1. U.S. Population Grew 9.7% in the Past Decade to 308,745,538, the Slowest Rate Since The Great Depression
2. Construction Unemployment Rate Jumps to 18.8% - Construction unemployment rate is highest for any industry, roughly double overall rate as federal projects remain only bright spot for hard-hit sector. The construction unemployment rate jumped to 18.8% in November as the sector lost another 5,000 jobs since October, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). 12/020 EC&M
3. Release of ENERGY STAR Luminaires Final Draft Version 1.0 Specification - Attached is a memo from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcing the release of the Final Draft Version 1.0 of the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Luminaires. This specification, also attached, is intended long term to replace the existing Residential Light Fixtures (V4.3) and Solid State Lighting Luminaires (V1.2) specifications. Stakeholders may submit comments on this draft to EPA no later than Friday, January 14, 2011. Comments should be submitted to luminaires@energystar.gov with “ENERGY STAR Luminaires V1.0 Final Draft Comments” in the subject line.
4. Philips Lumileds Leads LED Industry with Mass Production on 150 mm Wafers - Philips Lumileds is the first power LED manufacturer in mass production on 150 mm wafers and is now producing millions of GaN based LEDs weekly on the larger substrates. Each 150 mm wafer produces four times the number of LEDs as the current 3-inch wafers. The transition to a larger wafer size is broadly viewed as a critical path to providing the increasing volume of LEDs required by the lighting industry and ensuring a supportable and secure supply chain. http://www.philipslumileds.com/
5. Rouses Point, NY Promotes Energy Efficiency - In an effort to increase energy efficiency, the Village of Rouses Point is distributing CFL light bulbs to electric customers. The move is a joint effort with other villages across New York state as part of the Independent Energy Efficiency Program http://ieepny.com/ About 260,000 Energy Star-qualified light bulbs have been distributed since November. Any village residents who pay a utility bill qualify for two free bulbs and can pick them up at the Village Office. 12/19 The Press-Republican
6. Energy Projects Planned for Archbald, PA -Traffic lights at five Archbald intersections will switch from incandescent bulbs to light-emitting diodes next year under a regional initiative funded by the Pittston-based Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance http://www.nepa-alliance.org/ Archbald is one of 55 municipalities that will change their traffic lights as part of the project. 12/17 The Times-Tribune
7. HD to Build Energy-Efficient Prototype -The Home Depot has agreed to showcase a high-performance, energy-efficient store built through the Department of Energy’s Commercial Building Partnership, a program dedicated to accelerating energy-saving technologies into standard designs for commercial buildings. The new Home Depot store, slated for Rocklin, CA, will require up to 50% less energy than standard commercial buildings, according to the press release. Funding will come through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Completion is expected in mid-2012. 12/17 HCN
8. Existing-Home Sales Show Improvement - Data released today from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) show sales of existing homes increased 5.6% to a pace of 4.68 million in November. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.68 million is the highest since June 2010, which saw a pace of 5.26 million. Compared with November of last year, however, sales are 27.9% down from a 6.49-million pace. The optimistic projections are at the 5-million pace by spring of 2011. 12/22 HCN
9. Lighting Science Group Wins Bid to Relight Washington, D.C. - Lighting Science Group's high-performance PROLIFIC series LED street lights will soon line the streets of Washington, D.C. Compared with traditional high pressure sodium (HPS) street lights, the PROLIFIC LED series street lights are 50% more efficient, provide more uniform light distribution, increase light levels, and will save Washington, D.C. tens of thousands of dollars each year in energy and maintenance costs. The new light fixtures will be paid for from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and will begin to be installed in early 2011. http://www.lsgc.com/
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
News Updates for the Week of December 20th
1. Dot Earth: U.S. Energy Choices and Global Climate Plans - There’s plenty to ponder in the newly released summary of the Annual Energy Outlook 2011 by the Department of Energy. While all such forecasts are implicitly uncertain, this one helps clarify where to focus efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions; reinforces the importance of resolving questions about how to safely expand, while not stopping, extraction of vast domestic reserves of natural gas; and powerfully challenges proponents of accelerated deployment of today’s menu of renewable energy technologies or nuclear power plants to lay out a credible strategy for supplanting coal. http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/executive_summary.cfm 12/16 New York Times
2. Siemens Said to Weigh Osram Options as Future Brightens for Lighting Unit - Siemens AG, Europe’s largest engineering company, is exploring options for its Osram lighting business, including a possible initial public offering or sale. Siemens, based in Munich, has held preliminary talks with investment banks about the viability of a transaction involving Osram, said the people, who declined to be identified because talks are private. No decision has been made and Siemens may keep the unit, they said. Siemens may consider an IPO or sales process for the first half of next year. Siemens is examining Osram’s future as the IPO market shows signs of thawing and the unit’s earnings surge, rising six-fold in the past fiscal year. Osram, the second-largest lighting company in the world by sales after Royal Philips Electronics NV, has an enterprise value of 6.5 billion euros ($8.7 billion) to 7 billion euros. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-15
3. GE’s Petras Sees Lighting Profit, Sales Up in 2011 - General Electric Co.’s lighting unit expects 2011 profit to rise on increased sales of LED-based products, said Michael Petras, who oversees the division. GE Lighting should increase its $2.6 billion in sales and have “strong double-digit” profit growth next year, Petras told investors at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch conference in New York. The unit, based in Cleveland, plans to raise investment in new products by almost 30 percent next year following increases in 2010. Two-thirds of new product spending at GE Lighting will be directed to LED-based products, he said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-16/
4. Improvement Seen in Both Current and Expected North American Business Conditions in November - The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions climbed 14.5 points in November, rising to 62.5 from 48.0 a month ago. With a reading above 50 indicating more panelists than not reporting better conditions than a month ago, and vice-versa, these results show widespread improvement in the business environment across the electroindustry in November, in contrast to the modest deterioration seen in October. 12/15 EC&M
5. Green Energy Website Launched - Schenectady County has announced the launch of a new website – http://www.gogreenschenectadycounty.com/ -- that will provide county residents with information about energy saving projects and serve as a one-stop location for residents, businesses, and organizations to find rebates, incentives, and grants available to reduce energy costs and conserve resources. 12/15 Times Union
6. EnerPath Strengthens Communities Around the Country With Energy Efficiency Programs - Utility companies across the country are turning to California-based EnerPath to run energy efficiency programs and reduce their electricity demand. Energy efficiency programs are increasing in popularity with utilities across the country. http://www.enerpath.com/
7. DEP Announces Small Business Advantage Grants to Help Improve Energy Efficiency in PA - The Department of Environmental Protection announced that 90 small businesses across the state of Pennsylvania will receive more than $560,000 in grants through the Small Business Advantage program and leverage an additional $1.1 million in private investments to reduce energy use and pollution, enabling them to become more competitive. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery and waste recycling systems, and auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines. Web Site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ 12/16 PRNewswire
8. Texas Appliance Rebate Program Grows by $8.5 Million - An extra $8.5 million is being pumped into Texas' upcoming appliance rebate program, swelling the total rebates offered to $18.5 million. The program kicks off Monday, the day consumers can begin buying and getting rebates for new appliances that have a federal Energy Star designation signifying high energy efficiency. Rebates range from $40 to $1,000, depending on the appliance. Rebate application forms are available to download and print at www.texaspowerfulsmart.org 12/16 Fort Worth Star-Telegram
9. Housing Starts Are Up, But Not Much - November housing starts, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate, increased to 555,000 in November -- up from 534,000 in October. 12/16 HCN
2. Siemens Said to Weigh Osram Options as Future Brightens for Lighting Unit - Siemens AG, Europe’s largest engineering company, is exploring options for its Osram lighting business, including a possible initial public offering or sale. Siemens, based in Munich, has held preliminary talks with investment banks about the viability of a transaction involving Osram, said the people, who declined to be identified because talks are private. No decision has been made and Siemens may keep the unit, they said. Siemens may consider an IPO or sales process for the first half of next year. Siemens is examining Osram’s future as the IPO market shows signs of thawing and the unit’s earnings surge, rising six-fold in the past fiscal year. Osram, the second-largest lighting company in the world by sales after Royal Philips Electronics NV, has an enterprise value of 6.5 billion euros ($8.7 billion) to 7 billion euros. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-15
3. GE’s Petras Sees Lighting Profit, Sales Up in 2011 - General Electric Co.’s lighting unit expects 2011 profit to rise on increased sales of LED-based products, said Michael Petras, who oversees the division. GE Lighting should increase its $2.6 billion in sales and have “strong double-digit” profit growth next year, Petras told investors at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch conference in New York. The unit, based in Cleveland, plans to raise investment in new products by almost 30 percent next year following increases in 2010. Two-thirds of new product spending at GE Lighting will be directed to LED-based products, he said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-16/
4. Improvement Seen in Both Current and Expected North American Business Conditions in November - The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions climbed 14.5 points in November, rising to 62.5 from 48.0 a month ago. With a reading above 50 indicating more panelists than not reporting better conditions than a month ago, and vice-versa, these results show widespread improvement in the business environment across the electroindustry in November, in contrast to the modest deterioration seen in October. 12/15 EC&M
5. Green Energy Website Launched - Schenectady County has announced the launch of a new website – http://www.gogreenschenectadycounty.com/ -- that will provide county residents with information about energy saving projects and serve as a one-stop location for residents, businesses, and organizations to find rebates, incentives, and grants available to reduce energy costs and conserve resources. 12/15 Times Union
6. EnerPath Strengthens Communities Around the Country With Energy Efficiency Programs - Utility companies across the country are turning to California-based EnerPath to run energy efficiency programs and reduce their electricity demand. Energy efficiency programs are increasing in popularity with utilities across the country. http://www.enerpath.com/
7. DEP Announces Small Business Advantage Grants to Help Improve Energy Efficiency in PA - The Department of Environmental Protection announced that 90 small businesses across the state of Pennsylvania will receive more than $560,000 in grants through the Small Business Advantage program and leverage an additional $1.1 million in private investments to reduce energy use and pollution, enabling them to become more competitive. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery and waste recycling systems, and auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines. Web Site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ 12/16 PRNewswire
8. Texas Appliance Rebate Program Grows by $8.5 Million - An extra $8.5 million is being pumped into Texas' upcoming appliance rebate program, swelling the total rebates offered to $18.5 million. The program kicks off Monday, the day consumers can begin buying and getting rebates for new appliances that have a federal Energy Star designation signifying high energy efficiency. Rebates range from $40 to $1,000, depending on the appliance. Rebate application forms are available to download and print at www.texaspowerfulsmart.org 12/16 Fort Worth Star-Telegram
9. Housing Starts Are Up, But Not Much - November housing starts, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate, increased to 555,000 in November -- up from 534,000 in October. 12/16 HCN
Monday, December 13, 2010
News Updates for the Week of December 13
1. Rep. Upton Flips a Switch on CFL Bulbs - Three years after he led the charge to require consumers to ditch their comfortable old incandescent lights in favor of those twisty CFL bulbs, Rep. Fred Upton now wants to be the man to help undo that law if he is elected the next chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Federal officials say 272 million CFLs were sold in the U.S. in 2009, and they argue that the environmental and safety fears have been blown out of proportion. For repeal to succeed, legislation would have to pass the House and the Senate and then be signed by President Obama. 12/7 The Washington Times
2. New Buildings Institute Announces ALG Online - An all-in-one information resource covering energy-efficient lighting design, technologies, and applications, a new online edition of Advanced Lighting Guidelines is regularly updated by its editors and contributors. http://www.algonline.org/
3. Keeping Manufacturing in the United States - The U.S. solid-state lighting (SSL) industry sits on the cusp of major technology advances that will revo¬lutionize the industry and greatly accelerate energy efficiency here and around the world. The U.S. lighting industry has lost most, if not all, of its incandescent and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) manufacturing to Asian countries in the last two decades, as well a substantial share of finished luminaire product and sub-system manufacturing, because it could not match production costs. U.S. com¬panies have made significant financial investments in SSL technology and would like to retain a larger share of this next generation of lighting. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/ssl_whitepaper_july2010.pdf
4. NEMA-Backed Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 Passes Congress - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed S3250, the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010, which includes provisions backed by NEMA. Passed by the U.S. Senate in July, S3250 instructs the General Services Administration to develop core competencies for federal building managers to ensure that the buildings are safely maintained and operated at maximum performance levels. Copy of Bill: http://www.nema.org/media/pr/upload/S.3250.pdf
5. Construction Industry Loses More Jobs - The construction unemployment rate rose to 18.8% in November as the sector lost another 5,000 jobs since October, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, which just released an analysis of new federal employment data. The analysis indicates that the construction sector has been the hardest hit of any industry during the economic downturn. The construction industry has lost 2.1 million jobs since employment in the sector peaked in August 2006. 12/3 HCN
6. Solar Market to Double Next Year - Despite the uncertainty of political changes and the unsettled power markets, installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation will double next year. That's according to a new report that predicts 2 gigawatts of solar PV will be added in the United States in 2011. http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/10/12/solar-market-double-next-year
7. Marin County Seeks Contractor to Change Light Bulbs - The county Board of Supervisors this week called for bids on replacing 1,688 high-pressure sodium street lights across Marin with energy-efficient LED fixtures and could cost more than $1 million. 12/3 Marin Independent Journal
8. DOE Releases GATEWAY Report on LED Retrofit Lamps - The DOE has published the final report from a demonstration of LED retrofit lamps installed at the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco, California. This GATEWAY demonstration report provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, economic performance, and potential energy savings. The complete report is available for download at www.ssl.energy.gov/gatewaydemos_results.html
