September 2, 2010

ULC Standards Acquires Environmental Certification and Advisory Firm TerraChoice
ULC Standards, an independent, not-for-profit standards development organization, has acquired majority ownership of TerraChoice, a global environmental certification and green marketing, and exclusive manager of the EcoLogo Program. TerraChoice joins UL Environment as part of the Underwriters Laboratories global network providing environmental services to companies around the world.

The EcoLogo Program helps public and corporate purchasers, as well as consumers, find and trust environmentally preferable products across 80 categories. Founded in 1988, the EcoLogo Program awards its mark to products that demonstrate environmental leadership within their category. As an ISO 14024 Type 1 program, EcoLogo evaluates products against scientifically rigorous criteria that reflect the entire life cycle of the product. An audit process verifies that each product complies with the criteria established in EcoLogo Standards, which restrict certification to only the top 20 percent of products within a specific category. More than 7,000 EcoLogo-certified products are currently available on the market.

"Working together, TerraChoice and UL Environment will accelerate the critical movement toward sustainable products and consumption by providing complementary services for the global sustainability market," said Scott McDougall, president of TerraChoice. "With Underwriters Laboratories' worldwide network of professionals, we will bring greater value to our existing customers and will reach and assist a wider group of companies making genuine environmental progress. We believe that a growing number of buyers will seek out the EcoLogo and UL Environment Sustainable Product Certification marks to identify products that are better for people and for our planet."

Genesis Fluid Solutions Expands Its Business Strategy as It Enters the Growing Energy Efficiency Industry
Genesis Fluid Solutions Holdings, Inc. will begin competing in the energy efficiency industry by providing solutions which reduce energy use for buildings. The Board of Directors said its strategy includes the acquisition of companies with synergistic building efficiency technologies and the retention of two top-flight executives who specialize in mergers and acquisitions.

"The energy efficiency sector for buildings offers the greatest growth opportunity for business now and into the next decade. Owners of buildings, large and small, are motivated to invest in building efficiency technologies as the price of water and energy continues to rise exponentially. The trends in Green Construction also demonstrate that sustainable design for new buildings has become the norm," said director Robert Stempel, retired CEO and Chairman of GM.

Pepco Energy Services Awarded $7.5 Million Performance Contract for One Judiciary Square Energy Retrofit Project
Pepco Energy Services, a provider in energy savings performance contracting and renewable projects, has been awarded a competitive bid contract by the District of Columbia's Department of Real Estate Services (DRES) to implement a $7.5 million energy efficiency retrofit project at the One Judiciary Square facility in Washington, D.C.

Comprised of 850,000 square feet, One Judiciary Square is one of the major buildings owned and operated by the government of the District of Columbia and hosts multiple D.C. agencies in mission-critical roles. Despite the volume and complexity of the scope of internal work that Pepco Energy Services is providing, construction will be completed without disruption of critical operations at the building.

Pepco Energy Services will install a building management system, direct digital controls and HVAC upgrades. In addition to saving money and energy, the project will create the equivalent of 16 full-time construction jobs.
"The District will not only improve the energy efficiency of the building systems," said DRES director Robin-Eve Jasper, "but the District will also be improving the air quality and overall comfort of the building."

This project is funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act capital and will assist the D.C. government in achieving its energy reduction and conservation goals. Construction began in early August and will be completed within 18 months.

OMNOVA Solutions Pledges to Reduce Energy Usage Through US Department of Energy Program
OMNOVA Solutions has pledged to reduce its total energy consumption by 25 percent or more over 10 years as a participant in the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Save Energy Now LEADER program. This voluntary agreement calls for increased energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions from the company's U.S.-based manufacturing locations.

Under requirements of the program, OMNOVA must establish energy baselines, develop an energy-management plan and designate an energy leader/manager. The company must also report its progress to the DOE on an annual basis.

As a benefit to participating in the program, the DOE will provide OMNOVA with a number of resources as the company implements the necessary manufacturing changes. Through a DOE account manager, OMNOVA will receive technical assistance, gain the use of proven tools and training resources, and develop connections with state and utility organizations. The DOE will also promote available energy-efficient technologies and identify research and development that may still be needed.

OMNOVA Solutions is a technology-based company with a current workforce of 2,300 employees worldwide. OMNOVA is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses.

Power Efficiency to Supply a Motor Efficiency Controller for Escalators
Schindler Elevator Corp. and Power Efficiency Corp., a clean tech company focused on efficiency technologies for electric motors, have signed an agreement for Power Efficiency to supply its private label Motor Efficiency Controller (MEC) for use on escalators.

The Schindler Energy Efficiency Manager is a unique motor efficiency controller that incorporates Power Efficiency’s proprietary E-Save Technology to improve the efficiency of electric motors in escalators. The Energy Efficiency Manager is manufactured by Power Efficiency Corp. exclusively for Schindler. The Energy Efficiency Manager is a complete motor control device that soft starts a motor, bringing it from rest to full speed, and then protects the motor from adverse conditions, such as voltage and amperage spikes. Most importantly, when the motor is operating at full speed, Power Efficiency’s E-Save Technology monitors the motor and reduces its energy use when it is lightly loaded, typically reducing energy consumption by 20 to 35 percent. Schindler plans to incorporate the Energy Efficiency Manager as an energy saving option for customers purchasing repairs and modernization for escalator upgrades.

August 5th, 2010

IBM and Tridium, Inc. to Develop New Systems for Energy-Efficient Buildings
IBM plans to work with Tridium, Inc. to develop new technology and solutions that will allow companies to maximize efficiency of their new and existing buildings and facilities while keeping an eye on profits.
Tridium, part of Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions group, is a global provider of software and embedded hardware that allows for integration and control of the numerous devices, systems and networks found in commercial buildings and retail structures.

Tridium's Niagara and Sedona software enable the integration and control of virtually every system and device in any facility from HVAC equipment, lighting and generators to gas pumps, ovens and medical devices. The companies plan to integrate IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Energy Management and IBM Maximo Asset Management enterprise software with Niagara and Sedona to create secure, Internet-enabled networks that will allow for new levels of energy management, integrate thousands of disparate systems and devices, and analyze vast streams of real-time data.

Applying IBM's advanced software will let managers know if their buildings and the systems inside are operating at maximum performance and profitability, a major concern in many industries, including retail. For example, instead of a convenience store's failed refrigeration unit or broken coffee machine going unnoticed, the advanced systems planned by IBM and Tridium will automatically generate work orders and dispatch repairmen to the scene before the store manager is even aware the ice cream is melting or the java has stopped flowing.
Tridium technology supports hundreds of key protocols and networks used by the providers of building-automation systems -- including open-standards-based software, cellular networks and Internet Protocols. These protocols allow different physical objects to communicate to each other, often called "the Internet of Things."

"Our work to create smarter buildings will be enhanced by Tridium technology that allow many of the systems that constitute a building, heat, water, sewage and electricity, to be controlled and automated," said David Bartlett, vice president, Industry Solutions, IBM Software. "Together we'll be able to give clients greater intelligence and control of their buildings and of the physical world."

New emerging technologies will make IP (Internet Protocol) a common standard for connecting smart sensors and devices to the enterprise. IBM plans to adopt and promote Tridium's open-source Sedona application environment. Sedona enables secure and IP-based device networks and advanced data analytics, bringing new automation capabilities to facilities and increased levels of control to management.

KONE Becomes First Company to Reach Highest Energy Efficiency Rating for its Elevators
KONE has become the very first company in its industry to reach the A class energy rating from the VDI 4707 classification rating for its KONE MonoSpace elevators. The A class rating is the best rating that can be given under the VDI 4707 classification standard. Customers will be able to order elevators meeting the VDI 4707 classification in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The VDI guideline is a European-based code of practice which was established by the Association of German Engineers (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure) and is now used mainly in Europe but also in other countries around the world.

