Category Archives: Opinion

What Can the Next U.S. President Do for Energy Efficiency?

Where do the candidates stand on energy independence and efficiency and what is there vision for both? What role and policies can the executive branch assume to support RE & EE initiatives?
Where do the candidates stand on energy independence and efficiency and what is there vision for both? What role and policies can the executive branch assume to support RE & EE initiatives?

David Caughran of ASE.org wrote on their blog a brief assessment of the three things the next U.S. President can do to advance energy efficiency. He came up with three broad ideas:

  • Find Common Ground – Rally bipartisan support for energy efficiency
  • Modernize the Grid – Invest in the nation’s infrastructure by modernizing our aging electric power grid.
  • Lead Energy Efficiency Around the Globe – Position the U.S. as the global leader in energy efficiency.

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In an Age of Cheap Solar Does Efficiency Still Matter?

CheapSolarFrom an article written by Peter Rumsey, PE Guest Author for Rocky Mountain Institute Outlet.

The old saws of the building management industry are:

  1. “The cheapest energy you can buy is the energy you don’t use.”

  2. “Efficiency first” – evaluate and conduct energy efficiency measures first and then cover the remaining balance of energy needs with renewables.

But with the costs of renewables coming down, do the old saws still apply? Are there renewable energy benefits that override the emphasis on energy efficiency?

This article, written by AEE’s 2012 Renewable Energy Innovator of the Year and ASHRAE’s Engineering Award of Excellence in 2013, reveals some of the reasons building owners are opting to adopt renewable energy solutions without reducing demand first. Some EE measures are expensive but there are also time and corporate image issues at stake.

In short, “Solar is sexy and people don’t fall in love with efficiency.” (Dian Gruenieich formerly a California Public Utilities Commissioner).

Peter Rumsey, PE is the founder of Point Energy Innovations and is internationally recognized for his innovation and leadership in the sustainability and energy efficiency fields. He has designed more LEED Platinum, Zero Energy, and radiant-cooled buildings than any engineer in the United States. Peter is an ASHRAE Fellow, a lecturer at Stanford University, and has served as a senior fellow of RMI.

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Triple Pundit: Energy Storage is Coming Home

TeslaBatteryWhen Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk tweeted earlier in April that the automaker would soon release a power storage product, the Internet went into a flurry of speculation.

Energy storage is becoming a wild card option that must be on the radar of  ESCOs (Energy Service Companies), utilities, commercial property managers, and residential customers. When Tesla’s Elon Musk announced the Tesla PowerWall options that are on slated to become available this Fall, a new vision of what renewable energy generation, storage, security, economics, and management might be like in the coming decades began to unfold.

The benefits of energy storage are many for those that learn how to market, buy, sell, and install it. That is, assuming that the host of federal, state, and utility policy issues stay relatively supportive or, at least, non-threatening. One thing is for sure. Battery manufacturers like Tesla, Panasonic, and Enphase will not only ramp up market supply (dropping production costs) but they will begin to strike up partner package offers to entice customers to buy. Not only will Tesla co-market with their sister company, SolarCity, but they are already planning a DC coupled solution linking their Powerwall with SolarEdge inverters.

Max Bloom, a Renewable Energy Marketing Communications Director in the San Francisco Bay Area posted an article on Triple Pundit that sheds more light on the current state of the market for this rapidly evolving paradigm. Titled “Energy Storage is Coming Home” he cited a recent GTM research report that predicts “behind-the-meter storage (residential, commercial, education, military or nonprofit) will account for 45 percent of the (electricity storage) market by 2019.”

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SoCal Gas Energy Resource Center Seminars

SCGDowneyResourceCenter

The Energy Resource Center in Downey, California is an energy efficient resource for making environmentally-preferable decisions. The facility is 44,572 square feet and earned LEED certification at the certified level in 2009. As a showcase building for environmental and energy efficiency, the Energy Resource Center is pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance recertification at the Gold level.

Want to learn about the latest in energy-efficient equipment and technologies? Attend technical and foodservice-related seminars at Southern California Gas’ LEED® Certified Energy Resource Center (ERC) in Downey, CA.

ERC at a Glance

This resource center for energy and environmental decision-makers opened in the spring of 1995 in Downey, California, the heart of the Greater Los Angeles and Orange County metropolitan areas. The building is an award-winning model of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly technologies. And an array of practical seminars, demonstrations and consulting services can help businesses find the most cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions to their energy needs.

A visit to the Energy Resource Center can expedite your search for new equipment, while ensuring you have the information you need to make wise choices. And, there’s never a charge for equipment demonstrations.

Seminar Schedule & Enrollment

Seminars like these are just part of our commitment to providing exceptional service.

  1. Sign Up for Technical Seminars

  2. Sign Up for Building Operator Certification Seminars

  3. Sign Up for Food Service Equipment Center Seminars

  4. Seminar Terms & Conditions

Food Service Equipment Center

The Food Service Equipment Center showcases the right equipment to spice up your bottom line.

  1. Call 562-803-7323 to schedule a visit.

  2. Sign up for Foodservice Seminars

  3. Seminar Terms & Conditions

Exhibiting and Speaking Opportunities

Exhibit and/or speaking opportunities exist for many Energy Resource Center (ERC) and Food Service Equipment Center (FSEC) seminars and displays.

  1. Email the Energy Resource Center at erc@socalgas.com

  2. Email the Food Service Equipment Center at ercfoodsvc@sempra.com

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