May-June 2004
Conservation Update
Feature Article
ENERGY STAR® Opens Markets for Wisconsin Window Manufacturers
by Barbara Smith, Wisconsin Division of Energy
 ENERGY STAR program expanded to four regions. (Credit: ENERGY STAR/U.S. DOE and EPA) |
Change is inevitable, but it can be hard on the small companies that drive our nation's economy. However, change can also present incredible opportunities. Luckily, Wisconsin window manufacturers were well positioned for bigger market opportunities when the ENERGY STAR windows program expanded to four regions in August 2003.
An earlier effort by the Wisconsin Division of Energy to help Wisconsin window manufacturers use the latest technology and leverage premium labeling programs like ENERGY STAR had primed the state's manufacturers to take advantage of such changes in the market.
This is a good model for other states interested in assisting manufacturers of energy-efficient products to enlarge their markets, boost their economies, and promote energy efficiency.
Overcoming Barriers to ENERGY STAR
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Clustered around Wausau, Wisconsin, are several companies that produce windows — Peachtree/SNE, Weathershield, Hurd Millwork, and Kolbe & Kolbe, to name a few. This industry generates $1 billion in annual sales and in 1998 captured 8% of the national market. However, in the late 1990s, very few window manufacturers participated in the ENERGY STAR program.
To change this, the Wisconsin Division of Energy launched the Wisconsin Windows Initiative with federal and oil overcharge dollars. In June 1999, Wisconsin Windows Initiative surveyed the state's window manufacturers. The survey revealed that most manufacturers knew about the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certification and labeling, which is a prerequisite of ENERGY STAR, but they did not know about the ENERGY STAR program. Manufacturers reported that the top barriers to labeling their products as ENERGY STAR were:
- labeling complexity,
- labeling costs, and
- lack of product rating by NFRC.
Wisconsin Window Initiative addressed these barriers through regional workshops for window manufacturers, modeling assistance, and special labeling assistance. Seemingly trivial bureaucratic requirements had become big obstacles for small companies. For example, one firm was reluctant to use the ENERGY STAR label even though its products qualified. The label itself was a problem. The manufacturer already used the NFRC label but objected to the visual clutter of adding the ENERGY STAR label. Ordering an expensive batch of new labels for each product and managing an extensive label inventory were also barriers. To overcome this, Wisconsin Window Initiative helped the business set up an automated on-demand laser label printing system. Wisconsin Window Initiative also worked with the national ENERGY STAR program to devise a smaller, combined NFRC/ENERGY STAR label. These innovations allowed the company to have flexibility in making labels, and to pay only for the labels they needed. Wisconsin Window Initiative worked with the firm for three months to develop and implement the new system, and funded a pilot program on one product line. As a result, the company began labeling its ENERGY STAR-qualified patio doors and window models, which went to home improvement stores throughout the region.
Another barrier to achieving the NFRC rating was the perception that certifying models was complex and expensive. Wisconsin Window Initiative worked with NFRC and manufacturers to group similar models for the certification process. This is a simple way for numerous models to achieve certification at once. Wisconsin found that most windows that went through the NFRC certification process also attained ENERGY STAR levels.
Wisconsin Window Initiative also helped manufacturers incorporate the latest technology into their windows. In recent years, window manufacturers have had to keep up with product innovations such as low-e glass, Argon gas fill, and low-conductivity spacers. Small manufacturers find it particularly challenging to incorporate these technologies expertly enough to produce ENERGY STAR-qualified windows. Wisconsin Window Initiative sent a window specialist to work with manufacturers to maximize the benefits of the new glass coatings. A particular challenge was maintaining energy performance for products transported through high-altitude regions. The specialist helped manufacturers meet this challenge by building in new production steps. Quality was essential, because these windows had to perform for decades.
