The NAESCO Board of Director voted at its October meeting to
accept the recommendations of the independent Accreditation
Committee and to renew the accreditation of four companies and
accredit one company for the first time. Con Edison Solutions,
Constellation Energy Projects and Services Group, and
Siemens Building Technologies were reaccredited as Energy
Service Providers (ESPs). Honeywell was reaccredited as an
ESCO, and Burns & McDonnell was accredited as an Energy
Service Provider.
The most important reason energy services businesses should be
optimistic is because there will be increasing value to customers
from the work they do. Whether to control costs or to manage a
carbon footprint, customers of all kinds are generally more
motivated than ever to manage their energy use. Another important
reason for optimism is that the industry has more tools at hand to
serve customers. Improved and improving control systems,
communications systems, and other technology and methods are
available to wow customers.
To support motivated customers and savvy vendors, regulatory systems
are gradually adjusting to be more supportive of energy efficiency.
I see this in my work with states and regional energy markets. On
the utility side, as 2009 begins, energy efficiency is being
discussed in nearly every state that does not already have active
programs. This is new. Several states have passed laws in the last
two years stimulating dramatic increases in energy efficiency
investment. Many states are also discussing the business incentives
of the utilities, creating prospects for a more supportive business
environment for all companies delivering energy efficiency. Energy
efficiency is increasingly seen by a broad spectrum of industry
stakeholders as a power system resource, not a social program or
regulatory after-thought and there are good examples where this
perception is being put into practice. While it is too early to tell
how the Obama administration will influence energy efficiency,
campaign and transition statements indicate some new force behind
supportive policies is coming.
The economic downturn casts an unfortunate gloom over businesses in
every space, and motivated customers may choose to wait until better
times to invest in energy efficiency. Despite current conditions,
the pressure to improve buildings motivated by longer term
influences will continue and strengthen, and government is on a
clear, if deliberate, path to clear the way for energy efficiency.
Lane Burt, an energy policy analyst at NRDC, says that increased
funding for energy efficiency retrofits is a high priority for NRDC.
One of the policies NRDC is pursuing is establishing
performance-based incentives for energy efficiency retrofits in
residential and commercial buildings. Owners or managers would get
more incentives, the greater their reduction in energy. They are
also looking to establish some measures for Federal buildings and
schools. In addition to supporting performance-based retrofits, NRDC
is looking to extend tax credits for energy efficient equipment,
increasing funding for EnergyStar, weatherization programs and state
energy efficiency programs.
In reviewing the NAESCO survey data, the authors report that the
single most significant barrier to the quantification of non-energy
benefits is the existing level of data collection and the belief
that the difficulties inherent in the measurement of individual
variables made the process as a whole problematic. The establishment
of avoided operation and maintenance costs was identified as the
most commonly quantified non-energy benefit of energy performance
contracting projects. Since there is already a data collection
process in place as part of the ESCO model of energy efficiency
resource delivery, these benefits are regularly counted and measured
as part of the economic evaluation of current energy savings
performance contracts. However, there are many other non-energy
benefits that are not monitored or measured for a variety of reasons
discussed in the report.
The report suggests that the ESCO industry may need to take the
lead in developing standardized protocols that provide a simple and
reliable valuation approach for measuring the non-energy benefits
created in the course of the implementation of an energy efficiency
project. The authors state that the first step, however, in the
establishment of such a protocol is the collection of the empirical
data. While this report highlights the collection challenges, the
report also identifies the magnitude of savings currently not
recognized, captured nor monetized as part of an energy efficiency
retrofit. The authors conclude that the opportunities to quantify
the full value of energy efficiency resources are considerable and
the creation of credible and transparent documentation of non-energy
benefits could be an economic accelerant to the use of energy
efficiency globally.
ESCOs are defined for purposes of accreditation as companies that
develop and implement turnkey, comprehensive energy efficiency
projects and offer performance-based contracts as a significant part
of their business. To gain accreditation, ESCOs must demonstrate the
technical and managerial competence to design and implement projects
involving multiple technologies.
Energy Service Providers (ESPs) in most instances will offer all
of the services offered by ESCOs but also offer energy supply
options including development and implementation of
build/own/operate distributed generation, cogeneration or combined
heat and power projects; and/or arrangement of firm contracting of
energy supply.
