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Februrary 2009
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National Energy Market News
1. Proposed DOE Efficiency Rulemaking on Linear Fluorescent and Halogen PAR Lamps -
The DOE has recently released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) for general service fluorescent lamps and incandescent reflector lamps. While the regulations are not final, the regulations, as proposed, are anticipated to eliminate most 4’ and 8’ T12 lamps from the market. The proposed Halogen PAR efficiency regulations are extremely high and are anticipated to eliminate most current Halogen PAR lamps from the market leaving only extremely high efficiency Halogen-IR types in some lamp shapes. The Department of Energy will accept comments on the proposed regulations up to 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/incandescent_lamps_nopr.html
2. President Obama's Memorandum on Energy Efficiency Standards – On February 5, 2009, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum requesting that the Department of Energy (DOE) establish higher energy efficiency standards for common household appliances. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) applauds the president's action, this marking the first time he has endorsed efficiency standards as a top priority for his domestic energy policy. It now falls upon DOE to ensure that the new standards are strong enough to realize the economic and environmental benefits of appliance efficiency. Two areas that demand particular focus are home furnaces and lamps. DOE must issue new standards for fluorescent tube light bulbs and reflector light bulbs by June 30. http://www.aceee.org
3. Freedonia Reports: LEDs to Lead Growth in Electric Lighting - World demand for electric lighting is predicted to grow 7 percent a year to $40 billion by 2012, with LED lighting devices outpacing the overall growth rate, according to a study by Cleveland-based Freedonia Group, an industry research firm. Brazil, Russia, India and China are expected to be the fastest growing markets for electric lighting products through 2012, accounting for about 40 percent of the additional demand generated between 2007 and 2012. China is forecast to be the world's fastest growing market and largest producer of electric lighting projected to account for one-quarter of global shipments in 2012, with a significant share exported to the United States. LED lighting devices should see the most robust growth; fluorescent lamps will benefit from advances in nonresidential construction, as well as increased penetration of CFLs in residential markets, the report found. The incandescent lamp segment is expected to be the slowest growing. 01/16 HCN
4. Iconic Light Bulb Is On the Way Out - Light bulb makers have revamped some plants, shuttered others and invested enormous sums of money in preparation for a technological shift that they believe will revolutionize the industry. Yet the fact that the incandescent bulb, which has remained largely unchanged for more than a century, is about to become obsolete is lost on the vast majority of the public. Osram Sylvania commissioned a survey to find out if the public agreed, only to find out 80 percent of Americans don't know the light bulb, as we know it, is on the way out. The phase-out of the iconic light bulb will start in September in the European Union and begins in three years in the USA. The cost of switching over to LEDs and compact fluorescents could be a jolt to some consumers. Philips introduced a line of LEDs in Europe last year for about $90. General Electric's base LED bulb sells for about $35 to $40. A recent study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute estimates global financial savings from LEDs could exceed $10 trillion within 10 years because they last much longer. 01/16 AP
5. Chu's Green Energy Agenda - As head of Obama's Energy Dept., physicist Steven Chu intends to draw on smart ideas from America's green innovators and entrepreneurs. He's widely considered to be the smartest person ever to head up the Energy Dept. He has said that the U.S. needs to increase funding dramatically for basic research, especially in energy. That's the only way to feed the fires of innovation. Chu believes the amount of money allocated for research in the Energy Dept.'s $25 billion budget is "quite pathetic". He is equally passionate about the need to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that are altering the climate. He can take some immediate steps. No fewer than 25 appliance efficiency standards are overdue from the Energy Dept.—they were delayed or blocked by the Bush Administration. They will cover everything from fluorescent tube lights to home refrigerators and clothes washers to residential central A/Cs. By John Carey 01/21 Business Week
6.