9. Dec. 14: Free DOE Webinar on the Latest Lighting Solutions - Register now to attend a free webinar presented by the DOE’s Building Technologies Program: “Commercial Lighting Solutions Web Tool: Improve Your Building Efficiency.” The 90-minute webinar will be held at noon Eastern on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The DOE’s Commercial Lighting Solutions interactive Web tool provides best practices lighting solutions for offices and box retail in both new and existing buildings. https://www.mymeetings.com/emeet/rsvp/index.jsp?customHeader=mymeetings&Conference_ID=9366099&passcode=7170033
10. GE LED Replacement Wins DOE's EnergyStar Rating - GE just launched a new 9 watt Energy Smart LED bulb that provides a soft white light (3,000K) and a 77-percent energy savings compared with a 40W incandescent bulb for $50 retail. EnergyStar tests found that the new GE LED bulb produced 471 lumens, a light-output measurement that exceeds the 450 lumens required by EnergyStar to be considered a 40W incandescent replacement. http://www.gelighting.com/na/energysmartLED/home.html
11. Lean and Green: How Sustainable Practices are Changing Retail - More retailers than ever believe that environmentally responsible initiatives are just plain good business sense. Those already winning at the POS believe this the most. But while frustration grows while waiting for consumers to start demanding greener products, Retail Winners are turning their focus to internal, more controllable initiatives. http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/1209
2. New Buildings Institute Announces ALG Online - An all-in-one information resource covering energy-efficient lighting design, technologies, and applications, a new online edition of Advanced Lighting Guidelines is regularly updated by its editors and contributors. http://www.algonline.org/
3. Keeping Manufacturing in the United States - The U.S. solid-state lighting (SSL) industry sits on the cusp of major technology advances that will revo¬lutionize the industry and greatly accelerate energy efficiency here and around the world. The U.S. lighting industry has lost most, if not all, of its incandescent and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) manufacturing to Asian countries in the last two decades, as well a substantial share of finished luminaire product and sub-system manufacturing, because it could not match production costs. U.S. com¬panies have made significant financial investments in SSL technology and would like to retain a larger share of this next generation of lighting. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/ssl_whitepaper_july2010.pdf
4. NEMA-Backed Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 Passes Congress - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed S3250, the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010, which includes provisions backed by NEMA. Passed by the U.S. Senate in July, S3250 instructs the General Services Administration to develop core competencies for federal building managers to ensure that the buildings are safely maintained and operated at maximum performance levels. Copy of Bill: http://www.nema.org/media/pr/upload/S.3250.pdf
5. Construction Industry Loses More Jobs - The construction unemployment rate rose to 18.8% in November as the sector lost another 5,000 jobs since October, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, which just released an analysis of new federal employment data. The analysis indicates that the construction sector has been the hardest hit of any industry during the economic downturn. The construction industry has lost 2.1 million jobs since employment in the sector peaked in August 2006. 12/3 HCN
6. Solar Market to Double Next Year - Despite the uncertainty of political changes and the unsettled power markets, installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation will double next year. That's according to a new report that predicts 2 gigawatts of solar PV will be added in the United States in 2011. http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/10/12/solar-market-double-next-year
7. Marin County Seeks Contractor to Change Light Bulbs - The county Board of Supervisors this week called for bids on replacing 1,688 high-pressure sodium street lights across Marin with energy-efficient LED fixtures and could cost more than $1 million. 12/3 Marin Independent Journal
8. DOE Releases GATEWAY Report on LED Retrofit Lamps - The DOE has published the final report from a demonstration of LED retrofit lamps installed at the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco, California. This GATEWAY demonstration report provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, economic performance, and potential energy savings. The complete report is available for download at www.ssl.energy.gov/gatewaydemos_results.html
9. Dec. 14: Free DOE Webinar on the Latest Lighting Solutions - Register now to attend a free webinar presented by the DOE’s Building Technologies Program: “Commercial Lighting Solutions Web Tool: Improve Your Building Efficiency.” The 90-minute webinar will be held at noon Eastern on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The DOE’s Commercial Lighting Solutions interactive Web tool provides best practices lighting solutions for offices and box retail in both new and existing buildings. https://www.mymeetings.com/emeet/rsvp/index.jsp?customHeader=mymeetings&Conference_ID=9366099&passcode=7170033
10. GE LED Replacement Wins DOE's EnergyStar Rating - GE just launched a new 9 watt Energy Smart LED bulb that provides a soft white light (3,000K) and a 77-percent energy savings compared with a 40W incandescent bulb for $50 retail. EnergyStar tests found that the new GE LED bulb produced 471 lumens, a light-output measurement that exceeds the 450 lumens required by EnergyStar to be considered a 40W incandescent replacement. http://www.gelighting.com/na/energysmartLED/home.html
11. Lean and Green: How Sustainable Practices are Changing Retail - More retailers than ever believe that environmentally responsible initiatives are just plain good business sense. Those already winning at the POS believe this the most. But while frustration grows while waiting for consumers to start demanding greener products, Retail Winners are turning their focus to internal, more controllable initiatives. http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/1209
Monday, December 6, 2010
Something to Think About...
Progress report:
We started the EnergyWatch blog in September this year and the response has been terrific. Check our archives to see what you've been missing.
As I have said in the past and will continue to say, God willing, it has been my pleasure to keep you all current on the energy issues of the day. We will continue to remind you as well when the monthly EnergyWatch newsletter is posted on my website: www.attardimarketing.com/energywatch. It has been twelve (12) glorious years…
We will continue to post current energy issues to watch weekly or if it is appropriate, when it happens on http://www.energywatchblog.com/. The focus will continue to be energy and specifically energy-efficient lighting when you need to know it. In addition, we are linking with respected industry leaders/writers/educators and organizations to provide you with the best information available. Check it out often for marketing info, training, white papers, energy info, new technologies, energy jobs, and more to come.
This is an interactive energy reference blog, so we encourage you to comment at any time. Let me know what you think and if you want to play, just let me know. Add it to Your Favorites, check on it frequently and thanks for your many years of friendship and support. wmailto:wattardi@attardimarketing.com.
News Updates for the Week of December 6
1. Green Building Market Grows Despite Construction Slowdown - Despite a deep economic recession, the U.S. green building market has expanded dramatically since 2008 and is projected to double its size by 2015, says a new report by New York-based McGraw-Hill Construction. The value of green construction jumped 50% from $42 billion in 2008 to $71 billion in 2010, when it represented 25% of the all new building activity, and it's expected to reach $135 billion by 2015, according to the firm's Green Outlook 2011 report. http://ecmweb.com/ezone/green-building-market-grows-20101123/?cid=nl_ezone.
2. NEMA Third-Quarter 2010 Lighting Systems Index Improves - Third-quarter 2010 performance beat the second quarter’s by 0.9% and was 5.6% ahead of third-quarter 2009’s. http://www.nlb.org/index.cfm?cdid=10452&pid=10226.
3. Incandescent Lamp Index Declines to Record Low During Third Quarter of 2010 - NEMA’s index for incandescent lamps declined 17.2 percent for the third quarter, registering a record low reading of 46.5. The index showed a year-over-year decline of nearly 19.0 percent. Shipments of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) waned as well, with the index dipping 18.2 percent to 168.8—a level not seen since 2006. Moreover, CFL shipments decreased 12.7 percent on a year-over-year basis. http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20101202a.cfm.
4. Shipments of Metal Halide Lamps Remain Solid During the Third Quarter - Mercury vapor lamps carved out a 5.4 percent share of the HID lamp market, an increase of 1.3 percentage points over the previous quarter. Market shares for metal halide and sodium vapor HID lamps moved in opposing directions during the quarter. Metal halide lamps improved 2.8 percentage points to 63.3 percent of total shipments while the market share of sodium vapor lamps contracted to 31.3 percent—a decline of 4.1 percentage points. http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20101203b.cfm.
5. Secretary Chu Announces Nearly $21 Million in Technical Assistance Projects to Improve Energy Use in Commercial Buildings - During a live online chat at the White House, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that 24 projects are receiving a total of $21 million in technical assistance to dramatically reduce the energy used in their commercial buildings. http://www.energy.gov/news/9838.htm. Learn more about Commercial Building Partnerships and other projects that are part of DOE's Building Technologies Program.
6. CO State Launches Green Loan Programs for Business - Businesses looking to invest in energy efficiency upgrades could benefit from two loan programs that were announced Tuesday. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) will oversee both programs, one aimed at retrofits and projects below $100,000, the other at retrofits and renewable energy projects above that threshold. Both are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Interested businesses can find more information at www.chfainfo.com. 12/1 The Gazette
7. CA Energy Commission Awards Nearly $3 Million for Energy Research - Demonstrating the importance of funding innovation, the California Energy Commission on 12/3/10 approved $2,868,787 for four energy research projects including solutions for retrofitting lighting in commercial buildings. The research projects are funded by the Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. For more information, visit www.energy.ca.gov/research.
8. AL Loan Program Helps Businesses Be More Energy-Efficient - Starting 12/1 /10, Alabama businesses wanting to become more energy-efficient will have an easier time finding the money to make those changes. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has started a $60 million revolving loan program called AlabamaSAVES (Sustainable and Verifiable Energy Savings). Alabama industrial and commercial business owners will be able to apply for 2 percent interest loans of between $250,000 and $4 million to finance energy-saving improvements to their facilities. The loans can be used to upgrade heating and air-conditioning systems, windows and doors, electrical systems, water heating systems, energy management systems, lighting and insulation. http://www.alabamasaves.com.
9. Tampa Electric Gets Florida Public Service Commission Approval to Expand Energy-Efficiency Programs and Incentives - Tampa Electric received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) to expand its current lineup of energy efficiency programs for customers. In addition to the new programs and enhancements to existing programs, $1.5 million in incentives will be offered by Tampa Electric each year for five years to help customers install renewable technologies. The new programs should be available to customers in the first quarter of 2011. The availability of these incentives is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will be accepted online at www.tampaelectric.com. 12/1 BUSINESS WIRE
10. Lighting Fixtures - Global Strategic Business Report - This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Lighting Fixtures. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for each region for the period 2007 through 2015. Also, a seven-year historic analysis is provided for these markets. For more information: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/7b103a/lighting_fixtures_global_strategic_business.
Total Companies Profiled: 746 (including Divisions/Subsidiaries - 838)
Region/Country Players | Region/Country Players |
The United States: 82 | Italy: 63 |
Canada: 13 | Spain: 30 |
Japan: 13 | Rest of Europe: 157 |
Europe: 462 | Asia-Pacific: 219 |
France: 32 | Latin America: 16 |
Germany: 101 | Africa: 16 |
The United Kingdom: 79 | Middle East: 17 |
Monthly Special Feature
Check out Fueleconomy.gov's Top Ten EPA-Rated Fuel Sippers for 2011: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/topten.jsp.
Monday, November 29, 2010
News Updates for the Week of November 29
1. Will ESL Light Bulbs Beat LEDs? - New York City-based Vu1 Corporation would like consumers to think so with the announcement that after years in the making, the company’s R30 Electron Stimulated Luminescence energy-efficient reflector light bulb —or ESL bulb for short — has been granted final UL approval and will become available to consumers in early 2011. And if all goes as planned, the ESL will prove to be a formidable contender to the two existing, not-entirely-perfect incandescent alternatives: the CFL and the LED. http://www.vu1corporation.com/eslupdate 11/22 Forbes
2. MIT Study Finds Great Potential Energy Savings Through User-Controlled Efficient Lighting Systems - MIT Media Lab are aiming to provide sophisticated and continuous lighting control that could slash lighting bills by more than half. The experimental control devices being tested are about the size of a business card, and thin enough to slip in a pocket. They monitor the light actually falling on the user’s working space, and contain light sensors as well as controls to adjust both the intensity and the color balance of the light. In the current test setup, this information is used to control an array of LED (light-emitting diode) light fixtures. The tiny controllers not only measure the intensity of the light falling on the workspace from the LEDs, but can identify how much light can come from different fixtures while also separately measuring any ambient light coming in from the windows or spillover light from neighboring work areas. 11/22 Balkans News
3. Light at Night: The Latest Science - A panel of leading experts was assembled to explore what today’s science can tell us about light at night. While it remains unproven that typical exposures to outdoor lighting have negative health impacts, this cannot be ruled out without more empirical data and a standard metric for quantifying the relevant light exposures. LED technology holds tremendous potential for energy savings, but it is not yet clear whether its spectral characteristics will offer advantages over other light sources in terms of vision and circadian regulation. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/ssl_whitepaper_nov2010.pdf
4. Seeing Heat: Utility Generating Thermal Images of Homes from High Up - Cedar Falls, Idaho residents will now be able to look at a thermal image of their home from a comfortable seat at their home computer. It will be possible because of two men who crisscrossed the skies over Cedar Falls through the night, carefully photographing every building in the city with a thermal imaging camera. Cedar Falls Utilities took advantage of a federal stimulus grant program ($3 million for the equipment), to create the thermal images. Homeowners and businesses will be able to look at the results and determine heat loss coming from rooftops. 11/20 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
5. Automation Comes to LEED Green Building Program - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), developers of the LEED green building program, has announced a new program designed to streamline and create capacity for the LEED building certification process. Called LEED Automation, the program enables users to submit documentation and certify LEED projects online through third-party technology platforms. http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/LEED%20Automation.pdf
6. UC Davis Turns On Smart Lighting to Save Energy, Be Model for Californians - The University of California, Davis, today turns on a new Smart Lighting Initiative to slash the amount of electricity it uses to illuminate its buildings and grounds. Working with the UC Davis California Lighting Technology Center, the UC Davis Facilities Management team already has installed lighting energy-saving projects including:
• LED overhead lights with two brightness levels, controlled by occupancy sensors, in campus parking structures;
• Bi-level induction lighting, also controlled by occupancy sensors, in campus parking lots and structures;
• Induction lights in streetlight fixtures on the north entry road (Howard Way);
• "Hybrid" bathroom lights that combine LED night lights with conventional lights and occupancy sensors in Emerson Hall and Webster Hall dormitories;
• Bi-level LED overhead lights in Bainer Hall corridors;
• Advanced compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in Meyer Hall downlights;
• LED desk lamps and bi-level overhead lights controlled by occupancy sensors, daylight sensors and people in Mrak Hall offices; and
• A unique mirrored sunlighting device to bring daylight into interior rooms at the campus’s new winery, brewery and food-processing complex.