Increasing Markets
There are many reasons besides energy efficiency for the increased market for ENERGY STAR windows. In the Midwest, building codes now require labeling and stricter minimum performance standards. In addition, concerns about lead poisoning from lead paint are forcing window replacement in houses by consumers who would otherwise not have sought new windows. Security concerns and noise pollution are other reasons for window replacements. In addition, when new housing technologies caused increased moisture levels and window condensation, homeowners became interested in better windows to mitigate these effects. ENERGY STAR was an easy way to satisfy these concerns. The ENERGY STAR rating gave those products higher value in the marketplace and swelled their market share. Consumers wanted ENERGY STAR windows and other products because of their better performance.
In fact, as ENERGY STAR has captured a larger market share, the whole market has moved up, and energy-efficient windows are becoming a market standard. Consumers are finding that lower quality windows are not necessarily cheaper. For example, a major public housing agency in Wisconsin attempted to save money by specifying less efficient windows. This had the perverse effect of driving up costs because the items were expensive special orders. Since then, the agency has enjoyed the financial savings of energy-efficient models.
 Replacement window from Wisconsin low-income weatherization program. (Credit: Martha Benewicz, Wisconsin Division of Energy) |
Consumer demand for products — including windows — with the ENERGY STAR label is growing. Bringing more manufacturers into the ENERGY STAR family has increased their access to the growing high-efficiency window market. Once ENERGY STAR window guidelines were available, large-scale home building and financing programs began to require or prefer ENERGY STAR windows.
Low-income weatherization programs such as Wisconsin's and Vermont's require ENERGY STAR for windows they install. State housing authorities, utilities, and energy efficiency programs have also incorporated ENERGY STAR guidelines for windows. Experts anticipate that the market share for ENERGY STAR qualified windows will keep growing, as more programs, builders, and consumer require it.
ENERGY STAR-qualified window replacement in mobile home from Wisconsin low-income weatherization program. (Credit: Martha Benewicz, Wisconsin Division of Energy) |
Recently, Wisconsin's Division of Energy has shifted its efforts from working with window manufacturers to having ENERGY STAR products installed in the field. In 2001, Wisconsin launched Focus on Energy, funded with newly available public benefit funds from ratepayers. Overseen by the Wisconsin Division of Energy, Focus on Energy works with builders and remodeling contractors, and offers homeowners incentives to do energy-saving home upgrades. Focus on Energy programs strongly emphasize ENERGY STAR products and encourage the use of ENERGY STAR windows. All builders involved with its new homes program (Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes) use windows that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. Focus on Energy's Apartment and Condo Program even provides financial incentives for new apartment building projects to incorporate ENERGY STAR-qualified windows. Wisconsin's low-income Weatherization Program also requires ENERGY STAR specifications for windows it installs. The Wisconsin Weatherization Program uses ratepayer Public Benefits funds for these replacements, primarily to fix rotted or lead-hazard windows in the houses it weatherizes.
 Prairie Park, a new apartment/condo complex in Madison, Wisconsin. Focus on Energy offered incentives to the builder to include ENERGY STAR windows and other energy-saving design features. (Credit: Don Hyneck, Wisconsin Division of Energy) |
A new opportunity opened up for Wisconsin window manufacturers, because they were already working with the ENERGY STAR program. When the national ENERGY STAR program recently upgraded its window guidelines, it added a fourth climate zone. The northern zone (Wisconsin's) was extended to more than half the geographical landmass of the United States. This new ENERGY STAR windows region criterion went into effect on August 29, 2003. About 30 states or parts of states are now in Wisconsin's climate zone for ENERGY STAR windows. Wisconsin's ENERGY STAR windows can also be sold as ENERGY STAR windows in Iowa, northern Illinois, northern Indiana, Ohio, and all of New York State. Although there are not yet hard numbers indicating how Wisconsin has benefited from this change, major manufacturers in Iowa and Illinois will now have some healthy competition from Wisconsin's small craft manufacturers.
