Showing papers in "Strategic planning for energy and the environment in 2009"
TL;DR: In this article, the feasibility of wind power providing 20% of U.S. electricity supply by 2030 was examined and the challenges, evaluated the costs and quantified the benefits.
Abstract: As the leading source of carbon-free electricity generation that is rapidly deployable today, wind power can play a vital role in the critical early years of an effort to combat global warming and deliver stable electricity prices, promote our nation's energy security, dramatically reduce water use, and foster jobs and economic growth. A groundbreaking technical report released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in May examined the feasibility of wind providing 20% of U.S. electricity supply by 2030. The report was a collaborative effort with many contributors including DOE, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and consulting firm Black & Veatch. It assessed the challenges, evaluated the costs and quantified the benefits and found that 20% wind by 2030 is an “ambitious but achievable goal.”
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider why some energy efficiency investment projects in developing countries may yield more sustainable results than others and conclude that systematic attention to institutional development is of prime importance.
Abstract: This article considers why some energy efficiency investment projects in developing countries may yield more sustainable results than others. The author concludes that systematic attention to institutional development is of prime importance. The story behind successful development of energy service companies (ESCOs) in China with World Bank support is cited as an illustrative example. Annual energy performance contracting investment by China's ESCOs topped USD 1 billion in 2007 and continues to grow.
6 citations
TL;DR: A software-based approach to the data gathering, trending, and analysis that are necessary to apply successful energy efficiency measures in data center environments are outlined.
Abstract: Energy consumption is a growing concern for data centers. Advances in server equipment technologies and increased demand for computing power have increased load densities in the computer room, which in turn has caused corresponding increases in data center power consumption. Energy efficiency measures are thus of high importance for data center designers, operators, and owners. This article outlines a software-based approach to the data gathering, trending, and analysis that are necessary to apply successful energy efficiency measures in data center environments.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new business model for energy efficiency market penetration is proposed, which adds energy consulting services and training to the traditional energy project services, and the ESCO's consulting services establish energy programs with the host organization.
Abstract: Penetrating the energy efficiency market is a challenge anywhere in the world. Many business models have been designed and implemented. Despite the fact that energy prices are continuously on the rise, industries in most countries have maintained the practice of investing in expanding production rather than in making operations more energy efficient. The higher cost of operations is simply transferred to the consumers in the form of increased prices for services and products. To date, investments in production expansion always win over investments in reducing operating costs through improving the efficiency of energy use. However, with oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel, the benefits of energy efficiency—reduced costs, increased productivity and competitiveness, economic development, and improved environment—are becoming increasingly attractive and feasible. Yet investment in energy efficient technologies and systems lags behind the potential for benefits. Investors are still reluctant to implement energy efficiency projects for several reasons.
This article examines a new business model in energy efficiency market penetration. The new business approach adds energy consulting services and training to the traditional energy project services. The ESCO's consulting services establish energy programs with the host organization. The program aims to increase awareness and makes the client's staff feel that the project is its own. This helps success and sustainability. It builds confidence in the client for high investment energy efficiency projects.
In any energy efficiency market, sustainability of ESCOs is very difficult. Project contracts are relatively large, and their timing is usually uneven. A high business development cost is associated with winning project contracts. The new business model creates a steady stream of smaller income to support the ESCO staff and office between projects. Examples of the implementation of new market penetration models are presented in this article.
3 citations
TL;DR: The most common misconception about green building is that these approaches cost more to implement than traditional strategies and techniques of design and construction as discussed by the authors. But according to a Davis Langdon study, there was no significant difference in the construction costs for LEED-seeking versus non-LEED® buildings.
Abstract: Buildings are one of the largest consumers of resources and energy in this country, and according to the AIA (American Institute of Architects) are responsible for almost half of all carbon emissions in the United States. Since Americans spend nearly 90 percent of their lives indoors, buildings are clearly important to our way of life. The most common misconception about green building is that these approaches cost more to implement than traditional strategies and techniques of design and construction. Any decision made in the early stages of programming and design will have economic impacts on the overall building cost. How many floors will our building have? Will we use marble in the lobby? Can we use fancy fixtures in the bathrooms? But according to a Davis Langdon study, there was “…no significant difference in the construction costs for LEED®-seeking versus non-LEED® buildings…” In addition to this widely referenced report, other independent studies by the State of California and the GSA ind...
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe ten cost-effective strategies to help organizations reduce their environmental impact, from discussions/feedback from thousands of people who have attended training classes on energy efficiency and/or carbon reduction strategies.
Abstract: This article describes ten cost-effective strategies to help organizations reduce their environmental impact. This collection is from discussions/feedback from thousands of people who have attended training classes on energy efficiency and/or carbon reduction strategies. All of these ideas may not work at every business location, but hopefully you can apply a few to improve your profits and help the planet. The first 3 strategies are “basic” philosophical approaches, while the remaining strategies are more tactical.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that global average temperature is already 0.8°C above its pre-industrial level, and the present atmospheric levels of long-lived greenhouse gases are pushing toward further warming of ~1.0-1.5°C.
