Tag Archives: CPUC

Energy Efficiency, Opinion, Renewable Energy

In an Age of Cheap Solar Does Efficiency Still Matter?

September 1, 2015 Scott Leave a comment

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

The old saws of the building management industry are:

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

CCC/IOU Energy Efficiency Partnership

January 26, 2012 Scott Leave a comment

CCC_IOU_EE
The Energy Efficiency Retrofit element of the program involves implementation of energy efficiency retrofit projects providing cost-effective energy savings during the program implementation period.

The California Community Colleges (CCC), and Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) Energy Efficiency Partnership is a unique, statewide energy efficiency program achieving cost-effective immediate and persistent peak energy and demand savings. Moreover, it establishes a permanent framework for a sustainable, long-term, comprehensive energy management program at the one hundred and twelve (112) campuses served by California’s four large IOUs (PG&E, SDG&E, SCE and SoCalGas).

Established in the 2006-08 CPUC Energy Efficiency Program Cycle, the CCC/IOU Partnership set ambitious goals of saving 19,000 kW, 84 million kilowatt-hours, and 2.5 million therms of gas by the end of the cycle. To achieve these goals, the Partnership is committing $22 million in incentive funds to Community College Districts to assist in the accomplishment of energy partners.

The program employs four key strategies to meet its goals: energy efficiency retrofits, monitoring based commissioning (MBCx), energy efficient new construction, and training and education. This multifaceted approach delivers comprehensive savings, and contributes to California’s national leadership in energy efficiency and reducing climate change.

The Partnership capitalizes on the vast resources and expertise of the California Community Colleges and California’s IOUs with program administration assistance from Newcomb Anderson McCormick of San Francisco. It is funded by California’s investor owned utility customers through Public Goods Charges (PGC) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

UC/CSU/IOU ENERGY EFFICIENCY PARTNERSHIP

The University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) Energy Efficiency Partnership is a unique, statewide energy efficiency program achieving cost-effective immediate and persistent peak energy and demand savings. Moreover, it establishes a permanent framework for a sustainable, long-term, comprehensive energy management program at the thirty three (33) UC and CSU campuses served by California’s four large IOUs (PG&E, SDG&E, SCE and SoCalGas).

Established in 2004-05, the UC/CSU/IOU Partnership significantly exceeded its goals, saving approximately 32 million kilowatt-hours and 1.5 million therms of gas. Peak demand savings were also targeted and achieved. As a result of this success, the program was renewed for 2006-08, and again for the 2009-2012 program cycle. Funding levels for the renewed program more than doubled on an annual basis, and energy savings goals increased approximately four-fold.

The program employs four key strategies to meet its goals: energy efficiency retrofits, monitoring based commissioning (MBCx), emerging technology demonstrations, and training and education. This multifaceted approach delivers comprehensive savings, fulfills key elements in UC and CSU sustainability policies, and contributes to California’s national leadership in energy efficiency and climate change.

The Partnership capitalizes on the vast resources and expertise of the University of California, California State University, and California’s IOUs with program administration assistance from Newcomb Anderson McCormick of San Francisco. It is funded by California’s investor owned utility customers through Public Goods Charges (PGC) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

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Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy

CA PUC: Customer-side Distributed Generation Policies & Programs

December 29, 2011 Scott Leave a comment

KilowattHoursMeter

The CPUC oversees two incentive programs for customer-side of the meter distributed generation, also called “onsite generation” or “self generation”, for customers in the territories of Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison. The California Energy Commission oversees related incentive programs.

The CPUC Distributed Generation Programs

California Solar Initiative (CSI) – California’s electric utility customers receive upfront incentives when they install solar electric systems on homes, businesses and public sites under the California Solar Initiative. California’s electric and gas customers receive incentives when they install solar thermal, also known as solar hot water, systems under the California Solar Initiative’s CSI-Thermal Program.
Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) – California’s electric utility customers receive incentives when they install wind turbines, fuel cell cells, or storage system in conjunction with wind turbines or fuel cells under the Self Generation Incentive Program.

California Energy Commission’s Distributed Generation Programs

New Solar Homes Programs – Solar incentives for new residential construction are offered through the Energy Commission’s New Solar Homes Program, a sister program to the CPUC’s California Solar Initiative.
Emerging Renewables Program – Incentives for small (<30 MW) wind and fuel cell systems are offered under the Energy Commission’s Emerging Renewables Program.

The CPUC regulates distributed generation policies and programs on both the customer and utility (wholesale) side of the electric meter. Customer-side of the meter distributed generation incentive programs include the California Solar Initiative and the Self-Generation Incentive Program. These programs are supported by the CPUC’s oversight of Net Energy Meteringand Interconnection policies.