Strengthening the Industry
"Wisconsin built on its historic strengths to get here," points out Residential Program Manager Mary Meunier. "With our historical supply of timber, Wisconsin has long been a center of high-end millwork for the home-building market. Manufacturers making doors, trim, and windows have been primary employers in small Wisconsin towns. Protecting jobs means keeping industry on the cutting edge, and working with programs like ENERGY STAR. Since our manufacturers focused on quality rather than volume, they were ideally positioned to take advantage of new technology advances," she said.
The changing windows market shows how Wisconsin's Division of Energy has been able to strengthen a Wisconsin industry while improving energy efficiency. These changes could have threatened Wisconsin's small manufacturers. But instead they provided a great opportunity. Wisconsin businesses accepted the risk of changing their product lines, investing in better technology, and working out the inevitable bugs along the way. They recognized that with improved labeling and rating of windows available and in demand, selling their products would be harder unless they could document that they met ENERGY STAR performance criteria. Working with the national ENERGY STAR program was a good way for small firms to add value to their products and distinguish themselves in a more competitive environment. It also gave them an edge when new regional markets unexpectedly opened up. By taking advantage of the ENERGY STAR program, the Wisconsin Division of Energy helped the state's manufacturers improve their products, expand their markets, and position themselves for future growth.
For more information visit Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program site.
State Energy Offices Bulletin
Stories submitted by state energy offices about their projects.
Arizona
Arizona Produces Solar Documentary
The Arizona Energy Office has completed a documentary titled "Sunrise," as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Million Solar Roofs Initiative. The video recounts the long, colorful history of solar electricity, and argues that solar power matters now more than ever. It presents real life testimonials of solar pioneers in Arizona, and takes a historical look at solar development through an interview with John Perlin, author of "From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity."
"Sunrise" outlines how man has studied the sun for ages. Many committed individuals waged epic battles to reap its energy during the last century. They persevered despite skepticism at almost every turn, and prevailed with help from some unlikely institutions. The program concludes by demonstrating that the relevance of this technology grows stronger every day.
Arkansas
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Visitors of all ages can interact with a solar exhibit and other energy-related displays at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas. |
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Arkansas Opens Museum of Discovery Energy Exhibit
An exhibit of eight interactive energy-related displays, created for students ages 8-14, is now open at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas. Its purpose is to demonstrate energy concepts in an enjoyable, understandable format. The exhibit was provided by the Arkansas Energy Office, a unit of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development.
The hands-on displays and video kiosks are housed in a 750 square foot area. On a touch-screen kiosk, visitors can design a simulated, energy-efficient home suited for the Arkansas climate. They can use energy generated from their bodies to provide power for light bulbs, and can watch hydrogen energy being produced.
The energy exhibit will bring the world of energy to students' fingertips and to more than 95,000 visitors each year. It will remain open for five years. Read a short brochure with photos of the exhibit (PDF 2.4 MB). Download Acrobat Reader.
Colorado
Colorado Wind Resource Map Unveiled
A new state wind resource map was introduced at the annual Colorado Agriculture Forum on February 19, 2004 by the Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and DOE's Wind Powering America.
Colorado has significant wind resource potential suitable for utility-scale power production, and ranks 11th in the nation for its wind energy potential. The map shows wind speed estimates at 50 meters above the ground, and indicates that this resource could be used for utility-scale wind development. OEMC has plans to obtain data for another map showing wind speed estimates at 30 meters, which are useful for identifying opportunities for installations of small wind turbines rated at less than 50 kilowatts (kW).
DOE
DOE Announces Final Distribution of Oil Overcharge Funds
Beginning in June and throughout the summer of 2004, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will be notifying approximately 30,000 prior direct claimants of the availability of approximately $275 million in new oil overcharge funds. These claimants will have six months to apply for their share of these funds, which are also known as Petroleum Violation Escrow (PVE), and direct claimants must respond to DOE's notification within that time to be eligible.
According to DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA), most states will qualify as direct claimants, so watch your mail. In many cases, however, the prior claim was filed by a state agency other than the state energy office, and notification and funding will go to that agency.
