Feds Pitch In, Test Load Reduction in California

Feature article in the August - September 2001 edition of the State Energy Program's bimonthly newsletter, Conservation Update.

Marines at Camp Pendleton show President Bush how simple measures, high technology combine for big savings.

President Bush congratulates Camp Pendleton Marines for their success at reducing electricity use.

With California electricity providers stretched to their limits last winter and spring, the California Energy Commission (CEC) wanted to test its new Automated Emergency Response System in the event of an electricity supply emergency. The system is designed to communicate with 1,000 city, county, and special districts in the event of an imminent (Stage 2 or Stage 3) emergency. CEC also wanted to see what federal and state facilities managers might contribute in conservation and energy-efficiency measures. California has a large number of state and federal facilities, and their combined electricity demand is significant.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offered to coordinate the federal agencies participating in the voluntary CEC test to see how much they could reduce electricity demand between 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 24. Altogether, the test involved more than 190 people from 115 facilities working for 20 different federal agencies.

Lessons Learned

Although official results from the California Energy Commission (CEC) were inconclusive, both the grid operator for the state and federal facilities managers learned some important lessons. CEC's communications systems worked well, but the load reductions were difficult to quantify for several reasons. For instance, federal, state, and county managers were each given different time blocks for the test, but there was considerable overlap.

DOE gathered data to determine the contribution of participating federal facilities. Some agencies had no way to accurately document their savings. At Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, for example, there were excellent data of savings for the part of the base served by one electrical substation equipped with a data collection system, but no such data documenting savings from the rest of the base.

Camp Pendleton measured a 1.6 MW reduction in load on May 24 compared with the load from the previous day at one substation serving about half the base. (click image to see larger version)

The difficulty for CEC, the California Independent System Operator (CA-ISO), and utilities everywhere is how to reduce peak load on a day when the electrical system is strained to its maximum. In California, peak demand usually occurs on hot afternoons when air conditioners around the state are cranking to keep Californians cool. On these days, electric power companies will have every available power generator working or on standby reserve. Power distributors will also purchase as much power as they can from out of state to meet the demand.

If demand increases to the point that it outstrips generating capacity, voltage decreases along the power lines in response. But it can only decrease so far before safety equipment will trip open, causing a local blackout. (CA-ISO has a pre-arranged system of "rolling blackouts" that exempt critical facilities from power disruptions in such an event.)

Reducing Peak Load

With all this in mind, DOE is helping federal agencies investigate to what extent additional conservation and energy-efficiency measures can contribute to reducing electricity load on a day of peak power demand. In June, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) initiated an effort called ALERT - Assessment of Energy and Load Reduction Techniques. ALERT teams have conducted assessments at 25 federal sites in California to identify short-term strategies to reduce electricity use.

Several important questions need to be answered before the public or a power distribution company will be willing to depend on such measures. First, are short-term conservation measures as reliable as power generation for reducing load on days of peak demand? After all, lives are at stake, and our entire lifestyle depends on a reliable electricity supply. Second, can such measures be called upon quickly? The modern electric power system responds almost instantaneously to balance supply and demand over a wide geographic area. Third, can medium- or long-term efficiency measures reduce overall electricity demand to the point that the system is not strained in the first place? The U.S. electric power system is a modern technological marvel, and its day-to-day operation is extremely complicated.

The California Load Reduction Test did more to raise these questions than to answer them. Federal facilities account for only 2 percent of California's electricity load of 35,500 MW, so by themselves, they cannot prevent statewide emergencies. DOE estimates total federal curtailment of 70 – 75 MW during the test, or about 10 percent of the total federal load. Nevertheless, most participants believe if such a reduction were to take place at a critical time, it would be significant. And the test may have uncovered some techniques for load reduction that can be put to wider use.

Camp Pendleton Combines Efficiency with Conservation

Perhaps the experience of Camp Pendleton typifies the test. Located north of San Diego on 125,000 acres, the base is home to approximately 20,000 Marines and 10,000 family and support staff. The base obtains its power from San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) through several substations that transform the power to lower voltage for distribution throughout the base.

The base has modern energy equipment and a facilities staff that understands energy. For example, the staff controls the energy systems in 1,200 of the base's 4,300 buildings with one energy management system. Called "Unity" and managed by Johnson Controls, Inc., this system controls lights, pumps, compressors, and various other energy systems throughout the base. Facilities Manager Lieutenant Colonel Scott Nelson says, "We set the thermostat to 78°F and hours of operation for all those buildings with a single setting, thus reducing waste and saving energy." His staff also runs large power equipment, such as pumps for the base's water reservoirs, at night when demand on the SDG&E power system is low.