The UC Davis Smart Lighting program is expected to cost $39 million. The California Statewide Energy Partnership Program will fund $4 million of the total. The remaining $35 million will be paid for by energy savings of $3 million per year. 11/22 UC Davis News & Information
7. After EISA 2007 There's No Turning Back by Dan Carazo - Everyone of us who champions increased energy efficiency in America – and all its benefits – should lobby our U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator to declare January to be Energy Efficiency Month. A Republican president approved EISA 2007, and a Democratic president signed ARRA 2009, so regardless of our personal political viewpoint, the broad scope of Federal support for energy efficient solutions makes it clear that the current trend toward green electrical is sure to continue to spur further growth for many years. http://tedgreenroom.com
8. Feds Lowers Economic Expectations for 2011 - Top Federal Reserve officials expect the unemployment rate to remain around nine percent at the end of next year and eight percent at the end of 2012, according to internal forecasts that drove the central bank to take new efforts to boost the economy three weeks ago. The 18 top leaders of the central bank expect the U.S. economy to grow at a 3 to 3.6 percent pace next year. 11/23 Washington Post
9. October's Existing-Home Sales Decline - Following two consecutive months of increases, existing-home sales declined in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.43 million. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the 2.2% decline compared with September reflects an uneven recovery. 11/23 HCN
10. Acuity Brands Releases Series of LED Educational Videos - Acuity Brands, through its Lithonia Lighting unit, has announced the release of a series of five online instructional videos featuring insights designed to help answer the common questions about commercial ambient and other LED lighting design applications. http://www.lithonia.com/RTLED
11. Scientists Say They Have Solution to TSA Scanner Objections - A cheap and simple fix in the computer software of new airport scanners could silence the uproar from travelers who object to the so-called virtual strip search, according to a scientist who helped develop the program at one of the federal government's most prestigious institutes: the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The fix would distort the images captured on full-body scanners so they look like reflections in a fun-house mirror, but any potentially dangerous objects would be clearly revealed, 11/22 Washington Post
2. MIT Study Finds Great Potential Energy Savings Through User-Controlled Efficient Lighting Systems - MIT Media Lab are aiming to provide sophisticated and continuous lighting control that could slash lighting bills by more than half. The experimental control devices being tested are about the size of a business card, and thin enough to slip in a pocket. They monitor the light actually falling on the user’s working space, and contain light sensors as well as controls to adjust both the intensity and the color balance of the light. In the current test setup, this information is used to control an array of LED (light-emitting diode) light fixtures. The tiny controllers not only measure the intensity of the light falling on the workspace from the LEDs, but can identify how much light can come from different fixtures while also separately measuring any ambient light coming in from the windows or spillover light from neighboring work areas. 11/22 Balkans News
3. Light at Night: The Latest Science - A panel of leading experts was assembled to explore what today’s science can tell us about light at night. While it remains unproven that typical exposures to outdoor lighting have negative health impacts, this cannot be ruled out without more empirical data and a standard metric for quantifying the relevant light exposures. LED technology holds tremendous potential for energy savings, but it is not yet clear whether its spectral characteristics will offer advantages over other light sources in terms of vision and circadian regulation. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/ssl_whitepaper_nov2010.pdf
4. Seeing Heat: Utility Generating Thermal Images of Homes from High Up - Cedar Falls, Idaho residents will now be able to look at a thermal image of their home from a comfortable seat at their home computer. It will be possible because of two men who crisscrossed the skies over Cedar Falls through the night, carefully photographing every building in the city with a thermal imaging camera. Cedar Falls Utilities took advantage of a federal stimulus grant program ($3 million for the equipment), to create the thermal images. Homeowners and businesses will be able to look at the results and determine heat loss coming from rooftops. 11/20 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
5. Automation Comes to LEED Green Building Program - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), developers of the LEED green building program, has announced a new program designed to streamline and create capacity for the LEED building certification process. Called LEED Automation, the program enables users to submit documentation and certify LEED projects online through third-party technology platforms. http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/LEED%20Automation.pdf
6. UC Davis Turns On Smart Lighting to Save Energy, Be Model for Californians - The University of California, Davis, today turns on a new Smart Lighting Initiative to slash the amount of electricity it uses to illuminate its buildings and grounds. Working with the UC Davis California Lighting Technology Center, the UC Davis Facilities Management team already has installed lighting energy-saving projects including:
• LED overhead lights with two brightness levels, controlled by occupancy sensors, in campus parking structures;
• Bi-level induction lighting, also controlled by occupancy sensors, in campus parking lots and structures;
• Induction lights in streetlight fixtures on the north entry road (Howard Way);
• "Hybrid" bathroom lights that combine LED night lights with conventional lights and occupancy sensors in Emerson Hall and Webster Hall dormitories;
• Bi-level LED overhead lights in Bainer Hall corridors;
• Advanced compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in Meyer Hall downlights;
• LED desk lamps and bi-level overhead lights controlled by occupancy sensors, daylight sensors and people in Mrak Hall offices; and
• A unique mirrored sunlighting device to bring daylight into interior rooms at the campus’s new winery, brewery and food-processing complex.
The UC Davis Smart Lighting program is expected to cost $39 million. The California Statewide Energy Partnership Program will fund $4 million of the total. The remaining $35 million will be paid for by energy savings of $3 million per year. 11/22 UC Davis News & Information
7. After EISA 2007 There's No Turning Back by Dan Carazo - Everyone of us who champions increased energy efficiency in America – and all its benefits – should lobby our U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator to declare January to be Energy Efficiency Month. A Republican president approved EISA 2007, and a Democratic president signed ARRA 2009, so regardless of our personal political viewpoint, the broad scope of Federal support for energy efficient solutions makes it clear that the current trend toward green electrical is sure to continue to spur further growth for many years. http://tedgreenroom.com
8. Feds Lowers Economic Expectations for 2011 - Top Federal Reserve officials expect the unemployment rate to remain around nine percent at the end of next year and eight percent at the end of 2012, according to internal forecasts that drove the central bank to take new efforts to boost the economy three weeks ago. The 18 top leaders of the central bank expect the U.S. economy to grow at a 3 to 3.6 percent pace next year. 11/23 Washington Post
9. October's Existing-Home Sales Decline - Following two consecutive months of increases, existing-home sales declined in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.43 million. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the 2.2% decline compared with September reflects an uneven recovery. 11/23 HCN
10. Acuity Brands Releases Series of LED Educational Videos - Acuity Brands, through its Lithonia Lighting unit, has announced the release of a series of five online instructional videos featuring insights designed to help answer the common questions about commercial ambient and other LED lighting design applications. http://www.lithonia.com/RTLED
11. Scientists Say They Have Solution to TSA Scanner Objections - A cheap and simple fix in the computer software of new airport scanners could silence the uproar from travelers who object to the so-called virtual strip search, according to a scientist who helped develop the program at one of the federal government's most prestigious institutes: the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The fix would distort the images captured on full-body scanners so they look like reflections in a fun-house mirror, but any potentially dangerous objects would be clearly revealed, 11/22 Washington Post
Monday, November 22, 2010
News Updates for the Week of November 22
1. New Report on Street Lighting Technologies Available from The Lighting Research Center - The National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP), based at the Lighting Research Center in Troy, NY, recently released its latest Specifier Report, designed to provide objective performance information on existing street lighting technologies including LED, induction, and high pressure sodium streetlights. According to NLPIP, when replacing the pole-mounted HPS streetlights on a one-mile section of collector road with the LED or induction streetlights used in the study, it would take twice as many of the pole-mounted LED or induction streetlights to meet the lighting criteria as defined in RP-8-00. Complete performance results are published in Specifier Reports: Streetlights for Collector Roads, which is available online here.
2. DOE Launches New Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee - The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the establishment of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC). ERAC is a federal advisory committee whose members will report directly to the Secretary of Energy with advice on the portfolio of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The 19 members selected have experience in a variety of sectors and will bring a range of technical expertise and perspectives to the committee.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/eereadvisorycommittee/
3. NEMA Publishes Brochure to Explain Transition to Energy-Efficient Lighting - To download: http://www.nema.org/prod/lighting/upload/Lighting_Options_for_Your_Home_brochure_4web.pdf For more information on lighting legislation and saving energy through lighting upgrades, visit www.nemasavesenergy.org
4. NEMA Announces 2011 Board of Governors Officers - For a complete listing of the NEMA Board of Governors, visit www.nema.org/about/org/board
5. GE Publishes Position Paper on Lighting Efficiency Laws and Industry Transformation - California becomes a test lab next year for how consumers nationwide may react to new federal lighting efficiency laws taking effect throughout the country on January 1, 2012. Under Title 20, the Golden State's energy commission has the authority to regulate lighting products used by consumers and businesses. As a result of the commission's actions, consumers in California will start to experience the phase out of the 100-watt incandescent light bulb this coming January, a year before the rest of the country. Californians will also deal with the phasing out of 75-watt, 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs on an accelerated schedule. GE Lighting's position paper, A Transforming Global Lighting Industry, provides perspective on lighting legislation and the energy-efficient lighting technologies that are available to consumers and businesses now and in the years ahead. It's available for free at www.gelighting.com/2012 11/17 BUSINESS WIRE
6. Lighting Upgrades by Loren Snyder -
Part 1: Increase Energy Efficiency with Lighting Retrofits
Part 2: Aim for Goals for Lighting Retrofits, Including Higher Productivity
Part 3: Lighting Product Showcase
http://www.facilitiesnet.com/lighting/article/Increase-Energy-Efficiency-with-Lighting-Retrofits--12077
2. DOE Launches New Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee - The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the establishment of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC). ERAC is a federal advisory committee whose members will report directly to the Secretary of Energy with advice on the portfolio of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The 19 members selected have experience in a variety of sectors and will bring a range of technical expertise and perspectives to the committee.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/eereadvisorycommittee/
3. NEMA Publishes Brochure to Explain Transition to Energy-Efficient Lighting - To download: http://www.nema.org/prod/lighting/upload/Lighting_Options_for_Your_Home_brochure_4web.pdf For more information on lighting legislation and saving energy through lighting upgrades, visit www.nemasavesenergy.org
4. NEMA Announces 2011 Board of Governors Officers - For a complete listing of the NEMA Board of Governors, visit www.nema.org/about/org/board
5. GE Publishes Position Paper on Lighting Efficiency Laws and Industry Transformation - California becomes a test lab next year for how consumers nationwide may react to new federal lighting efficiency laws taking effect throughout the country on January 1, 2012. Under Title 20, the Golden State's energy commission has the authority to regulate lighting products used by consumers and businesses. As a result of the commission's actions, consumers in California will start to experience the phase out of the 100-watt incandescent light bulb this coming January, a year before the rest of the country. Californians will also deal with the phasing out of 75-watt, 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs on an accelerated schedule. GE Lighting's position paper, A Transforming Global Lighting Industry, provides perspective on lighting legislation and the energy-efficient lighting technologies that are available to consumers and businesses now and in the years ahead. It's available for free at www.gelighting.com/2012 11/17 BUSINESS WIRE
6. Lighting Upgrades by Loren Snyder -
Part 1: Increase Energy Efficiency with Lighting Retrofits
Part 2: Aim for Goals for Lighting Retrofits, Including Higher Productivity
Part 3: Lighting Product Showcase
http://www.facilitiesnet.com/lighting/article/Increase-Energy-Efficiency-with-Lighting-Retrofits--12077
Monday, November 15, 2010
News Updates for the Week of November 15
1. LEED Revision Tightens Energy-Efficiency Standards With New Credits, Categories - The first of two public comment sessions opened this week on changes proposed for the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. The update to the LEED rating system will build upon a 2009 revision. The proposed changes, put together by USGBC's technical advisory committees, include three new credit categories and a variety of reworked and new credits and prerequisites. They touch each of the rating system's sections, including building design and construction, operations and maintenance, and LEED for homes. 11/11 NY Times
2. Construction Market to Increase 8% in 2011- McGraw-Hill Construction recently released its 2011 Construction Outlook, which predicts an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year of 8% to $445.5 billion, following the 2% decline predicted for 2010. http://ecmweb.com/ezone/construction-outlook-20101109/?cid=nl_ezone&smte=wl
3. Emerging Lighting Technologies by Frost & Sullivan - This research service presents recent global developments as well as industry trends in the field of emerging lighting technologies for various applications. The following technologies are covered in this research:
• Light emitting diode
• Organic light emitting diode
• Fluorescent lamps (compact fluorescent [CFL] and linear fluorescent)
• High intensity discharge lamps
• Halogen lamps
• Incandescent lamps
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/fff9c6/emerging_lighting_technologies
4. Xcel Energy Offering Rebates for LED Lamps - Electric utility Excel Energy is now offering businesses rebates in Colorado and Minnesota for the installation of EnergyStar-approved bulbs. The rebates vary by state but information at the utility's website offers some insight into the types of rebates now available. Lighting Science Group, Satellite Beach, Fla., said in a press release that its Definity LED line meets the standards necessary for the Xcel rebate program because the company’s PAR38 LED received the LED lighting industry’s first EnergyStar label and that it recently received approval for use of the EnergyStar label for its PAR30 and MR16 LED bulb types.
http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2010_november_8_green_opportunities/display
5. New Poll - Seventy-nine percent of U.S. federal government leaders charged with making recommendations or final decisions on agency purchasing believe that energy efficiency is among the most effective ways to meet energy needs, reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new Zogby International poll sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and Schneider Electric. www.schneider-electric.us/go/government
6. WI PSC Backs Bigger Investment in Energy Efficiency - Wisconsin's energy efficiency programs would receive increased funding from electricity ratepayers in the next four years under a proposal adopted Thursday by the Public Service Commission. Under the proposal, funding for energy efficiency programs would expand to $120 million in 2011 from $100 million this year, with the goal of expanding incentives aimed at reducing energy bills. Funding would then increase to $160 million in 2012, $204 million in 2013 and $256 million in 2014, under the PSC proposal. 11/06 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2. Construction Market to Increase 8% in 2011- McGraw-Hill Construction recently released its 2011 Construction Outlook, which predicts an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year of 8% to $445.5 billion, following the 2% decline predicted for 2010. http://ecmweb.com/ezone/construction-outlook-20101109/?cid=nl_ezone&smte=wl
3. Emerging Lighting Technologies by Frost & Sullivan - This research service presents recent global developments as well as industry trends in the field of emerging lighting technologies for various applications. The following technologies are covered in this research:
• Light emitting diode
• Organic light emitting diode
• Fluorescent lamps (compact fluorescent [CFL] and linear fluorescent)
• High intensity discharge lamps
• Halogen lamps
• Incandescent lamps
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/fff9c6/emerging_lighting_technologies
4. Xcel Energy Offering Rebates for LED Lamps - Electric utility Excel Energy is now offering businesses rebates in Colorado and Minnesota for the installation of EnergyStar-approved bulbs. The rebates vary by state but information at the utility's website offers some insight into the types of rebates now available. Lighting Science Group, Satellite Beach, Fla., said in a press release that its Definity LED line meets the standards necessary for the Xcel rebate program because the company’s PAR38 LED received the LED lighting industry’s first EnergyStar label and that it recently received approval for use of the EnergyStar label for its PAR30 and MR16 LED bulb types.