KONE used innovative technologies such as regenerative drives, standby solutions and LED lighting to drastically reduce the energy consumption of its elevators. The use of these technologies in KONE's elevators has played an important role in KONE's ability to reduce the energy consumption of its elevators. In 2008, KONE announced that it would reduce the energy consumption of its volume elevators 50 percent by 2010, compared to the previous 2006 volume model. In 2009, KONE launched a global range of elevators that achieved a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption for its elevators. Later this year, KONE will complete its target set in 2008 by further reducing the energy consumption of its volume elevators by an additional 20 percent.

KONE is also focusing on the ongoing development of standards such as ISO/DIS 25745, Energy Performance of Lifts and Escalators, which will define globally agreed criteria for measurement and comparison between different technologies and products in terms of energy consumption.

Jacobs Project Receives CCEMC Funding for Clean Technology Research Project
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. has announced that a project it will carryout with Suncor Energy Inc. has received funding from Climate Change and Emissions Management Corp. (CCEMC) for clean technology research and development projects.

The project, the Alberta Oil Sands Energy Efficiency and GHG Mitigation Roadmap study, will quantify potential GHG emissions reductions from technology and operational improvements in energy use at Suncor Energy's bitumen mining, steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and upgrading facilities in the Fort McMurray area. Using Suncor's existing plant operations as a basis, this study will analyze the theoretic best energy efficiency that could be achieved in developing the oil sands resource.

Jacobs is one of the world's largest providers of technical, professional and construction services.

US VC Investment in Cleantech Continues Upward Trajectory with $1.5 Billion Investment in Q2 2010
US venture capital (VC) investment in cleantech companies in Q2 2010 hit $1.5 billion in 68 financing rounds, a 63.8 percent increase in capital and an 4.6 percent increase in deals compared to Q2 2009, according to an Ernst & Young LLP analysis based on data from Dow Jones VentureSource. This was the highest level of venture funding for cleantech since Q3 2008.

Five of the top 10 VC deals in Q2 2010 were in the solar segment, which received $438.8 million, an increase of 182.6 percent compared to Q2 2009. BrightSource Energy, Inc., a company that provides solar energy to utility and industrial companies, received the second-largest deal of the quarter, a $180.0 million later stage round.

This financing comes on the heels of the company receiving $1.37 billion in loan guarantees from the US Department of Energy to build a solar complex in the Mojave Desert. President Obama also recently announced $2 billion loan guarantees for Abengoa Solar ($1.45 billion) and Abound Solar ($400 million) to build solar plants that are expected to create 2,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs.

The less capital intensive energy efficiency sector continued to receive the most deal activity. In Q2 2010 this cleantech category received $199.3 million dollars in 15 financing rounds. Corporate demand for efficiency solutions that provide a timely return on investment is a major driver of activity in the space. Ernst & Young's study, Action Amid Uncertainty: The Business Response to Climate Change, revealed that 82 percent of corporate executives worldwide intend to invest in energy efficiency initiatives throughout the remainder of the year and into Q1 2011.

July 22nd, 2010

Sprouts Farmers Market Offers High Efficiency HVAC&R Solutions
Just about everything is coming up green for the new Sprouts Farmers Market, which opened in late June in Culver City, Calif. The 32,800-square-foot new store features high-performance heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) solutions that meet the company's sustainability objectives.

Sprouts Farmers Market leaders anticipate that the selected solutions from Hussmann and Trane will use approximately 50 percent less refrigerant than the industry average, providing the company with up-front and long-term savings.
Prior to selecting HVAC&R solutions for the new store, Sprouts Farmers Market's leadership team conducted an energy analysis to identify the most effective solutions for the space. Based on the results, they selected Hussmann Protocol distributed refrigeration systems designed to be placed on top of walk-in coolers close to the refrigerated cases to allow for short piping and use of less refrigerant.

By combining these systems with energy efficient SEER 15 HVAC solutions, Sprouts has been able to achieve substantial savings in construction and energy costs and refrigerant.

In addition to meeting Sprouts' sustainability objectives, the selected solutions allowed Sprouts to achieve the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) GreenChill "gold" certification. New partners in the GreenChill program pledge to exceed regulatory requirements by measuring and tracking refrigerant emissions. They then set reduction targets for these emissions. Partners also agree to use only ozone-friendly alternatives in all new and remodeled stores.

Nissan Joins Department of Energy in Global Effort to Improve Energy Efficiency
The Department of Energy has announced that Nissan will be among eight companies and one university chosen to pilot the Global Superior Energy Performance (GSEP) initiative that will accelerate energy efficiency improvements in commercial buildings and industrial facilities.

"When governments, businesses and other entities join together in initiatives such as GSEP, great things can happen," said Bill Krueger, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Supply Chain Management and Total Customer Satisfaction, Nissan Americas. "We have a real opportunity to reduce the world's energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This kind of collaboration is essential for lasting environmental progress."

Nissan's manufacturing plant in Oppama, Japan is planning to participate as a GSEP pilot. The program will consist of a framework for accelerated continual improvement in energy efficiency across global operations; energy efficiency decision tools and training to achieve cost-effective savings; and developing policies and incentives to reward GSEP-certified facilities.

Nissan's Oppama plant will begin production of the all-electric Nissan LEAF, the world's first mass-marketed zero-emission vehicle, in the fall of 2010 followed by other Nissan plants around the globe. According to the Department of Energy, Nissan is a fit for GSEP due to its commitment to the Save Energy Now LEADER partnership. Nissan's Smyrna, Tenn., plant is also participating as one of the demonstration sites for the US Superior Energy Performance Program, which will include certification to the new ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard in 2012. Nissan has improved its energy efficiency by more than 30 percent at its

US assembly plants, saving the company more than $11.5 million per year. Nissan was also named as a 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Solar Installation by Pro-Tech Energy Saves Holy Name Friary Money on Utility Costs
Pro-Tech Energy Solutions LLC, a self-funded turnkey energy services company offering a wide array of energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy in the Mid-Atlantic region, has completed a 48.400 Watt solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system on the roof of Holy Name Friary, a nursing facility in Ringwood, N.J.

Holy Name Friary's efforts were recognized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Stewardship Initiative following a March 31 site visit. The goal of this initiative is to encourage regulated entities to improve their environmental performance beyond the minimum requirements of existing rules and regulations across a diverse spectrum of environmental stewardship and sustainable related practices.

The system will dramatically reduce demand on the grid during peak energy times. The solar roof system is expected to produce 50,500 kW of energy annually, accounting for approximately 10 percent of Holy Name's annual electric demand.

Each year the energy savings from the Holy Name Friary installation will prevent 78,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, an environmental impact equivalent to conserving 2,886 gallons of gasoline per year.

"The upfront costs of installing energy-saving upgrades, such as solar panels and efficient lighting, have historically presented a daunting barrier to entry for public and private commercial property owners, especially nursing homes, churches, schools and other municipal-run facilities," said John Drexinger, COO, Pro-Tech Energy Solutions. "But Pro-Tech's unique business model allows us to customize the appropriate financing package to optimally balance each customer's resources, expectations and return on investment while maintaining direct control over the entire design and construction process."

"Pro-Tech allowed us to make investments in energy upgrades with no upfront costs. This was possible by their creation of a customized funding plan for us that maximized available federal, state and local rebates, tax credits and other incentives, augmented by funds secured by Pro-Tech," said Father Francis Soucy of Holy Name Friary.

Individual client savings vary depending on a number of factors including local energy rates, type of facility, hours of operation and level of business activity. The company's self-funded model allows clients to minimize financial risks by paying a portion of the savings results over the contract term.

New Study Shows Huge Savings to be Found in Commercial Building Efficiency
A new study from Next 10 identifies commercial buildings as a stealth energy drain and huge untapped resource that could provide significant savings for California businesses and state government, reduce the need to build new power plants and cut global warming pollution while generating jobs and economic growth.

