This Week in Energy Efficiency – March 11, 2013

Utilities

Consumers Energy awarded $17.4 million in energy efficiency incentives to business customers last year, including $7.3 million during the company’s fourth quarter. Through the Jackson-based utility’s Business Solutions program, participating customers will save around $20.8 million in energy costs each year.
Source: M Live

PECO’s Smart Ideas program has been recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award in Energy Efficiency Program Delivery. The program has saved over $258 million for 450,000 customers since 2009.
Source: MarketWatch

Research by IEE and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency shows that utility energy-efficiency programs saved 107 TWhh of electricity in 2011, with commercial customers leading the way with 43 TWh. The IEE predicts that customer funded electric efficiency budgets will exceed $14 billion by 2025, up from $7 billion in 2012.
Source: FierceEnergy

Institutions, Cities & States

Chicago’s Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) will finance its own $500,000, 40 building smart meter pilot. BOMA had previously requested Department of Energy funds to upgrade its metering, but will pay Commonwealth Edison and Automated Logic directly for installation and analysis.
Source: Smart Meters

PECI has received gold certification from Sustainability at Work, for Portland companies that have demonstrated high levels of commitment and continual improvement in sustainability practices. PECI’s efforts include a LEED Platinum office, annual Kilowatt Cup energy reduction competition and mass transit subsidy.
Source: PECI

Texas A&M has saved $140 million from energy efficiency measures over the past ten years, with consumption falling 40% as the campus grew 25%. The college is hoping to use 190 million BTUs per square foot in 2015, a 47% reduction from 2002.
Source: The Eagle

Livermore, California, is spending $12.5 million on energy efficiency and renewables, with an expected net saving of $10 million after 25 years. The project, managed by Chevron Energy Solutions, includes 7,000 LED streetlights and solar panels on municipal buildings.
Source: Tri-Valley Times

Energy consumers in Connecticut saved $53.8 million in 2012 through statewide energy efficiency programs. The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board’s annual report found that just over half of the savings accrued to residential customers.
Source: The Day

North America

President Obama named Ernest Moniz, undersecretary of energy under President Clinton, to lead the Energy Department. Gina McCarthy will step up to lead the Environmental Protection Agency from within the organization.
Source: MarketWatch

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy released a report on the efficiency opportunity in multifamily buildings, which house over 20 million American households. The study looked at over 100 utilities, finding that programs must overcome barriers including split incentives between landlords and tenants and building owners’ lack of capital to make major investments.
Source: Energy Manager Today

International

The European Union will investigate whether Germany’s network charge exemptions for major electricity consumers is anti-competitive under EU rules. Major users save 300 million Euros a year, which is made up through a levy on final electricity consumers.
Source: The Wall Street Journal

The UK’s energy regulator has published its new framework for electricity distribution networks, which will cover 2015-23. The RIIO-ED1 controls encourage network operators to focus on customer satisfaction and integrating low carbon technologies.
Source: StockMarketWire

The India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF), a partnership between the Ministry of Power and industry stakeholders, is attempting to bring the Green Button concept to India. The Forum is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy to set up a Green Button center of excellence and certifying agency at the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai.
Source: Metering

And Finally

National Grid has signed Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference to promote energy efficiency to residents and schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island through an interactive contest. Ference, a native of Edmonton, has previously cited David Suzuki as a major influence and campaigned on environmental issues.
Source: Businesswire

Please send story suggestions or comments about This Week in Energy Efficiency to Peter J. Cavan