http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2010_november_8_green_opportunities/display
5. New Poll - Seventy-nine percent of U.S. federal government leaders charged with making recommendations or final decisions on agency purchasing believe that energy efficiency is among the most effective ways to meet energy needs, reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new Zogby International poll sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and Schneider Electric. www.schneider-electric.us/go/government
6. WI PSC Backs Bigger Investment in Energy Efficiency - Wisconsin's energy efficiency programs would receive increased funding from electricity ratepayers in the next four years under a proposal adopted Thursday by the Public Service Commission. Under the proposal, funding for energy efficiency programs would expand to $120 million in 2011 from $100 million this year, with the goal of expanding incentives aimed at reducing energy bills. Funding would then increase to $160 million in 2012, $204 million in 2013 and $256 million in 2014, under the PSC proposal. 11/06 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Monday, November 8, 2010
News Updates for the Week of November 8
1. U.S. Army Steps Up Requirements for Greening Building, Lighting - Starting in fiscal year 2013, designs for new construction and major renovations are to incorporate the sustainable design and development principles contained in the ASHRAE Standard 189.1. The standard details strategies for siting, cool roofs, solar water heating, advanced metering, storm water management and energy and water efficiency that reduce the environmental impacts of buildings. A new lighting policy, also announced last week, is effectively immediately. As new lighting is installed or existing lights need to be replaced, light bulbs purchased for Army facilities are to meet the energy efficiency standards set by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 11/03 Reuters
2. Ameresco Quantum Partners with Washington School Districts for Energy Saving Improvements - Ameresco Quantum, Inc. www.ameresco.com has partnered with 21 school districts and 8 community and technical colleges throughout Washington state to help them obtain $21 million in grants for energy conservation project costs valued at over $46 million. The state funding, which was part of the 2010 Jobs Act for Public K-12 and Higher Education, is for energy and operational efficiency projects that will create jobs and reduce costs. 11/ 01 BUSINESS WIRE
3. PECO Customers Save $68 Million in Energy Costs with PECO Smart Ideas - Since its launch in October 2009, PECO customers have saved more than $68 million dollars with PECO Smart Ideas, the company's suite of energy efficiency programs. In just about one year customers are estimated to have reduced their energy use by one percent, or 419 gigawatt hours (GWh). The programs are part of the company's support of Pennsylvania's energy efficiency and demand response targets under Act 129 which requires all state electric utilities to develop programs to help customers reduce energy use by 1 percent by May 31, 2011 and 3 percent by May 31, 2013. www.peco.com/SmartIdeas
4. Madison, WI Announces $2.4 Million In Energy Grants - The city of Madison on Friday announced $2.4 million in federal energy efficiency grants to help small business and provide green job training. The Urban League's job training program will also provide grant and loan funding for 15 businesses to improve energy efficiency and launch a residential home weatherization pilot program in coming months. 10/29 The Wisconsin State Journal
2. Ameresco Quantum Partners with Washington School Districts for Energy Saving Improvements - Ameresco Quantum, Inc. www.ameresco.com has partnered with 21 school districts and 8 community and technical colleges throughout Washington state to help them obtain $21 million in grants for energy conservation project costs valued at over $46 million. The state funding, which was part of the 2010 Jobs Act for Public K-12 and Higher Education, is for energy and operational efficiency projects that will create jobs and reduce costs. 11/ 01 BUSINESS WIRE
3. PECO Customers Save $68 Million in Energy Costs with PECO Smart Ideas - Since its launch in October 2009, PECO customers have saved more than $68 million dollars with PECO Smart Ideas, the company's suite of energy efficiency programs. In just about one year customers are estimated to have reduced their energy use by one percent, or 419 gigawatt hours (GWh). The programs are part of the company's support of Pennsylvania's energy efficiency and demand response targets under Act 129 which requires all state electric utilities to develop programs to help customers reduce energy use by 1 percent by May 31, 2011 and 3 percent by May 31, 2013. www.peco.com/SmartIdeas
4. Madison, WI Announces $2.4 Million In Energy Grants - The city of Madison on Friday announced $2.4 million in federal energy efficiency grants to help small business and provide green job training. The Urban League's job training program will also provide grant and loan funding for 15 businesses to improve energy efficiency and launch a residential home weatherization pilot program in coming months. 10/29 The Wisconsin State Journal
Monday, November 1, 2010
Something to Think About…
Solving Problems in a Diverse Marketplace - An important asset of any company, especially one involved in the distribution of products and services, is its sales force and its ability to solve problems in today’s increasingly diverse and global workplace. The current business environment is changing the makeup of both the workplace and, most certainly, your customer base.
This one-day advanced sales training workshop focuses on assessing the individual strengths and weaknesses we all have and the sales skills necessary to recognize and to solve those critical problems that are impediments to successful sales closure.
Using a highly successful self-assessment instrument (DISC), the workshop provides the attendees an understanding of different behavioral styles essential for managing and selling more effectively in a diverse environment. In addition, the objective of the workshop is to develop the necessary sales skills to successfully upsell into a rapidly changing electrical industry with emphasis on the new energy efficient technologies and process selling. To convince today's customers to upgrade to the more technologically advanced products because of bottom line improvement and productivity gains that will be realized. The workshop engages and challenges participants through self-assessments, brief lecturettes, questionnaires, customized case studies and interactive group exercises.
Before the session, all participants will be asked to complete an online assessment:
The Success Insights® (DISC Profile) Behavioral Assessment – an analysis of each individual’s behavioral style is used to increase their self-awareness and abilities to develop adaptive styles to meet the demands of the workplace and customer environments.
At the end of this session, the goal is for all participants to:
learn about their own behavioral style, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to adapt it to help maximize the talents of managing differences in others
learn how to read and predict the behaviors of other people, especially their customers, so that they will know how to treat them the way they would like to be treated and gain better team productivity, problem solving, creativity and quality of work
learn how to enhance individual and team effectiveness…and improve communications
solve today’s selling problems and mitigate customer conflicts that impede successful sales closure
focus on those sales skills necessary to compete effectively and to maintain the learned productivity gains:
• create demand selling
• strategic sales process
• competitive selling
improve the business of your customer in order to meet your personal sales objectives
For more information, contact Bill Attardi at wattardi@attardimarketing.com
This one-day advanced sales training workshop focuses on assessing the individual strengths and weaknesses we all have and the sales skills necessary to recognize and to solve those critical problems that are impediments to successful sales closure.
Using a highly successful self-assessment instrument (DISC), the workshop provides the attendees an understanding of different behavioral styles essential for managing and selling more effectively in a diverse environment. In addition, the objective of the workshop is to develop the necessary sales skills to successfully upsell into a rapidly changing electrical industry with emphasis on the new energy efficient technologies and process selling. To convince today's customers to upgrade to the more technologically advanced products because of bottom line improvement and productivity gains that will be realized. The workshop engages and challenges participants through self-assessments, brief lecturettes, questionnaires, customized case studies and interactive group exercises.
Before the session, all participants will be asked to complete an online assessment:
The Success Insights® (DISC Profile) Behavioral Assessment – an analysis of each individual’s behavioral style is used to increase their self-awareness and abilities to develop adaptive styles to meet the demands of the workplace and customer environments.
At the end of this session, the goal is for all participants to:
learn about their own behavioral style, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to adapt it to help maximize the talents of managing differences in others
learn how to read and predict the behaviors of other people, especially their customers, so that they will know how to treat them the way they would like to be treated and gain better team productivity, problem solving, creativity and quality of work
learn how to enhance individual and team effectiveness…and improve communications
solve today’s selling problems and mitigate customer conflicts that impede successful sales closure
focus on those sales skills necessary to compete effectively and to maintain the learned productivity gains:
• create demand selling
• strategic sales process
• competitive selling
improve the business of your customer in order to meet your personal sales objectives
For more information, contact Bill Attardi at wattardi@attardimarketing.com
Monthly Special Feature
NEWSWEEK's 2010 Green Rankings is a data-driven assessment of the largest companies in the U.S. and in the world. Their goal was to cut through the green chatter and quantify the actual environmental footprints, policies, and reputations of these big businesses. To do this, NEWSWEEK teamed up with three leading environmental research organizations to create the most comprehensive rankings available. The Top 20 greenest USA companies are: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/18/green-rankings-us-companies.html
News Updates for the Week of November 1
1. Final ENERGY STAR Program Requirements -The EPA has finalized revisions to the ENERGY STAR Partner Commitments and Product Specifications to implement third-party certification requirements for ENERGY STAR qualified products. These final documents, as well as all comments received, are posted at: www.energystar.gov/testingandverification
2. DOE's CALiPER Round 11 Summary Report Published This Week - CALiPER tests a wide range of solid-state lighting products that are available on the market, and for benchmark purposes compares them with similar products that use traditional light sources. The results of each round of testing are highlighted in a Summary Report, with detailed reports going into greater depth. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/caliper_round-11_summary.pdf
3. INTERIOR LIGHTING: LED Vs. TRADITIONAL - instructed by Stan Walerczyk, L.C., C.L.E.P. Presented in two live 2-hour online sessions. New Program Starts December 16. Numerous LED products are currently ready for use as primary light sources, and can be considered better overall than traditional technologies for many interior applications. But there are also many LED products that are not yet nearly as cost effective as comparable high performance fluorescent, halogen infrared, metal halide, and other well-established lighting options. This seminar will examine the pros and cons of the use of LED versus traditional lighting fixtures for a variety of specific indoor lighting applications. http://www.aeeprograms.com/realtime/InteriorLighting/
4. Solais iPhone App - The app provides a simple conversion tool for users to calculate the potential cost savings from replacing a traditional lamp (halogen, CMH or CFL) with a Solais LED replacement lamp (LR38, LR30LN, LR30). http://solaislighting.com/iphone_app
5.September Existing-Home Sales Show Another Strong Gain - According to the National Association of Realtors, the 10% increase in existing-home sales for September affirms that "a sales recovery has begun," although it may choppy. Existing-home sales jumped 10.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.53 million in September from a downwardly revised 4.12 million in August. The September figure is well below last year's rate of 5.60 million, but last year's figure was inflated by the approaching deadline of the home buyer tax credit. 10/25 HCN
6. Economists: Unemployment Won't Drop to Normal Until 2018 - The job market and the economy will improve only slightly next year, according to an Associated Press Economy Survey of 43 leading economists whose outlook for 2011 has dimmed over the past three months. In their view, shoppers and employers will stay cautious. Households will keep saving. Inflation will remain tame. And unemployment will dip only a bit from the current 9.6 percent rate to a still-high 9 percent at the end of 2011 and won't drop to a historically normal 5.5 percent to 6 percent until at least 2018. http://www.moneynews.com
7. Living Efficiently Teams Up With NASCAR Driver Leilani Münter - LivingEfficiently http://livingefficiently.org/ is a one-stop shop devoted to helping save energy and money in all the areas where you live your life: at home, at school, at work and on the go. http://ase.org/
8. Are Performance-Based Models the Future of Commercial Building Energy Codes?- by Craig DiLouie, Lighting Controls Association. Commercial building energy codes are largely prescriptive, combining mandatory requirements for lighting controls with limits on lighting loads by application. The typical lighting load metric is lighting power density (LPD) measured in watts per square foot. Code authorities are considering approaches to energy codes that are performance based instead of mainly prescriptive. In a performance-based code, the building would be designed so that it would operate within a target limit for energy consumption as the primary metric. http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/education/papers/2010/2010_performance-codes.shtml
9. IES Publishes Position Statement on Indoor Lighting Efficiency - The Illuminating Engineering Society has published PS-05-10 – Standards for Energy Efficient Indoor Lighting, a position statement on the subject of imposing energy standards on indoor lighting technology, such as efficacy standards for luminaires. IES “believes that technology independent approaches are the best way to provide energy reductions and to stimulate future energy savings.” http://www.ies.org/PDF/PositionStatements/PS-05-10.pdf
10.GSA Raising Energy-Efficiency Standard for New Construction - The General Services Administration is raising the bar to increase the energy efficiency of all of its new federal building construction projects. Projects must achieve LEED Gold certification, the second-highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Previously, federal building projects needed to be certified at the LEED Silver level, the third-highest rating, or higher. 10/29 Federal Times
11. CA Energy Audit Removed from Home Sales, for Now - A measure that would require existing California homes to undergo energy efficiency audits before they're sold will get a second look over the next three months, the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee decided. The committee's initial recommendation was to leave the building ordinance as is and make an audit program part of the overall climate plan, which is not expected to be finished until 2012. 10/22 The Record
2. DOE's CALiPER Round 11 Summary Report Published This Week - CALiPER tests a wide range of solid-state lighting products that are available on the market, and for benchmark purposes compares them with similar products that use traditional light sources. The results of each round of testing are highlighted in a Summary Report, with detailed reports going into greater depth. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/caliper_round-11_summary.pdf