"Up to 80 percent of the energy used by commercial buildings is going up in smoke," said F. Noel Perry, founder of Next 10. "As our state struggles to emerge from recession, relatively low-tech energy efficiency fixes could save California businesses and the state government significant money and help to generate jobs."

Untapped Potential of Commercial Buildings: Energy Use and Emissions, produced by Collaborative Economics for Next 10, examines the untapped energy efficiency potential held by existing and new commercial buildings in California, analyzes obstacles to achieving widespread adoption of building efficiencies and explores approaches to removing these barriers.

Findings include:

• Electricity consumed by commercial office buildings represents 37 percent of California's total electricity consumption. 
• Based on the US average, energy efficiency improvements could cut that usage by 80 percent.
• Energy efficient buildings retain higher real estate value, commanding higher rents (6-7 percent) and maintaining higher occupancy rates than less efficient buildings. Simple energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings, such as insulating window films, yield three dollars in savings on average for every dollar invested.

The study is available at www.Next10.org.

June 17th, 2010

Energy Solutions Drive $19 Billion in Federal Spending
Federal IT and building technology contractors will be key to the federal government meeting its energy efficiency goals. Federal Technology Strategies for Energy Efficiency, 2010-2015, a new report from INPUT, discusses the technology solutions that agencies are turning to help reduce the federal government's energy consumption and carbon footprint, and analyzes the legislative and budget considerations driving energy policies. INPUT estimates that spending associated with the key approaches being used, cloud computing, virtualization, green hardware and building management systems, will reach $19 billion by 2015.

The report follows on the heels of the General Services Administration's recent announcement of Eleni Reed as its Chief Greening Officer. Reed will be in charge of reducing the environmental impact of more than 9,000 federal facilities, which consume an estimated $7 billion in energy costs annually, according to the Department of Energy. This is the latest step in a long list of activities that signal the federal government's focus on sustainability and energy efficient operations.

"Using green information technology and greening government structures fulfill several initiatives of the Obama administration, namely: increasing the use of IT, incorporating environmentally-sustainable programs into all aspects of government operations and services and decreasing the federal deficit," Principal Analyst Lauren Jones said. "Green IT is inherently environmentally sustainable, and the greening of government structures presents several new and exciting opportunities converging for contractors, since it allows the application of IT to alter an organization's operations and processes and, thus, energy use, to help limit its negative impact on the environment."

Federal Technology Strategies for Energy Efficiency also examines financing options that fund the costs of greening facilities, and advises vendors on comprehensive strategies on entering the federal energy efficiency market.

Chevron Energy Solutions and San Dieguito Union High School District Announce 2 MW Solar Project
Chevron Energy Solutions, a unit of Chevron Corp, and San Dieguito Union High School District announced the start of construction for a 2 MW solar project that is expected to save the district more than $10 million in energy savings over the life of the project.

The solar project is expected to produce more than 70 percent of the electricity needed at Canyon Crest Academy and La Costa Canyon High School. By reducing its purchase of utility power, it is anticipated that the district will reduce carbon emissions by more than 2,200 metric tons, equivalent to removing more than 400 cars from the road.

Chevron Energy Solutions designed the solar system and will build, operate, maintain, measure and guarantee the system's performance for the district. The company is the largest installer of solar power in the US education market and has developed hundreds of projects that improve energy efficiency and provide renewable power for education, government and business facilities. The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the solar energy system also qualifies for more than $4 million in incentive payments. The project is expected to be completed this year.

BSR Guide Reveals Path to Energy Efficiency for Companies' China-Based Suppliers
In China, which emits more greenhouse gasses than any other country, many factories use about 10 times more energy than their counterparts in Japan, giving global companies the opportunity to profoundly reduce their climate impacts by working with their China-based suppliers.

While energy-efficiency investments in China are cost-effective, challenges related to the country's regulatory structure, professional energy-service-provider industry, and lack of information about opportunities and standards for measuring emissions often prevent companies from capitalizing on this opportunity.

BSR's new report, Unlocking Energy Efficiency in China: A Guide to Partnering with Suppliers, provides a clear outline for how leading companies can overcome these obstacles and launch supply chain energy-efficiency programs in China. The recommendations build on BSR's experience helping Walmart launch its initiative to improve the energy efficiency of its top 200 China-based suppliers by 20 percent by 2012. The report also provides insights from BSR's China Training Institute, which has trained more than 1,500 managers on energy management since 2004.

"The benefits to launching supply chain energy-efficiency initiatives are great: companies can save money, reduce their energy-related risks, gather information to communicate to investors who are increasingly savvy about climate issues and establish themselves as leaders before supplier energy management becomes mainstream," said Ryan Schuchard, BSR's manager, Research & Innovation. Lead author of the report, Schuchard spent more than six months helping Walmart launch its efforts at the company's global sourcing headquarters in Shenzhen, China.

"We identified energy efficiency as a significant opportunity to quickly enhance the resilience and environmental performance of our suppliers' Chinese factories," said Walmart vice president of Global Sourcing Ken Lanshe. "But we quickly learned that while the successes of Walmart's Supplier Energy-Efficiency Program (SEEP) in the United States provided us with an effective model, navigating energy efficiency in China required us to leverage local partners that possessed relevant knowledge, experience, and tools. BSR's work helped us surmount these hurdles and ultimately reach more than 300 suppliers since 2009."

June 3, 2010

US Business Demands More Tax Breaks for Green Investment
A new global survey by workspace solutions provider Regus has found that 63 percent of US companies have declared that government tax breaks are required to accelerate adoption of green investments.

The Regus survey revealed that only 37 percent of companies worldwide actually measure their emissions and less than one-fifth of companies (19 percent) measure the carbon footprint left by their activities. 46 percent of companies globally declare that they will only invest in low-carbon equipment if the running costs are the same or lower than those of conventional equipment. A disappointing 40 percent have invested in low-carbon equipment and only 38 percent have a company policy to do so.

In the US specifically, the survey found that only 13 percent of companies monitor their carbon footprint and less than one-third (27 percent) monitor their energy consumption. In addition to this, 76 percent had no company policy to invest in energy efficient equipment. Running costs were found to be very important to more than one-third of companies (37 percent) who declared that they would only invest in low-carbon equipment if it were cheaper or the same to run as conventional equipment. Finally, 63 percent of companies declared that if government offered tax incentives to invest in energy efficient or low-carbon equipment businesses would significantly accelerate their green investments.

Australia's Gerard Lighting Group Taps LUXIM's Light Emitting Plasma  to Illuminate New Energy-Efficient Family of Lights
LUXIM and Australia's leading lighting company, Gerard Lighting Group (GLG), has announced a strategic partnership agreement. The deal allows GLG to deploy LUXIM's Light Emitting Plasma (LEP) in a series of energy-efficient fixtures for high-intensity applications that include street and area lighting, among others. The first products, which promise energy savings of over 50 percent -- will be launched soon throughout Australia and New Zealand. The collaboration brings LEP technology to the region for the first time, offering Australia a game-changing lighting solution that will dramatically reduce greenhouse gases. The deal extends LUXIM's reach into a high-growth regional market currently valued at more than $1.5 billion.

SunPower Installing Solar Systems on Six San Ramon Valley Schools
San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) board of education approved a contract with SunPower Corp. to install high efficiency solar power systems totaling more than 3 megawatts at six schools in the district. The purchase of the systems will be financed using low interest Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCBs) available as a result of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The solar power generated by the systems is expected to offset an average of 80 percent of the electricity costs at each school, achieving an estimated savings of more than $2 million for the district in the first year.

At the six schools, SunPower will be installing solar carport tracking systems that provide shade as well as generate solar electric power. SunPower E-Series solar panels, the most efficient solar panels commercially available, will be mounted on the trackers, which will follow the sun throughout the day, increasing sunlight capture over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements. The solar panels will be manufactured at SunPower's new panel manufacturing facility in Milpitas, Calif., less than one hour's drive from the district's schools. Construction will be complete by the end of next year.

