News Updates for the Week of December 17

1.      Energy Efficiency Provisions Approved in Both Chambers of Congress - The Senate passed important provisions from the bipartisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.1000) introduced by U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to help the country save money by using less energy. The provisions, which focus on industrial and federal agency efficiency, passed as part of the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (H.R. 6582). After passing with unanimous support in the Senate, the legislation will now head to the President for his signature. http://politicalnews.me/?id=19475&keys=ENERGY-COMPETITIVENESS-INDUSTRIAL-ACT

2.      Next Generation Streetlights Initiative - Local governments can save millions of dollars, reduce emissions and create jobs by moving to advanced lighting technology. The CA Bay Area Next Generation Streetlight Initiative provides leading-edge education, resources and guidance to local governments to accelerate the move to solid-state lighting (LED). The overarching goal is to catalyse the conversion of 200,000 streetlights in the Bay Area and deliver $50 million in cost savings and 100,000 metric tons of CO2 avoidance over 5 years. http://baclimate.org/impact/next-generation-streetlight-initiative.html

3.      New Lighting Technology Won't Flicker, Shatter or Burn Out - The lighting, based on field-induced polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL) technology, also gives off soft, white light – not the yellowish glint from fluorescents or bluish tinge from LEDs. The Wake Forest University team uses a nano-engineered polymer matrix to convert the charge into light. This allows the researchers to create an entirely new light bulb – overcoming one of the major barriers in using plastic lights in commercial buildings and homes. The research supporting the technology is described in a study appearing online in advance of publication in the peer-reviewed journal Organic Electronics. Wake Forest is working with a company to manufacture the technology and plans to have it ready for consumers as early as next year. http://phys.org/news/2012-12-goodbye-fluorescent-bulbs-technology-wont.html

      4.      Highest-Performing, Commercially Available, Single-Die LED - Delivering breakthrough lumen output and efficacy in the XM package is the Cree XLamp XM-L2 LED. Built on the SC³ Technology Platform, it delivers up to 186 lumens-per-watt at 350 mA, 25°C, up to 20% more lumens and double the lumens-per-dollar of the original XM-L. http://www.cree.com/led-components-and-modules/products/xlamp/discrete-directional/xlamp-xml2

5.     NEMA's Lighting Systems Index falls 3.3% in 3Q - NEMA’s Lighting Systems Index declined in the third quarter of 2012 after a positive performance in the first half of 2012, falling 3.3% on a quarter-to-quarter basis. On a year-over-year basis the index decreased by 1.1%. Lighting equipment demand has struggled to gain traction since the recovery began and remains well below the levels observed during the previous economic expansion. Of the five categories of lighting systems products included in the index, only miniature lamps and fixtures registered solid gains in sales value compared to the third quarter of 2011, according to NEMA. http://www.nema.org/news/Pages/Lighting-Equipment-Demand-Dwindled-during-the-Third-Quarter-of-2012.aspx

6.      Indoor Luminaire Competition Launches - The 2013 Next Generation Luminaires Solid-State Lighting Indoor Design Competition has officially launched! Written Intents to Submit are due by January 18, 2013, and must be submitted online at www.ngldc.org. Physical product entries are due by February 8, 2013. Judging takes place in late February 2013, and results will be announced at LEDucation 7 in New York, NY, on March 20, 2013.

 

7.      HID Lamp Shipment Indexes Continue to Decline - NEMA’s indexes for high intensity discharge (HID) lamp shipments declined for the second consecutive quarter in Q3 2012. Sodium vapor lamp shipments decreased 14.8% year-over-year during the quarter, following a loss of 6.8% during the previous three month period. Shipments of metal halide lamps fell 6.9% and 4.9%, respectively, in Q3 and Q2. Mercury vapor lamps contracted significantly, retreating by 23% to reach a new low for the index. Combined HID lamp shipments through Q3 2012 declined nearly 5% versus last year. http://ecmweb.com/lighting-amp-control/hid-lamp-shipment-indexes-continue-decline

8.      NYC, DC, LA, Houston: Lighting Up the Holidays with LED Christmas Trees - Cities across the United States are lighting their Christmas Trees with LED, and this season they are more energy-efficient than ever. http://ase.org/efficiencynews/nyc-dc-la-houston-lighting-holidays-led-christmas-trees