America's
Untapped Energy Resource: Boosting Efficiency -This
may sound too good to be true, but the U.S. has a renewable-energy resource
that is perfectly clean, remarkably cheap, surprisingly abundant and
immediately available. It has astounding potential to reduce the carbon
emissions that threaten our planet, the dependence on foreign oil that
threatens our security and the energy costs that threaten our wallets. Unlike
coal and petroleum, it doesn't pollute; unlike solar and wind, it doesn't
depend on the weather; unlike ethanol, it doesn't accelerate deforestation or
inflate food prices; unlike nuclear plants, it doesn't raise uncomfortable questions
about meltdowns or terrorist attacks or radioactive-waste storage, and it
doesn't take a decade to build. It isn't what-if like hydrogen, clean coal and
tidal power; it's already proven to be workable, scalable and cost-effective.
And we don't need to import it. This miracle juice goes by the distinctly
boring name of energy efficiency… By
Michael Grunwald 12/31 TIME
7. The Advent of Solid-State Lighting - Homes and businesses are ushing in a new era of lighting. As innovative LED lighting products hit the market, now is the time to share the facts of LED lighting performance. Clear labeling on lighting performance is the critical link between innovation and successful market introduction. Solid-State Lighting Quality Advocates is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to assure and improve the quality of LED lighting products. Participation in SSL Quality Advocates is open to those who manufacture, sell, and recommend the best in LED lighting. http://www.lighting-facts.com/
8. Standard 90.1-2004 Established as National Reference Standard by DOE - States must now certify that their building codes meet the requirements in ASHRAE/IESNA’s 2004 energy efficiency standard, under a ruling issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that finds the standard saves more energy than an earlier version. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, has been established by the DOE as the commercial building reference standard for state building energy codes under the federal Energy Policy Act. The Act requires all states to certify that they have state energy codes in place that are at least as stringent as 90.1-2004, or justify why they cannot comply. The DOE determined that Standard 90.1-2004 saves more energy than Standard 90.1- 1999, which was the previously referenced standard in the Act. http://www.sustainablefacility.com posted 01/06
Note from Craig DiLouie to correct last month’s entry that the DOE ruling regarding ASHRAE 90.1-2004 does not go into effect until 2010. ASHRAE and my reporting kind of gave the impression that the DOE ruling took effect immediately…..sorry about that.
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9. New Home Construction Hits Record Low in December - New home construction fell to an all-time low in December, putting an exclamation point on the worst year for U.S. builders since records began being kept in 1959. The Commerce Department announced Jan. 22 that housing starts decreased a record 15.5 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 550,000 compared to the prior month, shattering the previous record of 15.1 percent in November. Year-over-year, housing starts were 45 percent below the level of construction in December 2007. Regionally, housing starts fell 2.2 percent in the West, 22.2 percent in the South and 24.5 percent in the Midwest. Starts rose 12.7 percent in the Northeast. For all of 2008, builders broke ground on 904,300 housing units, a 33.3 percent drop from the 1.355 million units started in 2007. 01/22 HCN
10. Nonresidential Construction Seen Falling 11% in 2009 - Spending on U.S. nonresidential construction projects will fall both this year and next as builders delay or cancel plans for hotels, office buildings and retail facilities. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) sees such construction activity falling 11 percent this year and another 5 percent in 2010, it said in its semiannual industry forecast. The group cited falling company profits and the lack of credit to finance projects. 01/14 CNBC.com
11. IBS Reflects a Familiar Color: Green - If you're not used to green, get with the program. That's one of the messages that emerged from the floor of the 2009 International Builders' Show with its theme of "Brighter Lights, Bigger Ideas". Across the three massive halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, many of the 1,700 exhibitors presented a green theme of one kind or another. Most dealt with energy efficiency, with water-conservation showing growth, as well. 01/23 HCN