3. INTERIOR LIGHTING: LED Vs. TRADITIONAL - instructed by Stan Walerczyk, L.C., C.L.E.P. Presented in two live 2-hour online sessions. New Program Starts December 16. Numerous LED products are currently ready for use as primary light sources, and can be considered better overall than traditional technologies for many interior applications. But there are also many LED products that are not yet nearly as cost effective as comparable high performance fluorescent, halogen infrared, metal halide, and other well-established lighting options. This seminar will examine the pros and cons of the use of LED versus traditional lighting fixtures for a variety of specific indoor lighting applications. http://www.aeeprograms.com/realtime/InteriorLighting/
4. Solais iPhone App - The app provides a simple conversion tool for users to calculate the potential cost savings from replacing a traditional lamp (halogen, CMH or CFL) with a Solais LED replacement lamp (LR38, LR30LN, LR30). http://solaislighting.com/iphone_app
5.September Existing-Home Sales Show Another Strong Gain - According to the National Association of Realtors, the 10% increase in existing-home sales for September affirms that "a sales recovery has begun," although it may choppy. Existing-home sales jumped 10.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.53 million in September from a downwardly revised 4.12 million in August. The September figure is well below last year's rate of 5.60 million, but last year's figure was inflated by the approaching deadline of the home buyer tax credit. 10/25 HCN
6. Economists: Unemployment Won't Drop to Normal Until 2018 - The job market and the economy will improve only slightly next year, according to an Associated Press Economy Survey of 43 leading economists whose outlook for 2011 has dimmed over the past three months. In their view, shoppers and employers will stay cautious. Households will keep saving. Inflation will remain tame. And unemployment will dip only a bit from the current 9.6 percent rate to a still-high 9 percent at the end of 2011 and won't drop to a historically normal 5.5 percent to 6 percent until at least 2018. http://www.moneynews.com
7. Living Efficiently Teams Up With NASCAR Driver Leilani Münter - LivingEfficiently http://livingefficiently.org/ is a one-stop shop devoted to helping save energy and money in all the areas where you live your life: at home, at school, at work and on the go. http://ase.org/
8. Are Performance-Based Models the Future of Commercial Building Energy Codes?- by Craig DiLouie, Lighting Controls Association. Commercial building energy codes are largely prescriptive, combining mandatory requirements for lighting controls with limits on lighting loads by application. The typical lighting load metric is lighting power density (LPD) measured in watts per square foot. Code authorities are considering approaches to energy codes that are performance based instead of mainly prescriptive. In a performance-based code, the building would be designed so that it would operate within a target limit for energy consumption as the primary metric. http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/education/papers/2010/2010_performance-codes.shtml
9. IES Publishes Position Statement on Indoor Lighting Efficiency - The Illuminating Engineering Society has published PS-05-10 – Standards for Energy Efficient Indoor Lighting, a position statement on the subject of imposing energy standards on indoor lighting technology, such as efficacy standards for luminaires. IES “believes that technology independent approaches are the best way to provide energy reductions and to stimulate future energy savings.” http://www.ies.org/PDF/PositionStatements/PS-05-10.pdf
10.GSA Raising Energy-Efficiency Standard for New Construction - The General Services Administration is raising the bar to increase the energy efficiency of all of its new federal building construction projects. Projects must achieve LEED Gold certification, the second-highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Previously, federal building projects needed to be certified at the LEED Silver level, the third-highest rating, or higher. 10/29 Federal Times
11. CA Energy Audit Removed from Home Sales, for Now - A measure that would require existing California homes to undergo energy efficiency audits before they're sold will get a second look over the next three months, the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee decided. The committee's initial recommendation was to leave the building ordinance as is and make an audit program part of the overall climate plan, which is not expected to be finished until 2012. 10/22 The Record
Monday, October 25, 2010
News Updates for the Week of October 25
1. NEWSWEEK's 2010 Green Rankings is a data-driven assessment of the largest companies in the U.S. and in the world. Our goal was to cut through the green chatter and quantify the actual environmental footprints, policies, and reputations of these big businesses. To do this, we teamed up with three leading environmental research organizations to create the most comprehensive rankings available. The Top 10 greenest USA companies are:
1) Dell
2) Hewlett-Packard
3) IBM
4) Johnson & Johnson
5) Intel
6) Sprint Nextel
7) Adobe Systems
8) Applied Materials
9) Yahoo
10) Nike
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/18/green-rankings-us-companies.html
2. PNNL Report Urges Better Energy Use for Restaurants - Coffee shops and fast-food eateries could reduce their energy use as much as 52 percent with changes that include ultra-efficient appliances, lights and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, according to a new report by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. To calculate savings, PNNL researchers modeled a typical 2,500-square-foot quick-service restaurant and plugged it into an energy simulation computer program. PNNL compiled the report for DOE's Building Technologies Program with industrial collaborators the Halton Co. and the Pacific Gas and Electric Food Service Technology Center. http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-19809.pdf
3. NALMCO Announces Lighting Industry's First Sustainability Certification - The National Association of Lighting Management Companies is unveiling the Certified Sustainable Lighting. The certification -- named CSLC for Certified Sustainable Lighting Consultant -- will be a seal of approval ensuring that a lighting professional has expertise in creating and maintaining lighting systems that use long-lived, energy-efficient products that minimize impacts on the environment and society. For more information, visit www.nalmco.org
4. GE to Market CFL-Halogen Hybrid in 2011 - Starting in 2011, GE Lighting will market an incandescent-shaped light bulb that combines the instant brightness of halogen technology with the energy efficiency and longer rated life of CFL technology. The halogen capsule inside GE’s new hybrid halogen-CFL bulb comes on instantly, allowing the bulb to operate noticeably brighter in less than a half a second. The capsule shuts off once the CFL comes to full brightness. First to launch will be 15W and 20W hybrid halogen-CFL bulbs that are considered viable replacements for 60W and 75W incandescent bulbs, respectively. http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2010_10_21_green_opportunities/display
5. ESCO Energy Services Program - GE Lighting’s ESCO Energy Services Program provides a comprehensive strategy for identifying energy-saving opportunities within customer facilities. Find an ESCO Service Provider in your area thru this website: http://www.geconsumerandindustrial.com/environmentalinfo/regulations_resources/esco/
6. NEMA Goes Global on LEDs - NEMA, Rosslyn, Va., has joined other key lighting organization in the Global Lighting Forum (GLF), an initiative to coordinate and promote LED (light emitting diode) technology on a global level. The GLF will develop international standards, produce educational materials, and work with key LED stakeholders in business and government. http://livewire.electricalmarketing.com/2010/10/19/nema-goes-global-on-leds/
7. Solais Brings Two Industry Leaders Aboard to Drive Sales Efforts - Solais Lighting, Inc., a leading manufacturer of lightweight, specification grade LED lamps with Luxiance® technology announced today that Glenn Bordfeld and Rich Stam have joined the company as vice president of sales and national director of sales, respectively.
8. German 'Heatball' Outwits EU Light Bulb Ban - A German entrepreneur is bypassing a European Union ban on light bulbs of more than 60 watts by marketing his own brand as mini heaters. Siegfried Rotthaeuser and his brother-in-law have come up with a legal way of importing and distributing 75 and 100 watt light bulbs — by producing them in China, importing them as "small heating devices" and selling them as "heatballs." Costing 1.69 euros each ($2.38), the heatballs are going down well — the first batch of 4,000 sold out in three days. http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2010_10_21_green_opportunities/display
1) Dell
2) Hewlett-Packard
3) IBM
4) Johnson & Johnson
5) Intel
6) Sprint Nextel
7) Adobe Systems
8) Applied Materials
9) Yahoo
10) Nike
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/18/green-rankings-us-companies.html
2. PNNL Report Urges Better Energy Use for Restaurants - Coffee shops and fast-food eateries could reduce their energy use as much as 52 percent with changes that include ultra-efficient appliances, lights and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, according to a new report by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. To calculate savings, PNNL researchers modeled a typical 2,500-square-foot quick-service restaurant and plugged it into an energy simulation computer program. PNNL compiled the report for DOE's Building Technologies Program with industrial collaborators the Halton Co. and the Pacific Gas and Electric Food Service Technology Center. http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-19809.pdf
3. NALMCO Announces Lighting Industry's First Sustainability Certification - The National Association of Lighting Management Companies is unveiling the Certified Sustainable Lighting. The certification -- named CSLC for Certified Sustainable Lighting Consultant -- will be a seal of approval ensuring that a lighting professional has expertise in creating and maintaining lighting systems that use long-lived, energy-efficient products that minimize impacts on the environment and society. For more information, visit www.nalmco.org
4. GE to Market CFL-Halogen Hybrid in 2011 - Starting in 2011, GE Lighting will market an incandescent-shaped light bulb that combines the instant brightness of halogen technology with the energy efficiency and longer rated life of CFL technology. The halogen capsule inside GE’s new hybrid halogen-CFL bulb comes on instantly, allowing the bulb to operate noticeably brighter in less than a half a second. The capsule shuts off once the CFL comes to full brightness. First to launch will be 15W and 20W hybrid halogen-CFL bulbs that are considered viable replacements for 60W and 75W incandescent bulbs, respectively. http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2010_10_21_green_opportunities/display
5. ESCO Energy Services Program - GE Lighting’s ESCO Energy Services Program provides a comprehensive strategy for identifying energy-saving opportunities within customer facilities. Find an ESCO Service Provider in your area thru this website: http://www.geconsumerandindustrial.com/environmentalinfo/regulations_resources/esco/
6. NEMA Goes Global on LEDs - NEMA, Rosslyn, Va., has joined other key lighting organization in the Global Lighting Forum (GLF), an initiative to coordinate and promote LED (light emitting diode) technology on a global level. The GLF will develop international standards, produce educational materials, and work with key LED stakeholders in business and government. http://livewire.electricalmarketing.com/2010/10/19/nema-goes-global-on-leds/
7. Solais Brings Two Industry Leaders Aboard to Drive Sales Efforts - Solais Lighting, Inc., a leading manufacturer of lightweight, specification grade LED lamps with Luxiance® technology announced today that Glenn Bordfeld and Rich Stam have joined the company as vice president of sales and national director of sales, respectively.
8. German 'Heatball' Outwits EU Light Bulb Ban - A German entrepreneur is bypassing a European Union ban on light bulbs of more than 60 watts by marketing his own brand as mini heaters. Siegfried Rotthaeuser and his brother-in-law have come up with a legal way of importing and distributing 75 and 100 watt light bulbs — by producing them in China, importing them as "small heating devices" and selling them as "heatballs." Costing 1.69 euros each ($2.38), the heatballs are going down well — the first batch of 4,000 sold out in three days. http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2010_10_21_green_opportunities/display
Monday, October 18, 2010
News Updates for the Week of October 18
1. Rebate Programs Continue to Grow - 2010 has been an incredibly good year for businesses looking to take advantage of valuable rebates for installing efficient lighting systems. At the end of 2009, 60% of the US was covered by a lighting rebate or incentive. Now, rebates for energy efficient lighting in non-residential applications cover over 77% of the US; a 30% increase!
http://www.briteswitch.com/newsletter/Oct10-1.html
2. ACEEE 2010 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard - California retained its #1 ranking for the fourth year in a row, outpacing all other states in its level of investment in energy efficiency across all sectors of its economy. The balance of the top 10 states: Massachusetts (#2, holding steady) ; Oregon (#3, up from #4); New York (#4, up from #5); Vermont (#5, up from #6); Washington (#6, up from #7); Rhode Island (#7, up from #9); Connecticut (tied for #8, down from #3); Minnesota (tied for #8, holding steady); and Maine (#10, holding steady). The four most-improved states - Utah (tied for #12, up 11 spots from 2009), Arizona (#18, up 11 spots), New Mexico (#22, up eight spots), and Alaska (#37, up eight spots). In general, the Southwest region demonstrated considerable progress from 2009 to 2010. The full report is available online at www.aceee.org/research-report/e107
3. CFL Mercury Content to Decline - Member companies of NEMA have agreed to cap mercury at 4 mg per bulb for those bulbs using 25 watts or less, and 5 mg per bulb for those of higher wattages. This is a 1-mg drop from the previous limit. 10/12 Philadelphia Inquirer
4. Release of ENERGY STAR Luminaires Draft 2 Version 1.0 - See the memo from the U.S. EPA announcing the release of Draft 2 Version 1.0 of the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Luminaires. This specification, is intended long term to replace the existing Residential Light Fixtures (V4.2) and Solid State Lighting Luminaires (V1.1) specifications. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments on this draft to EPA no later than Friday, October 29, 2010. Comments should be submitted to luminaires@energystar.gov, with “ENERGY STAR Luminaires Draft 2 Comments” in the subject line.
5. 2010 DOE SSL Market Introduction Workshop Report Posted - The DOE has published the summary report from the fifth annual DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Market Introduction Workshop, held July 21–22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A PDF copy of the report may be downloaded from the DOE SSL Web site at www.ssl.energy.gov/philadelphia2010_materials.html
6. WECC Distributed Lighting Control System Saves 75% or More in Energy Costs - The DLCS provides for dimming, dynamic scheduling, daylight harvesting, lumen maintenance, bulb/ballast fault detection, and on-site or remote aggregate control, and meets Title 24 instant-demand response requirements. DLCS technology can provide virtual lamp control for T5, T8, CFL, LED, HID and inductive lamps with on-site or remote access--wired or wireless. www.worldenergycontrol.com
7. Construction Industry Unemployment at Highest September Rate Ever Recorded - The number of people working in construction is approaching a 14-year low now that the industry lost 21,000 jobs in September, while construction unemployment is at a September high of 17.2% percent, according to an analysis of federal employment figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The construction industry continues to suffer from declining investments in construction and broad uncertainty about the future of many federal infrastructure programs and tax rates, association officials note. 10/15 EC&M
8. California Governor Announces Launch of Green Jobs Website - The Clean Energy Jobs website can be found at www.energy.ca.gov/cleanenergyjobs. It aims to provide resources to Californians that are geared towards promoting jobs related to recycling, clean transportation, renewable energy and other green opportunities. Currently, the site consists of 48 programs which offer training to Californians in these lucrative fields. The programs and training are offered through organizations like community colleges, local workforce investment boards and private industry groups.