As part of its new communications plan, NAESCO is also creating
content for a variety of media outlets. Interested in participating?
Contact Nina Lockhart at nkl@naesco.org.
California tops the list of U.S. states employing energy
efficiency as the "first fuel" to grow their economies while meeting
electricity demand, combating global warming, and contributing to
U.S. energy security, according to a new report released by the
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The 2008
State Energy Efficiency Scorecard rated and ranked state-level
action on model energy efficiency policies, programs, and practices.
While California claimed the number one ranking, Idaho rated as the
"most improved" state since ACEEE's first state scorecard report
graded state action through 2006.
Member News
For a full list of all NAESCO Member News and Projects,
please
click here.
Project and Products
Energy Systems Group and Atlanta University Center Bring
Upgraded Boiler System Online
Clark Atlanta University (CAU) and Spellman College announced today
the completion of a $12 million renovation of the John B. Shepherd
Central Utility Plant located on the campus of CAU. The Central
Utility Plant services 23 buildings at Spellman College, 14
buildings at CAU, and 14 buildings at Morehouse College. Energy
Systems Group was selected in October 2006 to completely renovate
the Central Utility Plant to provide steam, hot water for heating
and chilled water for cooling to the three Atlanta University Center
institutions for the next 15 years. Key facility upgrades by ESG
included the installation of a 1300-ton chiller that enables the
plant to provide chilled water for air conditioning of many
buildings for the first time. In addition, ESG installed two new
high efficiency boilers fueled by either natural gas or propane and
one high efficiency boiler powered by electricity.
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Burns & McDonnell
Works with University of Missouri, Kansas City
Burns & McDonnell was selected to provide performance
contracting services in 27 University of Missouri buildings
covering over 2 million square feet at the Volker Campus and
Hospital Hill facilities. The goal was to identify sufficient
cost savings via energy conservation strategies to fund the
proposed retrofits, but also to cover the large capital cost of
replacing the existing central chilled water plant. The 15 year
Guaranteed Energy Savings Program is expected to save the
university $1.6M annually.
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Atlantic Energy Solutions
Moves onto Next Phase in Upstate NY College Project
Atlantic Energy Solutions, Inc. announced that it is moving on
to the next phase of its $4.4 million energy efficiency project
with a state college located in upstate NY. To date, Atlantic
Energy Solutions has completed $3.5 million in renovations to
the college campus. Among the renovations are campus wide
lighting system upgrades, improved water conservation
technology, a building envelope and weatherization package,
domestic hot water heater replacements, and a geothermal system
conversion in their field house.
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Chevron Energy Solutions
Completes Final Phase of University of Utah Project
Chevron Energy Solutions has delivered the last phase of a
project begun in 1998 at the University of Utah when it began
the implementation of a 20-year energy savings contract to
improve heating, cooling, lighting, water conservation and
energy management at 81 campus buildings. The contract was to be
delivered in 6 phases, the last of which included a Combined
Heat and Power project that supplies 5 -10 percent of the
Universities' electricity needs and produces heat for one of its
campuses. According to CES, this CHP project is unique in that
it looked to balance efficient electricity generation with waste
heat output, rather than focus primarily on efficiency.
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Trane
Completes P/C at Virginia Hospital Which Receives Award for
Energy-Saving Renovations
Trane recently completed a performance contract at Catawba
Hospital, a state-run psychiatric hospital in Virginia. The
hospital anticipates $1 million in savings over five years from
reduced power usage and decreased maintenance costs associated
with the new heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.
For its success in reducing energy use, Catawba Hospital was
recognized with the Trane Energy Efficiency Leader in Healthcare
Award.
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Honeywell
Helps Pittsburgh Housing Authority Cut Utility Bills and Carbon
Emissions
Honeywell announced a $25.1-million energy efficiency and
conservation program for the Housing Authority of the City of
Pittsburgh. The program, which combines traditional facility
retrofits with renewable geothermal technology, will help the
housing authority upgrade its communities, reduce its
environmental footprint, and save approximately $3.2 million in
utility costs per year.
