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| November 2005 | Home · Event Calendar · Getting Here · Contact Us | ||||
Upcoming EventsWI$E Energy Conservation Series Home Energy Efficient Design (HEED) Evaluating Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Applications View a complete calendar of upcoming events. News Bits
CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS! The San Diego Regional Energy Office is seeking nominations for the San Diego Excellence in Energy (SANDEE) Awards. The program recognizes outstanding achievements in energy savings by a small business, medium to large business, government or institutional agency, nonprofit organization, and homeowner. Nominations must be received by Jan. 19, 2006 Correction. Last month's news bit "Chula Vista power plant slated to close" was not accurate. Instead it should have stated that Duke Energy is divesting power assets in California. The assets to be divested include Oakland, Monterey County, Morro Bay and Chula Vista, which together can produce 4,400 megawatts of electricity -- equivalent to powering 3.3 million typical homes. View the press release for more information. New Appliance Efficiency Standards Issued. On Oct. 19, the Department of Energy published a final rule to codify 15 energy efficiency standards for residential appliances and commercial equipment. Seven of the new standards apply to lighting equipment, five to commercial equipment and the remaining three to distribution transformers, unit heaters and dehumidifiers. View the press release for more details. California Grid Bottlenecks and Congestion Costs Drop. Improvements and upgrades to the power grid controlled by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) has saved California energy consumers nearly $54 million in just two months. This according to a Market Monitoring Report delivered to the ISO Board of Governors. Recent upgrades included the new 230-thousand volt transmission line from the Miguel Substation near Chula Vista to Mission Substation in Mission Valley. With ISO approval and support, SDG&E accelerated the installation and shaved about a year off the project timeline, reducing congestions costs by an estimated $50 million. View the press release (PDF) for more details. Now Hiring! SDREO is now accepting applications for an Energy Engineer, a Technical Program Manager, and a Program Assistant. Visit the SDREO HR page for application procedures. Tech TipAerosol sealant injection seals ductwork leaks from the inside out by pressurizing a duct system with a fog of sealant particles that are forced into the leaks. With a sealing rate of approximately 80%, it avoids the hassle of getting access to the exterior of the ductwork above a ceiling, while providing greater sealing coverage due to traditional inaccessibility. Duct leaks in small commercial buildings are worth sealing, particularly when ducts are located above an insulated ceiling, because these buildings tend to be worse than a number of residential buildings investigated. Many of these small commercial buildings have not received adequate duct tightness testing during construction and/or after occupant space changes. In addition, a number of issues were found with duct system components downstream of Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes. Fan power consumption can be impacted by ductwork leaks, rising in response to the fan pressure differential and flow rate. For example, a 1998 report (representative of other findings) showed that a 15% duct leak resulted in a 40% increase in fan power for a typical VAV system. This does not include the impact of increased heat from the fan motor introduced into the airstream. Not surprisingly, the greatest benefits from reducing duct leaks occur during the cooling season.
Quotables“The vision of design, construction and operations data that freely and effortlessly pass from one software application to another without corruption or degradation often is smiled upon as a lovely, but impractical and even unreasonable idea. There are huge hurdles to the concept, yet the payoffs will be so enormous as to completely overcome the obstacles. It is only a matter of time, and that time is coming soon.”
Editorials, ENR 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 .
| New Building Energy Efficiency StandardsChanges to California's energy efficiency standards for residential and nonresidential buildings, known simply as Title 24, went into effect last month on Oct. 1. Projected to cut the state's peak energy use by 180 megawatts -- enough to power 180,000 average-sized homes, Title 24 is also expected to reduce the growth in electricity use by 478 gigawatt-hours per year and gas use by 8.8 million therms per year. Now Showing! Bright Ideas for Saving Energy
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San Diego County Television Network
| Inside the San Diego Energy Resource Center |
Featured DisplayName: MechoShade Window Wall Shading System Featured InstrumentName: Raytek Noncontact Infrared Temperature Measurement Featured BookEnergy Analysis of 108 Industrial Processes is published by the Fairmont Press and written by Brown, Hamel and Hedman. This book is a reference for identifying quantity and quality of industrial waste energy, which may be economically practical to recover. Based on years of research, the detailed heat and material balances presented were developed from process flow diagrams of 108 industrial processes, with technical input from consultants and manufacturers, and extensive on-site verification studies. Featured PeriodicalElectric Energy T&D Magazine is published bi-monthly by Jaguar Media and serves the following fields: electric utilities; investor-owned, rural and other electric cooperatives; municipal electric utilities; independent power producers; electric contractors; wholesalers and distributors of electric utility equipment; manufacturers; major power consuming industries; consulting engineers; state and federal regulatory agencies and commissions; industry associations; communication companies; oil & gas companies; and universities and libraries. Featured Video
Name: The Next Industrial Revolution NOTE: Books, periodicals and videos can also be checked out free of charge. Please call toll-free: 1-866-SDENERGY for more information. - TOP - |
| Energy Policies, Regulations & Legislative Updates |
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Proposition 80, Repeal of Electricity Deregulation and Blackout Prevention Act (PDF). Prop 80 repeals key provisions of electricity deregulation and gives the California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) broadened authority to regulate electricity service providers, except for municipal utilities. As an independent, non-partisan, public-benefit nonprofit, the San Diego Regional Energy Office ( SDREO) does not normally take a position on political issues. However, the potential negative impact from the passage of Prop 80 causes us to speak out against it. The key points of the initiative are: Direct Access: Prop 80 makes the current ban on customers switching from the major utility companies to other providers permanent (until 2015). It preserves direct access for current direct access customers while preventing new direct access contracts for those not currently subscribed. The measure also limits state and local governments from entering into new direct access contracts. Renewable Portfolio Standard: Prop 80 sets into law an acceleration of the Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring that 20 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2010 instead of 2017. All retail electric sellers must increase the renewable energy resource procurement by at least one percent each year. Flexible Pricing: Prop 80 prevents the imposition of mandatory time of use pricing on small businesses and residential customers (for those with electricity use under a specified amount and in a building built before January 2006.) Integrated Resource Planning: This initiative sets into law the current strategy of developing a “loading order” for the state, with cost-effective energy efficiency, renewable energy and traditional generation as the top three priorities in the electricity procurement process. SDREO’s Position: This proposition moves the state backwards to a monopolistic utility model that has been rejected by a large number of other states. It prevents our cities, businesses and consumers from securing cheaper power and lowering costs. It locks in renewable energy goals that could be (and should be) much higher. It actually reduces the incentive for customers to lower their peak demand. Many say that, if passed, it will kill the distributed energy industry. Finally, Prop 80 has the potential to once again throw California’s energy markets into a state of confusion and disarray. Prop 80 is not the right solution for California's energy problems. - TOP - |
Energy Initiative for the November 8 Special ElectionCalifornia's Building Energy Efficiency Standards (cont.)
