Conservation Update — July 1996
U.S. Department of Energy
Free Resources Available: The 1995 NREL Information Resources
Catalogue is intended to inform anyone interested in energy efficiency
and renewable energy technologies of NREL's outreach activities,
including publications and services. The services section of the
catalogue represents many ways in which NREL makes information
available to the public, including a visitors' center, electronic networks,
and information hotlines. Documents listed were published by NREL
in fiscal year 1995 and include general interest publications, technical
reports, conference papers, journal articles, and patents.
The EnergyPubs Disk is produced by NREL and the DOE Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Technical Information Program. It is a
compilation of general interest publications produced during fiscal year 1995
on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Files are
in an ASCII format that is compatible with any word processing software.
Users are encouraged to pull information from these files for use in
their own publications. The catalogue and disk are free in limited quantities
and can be obtained through the document distribution service at
(303) 2754363 (phone), (303) 2754053 (fax),
or evanss@tcplink.nrel.gov (email). Contact: Anne Jones, (303) 275-3678.
Arizona
Energy patrol pilot project
The Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Division conducted a pilot project in which 13 schools participated in the Energy Patrol Program. The Energy Patrol Program is an educational tool that is beneficial in teaching and promoting the concept of energy management in school buildings and at home.
Members of the Energy Patrol, primarily students under staff supervision, are formed into patrol groups and scheduled for times to patrol. Patrols check empty classrooms for lights not turned off during recess, lunch periods and after school. Thank you notices are left in unoccupied rooms found with the lights turned off, and reminder and warning notices are left in unoccupied rooms found with the lights turned on. The challenge is to see a noticeable reduction in energy consumption through a review of monthly utility reports. Program sponsors included Arizona Public Service Company, Salt River Project, Southwest Gas Corporation, and the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Division.
Contact: Gloria Castro, (602) 280-1410
California
California Energy Chief Receives Public Service Award
The Alliance to Save Energy presented its outstanding national public service award to California Energy Commission Chairman Charles R. Imbrecht during its black-tie "Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency" at the Galleria in Washington, DC on June 6.
Imbrecht received the Charles H. Percy Award for meritorious public service, which is named for the former United States Senator from Illinois, the Alliance's founding chairperson. The group honored Imbrecht for steering the commission to initiate "a broad array of energy efficiency initiatives, resulting in millions of dollars of energy savings for business and consumers and expanding markets for energy efficiency products and services."
Previous winners of the Charles H. Percy Award include Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Senator James Wirth of Colorado, retired Congressman Philip R. Sharp of Indiana, and Maurice Strong, Secretary General of the United Nations "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
As California's energy chief, Imbrecht presided over the state's portfolio approach to energy—developing diverse and indigenous energy resources, from geothermal to solar and wind—and its success in improving energy efficiency and the use of clean combustion technologies here and abroad.
Under Imbrecht's leadership, the Commission has made partnership with the private sector a hallmark, as it reaches out to the private sector to fully understand the energy world, including the most significant issue confronting it today—the restructuring of the electric utility industry.
Contact: Claudia Chandler, (916) 654-4989
California Energy Commission On Line
The California Energy Commission publication, Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings is now part of the Commission's Access Energy homepage. The building standards (also known as Title 24, Part 6 and excerpts from Part 1) is one of the documents most frequently requested on the Internet by builders, energy consultants, engineers and building departments, and contains some of the most comprehensive energy standards in the country. The online version is completely hyper-linked and the address is: http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/title24.
The California Energy Commission's education homepage "Energy Quest" has been selected as one of the most outstanding science sites for intermediate students by the GeoSync/Prentice Hall/Silver Burdett Ginn "Best of the Net" Science Awards. As a result of the award, Energy Quest will be featured on the Best of Net - Science CD-Rom, an anthology of the Internet's best sites for young people. Energy Quest is linked to Access Energy, the Commission's homepage at http://www.energy.ca.gov/education. In May, the Commission's entire website logged more than 250,000 hits by computers users around the world.
Contact: Rob Schlichting, (916) 654-5159
Report on Benefits of Thermal Energy Storage
When put to commercial use, thermal energy storage (TES), a technology that lowers electricity consumption by air conditioning during peak load periods, will reduce electric source energy and make California's air cleaner, a report prepared for the California Energy Commission states.
The report says that widespread use of TES could lower customers' air conditioning costs by 30-50 percent; reduce nitrogen oxide emissions equivalent to 100,000 vehicles in the Los Angeles air basin; and save enough source energy to supply up to 500,000 electric cars envisioned for the next decade in California.
TES is a technology that stores "cooling" energy in a thermal storage mass, usually in the form of ice or water. A building's TES system allows cooling made at night, when electricity is cheap, to be stored for air conditioning use during the day.
The report, Source Energy and Environmental Impact of Thermal Energy Storage, also says that California's electric industry, which is on the threshold of restructuring, could save at least one billion dollars in capital investments in transmission and distribution systems through TES.