SunPower will also be partnering with the district to provide lesson plans on energy, and use the systems as educational tools to help students understand solar power.

“The completion of the SCR project is the final component of our 10-year environmental improvement plan that defines Tampa Electric as an industry leader in our commitment to sustainability,” said President Gordon Gillette. “I’m proud of our project team’s work to put this technology to use to benefit our customers and the environment, on time and on budget.”

The massive project was particularly complex in that it had to be installed while Big Bend’s other units continued to operate. Gillette said he is particularly proud of the SCR project team’s outstanding safety record: zero lost-time accidents in more than 3 million man-hours worked. The project created more than 1,500 jobs during the six years of planning, engineering and construction.

The SCR project was part of a 10-year, $1.2 billion program undertaken by Tampa Electric as the centerpiece of the company’s 1999 agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to dramatically reduce overall emissions from Tampa Electric’s power plants.
As part of the environmental improvement program, the company also repowered the nearly 50-year-old coal-burning Gannon Power Station to natural gas in 2003 and 2004, creating the H.L. Culbreath Bayside Power Station.

SCR in a coal-fired power plant works much like an automobile’s catalytic converter, which reduces emissions produced by the car’s internal combustion engine. Prior to exiting the car’s tailpipe, exhaust gasses pass through the catalytic converter, where a chemical reaction takes place and the unburned hydrocarbons are eliminated.
At a power plant with SCR equipment, NOx emissions pass through a catalyst and react with ammonia, converting the NOx into elemental nitrogen and water.

The completion of the 10-year environmental improvement program should result in the annual reduction of sulfur dioxide (SO2), NOx and particulate matter emissions by 88 percent, 90 percent and 71 percent, respectively, below 1998 levels. The company also reduced overall mercury emissions by more than 75 percent. The 10-year program also has lowered emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a green house gas most targeted as contributing to global warming, by 25 percent since 1998. This has helped establish Tampa Electric as an industry leader in emissions reductions.

To reduce energy consumption, the school is designed to meet LEED Gold specifications and will feature increased insulation, high-efficiency glazing, daylighting and an Energy Star kitchen. The school will also use permeable paving to reduce runoff and harvest rainwater and grey water for irrigation.

Charter Builders was awarded the $29 million contract to manage construction of the new school, located in Irving, Texas. The 150,000-square-foot facility will produce its own energy via solar panels, geothermal energy harvesting and wind turbines. If the school produces excess energy, the district could sell energy to a local electric provider, creating a potential revenue source for the district.

Scheduled to open to students in August 2011, the building will serve as a three-dimensional learning space, teaching students environmental responsibility through practical, hands-on experiences with geothermal science, rainwater collection, solar panel usage, and wind turbine efficiency.

May 13, 2010

Cogeneration System Enables Wastewater Treatment Plant to Use Treatment Byproducts as Fuel
A new cogeneration system installed at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant by the LOTT (Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Thurston County, Washington) Alliance late last year has substantially reduced the amount of energy needed for treatment processes and buildings at the plant by using treatment by-products as fuel. This renewable energy system, combined with an aeration blower retrofit currently underway at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant, is expected to save LOTT more than $228,000 per year in utility costs.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) provided a $1.7 million Energy Conservation Grant to install the cogeneration system. PSE is Washington State's oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service area stretching across 11 counties. They serve more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers. The PSE grant represents 70 percent of an estimated total project cost of $2.4 million for the cogeneration system project. The estimated PSE grant for the aeration blower upgrade is more than $300,000, which represents 70 percent of the total project cost. The combined projects are expected to result in an energy savings of more than 2.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, enough to power more than 210 Thurston County homes.

The cogeneration system, expected to save nearly $180,000 a year in utility costs, enables the cogeneration plant to provide all of the heating required at the site as a "district heating" plant, eliminating the need to burn off excess digester gas and greatly reducing the emissions of the site. The blower retrofit, scheduled for completion in August, 2010, is expected to save more than $48,000 in utility costs for the LOTT Alliance.

LOTT staff considered several technologies prior to selecting the blower retrofit and cogeneration system. They conducted a thorough evaluation of several energy conservation upgrades and, based on the findings, selected the two that best met their needs. Staff chose the cogeneration system because it is expected to produce the most usable energy per pound of CO2 released in comparison to the other alternatives studied. Employing the cogeneration process includes adherence to strict emissions standards as well as combusting approximately 99.9 percent of the methane, dramatically reducing LOTT's greenhouse gas emissions.

The aeration blower retrofit will replace one of the large existing blowers with a smaller, high-efficiency, high-speed turbine blower. The new blower will become the primary operating unit, serving approximately 95 percent of the plant's aeration system needs. This will allow the plant to increase overall aeration system efficiency and meet future aeration process demands.

Cavet Technologies Launches LumiSmart, Brings Smart Grid Lighting Technologies to the World
Cavet Technologies. Inc. has launched the LumiSmart ILC (Intelligent Lighting Controller) a purpose-built solution that reduces power consumed by fluorescent lighting systems with no impact on occupant comfort. The solution is designed for industrial, commercial and institutional properties and can be installed within minutes, providing minimal disruption to daily business activities.

LumiSmart ILC is the first of a new class of Smart Grid-enabled lighting controllers that provide microprocessor-driven adaptive control of lighting circuits to reduce power consumption while providing an instant 30 percent or more power reduction without replacing any existing lamps, ballasts or fixtures. The LumiSmart ILC is Internet-ready (with the addition of the upcoming LumiSmart DRC - Demand Response Control module) and will enable full remote "command and control" for utilities, property managers and customers, allowing for on-demand reaction to real-time electrical events. Cavet's LumiSmart ILC also helps reduce carbon emissions by actively reducing energy consumption at the source, and therefore minimizes strain on the electrical grid.

Consumers Energy Customers are Saving Energy and Money with New Energy Optimization Programs
Consumers Energy customers are saving energy and money as a result of a wide range of energy optimization programs launched last year. The utility estimates that energy efficiency measures installed during the first six months of the programs will save more than 145,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually of electricity and more than 397 million cubic feet annually of natural gas. That's enough electricity to serve almost 18,000 residential customers, and enough natural gas to serve nearly 3,700 residential customers.

Over the lifetime of these energy efficiency measures, an estimated 1.4 million megawatt-hours of electricity and 7 billion cubic feet of natural gas will be saved.

Consumers Energy launched the programs to meet the requirements of Michigan's 2008 energy reform law. The law requires Consumers Energy and other utilities to work with customers to reduce electric use by 5.5 percent and natural gas use by 3.85 percent by 2015.

Due to significant levels of customer participation, Consumers Energy substantially exceeded the first-year savings required by the energy reform law. Consumers Energy's electric target for 2009 was 107,939 MWh of savings. Through its electric programs customers saved 145,118 MWh, or 134 percent of the target. The utility's natural gas target for 2009 was 300 million cubic feet of savings. Through its gas programs customers saved 397 million cubic feet, or 132 percent of the target.

In 2009, more than 170,000 residential customers and more than 9,500 business customers participated in at least one of the energy efficiency programs. More than 7,000 highly efficient gas furnaces were installed, replacing less efficient furnaces. About 800,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) were installed. Several major Michigan retailers supported the energy efficiency effort by offering CFLs discounted up to half the normal purchase price, made possible by funding from Consumers Energy.

Implementation contractors have added at least 120 employees because of these energy efficiency programs. Separately, Consumers Energy works with 1,700 trade allies and 30 Community Action Agencies which have created jobs because of these programs.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

SunPower Releases New, Maximum Efficiency Solar Panel Product Line
SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, has released its new SunPower E19 series solar panels, a product line that offers modules in a 96-cell or 72-cell configuration, with an efficiency of 19 percent or greater.