9. Acuity Brands Unveils New Intelligent Lighting and Controls Training Center At Its Sensor Switch Facility - Located in Wallingford, CT, this facility is designed to provide hands-on training for Sensor Switch customers and business partners and to showcase the newest Acuity Brands intelligent LED lighting and lighting controls solutions. http://www.lightnowblog.com/
http://www.briteswitch.com/newsletter/Oct10-1.html
2. ACEEE 2010 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard - California retained its #1 ranking for the fourth year in a row, outpacing all other states in its level of investment in energy efficiency across all sectors of its economy. The balance of the top 10 states: Massachusetts (#2, holding steady) ; Oregon (#3, up from #4); New York (#4, up from #5); Vermont (#5, up from #6); Washington (#6, up from #7); Rhode Island (#7, up from #9); Connecticut (tied for #8, down from #3); Minnesota (tied for #8, holding steady); and Maine (#10, holding steady). The four most-improved states - Utah (tied for #12, up 11 spots from 2009), Arizona (#18, up 11 spots), New Mexico (#22, up eight spots), and Alaska (#37, up eight spots). In general, the Southwest region demonstrated considerable progress from 2009 to 2010. The full report is available online at www.aceee.org/research-report/e107
3. CFL Mercury Content to Decline - Member companies of NEMA have agreed to cap mercury at 4 mg per bulb for those bulbs using 25 watts or less, and 5 mg per bulb for those of higher wattages. This is a 1-mg drop from the previous limit. 10/12 Philadelphia Inquirer
4. Release of ENERGY STAR Luminaires Draft 2 Version 1.0 - See the memo from the U.S. EPA announcing the release of Draft 2 Version 1.0 of the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Luminaires. This specification, is intended long term to replace the existing Residential Light Fixtures (V4.2) and Solid State Lighting Luminaires (V1.1) specifications. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments on this draft to EPA no later than Friday, October 29, 2010. Comments should be submitted to luminaires@energystar.gov, with “ENERGY STAR Luminaires Draft 2 Comments” in the subject line.
5. 2010 DOE SSL Market Introduction Workshop Report Posted - The DOE has published the summary report from the fifth annual DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Market Introduction Workshop, held July 21–22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A PDF copy of the report may be downloaded from the DOE SSL Web site at www.ssl.energy.gov/philadelphia2010_materials.html
6. WECC Distributed Lighting Control System Saves 75% or More in Energy Costs - The DLCS provides for dimming, dynamic scheduling, daylight harvesting, lumen maintenance, bulb/ballast fault detection, and on-site or remote aggregate control, and meets Title 24 instant-demand response requirements. DLCS technology can provide virtual lamp control for T5, T8, CFL, LED, HID and inductive lamps with on-site or remote access--wired or wireless. www.worldenergycontrol.com
7. Construction Industry Unemployment at Highest September Rate Ever Recorded - The number of people working in construction is approaching a 14-year low now that the industry lost 21,000 jobs in September, while construction unemployment is at a September high of 17.2% percent, according to an analysis of federal employment figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The construction industry continues to suffer from declining investments in construction and broad uncertainty about the future of many federal infrastructure programs and tax rates, association officials note. 10/15 EC&M
8. California Governor Announces Launch of Green Jobs Website - The Clean Energy Jobs website can be found at www.energy.ca.gov/cleanenergyjobs. It aims to provide resources to Californians that are geared towards promoting jobs related to recycling, clean transportation, renewable energy and other green opportunities. Currently, the site consists of 48 programs which offer training to Californians in these lucrative fields. The programs and training are offered through organizations like community colleges, local workforce investment boards and private industry groups.
9. Acuity Brands Unveils New Intelligent Lighting and Controls Training Center At Its Sensor Switch Facility - Located in Wallingford, CT, this facility is designed to provide hands-on training for Sensor Switch customers and business partners and to showcase the newest Acuity Brands intelligent LED lighting and lighting controls solutions. http://www.lightnowblog.com/
Monday, October 11, 2010
News Updates for the Week of October 11
1. October is Energy Awareness Month - October has been Energy Awareness Month since a presidential proclamation in 1991. For more than 15 years, government organizations — in partnership with businesses, associations, and concerned citizens — have observed this month with activities and programs to promote public understanding of our energy needs and to reduce energy consumption in our everyday lives. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=energy_awareness.bus_energy_awareness
2. Lower Margins - The firms on EC&M’s 2010 Top 50 electrical contractors list reveal 2009 as a year of fierce competition for fewer projects with lower profits. In 2009, the effects of the recession, which officially began in 2008, took their toll on the total revenue for electrical and datacom services reported by the firms on this year’s Top 50 electrical contractors list. http://ecmweb.com/construction/top-50-electrical-contractors-20100901/
3. GE Lighting Commits to $60 Million Investment in Bucyrus Plant - In a ceremony this morning, GE Lighting committed to investing $60 million in the company’s manufacturing plant in Bucyrus, Ohio. GE Lighting, headquartered in Cleveland, named the production plant in Bucyrus GE Lighting’s global center of excellence for the manufacture of energy-efficient linear fluorescent lamps. Employment is expected to nearly double with more than 130 jobs added over the next few years as the Bucyrus plant ramps up production. The first fluorescent lamps made from the newly installed equipment will begin to roll off production lines in December. 10/01 Electrical Marketing
4. DEP: Advantage Grant Program Opens to Small Businesses Looking to Increase Profitability by Reducing Energy Costs and Pollution - Small- business owners in Pennsylvania seeking to improve energy efficiency to save money and prevent pollution can apply for a Small Business Advantage Grant through the Department of Environmental Protection. Businesses can apply for 50-percent matching grants of up to $7,500 to adopt or acquire energy efficient or pollution-prevention equipment or processes. 10/4 PRNewswire-USNewswire epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us
5. San Diego State University Selects Lithonia Lighting RTLED for First LED Lighting Project – The University took the first step toward LED lighting by installing 80 Lithonia Lighting RTLED in a new 215-person lecture hall general ambient lighting.. This is the first LED lighting project the university completed as a long-term solution to reduce energy, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability. http://ecmweb.com/news/lithona-lighting-rtled-20101005/
6. 10 Trends for 2011 and Beyond By David Gordon and Stan Rydzynski - The past few years' economic upheaval is changing how electrical distributors need to market and grow their businesses. While providing best-in-class service to existing customers will always be important, reaching new markets and new customers will be more important than ever. We have identified 10 ideas for distributors to consider for beyond 2010. Next month's article will explore ideas from electrical manufacturers.
1. Use the Snap-On tool approach
2. Sell strategically
3. Rethink your counter area
4. Recalibrate your inventory levels and stock management strategies
5. Beef up your data analysis
6. Rethink how you reach specific demographics
7. Think retail
8. Integrate your marketing and sales strategies so you can customize your sales pitches
9. Harness the power of social media and web-based marketing
10. Blend in new products with your existing basket of products
7. The City of Kenosha Lighting Project Goes to Amerlux - “Going Green” was the goal. Kenosha wanted to keep “the look” of their existing street lighting in the proposed area. Amerlux Exterior appealed to them early on because they proposed a “retro fit” engine allowing them to keep not only their existing glass acorns, but also the fitters and poles. As the ROI was being calculated it became clear that a “retro fit” solution was the path Kenosha wants to take. The order from The City of Kenosha via Johnson Controls in the amount of $459,000 was received on August 26, 2010.
www.amerlux.com
8. CPUC Adopts Plan to Save 60-80 Percent Lighting Energy Use Statewide - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today adopted a plan to transform the lighting market and achieve a 60-80 percent reduction in statewide electrical lighting energy consumption. This plan will be a new chapter of the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan. The CPUC said that lighting accounts for approximately one-fourth of California’s electricity use and promoting the widespread use of energy efficient lighting can lead to significant savings. For more information on the CPUC: www.cpuc.ca.gov
9. When Selling Energy Efficiency, Don't Say 'Retrofit,' Say 'Upgrade' -- Study In a study (pdf) of programs aimed at improving residential energy efficiency, researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found much to learn from. For starters, the researchers said, don't offer "audits" or "retrofits" -- customers shy away from the negative connotations. Instead try offering "energy assessments" and "upgrades," but focus messaging on health benefits, improved comfort, community pride or other benefits that consumers tend to care more about. 10/05 New York Times www.greenwire.com
10. DOE Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium - It's estimated that there are 35 million street lights in the U.S. They consume as much electricity each year as 3.9 million households, and generate greenhouse gas emissions equal to that produced by 8 million cars. Converting a significant portion of these street lights to LED technology could make a real difference, both in terms of energy savings and a cleaner environment. DOE's Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium is working to help cities make good decisions on SSL purchases, in order to maximize these benefits. To learn more about the Consortium, or to join, visit www.ssl.energy.gov/consortium.html.
2. Lower Margins - The firms on EC&M’s 2010 Top 50 electrical contractors list reveal 2009 as a year of fierce competition for fewer projects with lower profits. In 2009, the effects of the recession, which officially began in 2008, took their toll on the total revenue for electrical and datacom services reported by the firms on this year’s Top 50 electrical contractors list. http://ecmweb.com/construction/top-50-electrical-contractors-20100901/
3. GE Lighting Commits to $60 Million Investment in Bucyrus Plant - In a ceremony this morning, GE Lighting committed to investing $60 million in the company’s manufacturing plant in Bucyrus, Ohio. GE Lighting, headquartered in Cleveland, named the production plant in Bucyrus GE Lighting’s global center of excellence for the manufacture of energy-efficient linear fluorescent lamps. Employment is expected to nearly double with more than 130 jobs added over the next few years as the Bucyrus plant ramps up production. The first fluorescent lamps made from the newly installed equipment will begin to roll off production lines in December. 10/01 Electrical Marketing
4. DEP: Advantage Grant Program Opens to Small Businesses Looking to Increase Profitability by Reducing Energy Costs and Pollution - Small- business owners in Pennsylvania seeking to improve energy efficiency to save money and prevent pollution can apply for a Small Business Advantage Grant through the Department of Environmental Protection. Businesses can apply for 50-percent matching grants of up to $7,500 to adopt or acquire energy efficient or pollution-prevention equipment or processes. 10/4 PRNewswire-USNewswire epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us
5. San Diego State University Selects Lithonia Lighting RTLED for First LED Lighting Project – The University took the first step toward LED lighting by installing 80 Lithonia Lighting RTLED in a new 215-person lecture hall general ambient lighting.. This is the first LED lighting project the university completed as a long-term solution to reduce energy, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability. http://ecmweb.com/news/lithona-lighting-rtled-20101005/
6. 10 Trends for 2011 and Beyond By David Gordon and Stan Rydzynski - The past few years' economic upheaval is changing how electrical distributors need to market and grow their businesses. While providing best-in-class service to existing customers will always be important, reaching new markets and new customers will be more important than ever. We have identified 10 ideas for distributors to consider for beyond 2010. Next month's article will explore ideas from electrical manufacturers.
1. Use the Snap-On tool approach
2. Sell strategically
3. Rethink your counter area
4. Recalibrate your inventory levels and stock management strategies
5. Beef up your data analysis
6. Rethink how you reach specific demographics
7. Think retail
8. Integrate your marketing and sales strategies so you can customize your sales pitches
9. Harness the power of social media and web-based marketing
10. Blend in new products with your existing basket of products
7. The City of Kenosha Lighting Project Goes to Amerlux - “Going Green” was the goal. Kenosha wanted to keep “the look” of their existing street lighting in the proposed area. Amerlux Exterior appealed to them early on because they proposed a “retro fit” engine allowing them to keep not only their existing glass acorns, but also the fitters and poles. As the ROI was being calculated it became clear that a “retro fit” solution was the path Kenosha wants to take. The order from The City of Kenosha via Johnson Controls in the amount of $459,000 was received on August 26, 2010.
www.amerlux.com
8. CPUC Adopts Plan to Save 60-80 Percent Lighting Energy Use Statewide - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today adopted a plan to transform the lighting market and achieve a 60-80 percent reduction in statewide electrical lighting energy consumption. This plan will be a new chapter of the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan. The CPUC said that lighting accounts for approximately one-fourth of California’s electricity use and promoting the widespread use of energy efficient lighting can lead to significant savings. For more information on the CPUC: www.cpuc.ca.gov
9. When Selling Energy Efficiency, Don't Say 'Retrofit,' Say 'Upgrade' -- Study In a study (pdf) of programs aimed at improving residential energy efficiency, researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found much to learn from. For starters, the researchers said, don't offer "audits" or "retrofits" -- customers shy away from the negative connotations. Instead try offering "energy assessments" and "upgrades," but focus messaging on health benefits, improved comfort, community pride or other benefits that consumers tend to care more about. 10/05 New York Times www.greenwire.com
10. DOE Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium - It's estimated that there are 35 million street lights in the U.S. They consume as much electricity each year as 3.9 million households, and generate greenhouse gas emissions equal to that produced by 8 million cars. Converting a significant portion of these street lights to LED technology could make a real difference, both in terms of energy savings and a cleaner environment. DOE's Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium is working to help cities make good decisions on SSL purchases, in order to maximize these benefits. To learn more about the Consortium, or to join, visit www.ssl.energy.gov/consortium.html.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Something to Think About...
Managers as Coaches Training Session - Sales management skills are changing...today’s managers must be more than a boss, they must be a coach.
Coaches inspire others to work harder, aim higher, compete successfully, and enjoy the process. As a sales coach, you are responsible for winning. How do you accomplish that when your players all have different talents and skill levels, strengths and weaknesses, separate personal lives that affect their ability to perform at work? Individuals make up the team and the team must be productive if you want to win.
The greatest coaches believe in themselves and have that formula for success:
• Select, evaluate and hire talent
• Position them for maximum effectiveness
• Create a team environment for positive results
• Train them to excel and continue the learning process
• Get out of their way...empower them to do their job.
One thing is universal...everyone wants to play on a winning team. Then why is coaching so difficult? The simple answer is that people are different...we live in a diverse environment. Sales professionals are no different (sorry for the play on words). They learn differently, they respond differently, they work differently; they need to be treated differently. They need to be coached / managed differently.
Trainers, teachers, coaches, branch managers, sales managers need to understand the different ways we all learn and, more importantly, to be sure to incorporate those techniques into their coaching / managing activities.
This high impact one-day training session is for branch managers and sales managers. This special workshop session is geared, when all is said and done, on improving productivity and on how each branch can differentiate themselves from their competitors and how they can win in a highly competitive marketplace.For more information, contact Bill Attardi at wattardi@attardimarketing.com.
Coaches inspire others to work harder, aim higher, compete successfully, and enjoy the process. As a sales coach, you are responsible for winning. How do you accomplish that when your players all have different talents and skill levels, strengths and weaknesses, separate personal lives that affect their ability to perform at work? Individuals make up the team and the team must be productive if you want to win.