The California Energy Commission is responsible for developing and supporting Title 24, and the intent of the 2005 changes were to:
- Make them more sensitive to the time dependence of energy use
- Increase the quality of construction and reliability of energy savings
- Address new opportunities to include emerging technologies and research conclusions from the Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program
- Assess the economic implications of Standards provisions resulting from the restructuring of the electricity industry in California
Here are a few of the changes to this year’s update:
- Changes related to lighting encourage technologies such as fluorescent lights, occupancy sensors and dimmers. These changes help homeowners save up to 75 percent on lighting costs.
- Ductwork is required to be inspected whenever new heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment is installed. Duct systems that leak 15 percent or more have to be sealed.
- Credit for reduced glazing in residential compliance is no longer given.
- When constructing new nonresidential buildings or replacing existing roofing, requirements for "cool roofs" will apply -- highly reflective, low emittance roofing. Today, nine out of 10 rooftops in California reach summer peak temperatures of 150 degrees to 190 degrees. A cool roof can reduce these temperatures by as much as 50 degrees, which translates to a 20 percent reduction in air conditioning costs.
- "Big box" nonresidential buildings will be required to be equipped with skylights and sensor controls to turn off electric lighting when natural daylight is available.
- For the first time, standards for indoor and outdoor signage, and outdoor lighting in nonresidential buildings, such as parking lots, pedestrian areas and building entrances, were also established –- through such methods as lighting zones, shielding and motion sensors.
- A Certificate of Acceptance will be required to be filed with and approved by the enforcement agency prior to receiving a final occupancy permit.
More information and a summary list (PDF) of the more significant 2005 changes is available at the California Energy Commission web site.
Title 24 (short for Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations) refers to California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards. They are updated every three years, regulate construction of residential and nonresidential buildings, and from an energy standpoint, represent the minimum thresholds legally allowed. Opportunities exist in exceeding these minimum requirements.
Established in 1978 as part of a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption, the standards, along with standards for energy efficient appliances, have saved more than $20 billion in electricity and natural gas costs. Based on 2001 estimates, the standards in total will save $57 billion by 2011.
For more information on Title 24 and ways to meet or exceed the minimum requirements, call SDREO at 1-866-SDENERGY.
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Bright Ideas for Saving Energy (cont.)
Bright Ideas for Saving Energy presents various no-cost, low-cost, and investment strategies for saving energy. For example, during winter turning down your thermostat to 68 degrees and under saves about five percent on heating costs for every two degrees you lower the thermostat. An additional 10 percent can be saved if you install a programmable thermostat.
The program is loaded with practical tips like these for residents looking to save money and for businesses trying to improve the bottom line. The simple steps suggested could save a third or more on your energy bill.
Hosted by local Fox 6 Weekend Weather Anchor Terry Burhans, Bright Ideas was produced by Grossmont College students as a summer school project under the direction of Adjunct Professor Barbara Ruland. “The quality of the production is professional grade all the way and we're very pleased with how well it turned out,” says SDREO Marketing Director Tom Geldner, who also served as the show’s executive producer along with Pat Zeitounian of the County of San Diego.
Bright Ideas for Saving Energy was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the County of San Diego Cable and Telecommunications Review Commission with major funding from SDREO's San Diego Energy Resource Program. The program will be shown at various times on the San Diego County Television Network (CTN). (Click here for show times). You can also check out a copy of the show from SDREO’s video library center.
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Rebuild a Greener San Diego (cont.)
Rebuild offers rebates and special discounts to residents rebuilding homes that are energy efficient and/or for the installation of solar photovoltaic ( PV) systems. Although homes do not have to be completed until Dec. 31, 2006, applications have to be received by Nov. 30, 2005.
The program offers two packages: 1.) Energy Efficiency ( EE) Rebates of up to $2,000 for building an energy efficient home; and the 2.) Solar ( PV) Rebate of up to $20,000 for the installation of a PV system. Residents can apply for one or both of the packages.
According to Rebuild Program Manager Dave Gordon, "While most of the fire survivors are aware of the Rebuild program, many don't realize that the Energy Efficiency Rebates of up to $2,000 can just about pay the full cost of the upgrades. When the energy savings are factored in, full payback can be in as little as one year. As fuel and energy prices continue to rise, people will need to do everything they can to save."
The $20,000 Solar Rebate, on the other hand, saves residents up to 50 percent in PV material and installation costs. Plus, there's a special offer right now from Kyocera Solar, Inc. where you save up to $4,000 on Kyocera solar panels.
For more information, call 1-877-284-5373, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the Rebuild site. Application forms may be downloaded from the site.
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