12. Record 19 Million Empty Homes -The number of empty homes — for sale or rent — has hit a record 19 million, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. As foreclosures mount and banks seize properties, the number of them sitting empty rose by 6.7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007. The number of homes for sale rose to 2.9 percent of all homes, the highest since the agency began tracking data in 1956. Home ownership, meanwhile, has fallen to 67.5 percent, a low not seen since the housing boom began in early 2001. 02/04 moneynews.com
13. ALT Energy Stocks on Building Retrofits - One of the major points which the President-Elect outlined for his stimulus plan was an energy efficiency overhaul for government buildings and schools. Hence companies which sell services and equipment for building retrofits should be well placed to take advantage of these programs. Such companies include Johnson Controls, General Electric, Owens Corning, Philips, United Technologies, Waste Management, and Honeywell. http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2008/12/ten_solid_clean_companies_ready_for_stimulus_and_five_that_arent.html
14. New CALiPER Benchmark Report: Comparison of T12 and T8 Fluorescent Lamps and LED Linear Replacement Lamps reported by Jim Brodrick - The DOE has published a new CALiPER Benchmark Report, presenting a comparison of T12 and T8 linear fluorescent lamps with commercially available LED linear replacement lamps. CALiPER testing addressed a range of standard lighting measures, including power usage, luminous flux, photometric distribution, source and luminaire efficacy, correlated color temperature (CCT), and color-rendering index (CRI) for the lamps tested separately and in troffers. Key findings are:
R The comparatively low light output of LED linear replacement lamps could result in unacceptably low illumination levels in retrofit applications.
R LED linear replacements achieved higher fixture efficiencies than benchmark fluorescent configurations in CALiPER testing; however, low lumen output and efficacy limited their overall performance to levels significantly below those of fluorescent systems.
R CALiPER testing at this time shows that LED technology is not yet ready to displace linear fluorescent lamps as replacement light sources in recessed troffers for general interior lighting.
This report is available for download at www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/caliper-benchmarkreports.htm. To learn more about the CALiPER program, or to download detailed test reports or summary reports, visit www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/comm_testing.htm
15. IES Participates in Consortium to Advise DOE on High-Performance Green Building Issues - The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) to announce its participation in a newly formed consortium, The High-Performance Commercial Green Building Partnership (HPCGBP). The formation of the HPCGBP is a response to a request by the DOE for consortia to advise the Department on high-performance building issues. The purpose of the HPCGBP is to create a “multidisciplinary group dedicated to assisting and advising the DOE in the adoption of technologies, tools, and processes necessary to achieve net-zero energy performance level in commercial buildings.” The fundamental goal of the partnership is to assist DOE in meeting the requirements of Subtitle B of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. Section 421 of the Act specifies the formation of a research, development, and deployment strategy toward achieving net zero energy commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.hpcgbp.org
16. Free Webinar Feb. 18: "Energy Market Entry Strategies" - NAED members are invited to attend a complimentary Webinar at 2:00 p.m., Eastern, Feb. 18: Energy Market Entry Strategies is the third in the series based on NAED's research report, Green Goes Mainstream: How to Profit from Green Market Opportunities, by Jerry Yudelson, PE, MS, MBA, LEED® AP. The Webinar presents tactical strategies NAED companies can implement to take advantage of the growth opportunities presented by a new environment of accelerated market transformation and rapid growth in efficiency investments. The Webinar shows how to properly educate and incentivize salespeople, identifies buildings and facilities distributors should go after for selling opportunities, and looks at electrical distributors' potential competitors. Register at: https://www.telspan.com/Registration/AnonymousLandingPage.aspx?EventNo=3183
17. EPRI and the CEE to Work Together Advancing Energy Efficiency - The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, Calif., and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), Boston, have signed a memorandum of understanding that provides a mechanism for transferring key findings of EPRI research to CEE, where program administrators from the United States and Canada work to introduce energy-efficient products and services to the market. 01/30 EC&M http://ecmweb.com/ezone/epri-cee-advancing-energy-efficiency-0127/