The report was prepared for the TES collaborative facilitated by the Energy Commission. One of the Commission's programs, called the Opportunity Technologies Commercialization Program (OTCOM), seeks to increase the market penetration of energy technologies offering energy, environmental and economic benefits. TES is one of ten such technologies under OTCOM.
To obtain a copy of the report (publication number P500-95-005), call the Commission's publication unit at (916) 654-5200. You can download a copy of the report's executive summary from the Commission's Internet homepage at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/energy/development/OTCOM.html.
Contact: Claudia Chandler, (916) 654-4989
Colorado
Transportation Parntership Grants Awarded
The Town of Avon, City of Glenwood Springs, Town of Telluride, and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) received a total of $92,000 in Transportation Partnership grants for their efforts to combat increased traffic congestion and resulting air pollution. This is the third round in a series being offered by the Governor's Office of Energy Conservation (OEC). OEC launched the program last fall to help communities across the state develop innovative approaches to growth-related concerns about transportation, land use and the environment.
The four projects selected for funding represent separate geographical areas having distinct transportation, land use and environmental challenges.
Since its inception, Transportation Partnerships has funded a total of 13 projects in communities throughout the state. Nine of these projects are already underway in Aspen, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Douglas County, Mesa County, and the Denver metropolitan area.
The application deadline for Transportation Partnerships' fourth funding cycle is July 31, 1996. The total available is $125,000. For more information about the Transportation Partnerships Pro-gram contact Kate Fay at (303) 620-4292.
Contact: Matt Sugar, (303) 866-4572 or Jennifer Harrison, (303) 620-4292
Florida
New Primary Energy Education Program
The Energy and Environmental Alliance at Florida State University, with funding from the Florida Energy Office, is developing a new energy education program for primary grades one to three. The program will combine language arts with hands-on science.
It would be helpful to us to know what programs already exist that are similar in nature. We would like to review any energy education programs, activity books, etc. for primary grades that have been developed by or for your office. Also, if you know of any children's literature (fiction or nonfiction) for primary grades that has an energy theme, we would appreciate the names of those books or publications. Please send suggestions to: Paula Donaldson, Florida State University, Energy and Environmental Alliance, ISPA/361 Bellamy Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4016. Once our program has been developed, we will be glad to share it with you, upon request. For more information call the number below.
Contact: Paula Donaldson, (904) 644-3130
Photovoltaic Power System Operates Water Treatment Plant
A photovoltaic power system has been installed to operate a reverse osmosis water treatment plant that will supply fresh water to Florida's St. Lucie Inlet State Preserve near Stuart, Florida. Before completion of this project, there was no source of fresh water at the preserve and park rangers had to transport small quantities of fresh water by boat to meet only urgent needs. All visitors to the park were required to provide their own water.
The preserve is a protected environment surrounded by protected waters and the selection of a location for the water supply well was difficult. A location between the beach and wetlands that met the requirements of the permitting agencies was found and a well was drilled. Tests revealed, however, that the well water was only slightly lower in salinity than the open ocean and had a very high iron content. The iron content necessitated a design which keeps the water anaerobic to prevent iron oxide precipitate from clogging the reverse osmosis membranes and the wastewater discharge system.
The project was created by the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It uses Siemens solar panels from Hutton Communications in Norcross, Georgia and reverse osmosis systems from Recovery Engineering in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Primary funding was provided by the Florida Energy Office. In March, 1995, the plant began converting 0.76 m3 (200 gallons) of sea water per day into drinkable water for the preserve's 4,000 annual visitors.
Contact: Jim Huggins or Jim Dunlop, (407) 638-1000
Hawaii
Elementary Students Learn Energy Conservation
Special presentations on the wise use of energy, featuring participation by students, were made to first and fourth graders at Waiakea Elementary School, in Hilo, during May. Fourth graders brainstormed energy-saving tips and were challenged to present them in a rhythmic group chant titled "Energy Conservation for our Nation." The chant is an activity devised by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project. First graders learned how to conserve energy at home by "dressing up" as an electric water heater wrapped in insulation, complete with a timer and adjustable thermostat. They also demonstrated the benefits of efficient light bulbs and showerheads, radiant barriers in attics and photovoltaic-powered attic fans. The presentations were designed by the Hawaii Energy Extension Service, a program of the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
Contact: Andrea Beck, (808) 933-4558
Independent Power Forum
A noncredit, one-day seminar for people interested in residential-scale renewable energy technologies was offered in Kona on April 27 as part of Hawaii's Earth Day observance. Four instructors lectured on photovoltaics, wind power, micro-hydroelectricity and solar water heating, while local businesses specializing in renewable energy equipment displayed their products. The forum was cosponsored by the Hawaii Energy Extension Service, the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo's College of Continuing Education and Community Service.