The SunPower E19 series includes the E19 / 318-watt, 96-cell solar panel with an efficiency rating of 19.5 percent and the E19 / 238-watt, 72-cell solar panel with an efficiency of 19.1 percent. The modules feature larger, more powerful all-back contact solar cells that deliver 3 percent more surface area per cell, boosting panel efficiency by reducing unutilized space. The panels also have an anti-reflective coating that allow for more diffuse off-angle light to be captured, generating more energy per rated watt than a conventional solar panel. The coating and the larger area cells result in a darker, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The E19 series maximum efficiency solar panels are optimum for constrained roof space, offering customers the highest value for the level of efficiency delivered.

In addition to the new SunPower E19 series product line, the company is also offering its current 18 percent efficiency or greater solar panels in the SunPower E18 series product line. This family of panels includes 96-cell and 72-cell configurations, ranging from 305-watts to 225-watts.

April 28, 2010

Rebound in Energy Efficiency Spending Predicted by New Research
Those looking for signs that the US economy is rebounding can find encouragement in the Energy Efficiency Indicator released by Johnson Controls, Inc., a global provider in delivering products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings.

A survey of more than 1,400 North American executives and managers responsible for making investments and managing energy in commercial buildings found that planned investment in energy efficiency is expected to rebound in 2010. Following a decline last year, the survey found that 52 percent (up from 46 percent) are planning to make capital investments in energy efficiency and 60 percent are planning (up from 55 percent) to make operating budget expenditures in efficiency programs over the next twelve months. However, a significant number of the business leaders surveyed (38 percent) said that the largest barrier to making energy efficiency investments is limited capital availability.

"Our research shows attention to energy efficiency is continuing its growth among business leaders," said Dave Myers, president of Johnson Controls Building Efficiency business. "Commercial buildings consume 18 percent of the energy and 35 percent of electricity used in the US each year. A focus on improving energy efficiency in existing buildings is the best way to address carbon reduction goals being set by a growing number of organizations."

The Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI), in its fourth year, tracks energy management priorities, practices and investment plans among decision makers responsible for commercial buildings and their energy use. Johnson Controls is currently conducting the survey in other parts of the world including China, France, Germany, India, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, with results to be released at events during the summer of 2010.
The North America research was conducted by Johnson Controls in association with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). A total of 1435 decision-makers were surveyed in North America between February 23 and March 15, including CEOs, CFOs, real estate leaders and facility managers from a range of organizations including small businesses, global corporations and the public sector.

The most important factor influencing energy efficiency decisions is energy cost savings, with 97 percent of respondents identifying it as significant. Sixty four percent expect energy prices to rise in 2010. Overall the average expectation of respondents is a seven percent increase in the combined price of energy over the next 12 months.

The next most important factors influencing energy efficiency decisions are enhanced public image (63 percent), government and utility incentives (62 percent), and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (62 percent). This climate concern is growing in importance, up from 57 percent that considered greenhouse gas reduction a significant factor in 2009.

"Interestingly, despite a slight drop in expectations for climate legislation this year, more organizations are setting voluntary carbon reduction goals," said Clay Nesler, vice president, Global Energy and Sustainability, Johnson Controls. "Organizations are using a variety of strategies to meet these commitments, but the vast majority identify energy efficiency in buildings as their top climate strategy."
When asked what specific energy efficiency improvements have been implemented over the past 12 months, the most popular were those with low capital cost and/or a rapid return on investment. The survey shows that 72 percent switched to energy efficient lighting; 63 percent trained facilities staff; 61 percent educated building occupants to save energy; 56 percent made set point adjustments; 40 percent installed occupancy or daylight sensors; and 33 percent upgraded building controls.

Executives were also asked this year to predict what energy-related technologies would see the greatest improvement in performance-to-price ratio over the next 10 years. The top picks were lighting (51 percent), smart building technology (44 percent), solar PV (38 percent), electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (28 percent) and nuclear power (22 percent).

Energy Efficiency Projects - Barriers and Growth Opportunities in Asia
Frost & Sullivan's has released a new report "Energy Efficiency Projects - Barriers and Growth Opportunities in Asia", which provides an overview of the market for energy efficiency projects, drivers, barriers, and opportunities. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts examine the following markets: industrial energy efficiency, transport energy efficiency, as well as household and service energy efficiency.

Budget cuts are urging governments and private sectors to explore new approaches to contract disbursement. Energy efficiency is likely to be the way forward as energy costs account for a substantial percent of the cost of production of various goods and services utilized by the governmental and industrial societies. Already, world primary energy usage has been steadily decreasing at 1.6 percent per annum, and this trend is likely to persist due to the high costs of energy, effective energy conservation programs and projects, as well as the issuing of carbon abatement policies. Bucking this trend, Asia’s energy consumption is increasing twice as fast as other regions in the world. Therefore, this region is generating abundant opportunities for investors in energy efficiency technologies.

Although the prospects in this market seem bright, energy-efficient technology developers may initially have to struggle to gain a toehold. Financial institutions in Asia may not be familiar with the energy efficiency market or the concept of using energy efficiency to boost the profitability of both financial institutions and project developers/industrial owners. Moreover, the projects are considered more risky because they are often regarded as non-asset-based investment, for which, collateral is difficult to obtain. The local banks seem risk-averse, as they perceive large-scale projects as high-risk ones, and this hinders the widespread commercialization and implementation of energy efficiency improvements, says the analyst of this research.

Potential market participants should invest in tools that help evaluate energy usage and savings from reduced energy consumption. Solution providers have to arrange for the technical assistance needed to build the capacity for financial applications. They could also develop alternatives to facilitate investments for businesses that do not qualify for traditional loans. Market participants have to take stock of their financial and technical capabilities in energy efficiency projects and seek advice from financial institutions when necessary. Financial institutions, for their part, must be aware of the potential of energy efficiency projects and should have extensive financial services for them. The deployment of energy efficient technologies is expected to attract a steady stream of investments over the next five years, which will auger well for the clean technology industry, notes the analyst. The internal rate of returns currently average 17 percent and it has the potential to increase with more structured planning in the technical and financial aspects.

Sony Electronics Headquarters Awarded New Construction LEED Certification
The US Green Building Council Institute has announced that Sony Electronics (SEL) headquarters building in San Diego, is the  newest facility to earn the LEED Gold. The LEED certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

The building's design integrated a number of green elements in accordance with the Green Building Council's LEED requirements, including 80 bicycle racks, 140 spaces reserved for vehicles opting to carpool, and 76 set aside for fuel-efficient vehicles, to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Climate change remains a big environmental problem throughout the globe," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, US Green Building Council. "But innovative companies like Sony Electronics are helping address the issue through local solutions such as building sustainable facilities."

SEL maneuvered more than 92 percent of the building's construction debris away from local landfills. In addition, open space accounts for 29 percent of the lot, with vegetation making up 52 percent, more than double the requirement.

SEL designed its headquarters to maximize energy performance by 22.6 percent with the installation of lighting sensors throughout the building in addition to variable speed drives for A/C units.
Solar panels are installed on the building's parking garage to collect energy for the local utility company, a feature that offsets nearly five percent of the total energy cost. The buildings' designers also optimized the use of natural lighting in its construction - 75 percent of the facility's total square footage receives natural sunlight.
Additionally, Sony purchases renewable energy credits - equivalent to 70 percent of total annual energy costs - to ensure its headquarters remains a carbon neutral site.

Energy Efficiency in Southeast to Get Huge Boost from $20 Million US DOE Award to SEEA Regional Alliance
Energy Efficiency in the Southeastern US will get a boost when the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) rolls out its program of large-scale building retrofits for homeowners and businesses under its recently announced $20 million award from the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative.

The regional organization will partner with nearly a dozen communities of varying sizes and characteristics, each of which will use a different approach to increase the energy efficiency of small and large residential, commercial and public buildings. This diversity will allow SEEA to test and evaluate a variety of models in both smaller, more rural and larger, more metropolitan areas and make adjustments as needed. Another key aspect of the program, which will use a combined formula allocation and a pay-for-performance strategy to fund specific projects, will be the availability of affordable, accessible financing programs.