The base has also engaged in a number of SDG&E-sponsored demand reduction programs recently. Says Col. Nelson, "We spent $22 million over the last five years upgrading facilities with energy-efficient systems." This investment has resulted in savings of approximately $4.5 million per year, he says. As a result, Camp Pendleton was able to achieve significant savings compared with other federal facilities that participated in the May 24 Load Reduction Test. For example, Col. Nelson was able to document savings of 1.6 MW for the area served by the Haybarn Substation, which serves about half the base. That same day, SDG&E reported savings from all its commercial customers of 3.7 MW. Col. Nelson concludes, "The Marine Corps contributed in a big way."

President Bush is reflected on an energy management system at California's Camp Pendleton, where he visited recently to learn about the significant energy savings Marines have achieved at the military base.

A week later, Col. Nelson briefed George W. Bush on the test during the president's visit to Camp Pendleton. He explained how the Unity control system worked and how the contribution of individual Marines made a big difference. "Everybody chipped in," he said, "by turning out lights or turning off their computers when they went to lunch." He said that the most surprising result was how big a difference individual contributions made when added together. In his address to them later that afternoon, President Bush thanked the Marines for doing their part on May 24.

Col. Nelson and his staff continue work on long-term efficiency measures. He and his staff are checking light levels in all buildings and replacing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent lights (CFL). He recently spent $1 million on CFLs, which last 7 years and draw only 13 watts each. He estimates through energy and maintenance savings, his investment will pay itself back in four months.

DOE continues to investigate whether the lessons learned at Camp Pendleton and other federal facilities during the California Load Reduction Test of May 24 can be repeated on a larger scale to help prevent an electrical emergency in any state.

Said California Governor Gray Davis on July 1, "I asked Californians to save energy and they responded."

California Dodges an Energy Bullet

September 29, 2001

Due to an unprecedented response by California's citizens and businesses, California's looming summer energy crisis didn't take place. Instead, the state has managed to reduce its peak utility loads to manageable levels through both short-term conservation and long-term efficiency measures. The California Energy Commission's (CEC) rebate systems have been particularly effective.

Meanwhile, other states in the West, in the Upper Midwest, and along the Eastern Seaboard experienced strains in their electricity systems this summer due to both generation and transmission constraints. Many states have adopted efficiency programs similar to those of the CEC, and dozens of states have launched educational projects this summer aimed at helping their consumers and businesses reduce electricity loads. Finally, the California Load Reduction Test of May 24 highlighted the possibilities for federal facilities that can be expanded nationwide.

• California's Summer of Efficiency
• Eastern Seaboard Feels the Heat
• Load Reduction at Federal Facilities

California's Summer of Efficiency

California Cuts Electricity Use in June by 12%
Californians have reduced their energy consumption in 2001 by substantial amounts compared with last year. According to the California Energy Commission, overall electricity consumption in June 2001 was 12% below the level of June 2000. The reduction in peak demand was even larger, at 14% below last year. CEC adjusted the numbers to eliminate the effects of weather and economic growth on the results.

California Governor Gray Davis said in a July 1 press release, "Californians are doing a phenomenal job of conserving energy. I asked Californians to reduce electricity usage by 10% and they have come through big time." Through the first eight months of 2001, total electricity consumption is 8% lower than it was a year ago, which greatly reduces the pressure on electricity supply.

In April, Governor Davis signed a bill that provides more than $850 million for energy conservation and efficiency programs. According to the Los Angeles Times, the state has poured more than $1.1 billion into conservation measures so far this year.

Three graphs of load profile showing peak on a normal day, on a day with peak shaving, and after overall consumption has been reduced through efficiency. Load profile on a peak day. Profile with conservation. Efficiency reduces overall consumption. While short-term conservation measures or emergency curtailments reduce peak load at specific times, long-term investments in energy efficiency reduce the overall demand below critical levels.

Rebate programs have been key to helping Californians take conservation and efficiency seriously, according to many analysts. CEC began offering the rebate programs for homeowners, businesses, and certain industries, such as agriculture, to reduce their electricity consumption during periods of peak power demand. Some rebates are for simple pieces of equipment, such as exterior shades or solar screens on windows. In addition, CEC also provides grants for such high-tech equipment as distributed generation from solar photovoltaics.

The 20/20 Rebate

One of the most innovative of California's rebate programs was an offer by the state to refund 20% of a customer's electricity bill for entire summer if electricity if electricity consumption is reduced by 20%. The rebate is open to all customer classes - residential, commercial, and industrial. To be eligible, the customer has to show a 20% reduction in June, July, August, and September 2001 compared with the same months in 2000.