The Final Notice outlining the procedures that will govern this upcoming distribution was issued by OHA on May 13, 2004, published in the Federal Register, and is available online from OHA. Any funds remaining after the distribution to direct claimants, which is likely to be about $7 million, will be distributed in early 2005 to all states according to the PVE formula used in the Stripper Well Settlement.
For information on whether your state qualifies as a direct claimant, contact Thomas Mann, OHA, at 202-287-1520 or via email, or your DOE regional office. Additional information will appear in the July - August 2004 issue of the State Energy Program's Conservation Update.
Delaware
Delaware to Partner with ENERGY STAR®
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, part of the Delaware Energy Office, has indicated its intent to sign a partnership agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's and DOE's ENERGY STAR program. Delaware is interested in benchmarking in more than 80 state facilities, and may promote qualified products. The state signed an agreement with ENERGY STAR on February 27, in conjunction with the opening of its new Energy Office building in Dover. The ceremony was attended by officials of EPA Region 3 of and DOE's Mid-Atlantic Regional Office.
Florida
Florida Considers Biodiesel at Miami International Airport
DOE and the Florida Energy Office are teaming up to test biodiesel fuel as an alternative to diesel at the Miami International Airport. The energy office will work with DOE's Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition and the Miami Dade Aviation Department to assess the feasibility of using biodiesel in baggage transport equipment and fuel trucks. The $54,000 project will also measure the market potential for biodiesel, explore its compatibility with current systems, and test its quality, performance, and storage requirements.
"This project will increase our knowledge of biodiesel fuel for future statewide applications," said Thaddeus Cohen, Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs. "Through this research we hope to discover new ways in which communities can prepare for growth and protect their environment."
Florida High School Starts Fuel Cell Curriculum
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and DOE recently unveiled the nation's first joint hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen curriculum project at North Port High School. Attending the ceremony were DOE Assistant Secretary David Garman, Representative Jerry Paul of the Florida House of Representatives, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary Allan Bedwell. Students raced hydrogen-powered model cars after the event. For more information, see the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's April 8 press release.
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With a visit to a Florida grade school, DOE Secretary Spencer Abraham helped launch an initiative to cut energy costs in schools nationwide. |
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Florida Schools First to Use "Utility Report Card"
U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today joined forces with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Orange County Public Schools, and Walt Disney World Co., to launch a new energy savings initiative that helps schools reduce utility bills. The nation's first "Utility Report Card" for schools was announced at Citrus Elementary School in Ocoee.
"The ability to pinpoint energy use in our nation's schools will give school districts the tool to assess where they can save energy, and save money," Secretary Abraham said. "Not only will energy be saved, the students will have the opportunity to learn more about the cost of energy and smart energy use."
A pilot program was funded by the Florida Energy Office, which launched an initiative last year to reduce government energy consumption. The program focuses on installing energy-efficient technology, modifying behavior to use resources wisely, and encouraging government use of hybrid vehicles.
The Web-based Utility Report Card was first implemented by Walt Disney World Resort to track energy consumption in parks and resorts. The software has been modified to allow school districts to pinpoint energy use and expenditures. Orange County Schools and its partners in the project have made the Utility Report Card viewable online.
The information system helps school districts monitor energy used by individual schools during everyday activities, and allows districts to implement operation and maintenance changes to reduce consumption. Teachers and students can also examine online data to learn more about smart energy use and efficiency as a complement to the U.S. Department of Energy's EnergySmart Schools education program. For more information, see the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's April 5 press release.
Solar Electric Systems Installed in Florida Schools
The Florida Energy Office has initiated the Solar for Schools Program to install 29 solar electric systems in public schools across the state. This unique program combines state funding with private financing from energy companies to provide education in science and clean energy.
The electric power generated by the system powers the school's classrooms; excess energy is returned to the local power grid. The project includes onsite classrooms for students to learn about solar power and the benefits of energy conservation. The Florida Solar Energy Center provided engineering design for system installation and inspection. It also provides metered data from select systems. For information about the solar installation at Lyman High School, see the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's May 4 press release.