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Southern California Edison
Completes First of its Major Commercial Rooftop Solar
Installations
Southern California Edison announced completion of the first of
its proposed 150 solar photovoltaic installations on Southern
California commercial rooftops. The project could eventually
cover two square miles of existing commercial roofs with 250
million watts of peak generating capacity - equivalent to
building several utility-scale solar power plants.
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TAC Energy Solutions
Implements $1.8 Million P/C in Texas School District
TAC Energy Solutions is working with the White Oak Independent
School District in White Oak, Texas, to implement more than $1.8
million in facility enhancements designed to improve operations,
comfort and efficiency at nine district buildings containing a
total of 413,000 square feet. The Energy Solutions division of
TAC will complete the work as a guaranteed energy savings
performance contract with the district. TAC guarantees that
White Oak ISD will reduce its utility costs by $132,000 annually
for 15 years once the project is completed in August 2009.
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Control Technology and Solutions
Completes $4.7 Million in Energy Saving Upgrades at Seven
Veterans Homes in Missouri
The state of Missouri will collect $373,900 in annual energy and
operational savings thanks to innovative turnkey design and
engineering services delivered by St. Louis-based Control
Technology and Solutions, Inc. (CTS). The firm implemented
cost-saving solutions at all seven Missouri Veterans Homes,
located in Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mt. Vernon, St.
James, St. Louis, and Warrensburg, Mo. The Missouri Veterans
Commission operates the homes, which total 1,350 beds.
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Maine Governor Flips the Switch on OSRAM SYLVANIA LED
Retrofit Lamps at Pineland Farms
Maine Governor John Baldacci flipped the switch on over 200
street lighting fixtures retrofitted with OSRAM SYLVANIA LEDs to
illuminate the campus of Pineland Farms in New Gloucester,
Maine. This is the first significant installation of the
company's new LED product, the Post Top Fixture LED Retrofit
Kit. Pineland Farms is a 5,000-acre working farm, diverse
business campus and educational and recreational venue. The
site's LED retrofit project had the support of Efficiency Maine,
a statewide effort to promote more efficient use of electricity
and help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs.
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$18 million Energy Efficiency Partnership Project Awarded to
Atlantic Energy Solutions
Atlantic Energy Solutions, Inc. announced that they have signed
a contract to begin, in conjunction with a partner, an $18
million project at a Northern New Jersey Township and School
District. The partnership will develop and maintain a one
megawatt co-generation plant, as well as to put into operation a
700 watt solar plant which will produce electricity for 8 large
municipal buildings in the town.
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ConEdison Solutions and
Simon Property Group Announce Agreement to Perform
Energy-Efficiency Work at Simon Sites Throughout the United
States
With the support of Simon Property Group, The Mall at Rockingham
Park, New Hampshire's largest shopping mall with more than 140
stores, is undertaking an efficient-lighting initiative in
cooperation with ConEdison Solutions. The Mall at
Rockingham Park has begun a property-wide lighting system
retrofit that will reduce carbon emissions by 885,000 pounds, an
amount equivalent to planting 110 acres of trees or taking 77
cars off the road for a year.
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Study Demonstrates High Water and Sewer
Savings Rates at Correctional Facilities
An independent study done by SCI Rockview, PA found that
I-Cons Systems, a provider of water conservation and cost
reduction for correctional facilities across the United States,
generates typical water and sewer savings of between 65%-75% and
have gone in some projects as high as 80%,. The company is a
leading provider of intelligent plumbing control systems and
reports that it has the largest installed base in the industry,
with over 100,000 installed retrofit units.
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FPL Energy Services
to Save Lee County Schools $8.2 Million in Energy Costs Over the
Next 10 Years
FPL Energy Services won a contract with the Lee County School
Board to improve energy efficiency at 25 schools, saving the
district $8.2 million over 10 years. Under the contract, FPL
Services will design, build and help finance comprehensive
energy conservation upgrades at these schools.
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Custom Energy Services
Wins Approval from the State of Arizona to Deliver Energy
Services to Public Facilities
ConEdison Solutions announced that its wholly
owned subsidiary, Custom Energy Services, LLC, has successfully
completed a competitive selection process by the state of
Arizona and has been granted an award as an energy performance
contractor. As a State-accredited energy services company, the
firm is entitled to participate in Arizona's Energy Performance
Contracting program, which provides energy efficiency services
to state agencies, state universities, community colleges,
cities, counties and K-12 schools.
