EREN Network News

July 18, 2001

News and Events

• Survey Finds Most Californians Are Saving Energy
• City Block Changes Bulbs, Cuts Lighting Load 45 Percent
• California Utility Group Receives $6 Million for Renewables
• Solar Cars Racing in Winston, American Solar Challenges
• Solar-Powered Aircraft Successfully Completes Test Flight
• New Solar Energy Systems Online in Los Angeles, Chicago

Site News

• CANMET Energy Technology Centre

• U.S. Power Outages and Glitches Cost $119 Billion Per Year

News and Events

Survey Finds Most Californians Are Saving Energy
A survey released last week finds that 83 percent of Californians claim to be taking steps to reduce their energy use. Nearly three- quarters of those polled said they were reducing their use of indoor lights, and roughly half had reduced their outdoor lighting. About four out of ten had limited their use of heating or air conditioning. See the press release from J.D. Power and Associates.

The J.D. Power survey results are supported by recent media reports, which say that roughly 30 percent of the customers of the state's two largest utilities have cut their electricity use by 20 percent in July, compared to last year. The response to the state's 20/20 rebate program, which offers a 20 percent rebate to those customers that reduce their electricity use by 20 percent, has been stronger than expected. For information on the program, see the state's Rebate and Demand Reduction Program Database.

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), which has been buying electricity for much of the state, credits conservation as a key factor in keeping electricity costs low in July. DWR spent $30 million per day or less on power last week, compared to a daily average of nearly $65 million in May. See the DWR press releasee.

City Block Changes Bulbs, Cuts Lighting Load 45 Percent
One simple illustration of the possible benefits of energy efficiency was carried out recently in Berkeley, California, where every light bulb on an entire city block was replaced with the most energy-efficient alternative. Standard incandescent light bulbs, for instance, were replaced with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps. The switch cut the electricity use for lighting on the block by 45 percent, saving an estimated 62,712 kilowatt-hours per year. DOE's Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory participated in the project. See the press release from the Philips Lighting Company.

Another great way to save energy is by replacing an inefficient refrigerator. Southern California Edison (SCE) recently announced that its eight-year-old refrigerator recycling program has reached a milestone of recycling 300,000 old refrigerators. The program provides customers with free pickup and recycling and gives customers either $35 or a five-pack of compact fluorescent light bulbs. SCE also offers a $100 rebate when homeowners buy new high-efficiency refrigerators. See the SCE press release

California Utility Group Receives $6 Million for Renewables
A team of municipal utilities in California that is committed to renewable energy received a $6 million grant from the California Energy Commission. The Public Power Renewable Energy Action Team (PPREAT) intends to support the public power system in California with advice and information to facilitate the development of utility-scale projects that generate electricity from renewable energy. The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is managing PPREAT. See the CRS press release.

Solar Cars Racing in Winston, American Solar Challenges
Two U.S. solar car races are underway this week, taking advantage of the long summer days to provide plenty of solar fuel for the sleek racing vehicles on their difficult journeys.

The longest of the two races, the American Solar Challenge (ASC), started on Sunday in Chicago and will cover 2,300 miles along historic Route 66, ending next Wednesday in Claremont, California. ASC pits university teams, companies and clubs from around the world against each other to build and race the fastest solar-powered cars on the continent. As of Monday, the University of Missouri-Rolla led the 30-car pack with an average speed of 38 miles per hour. But then again, the race ended up at Rolla on Monday, so maybe the racers were just anxious to get home! See the ASC Web site.

Race results are posted daily at, 2001 American Solar Challenge

You can also view a map that tracks the progress of the race at, American Solar Challenge.

Meanwhile, the Winston Solar Challenge began yesterday in Austin, Texas, on its 1,370-mile trek to Columbus, Ohio. Sponsored by Green Mountain Energy Company, the Winston Solar Challenge is an international race for high school students. This year, nine teams are competing in the race, which ends next Wednesday. See the Winston Solar Challenge Web site, with links to race results, photos, and streaming videos.

You can also view a map that tracks the progress of the race at Winston Solar Challenge

Solar-Powered Aircraft Successfully Completes Test Flight
Cars aren't the only vehicles powered by the sun. A solar-powered aircraft called Helios took off on its first test flight on Saturday morning. The remote-controlled aircraft is essentially a 247-foot wing with solar panels mounted on its upper surface. Fourteen motor-driven props mounted across the wing propel the craft at about 20 to 25 miles per hour.

Helios is designed to fly at high altitudes for extended periods. Although the craft had been previously tested at low altitudes under battery power, this weekend's flight was the first under solar power. The craft reached a maximum altitude of just over 76,200 feet on Saturday afternoon, then descended and landed safely on early Sunday morning. In August, Helios will attempt a new milestone in flight by cruising to an altitude of 100,000 feet.

Helios is intended to eventually carry scientific payloads at high altitudes for extended periods, serving a function similar to satellites. To achieve that goal, the project team is developing a regenerative fuel cell that will convert excess electricity during the day into hydrogen and oxygen, which will be stored onboard. At night, the fuel cell will convert the hydrogen and oxygen into electricity to power the craft. See the latest update on NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center Web site.

A fact sheet and recent photos are available at, Dryden Flight Research Center

New Solar Energy Systems Online in Los Angeles, Chicago
Two major U.S. cities were graced with new solar electric systems recently. In Los Angeles, the Department of Water and Power (DWP) announced last week the completion of a 200-kilowatt solar electric system on the roof of the Neutrogena Corporation's headquarters building. Neutrogena received a $1 million incentive payment from DWP for the $1.4 million system. See the DWP press release.

In Chicago, Spire Solar Chicago completed the installation of a 49-kilowatt solar electric system on the roof of the Field Museum of Natural History. The system will produce 60,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to power 10 houses. See the Spire Corporation press release.

Site News

CANMET Energy Technology Centre
The CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC) is the key research arm of Natural Resources Canada. CETC works with private and other public- sector partners to develop and deploy leading-edge energy products and processes for virtually all sectors of the Canadian economy. The site describes the facility’s ten research areas, explains how to work with the center, and provides information on funding, publications, and the center’s accomplishments.

For this and other recent additions to the EREN Web site.

Energy Facts and Tips

U.S. Power Outages and Glitches Cost $119 Billion Per Year
A study released Monday by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) finds that power outages and power quality problems cost the U.S. economy more than $119 billion per year. The study emphasizes the growing need for highly reliable, high-quality power — what EPRI refers to as "digital quality" power.

The study finds that U.S. establishments collectively lose $45.7 billion annually to outages, and another $6.7 billion to power quality disturbances, such as voltage sags. The study then extrapolates these costs to determine their effect on the U.S. economy as a whole.

Surprisingly, although digital firms like internet providers are potentially the most sensitive to power disruptions, their investment in power conditioning equipment and uninterruptible power supplies makes them the least susceptible. More traditional industries using new computerized machinery experienced higher power-related costs. See the EPRI press release.

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