"This large infusion of funding from DOE into the Southeast provides an unprecedented opportunity to promote energy efficiency and innovation while also creating jobs in this tough economy," said SEEA Executive Director Ben Taube. "SEEA is looking forward to working with our various community partners across the region as we go forward and transform the market."

The Southeast Community Retrofit Ramp-up Consortium will partner with cities in eight southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and with the US Virgin Islands to dramatically increase the effectiveness of building retrofits across the region.

SEEA's community partners have been planning and organizing for this opportunity since February 2009, when SEEA challenged cities to make extraordinary commitments to energy efficiency programming and infrastructure with a $500,000 competitive solicitation and award. Fifteen communities from six states tendered applications, based on hundreds of hours of partnership-building, meetings, planning, research and negotiations with utilities and city councils.

Mercury Solar Systems Partners with NREL to Advance Solar Energy Research
Mercury Solar Systems has partnered with The US Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to advance solar energy research. NREL will extract data for its own long-term research from Mercury Solar System's solar test-bed, the first solar photovoltaic testing facility in the Northeast. The system will be constructed on the roof of Mercury Solar Systems' corporate headquarters in Westchester County, NY, and is expected to be operational by the end of the summer. A grant from The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will help finance the project.

"Our partnership with NREL will help validate panel performance for the entire solar industry," said Lloyd Hoffstatter, vice president of Engineering, Mercury Solar Systems. "Combining several different solar panels into one system is an innovative approach to evaluate and monitor panel performance. It will also give us quantifiable engineering data to design, construct and integrate the most state-of-the-art solar energy systems for our customers, giving us a significant edge over other firms in this industry."

The 81 kilowatt (kW) solar PV system will consist of several hundred panels from eight different manufacturers. It is expected to generate 90,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) each year or approximately seventy-five percent of the building's annual electricity needs. The system will also incorporate a hybrid PV/solar hot water system.

April 14, 2010

Potential for Energy Saving Revs Up the Attraction Quotient for Smart Metering Technologies, Finds Frost & Sullivan
Against the background of escalating environmental concerns and rising energy prices, smart metering technologies have emerged as well suited solutions for utility companies striving to address these issues. As the focus intensifies on energy efficiency, manufacturers are stepping up the ante to roll out devices that are capable of controlling and monitoring energy usage and supporting environmental initiatives. Global climate change is a major factor driving the urgent need for technological advances in the utilities industry.

The implementation of such systems will provide environmental benefits, as reduced overall electricity usage will translate into emission mitigation. Moreover, all the facets of the entire electric system, from generation and transmission right up to distribution and consumption, will be enhanced considerably.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Smart Metering--A Technology Analysis, finds that smart grid is a multi-billion dollar market, which is expected to scale unprecedented heights in the near future. Smart metering is part of a global trend, indicating the shift toward a digital economy.

Although the benefits of smart metering and the ultimate smart grid are numerous, there are some aspects restraining market progression. Despite the hype surrounding smart metering technology, utilities and consumers are wary about its adoption. This can be attributed to a lack of knowledge about this emerging technology. The additional cost of $3.5 on utility bill in the United States, for instance, will stand in the way of deeper market penetration of smart metering. Technologies that are integral to a smart grid, such as smart meters, sensors and communication networks, make the grid susceptible to attack from hackers. Interoperability issues have also proved challenging for market participants. While the introduction of smart meters paves the way for real-time availability of consumption/generation-metered data, the management of such high volumes of data remains an onerous task.

The operating benefits of smart metering and climate change are common across the globe; however, discrepancies exist in the communications technologies incorporated, standards, and regulatory environment. The diverse number of communication protocols has caused serious compatibility problems for utilities, suppliers and consumers alike.
Considering the extent of interoperability that is required for efficient functioning of a smart grid, the establishment of technical standards on a large scale is very important. Appropriate management of meter data enables utilities to make predictions regarding the system load and usage, which, in turn, would help to avoid imbalances and reduce off-network purchases. Further analysis of this data helps to improve the system throughput and speed up the service restoration after power outages.

PepsiCo's Frito-Lay Topeka Facility Celebrates Distinction as Kansas' First Existing Manufacturing Site to Achieve LEED EB Gold Certification
PepsiCo's Frito-Lay Topeka, Kan., facility has become the state's first manufacturing site, and the nation's second food manufacturing site, to be awarded LEED Existing Building (EB) Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), as verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

"It's only through the efforts of our associates and business partners that we were able to retrofit this nearly 30-year-old-building and make it more environmentally friendly," said Allen Moore, technical manager, Frito-Lay Topeka. "Achieving LEED EB Gold standards is another significant step on our company's sustainability journey, and solidifies our place as a leader in Kansas and in the US."

To achieve LEED EB Certification, the company's Topeka sustainability strategy included implementing a number of green design and construction features, water reduction technologies and practices, as well as improved waste management.

Frito-Lay Topeka continues to invest in leading edge technologies that will eventually reduce its environmental footprint, such as a biomass boiler that will come online later this year.

NORESCO to Implement $7 Million in Energy Upgrades at Fort Worth Naval Air Station
NORESCO will partner with Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast to implement an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base (JRB). The project includes more than $7 million in facility infrastructure upgrades and affects more than 20 base facilities. NORESCO is a subsidiary of Carrier Corp., which is a unit of United Technologies Corp.

The energy infrastructure upgrades to be installed by NORESCO will pay for themselves through more than $14 million in reduced energy, electric demand and operational costs over the 15-year project term. Upon completion of construction, facilities upgraded by the project are expected to consume 34 percent less energy.

The project is also expected to significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) and environmental pollutants (nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides). Carbon dioxide emissions are projected to decline by 4,100 metric tons each year, equivalent to removing approximately 800 cars from the road annually.

Captain Tracy D. (T.D.) Smyers, commanding officer, NAS Fort Worth JRB, said, "NAS Fort Worth is looking to make significant strides in reducing both energy costs and our carbon footprint; this project is an exciting step in that direction. It also aligns us with the Navy's energy strategy and furthers environmental stewardship with our Fort Worth family. We like win-win situations, and this is one in which we're modeling environmental responsibility while saving money at the same time."

The NORESCO ESPC will help the base manage the challenges associated with high temperature and humidity during the summer and make significant progress toward aggressive energy reduction. In addition to energy cost savings, the infrastructure upgrades to be installed by NORESCO will improve equipment performance, reliability, aesthetics and working conditions. Upgrades will be made to equipment and controls used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning and lighting. Specialized capacitor banks will be installed to improve the base's power distribution system and avoid penalties by the local utility. A 10-kW solar photovoltaic array will power lighting circuits and demonstrate the base's commitment to renewable energy.

Verizon Launches Comprehensive Sustainability Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Conserve Energy
To deliver on its commitment to find practical and innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of its global operations, Verizon has launched a comprehensive sustainability program consisting of a series of new initiatives and an expansion of existing efforts. The initiatives and expansion range from significantly increasing the number of alternative vehicles in the company's fleet to conducting a trial of energy-efficient FiOS-TV set-top boxes to using more green products and services.

"Customer demand for Verizon's broadband and wireless technology is driving the growth of our high-IQ networks, but we're growing responsibly," said James Gowen, Verizon's chief sustainability officer. "We're partnering with other businesses, suppliers, employees and our customers to dramatically increase the sustainability of our supply chain and operations. This approach positions the company for growth in future markets while creating lasting social value."

In 2009, Verizon's aggressive energy reduction and recycling measures reduced the company's CO2 emissions by more than 793 million pounds, approximately the amount of CO2 emitted by 46,700 homes in a year. The company also improved its rate of emissions per million dollars in revenue to 60.2 metric tons of CO2 in 2009, from 64.4 metric tons in 2008.