9.     New York’s Small Businesses Eligible for Low-Cost Financing for Energy-Efficiency Upgrades -The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said Thursday that small business owners and nonprofits that make energy-efficiency upgrades can receive up to $50,000 in low-interest financing.The money will be repayable on the company’s monthly utility bills.Small businesses with 100 employees or fewer and nonprofits that own their building are eligible to apply for the financing. The interest rate for the loan is currently 2.5 percent. http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Newsroom/2012-Announcements/2012-12-13-Financing-for-Business-Not-for-Profit-Energy-Efficiency-Upgrades.aspx

10.  Connecticut Spending More on Energy Efficiency - Connecticut spent nearly $338 million between 2009 and 2011 on energy-efficiency projects and expects to spend more than twice that, $775.5 million, between 2015 and 2021. But Connecticut's increase in spending on energy efficiency will be dwarfed by the growth for the whole region, according to officials with ISO-New England. The region spent $1.2 billion on energy efficiency between 2008 and 2011 and expects to spend nearly five times that about $5.7 billion, between 2015 and 2021. The energy-efficiency measures the six New England states are taking will prevent any annual growth in energy consumption between now and 2021. 12/13 New Haven Register

 

11.  Louisiana Public Service Commission Approves Statewide Energy-Efficiency Program - Louisiana utility regulators have taken the first step toward implementing a statewide energy-efficiency program to develop ways to cut down on power consumption and help save money for hundreds of thousands of homeowners and businesses. Louisiana utilities, including Entergy Louisiana and Pineville-based Cleco Power, will have 10 months to let the state know its plans, along with estimates of potential savings and benefits to customers. The programs are slated to begin 4 months later. http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2012/12/louisiana_public_service_commi_3.html

12.  2013 DOE Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop - January 29–31, 2013, Hilton Long Beach,
Long Beach, California.  As solid-state lighting technology matures, the remaining questions get more complex. Where does future R&D need to be directed to drive significant leaps in LED and OLED performance? How can government and industry work together to find solutions, accelerate advances, and hasten market adoption? Join DOE at the 10th annual SSL R&D workshop to find out. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/longbeach13.html

13.  PNM Carrying the Light Bulb for Energy Efficiency - In just over five years, the PNM discounted CFLs have accomplished huge amounts in saving electricity and money for customers. PNM has reached an energy efficiency milestone of five million CFL bulbs, saving $33.7 million for PNM customers and enough electricity to power 42,000 New Mexico homes for a year. PNM wants to continue this trend so they have partnered with nearly 160 stores statewide to give customers a discount when they purchase any CFL bulbs. PNM is New Mexico's largest electricity provider, is based in Albuquerque and serves about 498,700 electricity customers statewide. www.pnm.com

14.  Southern California Edison Delivers Energy Management and Reporting Capabilities to Customer - ADT and Southern California Edison are providing SCE customers with energy management and reporting capabilities through ADT Pulse, an interactive home management platform that allows customers to arm and disarm their security systems, control thermostats, turn on and off small appliances and lights, access real-time video, and lock and unlock doors. It can show home energy consumption, historical energy usage information, daily energy bill estimates and energy savings alerts. http://www.sce.com/info/smartconnect/default.htm?from=redirect

15.  CA Quality LED Lamp Specification - The California Energy Commission has adopted a voluntary lighting quality specification for LED replacement lamps. The new standard requires LED lamps to meet certain performance criteria in order to qualify for incentive programs and rebates. These criteria include the color of a lamp’s light, its consistency over time, and its accuracy in rendering colors. The specification for incentivized LED lamps also includes requirements regarding dimming and flickering.  The specification was developed in collaboration with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC will direct California’s investor-owned utilities to ensure their 2013–2014 energy efficiency portfolios only provide rebates for screw-based LEDs products that meet the quality specification developed by the California Energy Commission. http://cltc.ucdavis.edu/content/view/1263/488/

 

16.  BluePath Launches Energy Efficiency Finance Company - BluePath Finance LLC announced today the launch of their platform to provide upfront funding for the installation of energy efficient technologies. BluePath works side-by-side with energy services companies, OEMs, installers and distributors to offer their customers turn-key financing. Most solutions are designed so end-users can pay for new installations from reduced utility bills and immediately realize monthly cash flow savings. Ideal candidates include commercial and industrial companies, agri-business, hospitals, and public entities such as universities and schools. Typically, projects with $100,000 to $5 million in upfront costs are funded. BluePath has particular interest in financing lighting and lighting controls, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and building controls, industrial motors and systems, boilers, furnaces, refrigeration systems, and pumping systems. The company has capacity to fund up to $150 million in retrofit projects. http://www.bluepathfinance.com/

