No respect have no energy efficiency

While politicians and planners focus on the production of energy and fuels, it is energy efficiency, which should be the first winner. How I my students are, as also for the members of Congress say - to save less and less expensive energy, as to create any kind of energy.

Economist skip Laitner linking energy efficiency, economy concluded in his study August 2013: recommendations for improving the robustness of the U.S. economy: "consumed about economy in 2010 to support the high-quality energy, only 14 per cent was converted into useful work. In other words, the American economy wasted 86 percent of the energy, the this year in the production of were and used services. "It is easy to imagine that waste of this magnitude creates an array of costs that economic and social welfare weakens the nation."

In a 2009 McKinsey & co-report how they explained the benefits this way: "research shows that the US economy has the potential, not transport energy annual consumption 23 percent by 2020, elimination of more than 1.2 trillion $ to reduce - far beyond the $520 billion upfront investment (not including tuition fees) that would be required in the trash." The reduction of energy consumption would cut lead yearly 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions - the equivalent of the entire fleet of cars and light trucks off the road. "

President Obama last week proposed higher standards for fuel for heavy trucks. Completed a previous rule in September 2011 the fleet improved fuel efficiency by between 9 and 23 per cent, to experience the largest decreases with the largest trucks. The Obama administration estimates that these standards that 8 billion cost the industry about applied 2014-2018 model years $ but truck users about $50 billion in fuel costs over the lifetime of the vehicles except would.

The International Energy Agency the 2011 report, energy efficiency opportunities for electric motor-driven systems, noted: "the majority of electric motors in use are less than 75 of kW in a wide variety of small applications, especially in the areas of residential and commercial real estate. Electric motors and the systems that drive them are consumed the single largest electric endUse, more than twice as much as lighting, the next largest endUse. Proceeding, these motors consumers say 43-46 percent of global electricity consumption. The distribution of electric motors are: industrial engines with 64 percent commercial at 20 percent, living at 13 percent and transport/agriculture at 3 percent.

The U.S. Department of energy (DOE)-estimates, the commercial refrigerators and freezers, the new standards sold US power consumption of about 340 billion kilowatt-hours more than reduce thirty years and save companies $12 billion. The new standards reduce also CO2 emissions of 142 million tons, equivalent to the annual emissions from 30 million cars.

A recent study by the American Council for an energy-efficient economy (ACEEE) estimates that more than 190,000 jobs Shaheen-Portman-law, which was only reintroduced in Congress, consumers save $16.2 billion per year and reduce CO2 and other pollutants in the air, the equivalent of 22 million cars off of the road - all up to the year 2030. The law strengthens building energy codes, savings targets set and provides an approach for building improvements, financing for energy efficiency.

The environmental protection agency (EPA) energy-efficiency data sheet is called it: "studies show that these efforts could help reduce the of the country's total energy consumption to 20 percent by the year 2025, the expected increase in the demand for electricity in the middle and the increase in the natural gas by 50 percent or more cut." This adds up to hundreds of billions of dollars on energy cost savings in the next 10-15 years. "It could be delayed to prevent the need for the construction of dozens of new power plants or other new energy infrastructure that help."

The random selection of studies and actions in over $2 trillion in savings execute together with water, pollution and greenhouse gases that would have been required to produce the energy. We must in the short term passage of the bipartisan energy efficiency Bill introduced and co-authored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D - NH) and Rob Portman (R - OH) press. The Shaheen-Portman Bill is the Bellweather, whether Congress Americans can save consumers money, to improve their health and to create jobs. And Yes, energy efficiency deserves our attention, big time.

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Solar and energy efficiency securitisation arising

Organizations are beginning to securitize solar and energy efficiency loans to allow greater levels of investment. Securitization involves pooling loans to create line securities that investors can purchase. Recently, SolarCity securitized $54.4 million in loans for solar photovoltaic installation. So, the green jobs - green NY program has achieved a high bond rating securitized for energy efficiency loans.

"I think, ultimately, securitization through the asset-backed market is the only thing we can do to achieve large scale," said Cisco DeVries, president and CEO of renewable funding. He said it is crucial to get the secondary market to scale to reach national and state solar power and energy efficiency goals.

"We're finally at the tipping point," DeVries said. "We just have enough to make the leap to make the machinery work to access these large, low-cost sources of capital." [We'll be able to get even cheaper, better capital over time."

Many of stakeholders are working in parallel to develop securitization approaches. Some are combining solar and energy efficiency financing into one package. Others are beginning to securitize solar power and setting up the groundwork to support this practice in the industry. The green jobs - green NY program is focusing solely on energy efficiency.