Contact: Andrea Beck, (808) 933-4558
Iowa
Economic Impacts of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently released a study titled Economic Impact of Energy Efficiency Pro-grams and Renewable Power for Iowa. The study estimates the total employment and income impacts of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, and the provides an analytic template which can be used for policy analysis. This tool is intended to help the State of Iowa assess the extent to which energy efficiency and renewable energy supply programs can, and currently are, helping to stimulate economic growth in the state.
The analysis includes the following considerations: 1) actual current program costs and energy impact data provided by the state's utilities; 2) data gathered through a survey on the pattern of energy efficiency program spending; 3) a dynamic simulation model to estimate the price, productivity and competitiveness impacts of energy policies; and 4) economic impacts in terms of fundamental income and efficiency benefits, as well as job impacts. The customized template includes two spreadsheet models which make it possible to assess the impacts of additional policy scenarios beyond those evaluated in the study. A copy of the report can be obtained by contacting Shashi Goel at the number below or by e-mail at sgoel@max.state.ia.us.
Contact: Shashi Goel, (515) 281-8518
Kentucky
Two Biomass Energy Projects Funded
The Southeastern Regional Biomass Energy Program, a program funded by USDOE and administered by the Tennessee Valley Authority, has notified the Kentucky Division of Energy that two new projects in Kentucky that demonstrate biomass energy technologies will receive funding. One project will expand the ability of a small lumber company to process sawdust and larger pieces of wood residue into fuel for a nearby paper mill. The wood residues will come from the lumber company's own operations and those of neighboring sawmills. The other project will demonstrate the processing of a mixed waste stream from a facility that recovers recyclable materials from municipal solid waste. The product will be a fuel pellet that meets the specifications demanded by the market. The federal funding for each project is $21,500.
Contact: Geoffrey Young, (502) 564-1792
Mississippi
Energy Patrol Program
The 1995-1996 school year marked the fourth year that the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development-Energy Division has promoted the Energy Patrol Program in elementary schools. This year, Lovett Elementary School in Clinton, Mississippi implemented the program with 407 sixth grade students. By rotating team members every six weeks, more students had direct participation. Due to the success of this year's program, the school principal is planning to implement the Energy Patrol Program in the 1996-1997 school year.
Contact: Marietta Devine, (601) 359-6600
Presentation at National Conference
Networking'96, the fifth annual conference of the National Network of Energy and Environmental Education Professionals ("the Network") was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico May 22-24. The goal of the conference was to provide an opportunity for energy/environmental educators to network and share state-of-the-art educational materials, techniques and information.
Mississippi was represented by Marietta Devine, Energy Division staff member, who moderated a session on "Success Stories—Programs that Work." Four other Mississippians--Debbie Ellis, Orlando Moss, Itta Bena, and Ricky Burkhead-- presented Third from the Sun, an early science intervention program designed to teach basic concepts and vocabulary through children's literature and songs.
Contact: Marietta Devine, (601) 359-6600
North Carolina
North Carolina Plans Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
With North Carolina among the country's leaders in the production of hogs, poultry and beef, the North Carolina Energy Division and USEPA are spearheading an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The inventory will provide estimates of the total volume of greenhouse gases being emitted by all sources and will enable energy officials to gather the data needed to deter-mine what steps can be taken to mitigate emissions harmful to the environment. Besides assessing the sources of greenhouse gases, the inventory will provide the energy division with an accurate estimate of the volume of methane—a greenhouse gas—potentially available for fuel. Studies have shown that animal wastes can be a rich source of methane. In the past, North Carolina energy officials have conducted projects that collected methane gas from swine and bovine wastes in anaerobic digesters to use for water heating. Besides the energy division and USEPA, others taking part in the methane inventory project include the air quality and solid waste sections of the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources; the North Carolina Department of Agriculture; the North Carolina Department of Transportation; and the North Carolina Recycling Association.
Contact: Eric Soderberg, (919) 733-1897
South Carolina
South Carolina Energy Office and ChemStone Awarded NICE3 Grant
The South Carolina Energy Office and ChemStone, Inc. of Greenville have been selected by the USDOE, Office of Industrial Technology's National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE3) program to receive one of its 17 cost-sharing grants to demonstrate a surfactant that more completely breaks down wood chips during the cooking process. The process incorporates patented chemistry with traditional pulp cooking liquors to enhance penetration of the chemicals into the chips. The chips are more effectively cooked resulting in higher yields and cleaner pulp. An increase in yield could result in a reduction in the amount of virgin wood needed in the U.S. by 6 million tons per year. The process also reduces energy use by more effectively cooking wood chips at lower temperatures. ChemStone estimates that by the 2010 the annual energy savings will be 5 billion BTU and the annual waste savings 920,000 tons if 20 pulp mills adopt the new process.
NICE3 was established in 1991 to encourage industry to reduce industrial energy requirements and waste at the source by providing grants through state agencies. NICE3, through the South Carolina Energy Office, will contribute 45% of the project cost while ChemStone will contribute 55%.
Contact: Renee Sharpe, (803) 737-8030