To help consumers figure out how to achieve these significant savings, DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) launched a new Web site this summer, called the 20% Solution. Based on climatic zone and the type of home, LBL is helping customers find ways to reach the 20% savings goal and be eligible for California's summer 20% rebate.

Flex Your Power

The rebates are part of the Flex Your Power Web site, launched July 2 by the CEC. The purpose of Flex Your Power is to help Californian consumers get through their potential power supply crisis this summer, and it is chock full of information and educational materials about how to reduce electricity consumption. The recommended measures are organized into categories of low-cost measures and long-term investments in energy efficiency. The investment tips are different for commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural consumers, and even state and local government agencies.

ENERGY STAR Appliances and Assistance for Small Businesses

California's Flex Your Power campaign is relying in part on Energy Star to champion energy efficiency. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency posted this new Web site this summer specifically to help small businesses in California reduce their energy consumption. The site lists Energy Star small business partners, dealers of Energy Star products, and links to utility efficiency programs in the golden state.

During Appliance Awareness Week, August 11-18, California asked retailers to sign a pledge to conserve energy, to train sales staff on the benefits of Energy Star appliances, and to distribute consumer education materials. Newspapers throughout California carried ads promoting Appliance Awareness Week with the names of participating retailers.

The campaign appears to be working. Sears, perhaps the nation's biggest seller of appliances that meet the efficiency standards of the federal government's Energy Star program, says sales of Energy Star appliances are way up. According to company spokesman, Larry Costello, about 63% of the central air-conditioning units sold by Sears in California so far this year bore the Energy Star seal, compared with 17% a year ago.

Eastern Seaboard Feels the Heat

Power grids throughout the country were stretched to their limits this summer. On August 10, the operator of the New England power grid announced that the region's electric power grid had successfully met the challenge of supplying power for the three highest days of demand in the region's history. On August 9, system demand reached a record 15,158 MW. The records occurred one after another, prompted by a heat wave with temperatures in the 90s and high humidity. To help meet its demand, ISO New England, Inc., of Holyoke, Massachusetts, announced power warnings on August 9 and 10, asking individuals to reduce consumption and put into effect its program for reducing power to large industrial and commercial customers in return for incentives. ISO New England is also increasing its supply by 9,000 MW to ensure system reliability into the future.

Many state energy offices have responded to high electricity demand by posting information on their Web sites about how consumers can reduce electricity consumption in the summer. See for example, The Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources' online fact sheet, Summer Residential Energy Saving Tips.

New York Energy $mart

Although it was just as hot in New York and many analysts predicted power shortages, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) responded with innovative efficiency programs that have helped lower demand below dangerous levels. For example, New York Energy $mart has collected more than 20,000 thousand old, inefficient air conditioners this summer.

DOE Helps Federal Agencies Reduce Energy Consumption During East-Coast Heat Wave

As electric power companies from Maine to Virginia experienced record levels of power demand during the mid-August heat wave, federal facilities began implementing Emergency Load Reduction Plans with their local utilities. DOE Secretary Abraham said in an August 9, 2001 press release, "We will continue to look for ways to reduce demand on the transmission grid and encourage businesses and individuals to do the same."

Load Reduction at Federal Facilities

FEMP-ALERT Quantifies Lessons Learned at Federal Facilities

Following the California Load Reduction Test on May 24, DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) created ALERT Teams (Assessment of Load and Energy Reduction Techniques) to assist federal agencies with efforts to reduce energy demand. On August 30, FEMP held a seminar sharing the lessons learned and results of these recent site assessments conducted by FEMP engineers at 26 federal agencies in California. The first three hours of the seminar, held at the Presidio in San Francisco, were broadcast nationwide.

Secretary of Energy's Report to the President, June 2001

President George W. Bush says that he recognizes the capacity strains on the electricity grid in many areas of the country and has started to address these needs through the National Energy Policy. See especially Chapter 4 for his recommendations on increasing energy conservation and efficiency, and specifically for supporting Energy Star (p. 4-5).

On May 3, President Bush issued a memorandum asking federal agencies to reduce their electricity consumption, especially during periods of peak demand for their local power grids. In June, DOE Secretary Spencer Abraham issued a report from 34 federal agencies showing great progress in reducing overall consumption. In addition, he reported measures outlined by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) to achieve these reductions in overall consumption, short-term conservation, and load-shedding measures on peak days.