Energy Connection Newsletter

From the Director's Desk
Community Energy All-Stars Honored

I was so incredibly pleased on the evening of March 31 when CCSE presented six Energy All-Star Awards to businesses, organizations and individuals who made noteworthy energy savings in 2010. Not only were we honoring energy leaders – we were also celebrating the widespread actions being taken throughout the state to increase energy efficiency, implement renewable energy measures and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We can all learn from what our Energy All-Stars have accomplished.

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Helix Water District Goes Solar
Installation provides power and shading at operations center

The Helix Water District activated a 290- kilowatt solar photovoltaic ( PV) system at their operations center in El Cajon during ceremonies held March 30. The installation was funded in part by a $463,900 rebate check from the California Solar Initiative, presented by Jon Fortune, consulting manager of CCSE's Energy Advisory Service.

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Second Life for EV Batteries
Research study looks at energy storage applications

CCSE is teaming up with the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory ( NREL) to study how lithium ion batteries from electric vehicles (EVs) can have a "second life" in energy storage. The $700,000 award from NREL will be leveraged by an ongoing California Energy Commission-funded CCSE/UC Davis study on the repurposing of used EV batteries for home energy storage. Associates in Ventura, Calif.

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Solar-Thermal training

A mock home roof was constructed in one of CCSE's learning centers during a four-day, hands-on training workshop on solar water heating systems presented by National Solar Trainers in support of CCSE's California Solar Initiative Thermal Program. The sessions provided comprehensive installer training and served to develop San Diego's Solar Thermal workforce.

GE Van interior

Billed as presenting the future of lighting, the GE Lighting Revolution Tour will stop at CCSE on its national road show on May 2 in the parking lot at 8690 Balboa Avenue in Kearny Mesa. Exhibits showcase how GE's advanced commercial and residential lighting ideas are improving energy efficiency.

GLA-Fiji TV

An evening presentation of CCSE's Green Learning Adventure held March 23 was taped by Fiji One TV as part of a two-week, State Department-sponsored tour to learn about measures being taken in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and clean technologies. Andrea Cook (at far right), CCSE climate program manager, was among those interviewed by the documentary TV crew.

Green Tax Benefits
Home & business energy tax credits extended for 2011

SANDEE Awards

It may be too late to take advantage of green tax benefits for 2010, depending on when you file and what you did last year, but now is the right time to start thinking about energy-saving measures in 2011 that can result in federal tax savings. When President Obama extended the Bush-era tax cuts in December, the action also included some green energy tax breaks – the tricky part is knowing what changes have been made and how you might take advantage of them.

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Inside the ERC

CCSE's Energy Resource Library now has its complete catalog of books, DVDs and tools online with advanced hold for items you want to check out. Simply search by subject, author, title, manufacturer, name or type, and if what you want is available, you can put a hold on it until you come by CCSE to complete the check-out process. Go to the library website.

Display Sherwin-Williams Harmony Paint During the manufacturing of Harmony paint, steps are taken to reduce environmental impact and meet the most stringent regulatory requirements. It is odor free and formulated without silica and volatile organic compounds. It is packaged in 100% recycled containers and with soy-printed labels. Click here to learn more.	Tool HOBO U30-NRC Weather Station The HOBO U30-NRC Weather Station is a data logging system that can be easily reconfigured and adapted to a wide variety of applications. Up to 15 channels of environmental data can be measured, recorded and analyzed with HOBOware® Pro software. Click here to learn more.
Book Winds of Change: The Environmental Movement and the Global Development of the Wind Energy Industry Winds of Change examines the global development of the wind energy industry from a political, social movements-based perspective. Click here to learn more.	DVD "WINDPOWER 2010 Conference & Exhibition" Presentations made at the American Wind Energy Association's WINDPOWER 2010 Conference in Dallas, Texas, May 23-26, 2010. The latest on industry intelligence and the convenience and utility of session slides synched with actual speakers' voices along with other conference materials. Click here to learn more.

Policy and Planning

	Energy Efficiency Risk/Reward Incentive Mechanism (RRIM) This rulemaking will address the CPUC's policies related to an energy efficiency risk/reward incentive mechanism (RRIM), which offers the four major California energy utilities, i.e., Pacific Gas and Electric Company ( PG&E), Southern California Edison Company ( SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric Company ( SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), incentives to achieve or surpass CPUC-adopted energy efficiency goals and to extend California's commitment to making energy efficiency the highest energy resource priority. Read updates.