Idaho
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This Boise, Idaho intersection is one of many where traffic flow is controlled by LED-type stoplights. |
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LED Traffic Lights Save Energy in Idaho
Traffic signals may not seem like big energy consumers. But hundreds of thousands operate 24 hours a day, so a typical city or county can incur considerable costs to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Idaho's largest county and two cities have taken steps to cut those costs. Ada County, Nampa, and Coeur d'Alene have fitted many of their traffic signals with lamps built on light-emitting diode (LED) technology. Like many others around the country, municipalities in Idaho have discovered the remarkable energy efficiency of LED-type lights.
A typical signalized four-way intersection may have three lanes per approach (two through lanes and a left turn lane), plus pedestrian crossings. Conventional incandescent lamps in a single four-way traffic light consume roughly 85 kWh of electricity per day and cost about $1,600 per year to operate. LED lights use just 10% of the electricity that incandescent lamps use, so the opportunity for savings is enormous.
The purchase cost of LED lamps is much higher than that of older incandescent lamps. But with their lower energy use, LED lamps can pay for themselves in as little as five years. Funding assistance can come from federal agencies, including DOE and the U.S. Department of Transportation, and from loans and grants administered by state energy offices such as Idaho's Department of Water Resources.
Ada County has installed LED lights in approximately 82 of its 349 signalized intersections. Coeur d'Alene now has LED lights at 19 intersections, and Nampa has 51 traffic signals with LEDs.
Minnesota
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Minnesota Energy Conferences
The Minnesota Department of Commerce recently hosted the 2004 Affordable Comfort Conference in Minneapolis April 26-May 1. This annual event offers technical instruction to building professionals on how to remodel, repair, build, and diagnose homes to save energy. Participants toured energy-efficient buildings and viewed renewable energy systems in the Twin Cities area. The conference also included free sessions on home performance for homeowners. Affordable Comfort emphasizes that all aspects of a dwelling are part of an integrated building system. More information is available from Affordable Comfort.
The Department of Commerce also hosted DOE's Energy Smart America 2004 in Minneapolis on May 11-14. The event was a national forum that encourages energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies among states, communities, businesses, manufacturers, and technology developers.
Finally, Minnesota will sponsor another event in Minneapolis June 23-24. Called "Community Wind Energy: Building a National Market," this event aims to help rural communities develop plans and policies for wind development. As farmers and rural communities are becoming savvier about the value of their wind resource and the many options for participating in innovative wind projects, community wind energy is gathering momentum as locally and publicly owned projects spring up across the country. The wind conference is presented by Windustry, a nonprofit organization that works to increase understanding of wind energy opportunities.
Minnesota Publishes "Energy Conservation Opportunities for Greenhouse Structures"
The Minnesota Department of Commerce recently published a guide to cost-effective conservation opportunities for greenhouse structures in cold climates. It is intended for purchasers of new structures and for those who already own greenhouses and is titled "Energy Conservation Opportunities for Greenhouse Structures" (PDF 283 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.
One inexpensive way to reduce energy consumption, according to the guide, is to apply insulation (such as two-inch thick extruded polystyrene boards) on the north and east walls during the winter. This will reduce heat loss and have a minimal impact on solar heat gain. Insulation panels should be removed and stored in the spring. Another low-cost move is to install energy-efficient heating systems and infrared anti-condensate covering. Night setback temperature controls are available for plants that can withstand reduced temperatures. The report was made possible by a grant from the Chicago Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Mississippi
Mississippi Confirms Biodiesel Feasibility
With gasoline prices at an all-time high, the Mississippi Alternative Energy Enterprise released a study on the feasibility of developing a biodiesel industry in the state. The agency released the study on National Biodiesel Day, March 18, which draws attention to the benefits of this renewable fuel produced from fats and oils.