18. Energy Secretary Steven Chu Issues Dire Warning on Global Warming - The Upper Midwest and West could face water shortages and California's major cities could be in jeopardy if Americans do not act to slow the advance of global warming, Energy Secretary and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Chu said Tuesday. In his first interview since taking office last month, Chu offered some of the starkest comments yet on how seriously President Barack Obama's Cabinet views the threat of climate change, along with a detailed assessment of the administration's plans to combat it. 02/04 Chicago Tribune
19. New Wal-Mart CEO Says Sustainability Drive Will Continue at Full Speed - New Wal-Mart President and CEO Mike Duke, who succeeds Lee Scott as head of the world's largest retailer, says he expects the company to accelerate and broaden efforts to achieve its sweeping environmental goals. The company's efforts for greater environmental responsibility began in 2005, when Scott called for the Wal-Mart to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy, create zero waste and sell products that help sustain the environment. Since then, the company has worked to improve its track record of environmental and social responsibility in its business operations and is demanding that its suppliers do the same. 02/02 http://greenbiz.com
20. Dollars Per Gallon, Including All Taxes
-
21. NAED Launches TED GreenRoom -
The TED GreenRoom Web site is a resource
center for those interested in selling alternative power and energy efficient
products through the established and successful electrical distribution
channel. Designed to educate electrical distributors and those interested in
selling through them, the site provides users with up-to-date news, industry
resources, blogs, interactive research, and more. TED GreenRoom is published by
The Electrical Distributor (TED) Magazine. http://www.tedgreenroom.com/
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State Energy Market News
1. Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative - On January 28, 2008, Governor Linda Lingle and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative, a long-term partnership designed to accelerate the transformation of Hawai’i into one of the world’s first economies based primarily on clean energy resources. The goal of the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative is to use renewable resources – such as wind, sun, ocean, geothermal, and bioenergy – to supply 70 percent or more of Hawai‘i’s energy needs by 2030. This will reduce the state’s dependence on imported oil and help bring energy price stability to Hawai‘i consumers. http://hawaii.gov/gov/energy/energy-initiatives
2. Entities Launch Energy Campaign - A retailer and two utilities have launched a campaign to get Anchorage-area consumers to cut down on energy use by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs. The effort by Brown's Electrical Supply, Chugach Electric Association and Municipal Light & Power aims to reduce kilowatt hour consumption 10 percent by next year. The organizers estimate the area has 1.7 million light sockets that could burn the CFL bulbs but don't. Customers of Chugach and ML&P will receive coupons worth $2 off the cost of five kinds of CFL bulbs at Brown's stores. 01/18 Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com
3. Energy Efficiency a Lesson Throughout Portland, Ore., Schools - School districts throughout the state are deep into green. In Portland Public Schools, programs range from changing to energy-saving lights to building a new net-zero-energy school facility. That building, at Rosa Parks School, is the emerald in the district's green campaign. The 2-year-old elementary school in the Portsmouth neighborhood met the gold standard for LEED new building certification. Ten schools from the district are participating in the Energy Challenge, a three-month campaign that teaches ways to conserve energy. 01/30 The Oregonian
4. Streetlight Study in California - The City of Palo Alto, Calif., is seeking proposals to provide an independent and objective evaluation of a street lighting pilot to assess the technical and economic feasibility of converting existing high-pressure sodium lights to LED and/or induction fixtures. A pre-proposal meeting was scheduled on February 5. The deadline for proposals is 3 p.m. on Feb. 17. http://www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=14675 01/30 EC&M