March 31, 2010

Platinum Solutions Awarded $48 Million, Five-Year Contract with the Department of Energy
Platinum Solutions, Inc., a systems integrator and developer of custom software for the federal government, has been awarded a $48 million, five-year contract with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to provide Information Technology and Engineering Support Services (ITES) to the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
Under the terms of the ITES contract, Platinum Solutions will support a wide range of information technology services necessary to operate the multi-location, multi-function NETL facilities. These support services include cyber security, network engineering, systems design and integration, enterprise architecture, enterprise systems support and help desk support.

NETL is the only government-owned/government-operated national lab dedicated to energy research and development from domestic energy resources. NETL conducts research in energy technologies, analyzes energy systems for efficiency and optimization, and provides policymakers with information and energy technology guidance to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the US.

UL Environment to Develop Sustainability Standards for LED Modules and Other Lighting Products
UL Environment, Inc., a provider in environmental evaluation and certification, has announced initiation of a collaborative effort to develop sustainability standards for indoor and outdoor lighting. These standards will assist consumers, designers, architects and building operators in identifying more sustainable options for interior and exterior light fixtures, LED modules and related lighting components. The standards will address entire luminaires, including reflector, aperture, outer shell and connection to a power source. The standards will be based on environmental assessment of a product's entire life cycle, from raw materials to manufacture, use and disposal.

"According to the US Department of Energy, an average household dedicates 11 percent of its energy budget to lighting," said Stephen Wenc, president of UL Environment, Inc. "LED modules alone have potential to reduce lighting electricity demand in the US by one third and deliver savings of $265 billion by 2027, but lighting solutions can go beyond energy and cost savings. This effort supports the development of more sustainable options for consumers based on a holistic evaluation of environmental performance in a variety of areas beyond efficiency."

UL Environment's sustainability standards will consider environmental elements such as energy efficiency and product materials, manufacturing process and recyclability. The standards will set minimum environmental requirements and create a progressive and tiered structure that makes it possible for manufacturers to highlight their sustainability achievements.

"Sustainability is a consideration of growing importance for lighting designers and engineers," said Terry McGowan, director of Engineering for the American Lighting Association. "Companies have long embraced energy efficiency as an environmental benefit, but the industry has lacked guidance on how to develop and incorporate a truly sustainable option for lighting. This standards effort will go a long way towards defining the sustainability characteristics of our industry and all the industries that rely on lighting for operations."
Development of the standards will draw upon input from UL Environment's Standard Technical Panels (STPs) comprised of stakeholders such as manufacturers, government entities, non-governmental organizations and consumer interest groups.

UL Environment expects initial drafts of the lighting sustainability standards to be completed in 2010.

Shutting Down Computers at Night Saves Ford More Than One Million Dollars
At Ford Motor Company, the commitment to energy efficiency and saving money now starts at the office computer. Under a new program called PC Power Management, the power settings on Windows laptops and desktop computers are centrally controlled to reduce energy waste and optimize software updates. A managed shutdown of computer systems not in use, especially overnight and on weekends, further reduces energy use.
At the same time, the system ensures all computers connected to the Ford Intranet are awake and able to receive software deliveries during off hours, decreasing downtime during working hours due to software loads.
The savings to the company on power cost alone is expected to top $1.2 million annually when the system is fully implemented. By reducing PC power consumption, Ford also stands to reduce its carbon footprint by an estimated 16,000 to 25,000 metric tons annually.

"In the past, as many as 60 percent of Ford's PC users haven't shut their PCs off at the end of the business day, resulting in wasted energy," said Keith Forte, Ford IT project supervisor. "Going forward, we'll be able to manage PC power consumption more efficiently while minimizing interruptions during the working day as a result of software updates."

PC Power Management is being rolled out to Ford computer users across the US in March and will be migrated to Ford operations around the world later in the year.

The cost savings and reduced carbon footprint are obtained by developing "Power Profiles" for each PC in the company. With its power profile enabled, each PC monitors its usage patterns and determines when it can be turned off. If the user is working late, he or she will be alerted of the approaching power down and given the opportunity to delay it. In addition, the PC is able to detect when a Microsoft Office product is active and is able to save open documents before shutting down in case the user is not present.

Ford developed its PC Power Management system with NightWatchman software from 1E, Inc. 1E research found that almost half of all employees who use computers at work typically do not power them down at the end of the working day. In the US alone, more than $2.8 billion of PC power is being wasted every year, according to 1E.

Viridity Software Launches EnergyCenter, Data Center Energy Monitoring, Measurement and Management Software
Viridity Software has released its EnergyCenter data center energy monitoring, measurement and management software engineered from the ground up to enable customers to better manage power availability and reduce the risk of power outages, discover additional hidden power, cooling and space capacity, as well as meet sustainability and "green" data center goals.

The ability to measure data center energy consumption has become increasingly business critical due to: rising energy costs coupled with increasing data center energy demands as IT infrastructures continue to grow, the need to fully optimize existing data center resources, as well as corporate "green/sustainability" initiatives. While factors such as the availability of energy efficiency rebates and concern over governmental energy regulations have also played a role. Regardless, until now data center management executives have had very little, if any, visibility into IT equipment energy consumption. The limited solutions that have been available have proven to be prohibitively expensive and far too complicated to deploy and effectively utilize.

"Viridity's EnergyCenter software responds to customer demand for an energy management solution that reduces risk while improving business processes," said Steve Keilen, vice president of Marketing, Viridity Software. "EnergyCenter uniquely provides customers with the ability to measure energy consumption down to the IT device level, model each device's utilization and then ties it back to that specific device's business criticality. More importantly, once this information is collected it is then analyzed and provided to the customer in a highly detailed actionable report."

The agreements between NREL and 3M establish joint investigations in three key areas of innovation: thin-film photovoltaics, concentrating solar power and biofuels.

The CRADAs range from jointly identifying and developing critical aspects of renewable energy technology to accelerated testing of 3M designs and scaling-up successful prototype technologies for commercial production. The agreements last for at least one year.

“CRADAs like these with 3M not only help shift the nation to clean energy, but they also establish and expand important partnerships for product development through technology transfer," said NREL senior vice president of Commercialization and Deployment Casey Porto. "3M's wide-ranging expertise and commitment in these fields makes this a key partnership for the laboratory."

Areas of investigation and testing under the agreements include new moisture barrier films and flexible packaging for CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) thin film solar cells to increase module performance and reduce manufacturing costs; new reflective coatings to protect and enhance the performance of lower-cost mirrors used in concentrating solar power; and new alternatives to ethanol biofuel distillation that will reduce energy and water use, and increase throughput in existing corn ethanol and future cellulosic ethanol production plants.

March, 17, 2010

EPA Recognizes PepsiCo with 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded PepsiCo a 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency.

PepsiCo, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, is being honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency for the fourth consecutive year, and for the third time with "Sustained Excellence."

PepsiCo is continually working to address the issue of climate change, from scaling up the company's use of renewable fuel sources to reducing energy consumption. In May 2008, PepsiCo introduced new Sustainable Engineering Guidelines that apply to all new construction and major reengineering projects worldwide. PepsiCo also significantly expanded its impact through an outreach program that encouraged more than 90 PepsiCo suppliers to join ENERGY STAR and focus on improving energy efficiency. Across the US, top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through participation in ENERGY STAR.
Last year alone Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $17 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those emitted by 30 million vehicles.

"This award honors the commitment of PepsiCo personnel everywhere who drive the improvement in energy efficiency across all of our operations," said Rob Schasel, director of Energy & Utilities at PepsiCo. "As a company, we look for simple and innovative ways to drive sustainability through our business, from finding the most efficient way to light our buildings to deploying alternative energy supplies for our operations. We view our ENERGY STAR partnership as an important way to address climate change."