The study found that biodiesel is in its infancy as a technology and is poised for rapid growth. More importantly, the study found that Mississippi has the key ingredients necessary to participate in and benefit from that growth. The study examined the costs of production and the costs for state agencies to begin to use the fuel. It examined the benefits of reducing dependence on foreign oil and increasing energy security, plus the economic benefits of developing an indigenous fuel supply. Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Lester Spell said, "Biofuels provide job opportunities and create new markets for farmers and the commodities that are grown each year in Mississippi."
The study was funded by grants from the Mississippi Land, Water and Timber Resources Board and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Southern States Energy Board.
Missouri
Missouri Schools Going Solar
The Missouri Energy Center has initiated a project to select 20 schools over the next three years to receive 1-kilowatt photovoltaic solar arrays to be installed on school grounds. Under the Missouri Schools Going Solar Project, schools will receive curriculum materials and training to help teachers create lessons about energy resources, including energy efficiency and renewable energy.
AmerenUE, which is Missouri's largest electric utility and headquartered in St. Louis, is a partner in the project, and schools throughout its service area are eligible to apply. The project will give AmerenUE the opportunity to learn more about interconnection of small solar arrays into its existing electric grid. Another partner in the project is the Gateway Center for Resource Efficiency, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis and a regional leader in energy and environmental education.
The Missouri Energy Center is managing Missouri Schools Going Solar on behalf of the Residential/Commercial Energy Efficiency Collaborative, formed as part of a settlement approved in 2002 by the Missouri Public Service Commission and other parties. As a result of this settlement, a total of $350,000 through June 2007 will be available for this project.
Missouri Uses EPAct Credits to Buy Biodiesel
Missouri has received funds from the sale of 200 federal alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) credits earned by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The funds are available to MoDOT from the Biodiesel Fuel Revolving Fund, and will be used to purchase cleaner burning biodiesel fuel for MoDOT's equipment and vehicles.
AFV credits are earned by state agencies regulated by EPAct, the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Agencies that exceed their requirements are allowed to bank credits and sell them to other regulated entities that fall short of their mandates.
Missouri's biodiesel fund assists state agencies with the incremental cost of using B20 biodiesel fuel. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources manages the fund. Missouri's departments of Natural Resources and Corrections also generate EPAct credits from the use of biodiesel.
Renewable Energy Survey
The Missouri Energy Center has launched a survey to learn what citizens and businesses in the state are doing in the field of renewable energy. The survey will collect data on the production and use of solar, wind, and biomass energy.
Good data on fossil fuel use in Missouri, including power plants that burn coal and natural gas, are already available, mostly from federal government sources. However, the amount of renewable energy resources such as electricity from wind turbines and solar photovoltaic arrays is not tracked closely. The survey aims to recognize the contributions of renewable energy to the state's economy and environment. Use of Missouri's own energy resources offers economic benefits by keeping dollars in the local economy.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will periodically compile and post the results online, where you can read the survey.
Nebraska
Nebraska Upgrades to 2003 IECC
In the final days of its 2004 session, the Nebraska Legislature adopted the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The 2003 IECC replaces the 1983 Model Energy Code, which has been in effect in Nebraska for the past 20 years. The effective date for the changeover is July 1, 2005. The Nebraska Energy Office is required to provide training for codes officials, builders, and others as needed.
This changeover in energy codes did not come easily. Over the years, various attempts to modify the 1983 code failed in the legislature because opponents said the increased standards would be too costly. To counter this opposition, the Nebraska Energy Office secured funding through State Energy Program (SEP) Special Projects to develop a state-specific study. The study analyzed the cost differences for several building codes in the state's three climate zones and any energy dollar savings that might accrue from the changes.
A study compares the current state codes with more recent alternatives.
A one-page summary examines the potential effects of the legislation.
Nevada
Renewable Energy Workshop Tours Rural Nevada
The Nevada State Office of Energy recently teamed with USDA Rural Development Nevada to present workshops that help rural Nevadans develop and fund renewable energy projects. It was the first time the two agencies have joined forces to promote a single agenda.