Abstract: Combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas and, to a lesser extent, deforestation, land-cover change, and emissions of halocarbons and other greenhouse gases, are rapidly increasing the atmospheric concentrations of climate-warming gases. The resulting warming of about 0.1 to 0.2°C per decade that has taken place over the last several decades is very likely the primary cause of the loss of snow cover and Arctic sea ice, the more frequent occurrence of very heavy precipitation, rising sea level, and shifts in the natural ranges of plants and animals. Global average temperature is already ~0.8°C above its preindustrial level. As expected, warming has been greater in mid and high latitudes compared to low latitudes, over land compared to oceans, and at night compared to day. The present atmospheric levels of long-lived greenhouse gases are pushing toward further warming of ~1.0–1.5°C. This further warming is being held back by the time it takes for the oceans to warm and by the cooling influence of sh...
2 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present financial justification for energy improvements with nuances for the segmented audience that is typified by a "one size fits all" message that is assumed to resonate evenly at all times, across and within all industrial organizations.
Abstract: Energy efficiency's promise of cost savings evokes little more than a yawn from industry's hard-nosed corporate leaders Despite all its good work, the efficiency community usually offers a “one size fits all” message that is assumed to resonate evenly at all times, across and within all industrial organizations In reality, each manufacturing corporation is a loose confederation of functions—operations, marketing, engineering, finance, etc—all of which are often in competition with each other for internal resources These departments have very different accountabilities and expectations with respect to financial performance While the organization as a whole “seeks profit,” departmental goals can often frustrate that pursuit Energy management clearly reveals this conundrum Energy use transcends departmental boundaries, creating coordination challenges for an energy manager This article offers financial justification for energy improvements with nuances for the segmented audience that is typi
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore integrated design activities and link integrated design to continuing improvements in energy performance in buildings, through the BetterBricks program, which has been developed by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEHA).
Abstract: The term “integrated design” is often used and describes a wide range of activities. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, through its BetterBricks program, has for several years strengthened the connection between integrated design and improved energy performance in buildings. This article explores integrated design activities and links integrated design to continuing improvements in energy performance in buildings.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe energy and cost-saving initiatives implemented over a 10-year span between the Volusia County School System and FPL. Opportunities were identified and addressed in three focus areas: (1) control and equipment improvements in new schools and in retrofits; (2) advanced metering with operating changes; and (3) behavioral alterations and motivations to encourage users to take an active role in savings programs.
Abstract: This article describes energy and cost-saving initiatives implemented over a 10-year span between the Volusia County School System and FPL. Opportunities were identified and addressed in three focus areas: (1) Control and equipment improvements in new schools and in retrofits; (2) Advanced metering with operating changes; and (3) Behavioral alterations and motivations to encourage users to take an active role in savings programs.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a framework for understanding the benefits that demand response technology can provide is presented, where the benefits of demand response are analyzed and compared to those of traditional demand response technologies.
Abstract: Demand response is the reduction of consumption on an electric grid in response to peak demand, high prices, or other system contingencies. Over the past several years, technology advancements have enhanced the capabilities of demand response and have increased the value of the resource for all stakeholders—utilities, grid operators, and consumers of electricity. In this article, we present a framework for understanding the benefits that demand response technology can provide.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: PPG's position on energy sustainability and climate change, followed by the creation of, and commitment to, energy reduction goals is described in this article, where the theme is one of securing management support and then designing the implementation process in alignment with internal strengths.
Abstract: External reviews of PPG Industries often cite strong, effective management of manufacturing operations with a concentration on cost control This article describes the development of PPG's position on energy sustainability and climate change, followed by the creation of, and commitment to, energy reduction goals The theme is one of securing management support and then designing the implementation process in alignment with our internal strengths Energy reduction would be a core component of cost reduction
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a risk analysis approach for investment-conservation projects in renewable and low environmental impact generation capacity, which is the essential tool used to divine between stereotypically mundane conservation projects and the more glamorous green power ones.
Abstract: Investment opportunities in renewable and low environmental impact generation capacity are abundant, and green energy has become the media darling. In the shadows of this limelight are probably better opportunities for investment-conservation projects. Proper risk analysis is the essential tool used to divine between stereotypically mundane conservation projects and the more glamorous green power ones. Business analysts measure investment opportunities based on the predicted risk of future cash flow and its expected magnitude. As energy engineers and managers, our task is to generate projects with sufficient credibility to warrant investment. These analysts are accustomed to evaluating projects using metrics, including IRR, NPV, ROI, and other more sophisticated decision tools such as the Capital Asset Pricing Model. We as energy engineers are accustomed to conversing in Btus, kWh, therms, quads, and tons of cooling. Our role is to be the translator of expected energy impact in Btus, kWh, and oth...
TL;DR: The recent year's experience of standardization is reviewed in this paper, with the obtained achievements analyzed and summarized, combined with preparation plans made by the Chinese standardization body, future trends of standardisation on new and renewable energy are interpreted.
Abstract: Standardization plays an important role in promoting the progress of new and renewable energy The recent year's experience of standardization is reviewed in this article, with the obtained achievements analyzed and summarized Combined with preparation plans made by the Chinese standardization body, future trends of standardization on new and renewable energy are interpreted