PepsiCo's mission to reduce energy consumption is part of the company's commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose. PepsiCo is on track to achieve the following time-bound goals: reductions in water consumption by 20 percent, electricity consumption by 20 percent, and fuel consumption by 25 percent per unit of production by 2015 as compared to 2006.

Green Turns to Gold as Thousands of Stimulus-Funded Energy Projects are Awarded to Contractors in 2010
Onvia, Inc. is tracking 2,700 energy efficiency, renewable energy and transmission upgrade projects kicking off in 2010 as a result of funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law a year ago. Worth billions, these projects will lay the foundation for a green economy that will fuel job and business growth for years to come. Onvia is a provider in gBusiness solutions and the creator of Recovery.org, a private sector initiative to give businesses transparency into recovery project spending.

"Although the majority of the $40 billion in stimulus funds designated for energy projects was intended to be spent quickly, much of it has yet to be awarded to the contractors that will do the work, but that will change in 2010, " said Mike Pickett, CEO of Onvia. "We witnessed a flurry of activity in the second half of 2009 which signals agencies are ready to advertise and award huge sums to contractors so they can get started."

Onvia collaborated with REMI, the recognized authority on economic models, to produce The Next Economy: 2010 Government Market Outlook. Top line findings regarding energy projects include:
• Onvia is tracking 3,400 energy-related ARRA funded initiatives.
• 100,000 new jobs are forecasted as a result of stimulus-funded energy projects, with the lion's share (60,000) in the Southeast. The highest salary per job will be in New England.
• Smart grid projects will lead the way, such as the $851 million grid modernization in IN, KY, NC and OH; the $639 million installation of 2.2 million smart meters in TX; a $578 million smart grid project in FL; and a $520 million smart grid virtual power plant in NC.
• Energy products and services sought by government agencies will be wide ranging, covering generation, transmission, metering, building automation systems and security technologies.
• Additional funding will come from Clean Renewable Energy Bonds and the jobs bill.
• According to the Department of Energy, every $1 the government spends on state energy programs results in $7.22 in energy cost savings.

"Government spending is at an all-time high and we do not see that changing in the foreseeable future," said Pickett. "We are witnessing the 'Next Economy' in which government more actively participates in business interests through regulation, direct ownership, contracting requirements, and other means. For business, the debate isn't about the size of government, but rather how to engage in and influence this vast and growing market."

Kraft Foods Greener Offices Show Small Changes, Get Big Results
From an early age, most of us learned the value of switching off the lights when leaving a room, turning off the water faucet, keeping the refrigerator door tightly closed and walking instead of driving short distances. At Kraft Foods, "greener" office buildings are reinforcing these childhood lessons, making it easier for employees to reduce their environmental impact.

"Sustainability is an important part of our business strategy, and we want our workplaces to be a constant visible reminder to our employees," said Steve Yucknut, vice president, Sustainability. "Our greener offices are inspiring employees to think and act differently at work. And together, we're changing behavior and getting results."

Around the world, Kraft Foods has done the basics: reducing its office buildings' environmental impact by installing motion-activated lighting and more efficient plumbing fixtures. The company is doing even more by adapting buildings so employees can work more sustainably and be more flexible, productive and mobile. With wireless tools to work at home, on the road or with a customer without being "at the office," people use less energy in commuting, and there's less need for office space.

Below are several success stories from Kraft Foods' offices around the world:
• US: Kraft Foods' Northfield headquarters recently became ENERGY STAR qualified by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is in the top 8 percent of commercial buildings in the country for energy efficiency and uses 33 percent less energy than similar commercial buildings. As a result, it's less expensive to operate and emits fewer greenhouse gases than its peers. The campus is surrounded by green space and walking trails for employees, and three lakes on site capture rainwater for reuse to handle half of the property's irrigation needs. The building is even cooled by ice - recycled water is frozen at night, and fans circulate the cool air the ice generates.
• Australia: In Melbourne, the company's new office is a more space- and energy-efficient location that's strategically located to be walking distance to public transportation and hotels. The office has on-site facilities to encourage employees to bike to work, such as bicycle parking, showers, changing rooms and lockers. It even has a rainwater collection system and graywater plant to recycle wastewater for on-site uses like landscape irrigation.
• Brazil: Kraft Foods' Curitiba headquarters reduced its energy consumption nearly 10 percent in 2009 with creative ideas like shutting down some elevators in the evening and using "team cleaning" schedules to minimize lighting use after business hours.
• Switzerland: Kraft Foods' Zurich office is called the "Lightcube" for its extensive use of glass, automated window shades and a built-in weather station that regulates heating, cooling and ventilation. The building uses 50 percent less energy for lighting and 60 percent less energy for ventilation than conventional buildings and meets strict Swiss energy standards. In addition, the Lightcube's central location lets nearly two-thirds of employees take public transportation to work.

United Natural Foods to Adopt Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology at Its Sarasota, Florida Distribution Center
Complementing its culture of social responsibility and its commitment to utilizing clean energy, United Natural Foods, Inc. has announced plans to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology to power the lift truck fleet at its Sarasota, Fla. distribution center. Intended to improve efficiency, productivity and reliability, 65 GenDrive fuel cell powered lift trucks will be mobilized at the Sarasota distribution facility, with a targeted completion date in June 2010. The company will add 29 new hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks, to its fleet, and 36 existing lift trucks will be retrofitted to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

As part of the Sarasota initiative to replace lead acid batteries and their associated charging equipment with hydrogen fuel cells, UNFI has partnered with a number of companies to implement the roll-out including Plug Power, Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Abel Womack, Inc.

A hydrogen fuel cell produces energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen in an electrochemical reaction that yields electricity, heat and water. Hydrogen is non-toxic, non-poisonous, the lightest of all gases and the most abundant element in the universe. By converting UNFI's Sarasota lift truck fleet to hydrogen fuel cells, the company expects carbon emissions will be reduced by approximately 132 metric tons annually, an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 35 automobiles.

Tom Dziki, senior vice president of Sustainable Development, said, "This project is a natural extension of our strategy to create an environmentally and socially responsible environment in all the communities we serve. Hydrogen fuel cells not only provide greater productivity and lower operating costs but will be an important component of a clean energy future and we are happy to be pioneering the use of this technology in Florida. Once implemented, this fuel cell project is expected to create annual energy savings of approximately 640,000 kilowatt hours."

The 352,000 square-foot Sarasota facility, which employs approximately 160 associates, serves as a regional distribution hub for customers in the Southeastern US.

Distributed Energy Storage Pilot Project Installed in Austin
Ice Energy, a provider of advanced energy storage for the electric utility industry, has completed the installation of a distributed energy storage pilot project, in conjunction with Austin Energy, at the South Austin Recreational Center, located in South-Central Austin, Texas.

The Project represents the first installation of Ice Energy's Ice Bear distributed energy storage technology in the State of Texas.

Storing cleaner, more efficient and more abundant energy off peak, and delivering it on peak, at the site of consumption, Ice Energy's Ice Bear distributed energy storage system is the industry's first energy storage solution specifically developed for deployment on small to mid-sized commercial buildings. Widespread deployment of these units could help Austin Energy improve energy system efficiency, while absorbing off-peak wind generation and balancing Austin's growing number of solar arrays.

In addition, the Ice Bear's built-in Smart Grid Controller allows the units to be remotely monitored and dispatched to provide real-time, verifiable load control, contributing to Austin Energy's acclaimed Smart Grid 2.0. The Project will also help Austin Energy assess its plans for further energy storage installations.

"The Texas load profile is ideally suited for this type of energy storage," said John McGee, COO of Ice Energy. "The large, thermally-driven summer peak, coupled with substantial renewable generation and an advanced Smart Grid installation, enable the Ice Energy solution to deliver a high level of value, right when the grid can benefit the most."

Ice Energy is also a participant in the Pecan Street Project, Austin's clean-energy initiative, which recently received $10.4 million from the Department of Energy and will include energy storage at their Mueller Airport redevelopment project.