"Rural Nevada has rich renewable resources which, when developed, will reduce the state's dependence on fossil fuels, reduce the amount of energy we import from other states and create jobs," said Richard E. Burdette, Jr., who directs the Nevada State Office of Energy. "These workshops will begin leveraging our rural renewable energy resources with the long term goal of improving margins for Nevada's farmers and ranchers."
Other sponsors of the free workshops included the Nevada Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Task Force, the Nevada Association of Counties, the Nevada Rural Development Council, the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, the Nevada Wind Power Working Group, and DOE's Wind Powering America. The workshops were organized by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension with participation by the National Renewable Energy Laboratories and DOE's Seattle Regional Office.
New Mexico
New Mexico Cows to Produce Energy
A demonstration that uses dairy manure as an energy source will become reality, thanks to a grant from the State Technologies Advancement Collaborative (STAC). STAC includes the National Association of State Energy Officials, the Association of State Energy Research and Technology Transfer Institutions, and DOE. The New Mexico Energy Conservation Management Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department led a public-private partnership that has been awarded a $336,949 grant for a two-year distributed energy biomass demonstration project in southern New Mexico.
The partnership includes the Texas State Energy Conservation Office, New Mexico State University, and a host of private partners. The project was one of only 13 to be awarded grant funding under a nationally competitive STAC solicitation; a total of 61 proposals were submitted and considered. Funding will be matched with a 55% cost share ($411,871) from project partners, who have shown a strong interest in making this project successful.
"The goal of the project will be to harness energy from cow waste," said Chris Wentz, director of the Energy Conservation Management Division. "The grant will allow us to design, construct, operate and evaluate a low-water anaerobic digestion process to convert dairy manure to methane gas. That gas can be used for generation of on-site heat and power."
South Carolina
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IdleAire units supply air conditioning, communications, and entertainment services to trucks, and eliminate the need for prolonged engine idling. |
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South Carolina Brings Idle Reduction to Truck Stops
The South Carolina Energy Office has received $1.5 million in competitive federal grant funding to install idle reduction systems at three truck stops. The Advanced Travel Center Electrification (ATE) from IdleAire Technologies will go into 150 parking spaces in the three truck facilities along the I-85 corridor in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The grants came from DOE-sponsored State Technology Advancement Collaborative (STAC), which is managed by the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO).
The ATE system allows gives truck drivers access to air conditioning power in the truck cab without idling their engines. It also provides a range of communications and entertainment services. Truck drivers are required by law to rest 10 hours for every 11 hours they drive.
Outfitting just one truck stop in this manner would remove approximately 1,647 metric tons of emissions annually, including 33.47 metric tons of nitrogen oxides and 0.66 metric tons of particulate matter. Fuel saved at the three locations is expected to be nearly 2.4 million gallons annually, which is worth about $3.7 million, according to the South Carolina office. This project represents the first award for a multistate corridor ATE project in the country, and will help build a network of infrastructure in the Southeast. Information on the system is available from IdleAire Technologies.
Texas
Texas Launches Fuel Cell Project
The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) has executed its first fuel cell project, which was awarded under a DOE competitive grant. The goal of the project is to develop, test, and install a prototype residential power system that runs on a propane fuel cell.
A demonstration unit will be delivered and installed at the Texas Department of Transportation's headquarters in San Antonio. After its performance is verified, participants will produce a prototype unit for use in a field demonstration.
The Texas LPG Fuel Processor Development and Fuel Cell Demonstration Program is a public-private partnership led by SECO. Partners include Plug Power in Latham, New York; UOP/HyRadix in Des Plaines, Illinois; the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas; the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; the Texas Department of Transportation; and the Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division of the Texas Railroad Commission.
The project will also identify early-entry customers, technical and regulatory requirements, and other challenges and opportunities for commercializing fuel cell technology. The propane industry is independently funding development of an optimized propane fuel processor through the Propane Education and Research Council.
Texas Trains in New Building Codes
In response to a 2001 legislative mandate, the Texas State Energy Conservation Office has conducted workshops that promote a new set of state building and conservation codes.
