable, durable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible homes. This Guide include hundreds of pages of illustrations and resources on such subjects as house layout and design, foundations, framing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, plumbing, electrical systems, painting, sheathings and windows all with respect to moisture control, energy efficiency and proper ventilation. To help you decide which climate is appropriate for your location, click here. Featured Periodical
Name: The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News is published weekly by Business News Publishing Company. Tailored to the HVACR industry, each issue covers training & retaining technicians, consolidation, deregulation, mergers & acquisitions, laws & codes, indoor air quality, special issues reporting market trends, industry statistics, successful projects, and mechanical contracting methods.
Featured Video
Name: Solar Harvesting for Buildings & Transportation
Description: SDERC workshop covering solar heating and cooling, solar DHW, etc.
Length: Approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes
Date: March 28, 2003
NOTE: Books, Periodicals and Videos can also be checked out free of charge. Please call Toll Free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information.
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| CCSE and Local Governments Team Up for New CPUC Programs
Irene M. Stillings, Executive Director
On August 18, the CPUC requested proposals from non-utility parties for new energy efficiency programs for 2004-2005. With over $110 million at stake statewide and $15 million in our region (and only a month to develop the programs), CCSE put on a full court press to submit proposals. To ensure that new energy efficiency programs serve community needs, CCSE joined with several local governments in a "San Diego Regional Energy Partnership". The Partnership, which represents nearly 80% of the region’s population, includes the cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, San Diego and the County of San Diego. After many long hours, working weekends and a few late night pizzas, I'm proud to announce that our staff submitted 10 new proposals to the CPUC totaling nearly $20 million. While there are no guarantees, I think we have an excellent chance of seeing our submissions approved. If you'd like to review them, please visit our website at:
www.energycenter.org/proposals
Again, thanks to staff and friends for all the great work. Now, we just have to cross our fingers and wait as the CPUC decides which of the over 60 proposals submitted in our region get approved! Irene M. Stillings
Executive Director - TOP - Program Spotlight
Business Energy Services Team (B.E.S.T.) Program
$1 Million Incentive Program for Small Businesses
To date, fifty-two (52) projects have been completed and $498,000 in incentives have been paid to the Program approved contractors. The B.E.S.T. Program promotes the installation of energy efficient measures in small businesses that have an annual maximum electric demand between 20 kW and 100 kW and are located within the San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s service territory. The primary focus of the program is to maximize the installation of cost-effective high-efficiency lighting measures, while also addressing some HVAC and customized measures such as heating and AC system controls, window film and other proven technologies. Targeted measures include, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s), fluorescent measures, lighting controls, HVAC/economizer controls, window film, programmable thermostats, custom electric measures and custom gas measures. The fifty-two (52) projects completed thus far represent a reduction of 641 ( kW) in peak electrical demand and 2,237,610 ( kWh) of electricity consumed. This equates to an annual savings of over $218,000 for these businesses on their SDG&E electric bills. Incentives are paid directly to the Program-approved contractors by CCSE after a post-installation inspection. All projects must be installed by December 31, 2003 to receive the incentives. For more information about the B.E.S.T. Program please contact Program Manager, Frank White at 858-244-1181 or visit www.energycenter.org/best This Program is funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the CPUC. - TOP - Success Stories
Advancing the Energy Efficiency Market through Education The goal of our educational activities is to promote active implementation of the concepts and examples presented, rather than just to inform. The SDERC Program has conducted a number of successful workshops that have helped advance the market closer to adopting new innovations in the industry and facilitated the implementation of economically sound energy projects. One example of this was represented by our recently held “Practical Applications of Life Cycle Analysis” workshop on September 30, 2003.
This session addressed the use of Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), which is considered the preferred means to calculate the economic returns for energy projects anticipating moderate to significant investments. Some benefits covered were:
· Project expenditures are looked at over time, including “gotcha” costs incurred after “simple paybacks” that are often missed by this metric
· Tangible costs other than energy and first costs are addressed, such as maintenance, replacement and disposal costs
· Comparisons among alternative energy project options are more accurately achieved The speakers also covered the definition and distinctions of LCCA over simple payback and other methods of calculating economic returns, including:
· Different metrics used to quantify economic impacts and benefits of energy projects
· How LCCA is just one of many criteria used in designing a project
· The steps involved in a LCCA, and software methods and tools to expedite the analysis
· Sample comparisons and calculations for energy efficiency measures
· Conclusions and additional resources to assist with applying life cycle cost analysis
To view the current list of upcoming workshops held at the SDERC, click here. New Program Features
Additional Online Resources to Learn About Energy Technologies In addition to classroom-based education (see above story), the SDERC Program offers a technology database and a number of online courses for our customers. Those interested in Residential can click here, while those interested in Nonresidential can click here. These Energy Information Libraries include an extensive index, along with an expandable list of energy information by sector, building type and end-use technology. Meanwhile, we have also made an arrangement to offer eLearning (online courses) that walk-students through instructional materials, allow students to leave and return to where they left off for their convenience, includes pre-tests and quizzes, and concludes with a final exam to determine their aptitude in the subject. Learning objectives and expected time durations of each course are noted. Click here for more information on our eLearning options. Employers – we encourage your use of these courses to improve your staff knowledge in the energy sector. Best of all, at the present time, we are offering these high-value courses at no cost to students to participate in! In conclusion, the San Diego Energy Resource Center offers a powerful blended-learning experience to most effectively reach and deliver valuable information; whether it’s interactive displays, computer kiosks, our website, seminars and workshops, our online newsletter, technology databases, eLearning, or other resources. |