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Johnson Controls
to Harness Renewable Energy, Improve Energy Conservation
Measures at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. has signed an
$89 million energy savings performance contract with Johnson
Controls, Inc. to apply advanced energy conservation solutions,
including a biomass gasification system, to the campus. The
project is expected to generate $8 million in annual energy
savings. This project is the first signed initiative of the U.S.
Department of Energy's Transformational Energy Action Management
(TEAM) Initiative, which aims to meet or exceed the aggressive
energy efficiency goals set forth by the federal government and
laid out by President Bush in an Executive Order.
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Chevron Energy Solutions,
Glendale Water & Power, and Glendale Community College Unveil
400 MW Solar Project
Glendale Water & Power, Glendale Community College and Chevron
Energy Solutions unveiled the largest solar electric project in
Glendale, which will help Glendale Water & Power meet its
renewable energy target and provide shaded parking at the
college campus. The project is comprised of 872 solar panels
with a rated output of approximately 262 kilowatt capacity and
is expected to generate 400 megawatt hours of renewable energy
each year, enough to power 125 homes. The solar system produces
peak electricity during the daytime, when the college
experiences the highest demand for power, and serves 10 percent
of the campus' energy needs.
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Lake Land College Selects Control Technology and Solutions
to Help Them Become Self-Sustaining
Lake Land College in Illinois took the opportunity presented by
aging infrastructure to enter into a turnkey contract with CTS
employing a guaranteed performance." should be "Lake Land
College in Illinois took the opportunity presented by aging
infrastructure to become self-sustaining by utilizing turnkey
engineering and construction services by Control Technology and
Solutions.
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Burns & McDonnell
to Save CA County $1.29M Annually
Burns & McDonnell performed an Investment Grade Audit for Fresno
(CA) county which included detailed surveys of all buildings,
analysis and modeling of a comprehensive list of energy
conservation measures and associated cost estimates. The 15 year
Guaranteed Energy Savings Program to be implemented will save
the county $1.29M annually.
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OSRAM SYLVANIA
Introduces Demand Response Ballast
OSRAM SYLVANIA has introduced the QUICKTRONIC® PowerSHED™ High
Efficiency Demand Response Ballast. The PowerSHED universal
voltage ballast combines state-of-the-art, high efficiency three
lamp operation with a low cost method of emergency demand
response power reduction. The PowerSHED Ballast is a
high-efficiency, instant-start bi-level type with a built in
power line carrier signal receiver for automated dimming
response.
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Company News
Chevron Energy Solutions
Receives Green Apple Award for Climate Change
The Collaborative for High Performance Schools announced that it has
selected Chevron Energy Solutions to receive the 2008 Green Apple
Award for Climate Change. The award recognizes the company's work
with school districts nationwide to capture energy and cost savings
through energy-efficient facility improvements, conservation and
solar power projects. Savings can be applied towards new textbooks,
computers, building renovations and other important priorities,
while also reducing the school district's carbon footprint. The
projects also provide an opportunity for students to learn about how
energy efficiency and renewable power can combat climate change.
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Advance
Repositions for Strength and Alignment
Advance announced its launch of a repositioning campaign that
will serve to both acknowledge its long-standing position and
history as a leader in the ballast industry while firmly
reflecting its affiliation to global technology leader and
corporate parent Philips. As part of the initiative,
Advance will officially become known as Philips Lighting
Electronics North America (N.A.) and will adopt Philips Advance
as its product brand on all existing electronic and magnetic
fluorescent and HID ballasts.
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Executive Centre Reduces Carbon Footprint and Earns Trane
Energy Efficiency Leadership Award
A 521,000-square-foot Executive Centre office building in
Cincinnati, housing General Electric and CINCOM Systems, Inc.,
recently announced completion of building-wide renovations that
will drastically reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
in its three buildings. As a result of the renovations, the
building's property manager, CB Richard Ellis, anticipates more
than $40,000 in savings per year from reduced energy use. To
recognize the importance of these upgrades and CB Richard Ellis'
commitment to building-wide efficiency, the Executive Centre
earned the Trane Energy Efficiency Leader in Commercial Real
Estate Award for its sustainable energy and operational
efficiency building designs and practices.
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