The greatest coaches believe in themselves and have that formula for success:
• Select, evaluate and hire talent
• Position them for maximum effectiveness
• Create a team environment for positive results
• Train them to excel and continue the learning process
• Get out of their way...empower them to do their job.
One thing is universal...everyone wants to play on a winning team. Then why is coaching so difficult? The simple answer is that people are different...we live in a diverse environment. Sales professionals are no different (sorry for the play on words). They learn differently, they respond differently, they work differently; they need to be treated differently. They need to be coached / managed differently.
Trainers, teachers, coaches, branch managers, sales managers need to understand the different ways we all learn and, more importantly, to be sure to incorporate those techniques into their coaching / managing activities.
This high impact one-day training session is for branch managers and sales managers. This special workshop session is geared, when all is said and done, on improving productivity and on how each branch can differentiate themselves from their competitors and how they can win in a highly competitive marketplace.For more information, contact Bill Attardi at wattardi@attardimarketing.com.
News Updates for the Week of October 4
1. US DOE: Offices Can Cut Bills In Half - The DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have released a report explaining how to save 50 per cent of net energy consumption through technically feasible improvements to large office buildings. Entitled Strategies for 50 Per Cent Energy Savings in Large Office Buildings, it found that the savings were possible regardless where the buildings were located. It recommended that light redirection devices could be used to help daylight penetrate further into buildings, reducing the need for electric lighting. 9/29 Business Green http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2270616/nrel-offices-cut-energy-bills
2. Free DOE Software Product for Lighting Plans - The Commercial Lighting Solutions provide actionable "how to" guidance on ways to improve your building interior lighting efficiency and reduce your energy consumption, without compromising quality design criteria. Strategies include the use of high performance commercially available products, daylighting, and lighting controls, all within the context of integrated designs supported by performance specifications. It is a webbased lighting tool that DOE created last year to help facilities managers and others do accurate, quick calculations for energy-efficient lighting applications. The interactive program is a back-of-the-envelope boost that can save building owners 30 percent more energy than the baseline standard ASHRAE 90.1 without compromising the quality of illumination. www.lightingsolutions.energy.gov
3. Bitter Climate Puts Energy Ideas On Ice - The window for passing any sweeping energy proposals now has closed -- and those big ideas aren't likely to go anywhere during Obama's first term in the White House. Sensing the looming blockade, lawmakers and lobbyists have been setting the stage for a flurry of action on energy issues when Congress returns after the November elections for a lame-duck session. 9/27 Houston Chronicle
4. UTRC to Receive $10 Million from US DOE for Energy Innovation Hub - United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) http://www.utrc.utc.com the central research organization of United Technologies has announced that it expects to receive an estimated $10 million over five years from the US Department of Energy for its role in a new Energy Innovation Hub for R&D of technologies to improve energy efficiency in existing and new buildings. 9/28 Datamonitor
5. LED City® Members Join Forces with SSL Municipal Street Lighting Consortium - DOE and Cree announced 9/29 that U.S. participants in Cree's LED City program will join forces with DOE's Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium. Cree established the LED City Program in 2007 to accelerate implementation of LED lighting in municipalities by promoting the benefits that can be achieved through LED lighting, and by encouraging users to share experiences and data. DOE's SSL Street Lighting Consortium currently has nearly 400 members in 48 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and four other countries, who seek to share technical information and experiences related to LED street and area lighting demonstrations. To learn more, visit www.ssl.energy.gov
6. Consumer Confidence Index Falls Below 50 - The closely watched Consumer Confidence Index fell to 48.5 in September, down from a downwardly revised 53.2 reading in August, according to the New York City-based Conference Board."Overall, consumers’ confidence in the state of the economy remains quite grim. And, with so few expecting conditions to improve in the near term, the pace of economic growth is not likely to pick up in the coming months.” 9/28 HCN
7. Acuity Brands Offers LED Lighting White Papers - The white papers address four fundamental LED topics: LED Binning, Photometric Measurement, Lumen Depreciation and Color Quality.
“LED and Binning” addresses the issues associated with binning LEDs, color temperature, chromaticity and ANSI binning standards.
“LED and 100% Efficiency” provides information about relative and absolute photometry, photometry standards IESNA LM-79-08, DOE CALiPER program and luminaire efficiency.
“LED and Lumen Depreciation” addresses service life for LED systems, including life and lumen depreciation and IES Standard LM80.
“LED and Controls” features details on LED color temperature, color rendering index and color quality scale.
All four white papers can be downloaded at: http://www.lithonia.com/RTLED/PR
8. Bulb Exchange Program Partners With Ace, Do It Best - Apache Junction, city near Mesa, Ariz., has partnered with two independent hardware stores in a light bulb exchange program that aims to exchange 16,065 incandescent and halogen bulbs. Free of charge, customers receive a voucher for a replacement low-energy CFL or LED bulb from one of the hardware stores. Homeowners and renters can receive up to 10 bulbs, and business owners are limited to 20 bulb exchanges. Funding has been received through the Arizona Department of Commerce under the state’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. 9/29 HCN
9. Gov't Weighs Gas Mileage Rules for 2017 and Beyond - The administration is expected to give its view soon in the form of early planning for mileage standards for model years 2017-2025. Environmentalists are pushing for an average of at least 60 miles per gallon for new vehicles by 2025, exceeding the mileage of the most fuel-efficient hybrids on the road today. But automakers argue that pushing gas mileage standards up that quickly could force them to raise prices higher than drivers can afford. There will be months of review and public comment before specific new standards are set. 9/30 AP
2. Free DOE Software Product for Lighting Plans - The Commercial Lighting Solutions provide actionable "how to" guidance on ways to improve your building interior lighting efficiency and reduce your energy consumption, without compromising quality design criteria. Strategies include the use of high performance commercially available products, daylighting, and lighting controls, all within the context of integrated designs supported by performance specifications. It is a webbased lighting tool that DOE created last year to help facilities managers and others do accurate, quick calculations for energy-efficient lighting applications. The interactive program is a back-of-the-envelope boost that can save building owners 30 percent more energy than the baseline standard ASHRAE 90.1 without compromising the quality of illumination. www.lightingsolutions.energy.gov
3. Bitter Climate Puts Energy Ideas On Ice - The window for passing any sweeping energy proposals now has closed -- and those big ideas aren't likely to go anywhere during Obama's first term in the White House. Sensing the looming blockade, lawmakers and lobbyists have been setting the stage for a flurry of action on energy issues when Congress returns after the November elections for a lame-duck session. 9/27 Houston Chronicle
4. UTRC to Receive $10 Million from US DOE for Energy Innovation Hub - United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) http://www.utrc.utc.com the central research organization of United Technologies has announced that it expects to receive an estimated $10 million over five years from the US Department of Energy for its role in a new Energy Innovation Hub for R&D of technologies to improve energy efficiency in existing and new buildings. 9/28 Datamonitor
5. LED City® Members Join Forces with SSL Municipal Street Lighting Consortium - DOE and Cree announced 9/29 that U.S. participants in Cree's LED City program will join forces with DOE's Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium. Cree established the LED City Program in 2007 to accelerate implementation of LED lighting in municipalities by promoting the benefits that can be achieved through LED lighting, and by encouraging users to share experiences and data. DOE's SSL Street Lighting Consortium currently has nearly 400 members in 48 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and four other countries, who seek to share technical information and experiences related to LED street and area lighting demonstrations. To learn more, visit www.ssl.energy.gov
6. Consumer Confidence Index Falls Below 50 - The closely watched Consumer Confidence Index fell to 48.5 in September, down from a downwardly revised 53.2 reading in August, according to the New York City-based Conference Board."Overall, consumers’ confidence in the state of the economy remains quite grim. And, with so few expecting conditions to improve in the near term, the pace of economic growth is not likely to pick up in the coming months.” 9/28 HCN
7. Acuity Brands Offers LED Lighting White Papers - The white papers address four fundamental LED topics: LED Binning, Photometric Measurement, Lumen Depreciation and Color Quality.
“LED and Binning” addresses the issues associated with binning LEDs, color temperature, chromaticity and ANSI binning standards.
“LED and 100% Efficiency” provides information about relative and absolute photometry, photometry standards IESNA LM-79-08, DOE CALiPER program and luminaire efficiency.
“LED and Lumen Depreciation” addresses service life for LED systems, including life and lumen depreciation and IES Standard LM80.
“LED and Controls” features details on LED color temperature, color rendering index and color quality scale.
All four white papers can be downloaded at: http://www.lithonia.com/RTLED/PR
8. Bulb Exchange Program Partners With Ace, Do It Best - Apache Junction, city near Mesa, Ariz., has partnered with two independent hardware stores in a light bulb exchange program that aims to exchange 16,065 incandescent and halogen bulbs. Free of charge, customers receive a voucher for a replacement low-energy CFL or LED bulb from one of the hardware stores. Homeowners and renters can receive up to 10 bulbs, and business owners are limited to 20 bulb exchanges. Funding has been received through the Arizona Department of Commerce under the state’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. 9/29 HCN
9. Gov't Weighs Gas Mileage Rules for 2017 and Beyond - The administration is expected to give its view soon in the form of early planning for mileage standards for model years 2017-2025. Environmentalists are pushing for an average of at least 60 miles per gallon for new vehicles by 2025, exceeding the mileage of the most fuel-efficient hybrids on the road today. But automakers argue that pushing gas mileage standards up that quickly could force them to raise prices higher than drivers can afford. There will be months of review and public comment before specific new standards are set. 9/30 AP
Monthly Special Feature…
On the Lighter Side - Here's how to keep all that political 'news' in perspective...
1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could find the time -- and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.
6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a poor job of it, thank you very much.
7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.
8. The New York Post is read by people who don’t care who are running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.
9. The Chicago Tribune is read by people who know the Cubbies will win a World Series in their lifetime and look forward to living another 100 years.
10. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores.
11. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped, minority, feminist, atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
12. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
13. The Seattle Times is read by people who have recently caught a fish and need something to wrap it in.
14. EnergyWatch is read by the movers & shakers of the world that make the right things happen rather than just do the right things and know the difference.
On the Lighter Side - Here's how to keep all that political 'news' in perspective...
1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could find the time -- and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.
6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a poor job of it, thank you very much.
7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.
8. The New York Post is read by people who don’t care who are running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.
9. The Chicago Tribune is read by people who know the Cubbies will win a World Series in their lifetime and look forward to living another 100 years.
10. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores.
11. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped, minority, feminist, atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
12. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
13. The Seattle Times is read by people who have recently caught a fish and need something to wrap it in.
14. EnergyWatch is read by the movers & shakers of the world that make the right things happen rather than just do the right things and know the difference.
Monday, September 27, 2010
1. China Trends Expands LED energy-saving Market with Partners - As an energy-saving new light source, LED marks the beginning of the low carbon era. With the growing maturity of its applied technology, LED also obtained all-round advantages. It's believed the market value of global LED lighting market during the year will be close to US$17.5 billion. China Trends Holdings announced earlier that, its subsidiary would cooperate with the subsidiaries of TCL Corp. and China Innovation, to work on the sections of R&D, production, sales and distribution of energy-saving LED products, achieving the mutual sharing on resources. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-trends-expands-led-energy-saving-market-with-partners-2010-09-20?reflink=MW_news_stmp
2. The Furniture Row Companies Shine with Energy-Efficient Cree LED Lighting - The Furniture Row Companies, one of the nation's largest family-owned specialty home furnishings and bedding retailers, is installing LED lighting from leading manufacturer, Cree, Inc. throughout its 330 Sofa Mart®, Oak Express®, Bedroom Expressions® and Denver Mattress Company® specialty furniture stores across the United States. To-date, nearly 13,000 Cree LRP-38™ LED spotlights have been installed, out of more than 80,000 planned. The 11-Watt Cree LED lights are replacing energy-wasting 90-Watt halogen bulbs. 9/10 Wall Street Journal
3. ACEEE Recognizes the Leading State-Led Energy Efficiency Programs - The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) announced on September 15 its first-ever awards for exceptional state-led energy efficiency programs. Among the top five programs are:
1) The Colorado Energy Star New Homes Program
2) The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for their Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Demonstration Program
3) NYSERDA again for their Wastewater Efficiency Program
4) State of Hawaii for its Lead by Example Program
5) Maryland Statewide Farm Energy Audit Program
http://www.aceee.org/press/2010/09/18-state-led-energy-efficiency-programs-recognized-best
4. Energy Efforts Lauded - A stimulus-funded $178,000 energy efficiency grant to Richmond Community College is among the projects highlighted in a recently released reported by the federal Department of Energy. According to the report, more than $90 billion of investments in clean energy were made nationwide with stimulus funds, including more than $852 million in North Carolina. 9/21 Richmond County Daily Journal For the full report: http://www.energy.gov/news/8768.htm
5. Ameren Unveils Educational Initiative - Ameren Illinois has unveiled their new Kids Act On Energy initiative, which is designed to help young people become e-SMART by learning about electricity and natural gas and how to use energy wisely and safely. The Web-based initiative – www.KidsActOnEnergy.com -- provides games, videos, energy facts and more for children. There are educational materials, teaching guides and tests for teachers, as well as valuable information that will help parents. www.ActOnEnergy.com
6. Housing Starts jump in August - According to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of total housing starts for August stood at 598,000, up 10.5% from the downwardly revised July estimate and 2.2% above the August 2009 rate of 585,000. Despite the growth, the numbers continue to reflect a struggling market in residential construction. Building permits increased 1.8% in August to 569,000 from the revised July rate of 559,000, and is 6.7% below August 2009 levels. 9/21 HCN
7. Existing-home sales move up in August - Existing-home sales increased 7.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million in August from an upwardly revised 3.84 million in July, according to the National Association of Realtors. The August rates are 19.0% below the 5.10 million-unit pace in August 2009. 9/23 HCN
8. NEMA Publishes EM 1-2010 - "Exit Sign Visibility Testing Requirements for Safety and Energy Efficiency." The standard, last published in 2007, was produced by NEMA’s Emergency Lighting Section. http://www.nema.org/stds/em1.cfm
9. NAESCO 27th Annual National Conference in Phoenix, AZ on November 9-10, 2010 -http://www.naesco.org/events/conference/annual/default.htm
10. Lighting for Tomorrow 2010 Winners - The winners of the 2010 Lighting for Tomorrow competition were announced and awards were presented at the American Lighting Association Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 20-22, 2010.