 

17.  Consumer Preference Survey on Directional LED Replacement Lamps for Retail Applications -Retail stores are among the biggest lighting energy users in the United States. To help improve efficiency in this sector, CLTC partnered with PG&E and the California Energy Commission to survey retailers on factors that influence their lighting purchases. The results of that survey, and their implications for future LED incentive programs, are now available on the CLTC website. http://cltc.ucdavis.edu/images/documents/publications_reports/2012_ET11PGE2201_LED_Showcase_Report.pdf

18.  Sequestration Could Reduce Federal Building Investments - The design and construction industry, still reeling from the real estate crash, could face another $2 billion in lost work if Congress and the White House fail to reach agreement on a federal budget in time to avoid massive mandatory federal spending cuts on January 2, an American Institute of Architects (AIA) analysis warns. In order to provide a better understanding of the impact of sequestration on building programs, the AIA identified 48 separate budget accounts for which the OMB report identifies spending reductions pursuant to sequestration in January 2013 that directly fund the design, construction and rehabilitation of buildings and other vertical infrastructure. http://www.lightnowblog.com Read the full report at http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab096226.pdf

News Updates for the Week of August 27

1.      Merger of Progress Energy and Duke Energy Created Largest U.S. Electric Utility - The July 2, 2012 merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy created the largest electric utility in the United States (measured by number of customers). Now called the Duke Energy Corporation (Duke), the new company has over 7 million retail customers spanning six states. It also owns about 67 gigawatts of generating capacity across the eastern United States. This merger follows the recent merger between Constellation and Exelon, which created the third largest utility in the United States. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=7650

 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on SNL Energy.

 

2.      Romney Says He Will Introduce Energy Plan Next Week - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told a luncheon gathering of about 125 people that his No. 1 priority as president would be "to take full advantage of our energy resources." Romney assured his listeners at the high-dollar fundraiser, that he tells Ohio audiences the same thing he tells Texas audiences about the importance of energy. He also said he would be introducing a comprehensive energy plan during a visit to New Mexico next week. 8/21 Houston Chronicle

3.      What Lamps Will Be Phased Out? - Results of a recent survey of energy-efficient lighting professionals across the country in December by Hudson, Wis.-based Precision-Paragon (P2), an online source for lighting retrofit systems and information, reveals the demand for energy-efficient lighting is growing, despite the sluggishness of the recovery of the general U.S. economy and the severe downturn in the construction industry. Although most respondents disclosed they don’t expect growth to occur until after the first quarter of 2012—predicting the second and third quarters will be the most lucrative—they are confident this year will be even better than last year. More than 80% of survey respondents predict increased opportunities for growth, both in the industry as a whole and in their individual companies. http://ecmweb.com/content/what-lamps-will-be-phased-out

4.      NEMA Asks DOE to Set Motor Efficiency Standards - The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va., its members who manufacture electric motors and a coalition of other groups filed a petition August 15 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommending both new and more robust energy-efficiency standards for the types of electric motors used in commercial and industrial applications such as pumps, conveyors, and fans. The petition seeks increased standards for some motors and a significant increase in the scope of motors that will be covered by efficiency standards. http://livewire.electricalmarketing.com/

5.     Bay Bridge to Outshine ‘That Other Bridge’ - Ea rly in 2013, the public will be allowed to revel in The Bay Lights, an art installation that will turn the classically gray Bay Bridge into a spectacular display of flashing, pulsating and moving lights. Created by artist Leo Villareal, the Bay Bridge’s west span will be dressed with more than 25,000 energy-efficient, individually controlled white LED lights that will play out mesmerizing patterns without repeating. The display won’t be a one-night or even six-month event. It will last from dusk to midnight every day for two years. The $8 million project was the brainchild of Ben Davis, the founder of San Francisco’s Words Pictures Ideas creative agency that branded the Bay Bridge east span. http://sfbay.ca/2012/08/19/bay-bridge-to-outshine-that-other-bridge/

6.      City Converts Streetlights to Energy-Saving LEDs - Going block by block, crews in bucket trucks are converting 70,000 city streetlights from sodium vapor lights to long-lasting, energy-saving LEDs. The bright side: Baltimore expects to reap an annual savings of $1.9 million on its electric bill and $275,000 in maintenance costs. Also, advocates say the lights produce less glare and are more focused, meaning less light pollution that drowns out the night stars and can disrupt ecosystems. The dimmer side: Critics say the new lights don't illuminate the area as well. The first phase of the three-year project is about 80 percent completed, with 8,000 new lights in place. Switching the 10,000 city-owned streetlights was the first step. Next up are the lights owned by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. 8/17 The Baltimore Sun