On the residential side, workshops provided code compliance and technical assistance for homebuilders, city building officials, industry representatives, community groups, and other stakeholders. The aim was to facilitate the implementation of the 2000 International Residential Code and the 2001 International Energy Conservation Code in selected jurisdictions. The workshops offered training in building science, which focused on preventing mold and water intrusion. The statewide effort included 40 sessions with 972 attendees from April 2003 to February 2004. The Texas Association of Builders was selected to market the training through its 31 local chapters.
On the commercial side, SECO submitted a successful joint proposal with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station of Texas A&M University for SEP Special Projects funding to provide training on ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999/2001. SECO held three, two-day sessions for architects and engineers, and additional training was provided for city building officials and other state and local personnel. In all, 210 individuals attended eight training sessions between May and July 2003.
Utah
Solar Training in Salt Lake City
Solar Energy International (SEI), a nonprofit organization that trains individuals around the world in renewable energy, conducted workshops in photovoltaic design and installation in Salt Lake City, April 12-17, 2004. Students learned how to determine the best sites for solar panels, size a system, specify components to fit electricity needs, and install a system to code. Participants visited local solar installations to attend presentations by local solar advocates.
The classroom segment of the workshop took place at the Utah Energy Office. During the final two days, participants installed a grid-tied system at the local Green Building Center, which sells "green products" such as insulation made from blue jean scraps, nontoxic paints, recycled glass tiles, and wine racks made from bicycle rims. And if a customer brings in a few pairs of old skis, they can be made into an armchair.
Contacts: Carol Weis, Solar Energy International, 970-527-7657, sei@solarenergy.org; Dave Lochtefeld, Utah Energy Office, 801-538-5443, davelochtefeld@utah.gov.
Wisconsin
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Marc Marotta (right), Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration, and Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., president of Marquette University, celebrated the completion of energy efficiency improvements that will save the university $350,000 annually. The $100,000 check represented a grant from Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, Focus on Energy. |
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Wisconsin Schools Cut Energy Costs
With help from Wisconsin's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiative, schools in that state have substantially cut energy expenses. Since June 2001, more than 300 schools have saved in excess of $4.3 million, according to Focus on Energy. For example, Marquette University in Milwaukee recently completed improvements that will reduce its annual energy costs by $350,000. The university project was funded by a grant from Wisconsin Focus on Energy.
Lower energy costs are good news for taxpayers, the organization notes. They allow schools to fund staff positions and programs that otherwise might have been sacrificed to budget cuts. Energy is the second-largest cost for schools, behind only salaries. DOE estimates that the average school could reduce energy expenses by 20% through efficiency measures.
Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership that provides energy efficiency and renewable energy information and services to the state's energy utility customers. It seeks to raise awareness, provide training and financing, enhance marketing, promote technical assistance, and support the installation of renewable energy technologies across Wisconsin.
State Energy Information
New state Web sites and publications, and DOE pubs dealing with energy efficiency and renewable energy in the states.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: A Primer
(PDF 116 KB)
The National Association of State Energy Officials publishes this primer for staffs of state energy offices; 42 pp; April, 2003.
Wisconsin Renewable Energy Market Assessment: Final Report
(PDF 1.71 MB)
The Wisconsin Department of Administration publishes this report written by the Wisconsin Energy Center with funding from Wisconsin Focus on Energy; 94 pp.; August, 2003.
State Energy Web Sites
14 Ways to Conserve Energy at Home
The Delaware Energy Office publishes this simple list of suggestions; 2 pp.
Energy Saving Tips
The Arizona Energy Office publishes these valuable online tips to save energy and money and, in many cases, help the environment by reducing pollution and conserving our natural resources
Residential Electricity Consumption
The Delaware Energy Office publishes this simple breakdown of how most people use electricity; 1 pp
Soy Biodiesel — Helping Us All Breathe a Little Easier
The Delaware Department of Agriculture publishes this brochure for consumers listing the stations that provide biodiesel in the state; 2 pp.