5. UES' ENERGY STAR® Lighting Program Cuts CFL Costs By Up to 50 Percent - A new UniSource Energy Services (UES) program is making compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs available at discounts of up to 50 percent off of regular retail prices. UES's new ENERGY STAR Lighting Program is designed to encourage the use of energy-efficient CFL bulbs, Through the program, UES has paid manufacturers to provide discounts that are passed along through numerous local retailers. No coupons are necessary, and customers can purchase up to 10 discounted bulbs per store visit. The program is funded by UES customers through a monthly surcharge approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. www.uns.com 01/29 BUSINESS WIRE
6. Arizona Utilities Plan to Expand Efficiency Programs - While Congress works on a federal stimulus package that includes $30 billion set aside as financial incentives for the energy sector, Arizona's largest utilities are developing plans to use the state's portion of the additional money to expand existing energy- efficiency programs. On Jan. 27, the Arizona Corporation Commission sent a letter to APS, Tucson Electric Power/UniSource Energy and Southwest Gas, explaining that they will be expected to "be prepared to act quickly on behalf of their customers" if the federal government were to double the amount of money it contributes to states' energy- efficiency programs. If Congress fails to act, Arizona utilities expect to spend more than $37 million on energy efficient programs this year. 01/31 -Arizona Capitol Times
7. Utility Doled Out $1.2M Last Year for Energy-Efficiency Programs - El Paso Electric is paying customers to use less electricity to meet a statewide mandate. The company paid more than $1.2 million last year for cash incentive payments and administrative costs for energy-efficiency programs, said David Carpenter, El Paso Electric controller. The Texas Legislature established mandates for electric utilities to reduce their peak electric demand loads over several years. That's why last year El Paso Electric instituted the Schools and Cities Conserving Resources Program, known as Score, through CLEAResult Consulting. The Austin energy consultant has implemented the program throughout the state for utilities through consulting contracts. El Paso Electric's Score program encompasses 12 school districts, UTEP, Texas Tech, El Paso Community College, and the city and county. 01/16 El Paso Times
8. State Regulators Give Tiered Power Rates a Second Try - In 2001, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission thought it had a great idea. To encourage energy efficiency among Idaho Power Co. customers, commissioners approved a three-tiered rate system that charged more to people who used more power but it didn't quite work. This Sunday they will try again. The new rate tiers for residential customers stack on each other:
R First 800 kilowatt-hours: 5.58 cents per kWh, or 5.78 in the summer
R From 801 to 2,000 kWh: 6.2 cents, or 6.59 in the summer
R More than 2,000 kWh: 7.13 cents, or 8.17 in the summer http://www.puc.state.id.us/
9. Co-Ops Donate Energy-Efficient Bulbs to VA Parks - Virginia's state parks are getting 4,200 new light bulbs that could reduce energy costs by an estimated $56,000 annually. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Monday that the compact fluorescent light bulbs are being donated by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. General Electric, the bulbs' manufacturer, estimates that replacing the incandescent bulbs with the donated bulbs will reduce annual energy usage from 320 kilowatts to 80. 01/26 AP
10. NJ Gov. Corzine Signs Green Government Bill - Government agencies, from school districts to the Statehouse, will be permitted to enter lease-purchase agreements to acquire energy-savings equipment, under a bill signed today by NJ Gov. Jon S. Corzine. The legislation allows agencies to acquire efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment from utilities — as well as other environment-friendly improvements, such as insulation and more efficient lighting — without the need for large upfront capital expenditures. It also helps the state reach its own energy-efficiency goals, outlined under Corzine’s Executive Order 11, signed in April 2006, to reduce energy usage by 10 percent by 2012 and by 25 percent by 2020. 01/21 NJBiz
11. Jersey Central Power & Light Wants to Fast-Track Projects –JCP&L wants to fast-track $98 million in infrastructure and energy efficiency projects this year to help stimulate the economy, the utility said on Monday. The company plans to file an official proposal with the state Board of Public Utilities, and recently outlined its intentions. An exact list of the projects and their locations was not yet available, but they include installing new energy-efficient streetlights. 01/27 Asbury Park Press
MONTHLY FEATURE…Chart from Lightsearch.com.
CFL Share of Household Lamps Reaches New High -
Saving Energy Dollars in the Home -