1) Kichler Lighting received two awards, one for its Design Pro LED Broad Roof LED Path & Spread Light and the other for its Design Pro LED Modular and Disc System.
2) Edge Lighting also received two awards for its Scope LED Pendant and Scope LED Monorail/Track Light.
3) Albeo Technologies Inc. with its Agito – Intelligent Task Light
4) Blackstone International Ltd. for its Sunter Architect LED Desk Lamp.
5) Cree LED Lighting also received an honorable mention for their CR6™ Downlight.
6) Philips Lighting for its EduraLED A19 Lamp.
7) Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. received an award for the Decora® CFL Slide Dimmer.
8) Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. also received an award for the Radio Powr Savr™ Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor with Maestro Wireless® Switch and
9) Legrand/ Pass & Seymour was recognized for the RT1 7-Button Timer.
http://www.lightingfortomorrow.org/2010/10winners.shtml
11) The Battle of the Bulbs - Three House Republicans have introduced the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act, which would repeal the section of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that sets minimum energy efficiency standards for light bulbs and would effectively phase out most ordinary incandescents. While the new standards won’t take effect until 2012, the authors argue that they are having a negative impact. Specifically, they say the standards have led lighting companies to close several incandescent light bulb factories in the United States and send jobs overseas — particularly to China. 9/24 NY Times
2. The Furniture Row Companies Shine with Energy-Efficient Cree LED Lighting - The Furniture Row Companies, one of the nation's largest family-owned specialty home furnishings and bedding retailers, is installing LED lighting from leading manufacturer, Cree, Inc. throughout its 330 Sofa Mart®, Oak Express®, Bedroom Expressions® and Denver Mattress Company® specialty furniture stores across the United States. To-date, nearly 13,000 Cree LRP-38™ LED spotlights have been installed, out of more than 80,000 planned. The 11-Watt Cree LED lights are replacing energy-wasting 90-Watt halogen bulbs. 9/10 Wall Street Journal
3. ACEEE Recognizes the Leading State-Led Energy Efficiency Programs - The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) announced on September 15 its first-ever awards for exceptional state-led energy efficiency programs. Among the top five programs are:
1) The Colorado Energy Star New Homes Program
2) The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for their Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Demonstration Program
3) NYSERDA again for their Wastewater Efficiency Program
4) State of Hawaii for its Lead by Example Program
5) Maryland Statewide Farm Energy Audit Program
http://www.aceee.org/press/2010/09/18-state-led-energy-efficiency-programs-recognized-best
4. Energy Efforts Lauded - A stimulus-funded $178,000 energy efficiency grant to Richmond Community College is among the projects highlighted in a recently released reported by the federal Department of Energy. According to the report, more than $90 billion of investments in clean energy were made nationwide with stimulus funds, including more than $852 million in North Carolina. 9/21 Richmond County Daily Journal For the full report: http://www.energy.gov/news/8768.htm
5. Ameren Unveils Educational Initiative - Ameren Illinois has unveiled their new Kids Act On Energy initiative, which is designed to help young people become e-SMART by learning about electricity and natural gas and how to use energy wisely and safely. The Web-based initiative – www.KidsActOnEnergy.com -- provides games, videos, energy facts and more for children. There are educational materials, teaching guides and tests for teachers, as well as valuable information that will help parents. www.ActOnEnergy.com
6. Housing Starts jump in August - According to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of total housing starts for August stood at 598,000, up 10.5% from the downwardly revised July estimate and 2.2% above the August 2009 rate of 585,000. Despite the growth, the numbers continue to reflect a struggling market in residential construction. Building permits increased 1.8% in August to 569,000 from the revised July rate of 559,000, and is 6.7% below August 2009 levels. 9/21 HCN
7. Existing-home sales move up in August - Existing-home sales increased 7.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million in August from an upwardly revised 3.84 million in July, according to the National Association of Realtors. The August rates are 19.0% below the 5.10 million-unit pace in August 2009. 9/23 HCN
8. NEMA Publishes EM 1-2010 - "Exit Sign Visibility Testing Requirements for Safety and Energy Efficiency." The standard, last published in 2007, was produced by NEMA’s Emergency Lighting Section. http://www.nema.org/stds/em1.cfm
9. NAESCO 27th Annual National Conference in Phoenix, AZ on November 9-10, 2010 -http://www.naesco.org/events/conference/annual/default.htm
10. Lighting for Tomorrow 2010 Winners - The winners of the 2010 Lighting for Tomorrow competition were announced and awards were presented at the American Lighting Association Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 20-22, 2010.
1) Kichler Lighting received two awards, one for its Design Pro LED Broad Roof LED Path & Spread Light and the other for its Design Pro LED Modular and Disc System.
2) Edge Lighting also received two awards for its Scope LED Pendant and Scope LED Monorail/Track Light.
3) Albeo Technologies Inc. with its Agito – Intelligent Task Light
4) Blackstone International Ltd. for its Sunter Architect LED Desk Lamp.
5) Cree LED Lighting also received an honorable mention for their CR6™ Downlight.
6) Philips Lighting for its EduraLED A19 Lamp.
7) Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. received an award for the Decora® CFL Slide Dimmer.
8) Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. also received an award for the Radio Powr Savr™ Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor with Maestro Wireless® Switch and
9) Legrand/ Pass & Seymour was recognized for the RT1 7-Button Timer.
http://www.lightingfortomorrow.org/2010/10winners.shtml
11) The Battle of the Bulbs - Three House Republicans have introduced the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act, which would repeal the section of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that sets minimum energy efficiency standards for light bulbs and would effectively phase out most ordinary incandescents. While the new standards won’t take effect until 2012, the authors argue that they are having a negative impact. Specifically, they say the standards have led lighting companies to close several incandescent light bulb factories in the United States and send jobs overseas — particularly to China. 9/24 NY Times
Monday, September 20, 2010
1.The DOE Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium - shares technical information and experiences related to LED street and area lighting demonstrations. The Consortium also serves as an objective resource for evaluating new products on the market intended for street and area lighting applications. Cities, power providers, and others who invest in street and area lighting are invited to join the Consortium and share their experiences. The goal is to build a repository of valuable field experience and data that will significantly accelerate the learning curve for buying and implementing high-quality, energy-efficient LED street and area lighting. Learn more: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/consortium_about.html
2. IES Publishes Position Statement on Effects of Exterior Lighting on Human Health - “The position of the IES is that typical exposures to exterior lighting after sunset have not been shown to lead to cancer or other life-threatening conditions.” http://www.ies.org/flash/PositionStatements/PS-03-10.swf
3. NEMA Publishes LSD 11-2010 – “White Paper on Outdoor Lighting Issues and Quality Lighting Applications” covers outdoor lighting issues and quality lighting applications. LSD 11 identifies specific lighting issues, defines correct lighting terminology, and provides straightforward technical guidance applicable to outdoor lighting installations in the United States. The publication is intended to be used by anyone dealing with the selection, installation, or management of outdoor lighting systems. http://ecmweb.com/news/nema-lsd-11-2010-20100913/
4. Lowe's Expands Energy Center to Help Energy Efficiency - Lowe's has announced a nationwide launch of its Energy Center in a move to help Americans to better manage their energy consumption, as colder weather creeps in and electricity bills creep up. The Energy Center is retail's first integrated energy solution, bringing products that measure, reduce and generate energy to one convenient location to meet consumers' individual energy needs, the company said. 9/15 Datamonitor
5. FTC Sues Lights of America Over LEDs - The Federal Trade Commission has filed suit to stop California-based lamp manufacturer Lights of America and its principals from allegedly exaggerating the light output and life expectancy of its light emitting diode (LED) lamps. The commission said that the company had made misleading claims saying for example that one of its LED bulbs could replace a 40-watt incandescent, which typically emits about 400 lumens. The F.T.C. found the bulb produced only 74 lumens of light. “The firm said that one of its LED recessed bulbs would last 30,000 hours,” the commission noted. “Independent tests, however, showed that the bulb would not last as long as claimed because it lost 80 percent of its light output after only 1,000 hours.” http://electricalmarketing.com/
6. GE Adopts Advanced Telemetry's 'EcoView™ Residential' Energy Management System - Advanced Telemetry www.AdvancedTelemetry.com developer of the EcoView™ smart energy management system for light commercial and residential applications, today announced that GE has adopted its "EcoView Residential" solution for select energy conscious home builders across North America. General Electric is working with a select group of home builders and developers to design homes that are not only comfortable, but also achieve at least a 20% reduction in household energy usage, indoor water consumption and overall carbon emissions as compared to industry-accepted average new homes. 9/14 MARKETWIRE
7. Philips Demonstrates OLED Module - Scientists from Philips Research have developed the first-ever organic light emitting diode (OLED) module that can be powered directly from a mains electricity supply. The prototype opens the door to OLED systems that can be directly plugged into standard power outlets without the need for bulky power management circuitry. This will reduce the bill of materials and simplify luminaire design for future OLED-based systems aimed at mass-market general illumination applications. http://electricalmarketing.com/
8. Litetronics Appoints Joe Colant as National Sales Manager - In his new role, Joe will be responsible for developing a national network of sales representatives, manufacturer’s representatives, and distributors and promoting and developing positive relationships with contractors, distributors and retail and commercial business owners.
9. Pepco Energy Services selected for $20.9 Million Energy Savings Performance Contract for Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport - Implementation of the project will enable the Maryland Aviation Administration to exceed the 15 percent energy reduction goals of EmPOWER Maryland. The $20.9 million project calls on Pepco Energy to design and implement a total of 13 energy conservation measures that will improve the overall energy efficiency of more than 30 airport buildings, including the main terminal, that covers more than 9 million square feet. Pepco Energy will also install more than 1 acre of solar power generation equipment. Construction will begin in September 2010 and is scheduled to be complete in December 2011. 9/16 PRNewswire
10. Lights of Philadelphia 2010 Lighting Exposition & Educational Conference – At the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA….presented by IES Philadelphia and the Electrical Association of Philadelphia. The Exhibit Hall is open to registered visitors: www.lightsofphiladelphia.org
• Wednesday, September 22nd from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Thursday, September 23rd from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and discover the latest ideas in lighting products, technology and designs.
2. IES Publishes Position Statement on Effects of Exterior Lighting on Human Health - “The position of the IES is that typical exposures to exterior lighting after sunset have not been shown to lead to cancer or other life-threatening conditions.” http://www.ies.org/flash/PositionStatements/PS-03-10.swf
3. NEMA Publishes LSD 11-2010 – “White Paper on Outdoor Lighting Issues and Quality Lighting Applications” covers outdoor lighting issues and quality lighting applications. LSD 11 identifies specific lighting issues, defines correct lighting terminology, and provides straightforward technical guidance applicable to outdoor lighting installations in the United States. The publication is intended to be used by anyone dealing with the selection, installation, or management of outdoor lighting systems. http://ecmweb.com/news/nema-lsd-11-2010-20100913/
4. Lowe's Expands Energy Center to Help Energy Efficiency - Lowe's has announced a nationwide launch of its Energy Center in a move to help Americans to better manage their energy consumption, as colder weather creeps in and electricity bills creep up. The Energy Center is retail's first integrated energy solution, bringing products that measure, reduce and generate energy to one convenient location to meet consumers' individual energy needs, the company said. 9/15 Datamonitor
5. FTC Sues Lights of America Over LEDs - The Federal Trade Commission has filed suit to stop California-based lamp manufacturer Lights of America and its principals from allegedly exaggerating the light output and life expectancy of its light emitting diode (LED) lamps. The commission said that the company had made misleading claims saying for example that one of its LED bulbs could replace a 40-watt incandescent, which typically emits about 400 lumens. The F.T.C. found the bulb produced only 74 lumens of light. “The firm said that one of its LED recessed bulbs would last 30,000 hours,” the commission noted. “Independent tests, however, showed that the bulb would not last as long as claimed because it lost 80 percent of its light output after only 1,000 hours.” http://electricalmarketing.com/
6. GE Adopts Advanced Telemetry's 'EcoView™ Residential' Energy Management System - Advanced Telemetry www.AdvancedTelemetry.com developer of the EcoView™ smart energy management system for light commercial and residential applications, today announced that GE has adopted its "EcoView Residential" solution for select energy conscious home builders across North America. General Electric is working with a select group of home builders and developers to design homes that are not only comfortable, but also achieve at least a 20% reduction in household energy usage, indoor water consumption and overall carbon emissions as compared to industry-accepted average new homes. 9/14 MARKETWIRE
7. Philips Demonstrates OLED Module - Scientists from Philips Research have developed the first-ever organic light emitting diode (OLED) module that can be powered directly from a mains electricity supply. The prototype opens the door to OLED systems that can be directly plugged into standard power outlets without the need for bulky power management circuitry. This will reduce the bill of materials and simplify luminaire design for future OLED-based systems aimed at mass-market general illumination applications. http://electricalmarketing.com/
8. Litetronics Appoints Joe Colant as National Sales Manager - In his new role, Joe will be responsible for developing a national network of sales representatives, manufacturer’s representatives, and distributors and promoting and developing positive relationships with contractors, distributors and retail and commercial business owners.
9. Pepco Energy Services selected for $20.9 Million Energy Savings Performance Contract for Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport - Implementation of the project will enable the Maryland Aviation Administration to exceed the 15 percent energy reduction goals of EmPOWER Maryland. The $20.9 million project calls on Pepco Energy to design and implement a total of 13 energy conservation measures that will improve the overall energy efficiency of more than 30 airport buildings, including the main terminal, that covers more than 9 million square feet. Pepco Energy will also install more than 1 acre of solar power generation equipment. Construction will begin in September 2010 and is scheduled to be complete in December 2011. 9/16 PRNewswire
10. Lights of Philadelphia 2010 Lighting Exposition & Educational Conference – At the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA….presented by IES Philadelphia and the Electrical Association of Philadelphia. The Exhibit Hall is open to registered visitors: www.lightsofphiladelphia.org
• Wednesday, September 22nd from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Thursday, September 23rd from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and discover the latest ideas in lighting products, technology and designs.
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