	California Solar Initiative, Self-Generation Incentive Program and Other Distributed Generation Issues This rulemaking continues the work of R.08-03-008, 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). Read updates.

	Alternative-fueled Vehicle Tariffs, Infrastructure and Policies This rulemaking will consider tariffs, infrastructure and policies needed for California investor-owned electric utilities to ready the electricity system in a consistent, near-term manner for the projected statewide market growth of light-duty passenger plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ( PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) throughout California. Read updates.

Inside This Issue:

Community Energy All-Stars Honored

Helix Water District Goes Solar

Second Life for EV Batteries

Green Tax Benefit

Event Calendar

Did you know CCSE offers free, ongoing workshops on energy efficiency, solar energy, green building, transportation and climate change? Register now! Click on the links below or call (866) SDENERGY.

CSI Program Forum
Date: Friday, Apr 22, 2011

Integrated Radiant Cooling Systems
Date: Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011

Energy Upgrade California for Homeowners
Date:Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011

Intelligent Control of Window Shading and The Energy Triangle
Date: Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011

AIA 2030 Commitment - Our Journey Toward the Sustainable Pot at the End of the Rainbow
Date: Thursday, Apr 28, 2011

Solar for Homeowners 1 - Getting Started
Date: Thursday, Apr 28, 2011

Solar Water Heating Basics for Homeowners
Date: Thursday, Apr 28, 2011

Next Generation Lighting
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Energy Upgrade California for Homeowners
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Innovative Solar Technology - Streamlined Management For Your Solar Business
Date:Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Solar for Homeowners 2 - Be a Smart Solar Customer
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2011

Make Sustainable Tree Choices to Increase Property Value
Date: Monday, May 16, 2011

Fiscal Incentives for Building Owners in the New Sustainable Economy (Section 179D)
Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Special Notice

Energy Upgrade California for Homeowners
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This workshop is designed for homeowners interested in offsetting the cost of making their homes more energy efficient. Through an exciting new program called Energy Upgrade California, San Diego homeowners have more options than ever to increase comfort while saving money on utility bills. Register today to learn how to get started with your energy upgrade.

Other Events

The 2011 Green California Summit & Expo taking place at the Sacramento Convention Center, April 18-20, is shaping up to be the biggest green government conferences. The summit features keynote speakers, an educational program of full-day workshops, concurrent sessions, product showcases and networking opportunities. Look for CCSE at booth #323.

The 5th annual California Clean Innovation conference is a forum for investors, entrepreneurs, managers and students to review the current clean technology trends and commercially viable innovations at UC San Diego, May 5. The conference features a variety of panels, keynote speakers and the Fast Pitch Competition that allows entrepreneurs to compete for a $10,000 prize.

Join the Fleet Science Center for "Getting Serious about Global Warming," a lecture in their series of Climate Conversations led by top climate scientists. This talk by UCSD Professor David Victor will be given at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 25.

CCSE: In the News

Jack Clark talking about Energy Upgrade
California on KNBC's "Street Scene"

Employee Spotlight

Dadla Ponizil
Associate Program Manager Retrofit Programs

A member of CCSE's Retrofit Programs team, Dadla Ponizil is working on the Energy Upgrade California program in San Diego County. He is involved in workshops and training, contractor recruitment and outreach, business development and project quality assurance.

Prior to joining CCSE, he owned Ponizil Energy, providing green building services, home performance contracting and training and education to building professionals, realtors and homeowners. The first practicing home performance contractor in San Diego County, he is an expert in building performance, green building, general contracting, home performance diagnostics and testing and renewable energy systems.

He is certified by the California Home Performance Contractors Association, Building Performance Institute, Build It Green and HERS.

Ponizil has a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of California, Los Angeles and a B.A. in electrical engineering from UC San Diego.

Greening Your World^® Monthly Tip

Solar water heating

According to the Department of Energy, more than 1.5 million U.S. homes and businesses have solar water heating systems, and surveys indicate that more than 94% of customers consider the systems a good investment. They are also good for the environment – during a 20-year period, one solar water heater can avoid more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. CCSE offers rebates through the California Solar Initiative's Thermal Program.

CCSE Is Hiring