7.      Connecticut Debuts New Energy Program - State officials have announced the launch of a new program to make sure state buildings use less power, at the same time a Connecticut-wide program to promote residential energy enters its second year. Connecticut's energy savings program for government buildings allows state agencies and municipalities to enter into performance contracting agreements with energy service companies. The program will allow state and local government buildings to get energy-efficiency upgrades with no money paid up front. The cost of the upgrades are paid for through the energy savings that the service companies guarantee to their government clients. 8/10 New Haven Register

 

8.      NORPAC, BPA, and Cowlitz PUD Partner on Largest Ever Northwest Energy Efficiency Project - The project is referred to as a "Chip Pre-Treatment Interstage Screen Project."  Executives from Weyerhaeuser, Nippon Paper Industries, Cowlitz County Public Utility District, and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will gather today at the North Pacific Paper Corporation (NORPAC) facility to celebrate the largest industrial energy efficiency project in BPA history and one of the largest energy efficiency projects in the United States to date. When complete, the project is expected to save 100,000,000 kilowatt-hours per year. The first phase of the project was completed in June 2011 and the second and final phase is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013. BPA will fund about $21 million and Cowlitz County PUD will contribute up to an additional $3.9 million towards the project. The money contributed by both BPA and Cowlitz comes from their respective conservation funds, which provide financial incentives to their customers for the development and installation of electrical energy savings projects. NORPAC is funding the remaining $35 million of the $60 million project. 8/09 PRNewswire

 

9.      LIGHTFAIR International 2013 Call for Speakers Deadline: September 7 - Submit to speak at the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference OR suggest a speaker or topic that you’d like to see at LIGHTFAIR International (LFI^®). There are 16 tracks to choose from OR you can select OFF TRACK to submit your own idea. http://www.lightfair.com/convdata/lightfair/brochures/lfi2013-cfs-brochure.pdf

10.  Philips and Daintree Take Lighting to the Next Level with Open Standards-based Wireless Lighting Controls - Daintree Networks, Inc. and Philips recently announced an agreement to develop advanced lighting controls products for commercial buildings through the use of open standards such as ZigBee, helping customers to avoid vendor lock-in and ensure that their lighting systems are interoperable today and well into the future. Building owners and managers will have access to a full complement of ZigBee-based products. http://lightingcontrolsassociation.org/

11.  City Project Helps Cut Energy Costs - From small laundromats and gas stations to residential complexes, Milwaukee Energy Efficiency is signing on city businesses looking to save on the bottom line. The program has 27 projects funded across the city, such as helping gas stations switch to energy-saving LED lights for their canopies. The program, known as ME2, has attracted strong interest for projects that deploy LED technology because the paybacks on the investment is so quick. A maximum of $300,000 is available for a large project that would generate energy savings of at least 25%. 8/15 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

12.  The Search for Energy Takes a Turn Underwater - The fearsome tides that sweep out from the easternmost shores of the United States have for more than 80 years teased engineers and presidents like FDR, who have dreamed of harnessing their force to make electricity. And next week, a device that looks a bit like an eggbeater turned sideways will be lowered into the water here to catch the energy of the rushing water, spinning a generator that, come September, is scheduled to begin sending power to the grid. The first turbine generator unit has a maximum output of 180 kilowatts, which would power about 30 homes. That is one-sixth the output of a typical wind turbine. Workmen lower a turbine to be placed in waters off Eastport, Me.

 

13.  One World Trade Center Under Construction - Virtually every inch of the 16-acre site is under construction, and every day brings new changes to the site, whether it’s the first steel columns for One WTC being raised or the concrete footings being poured for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/progress.html

14.  UL Expands Capacity with New Lab - Underwriters Laboratories (UL), has opened a new 38,000 square-foot laboratory located in Allentown, PA. The Photometric Testing & Technology Center will be a testing and certification hub for all of North America. The lab conducts testing of lighting products to various global energy efficiency programs such as ENERGY STAR, DesignLights Consortium, Lighting Facts, Zhaga, California Energy Commission, CAP (MSHA) and National Resources Canada. The Allentown facility is also globally recognized as one of the first Zhaga-approved testing laboratories and offers testing to various IES standards, including LM-79. http://www.lightnowblog.com/