Surprisingly, developers of solar-only programs and developers of energy efficiency programs have rarely shared information until now. Michael Mendelsohn, a senior financial analyst at national renewable energy laboratory, is working to advance solar securitization and is aware of this situation. He said Hey securitization plan to compare notes with organizations working on energy efficiency.

As is true with other loan products, both solar power and energy efficiency securitization benefit from high transaction volumes, standardized documents, and compelling performance data. All of these factors will provide the necessary financial structure to give investors confidence in solar and energy efficiency loans as on asset class.

However, there are significant performance measurement differences between solar projects and energy efficiency projects. It is easier to estimate, measure and report the kilowatt hours produced by a solar project than it is to report the kilowatt-hours saved by on energy efficiency project.

Combining solar power and energy efficiency loans

Renewable funding uses three approaches that can fund both renewables and energy efficiency - bundling unsecured residential financing, aggregating property-assessed clean energy (PACE) loans, and funding on-bill financing through securitization.

First, renewable funding works with the Pennsylvania Treasury, the State of Kentucky, and other partners to run the warehouse for energy efficiency loans (WHEEL) program. The WHEEL program bundles unsecured residential loans. The first securitization is scheduled to take place in mid-2014, DeVries said.

"The capital that we used to finance projects of WHEEL is technology and project-agnostic," DeVries said. "It's a traditional loan product. You can get it funded and closed in a day. It can be used almost anywhere in the country. It's really great to have a loan product that works that way."

Second, the CaliforniaFIRST program, which includes 170 DeVries said cities and counties, works with renewable funding to aggregate its PACE loans. DeVries said he estimates it will be at least ready for securitization one year before the commercial loans are. Residential loan securitization is on the horizon and may take place next year. So far, he said, the program helped has received 140 applications, over of which are for solar projects. The remainder of the applications are for energy efficiency and water efficiency projects.

Third, Hawaii has been collaborating with renewable funding on its Green Energy Market Securitization program. DeVries said this program is likely to issue $100-150 million in bonds early next year. These bonds may find of both solar power and other clean energy projects.

"I think Hawaii's model is the most exciting thing I have lakes in years," DeVries said. "They're taking the child of low-cost capital that has been used to build power plants and making that same child of capital available for homeowners and businesses to put on their roofs." "The Hawaii model is exciting and dramatic change."

DeVries, so said he has heard of a financing program that is combining solar power purchase agreements with PACE.

Securitizing solar power USSR

During the past month, SolarCity announced it has securitized a $54.4 million pool of loans for solar photovoltaic panel installations. This amount is considered somewhat small by several industry writers. The asset has not been rated yet.

Almost in parallel with SolarCity's news on securitization, a group called solar access to public capital (SAPC) just announced a standard solar contract that can be used across the industry.

SAPC is working to facilitate industry-wide conversation about standard practices as part of the movement toward securitization. Mendelsohn of organized SAPC after receiving a grant from the Department of energy to advance solar securitization.

"We're trying to build out a standard set of contracts across the solar industry - not with any specific state or program - and really get to understanding of how the rating agencies view the asset class," Mendelsohn said.

SAPC is now convening stakeholders, building a system performance database for solar energy called oSPARC, developing best practices for solar system installation, and creating four sample structures for rating agencies to review, Mendelsohn said. Although the rating agency reviews will not be published, a report on the results will be available later. So Mendelsohn said a data structure for solar securitization wants to be publicly available once it is complete.

"The market needs to get comfortable with one technology at a time," Mendelsohn said. "They like things very standardized, and not a lot of risk factors combined. There's definitely a market demand for yield."

Securitizing energy efficiency USSR

Last summer, the green jobs - green NY program began a securitization program for energy efficiency loans that does not include solar power. The bonds have earned AAA rating from S & P and AAA rating from Moody's.

N.Y.. found in unusual way to guarantee these bonds. Through on arrangement with the New York State environmental facilities Corporation, the state is using funds earmarked for environmental purposes to make the bonds competitively appealing to investors.

Jeff Pitkin, treasurer at New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, said in an e-mail that the net interest cost on the bonds will be below one percent. The bonds will therefore benefit from federal qualified energy conservation bond subsidies.

This loan program is one of the first initiatives started by N.Y.. of new green bank, which opened its doors in January.

Two energy efficiency data and standardization initiatives are now in progress. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is developing on energy efficiency loan data specificiation with standard data fields and definitions. Environmental Defense Fund, clean energy Finance Center, and University of Chicago plan to collect, aggregate and publish energy efficiency loan data from sources nationwide.

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California decision may speed up energy efficiency financing

A new market shaping decision found the California public utilities Commission (CPUC) on Sept. 19. The State dependence of private capital for energy efficiency, to increase the funding, the CPUC has provided private utilities $65.9 million for a suite of pilot finance programs for the State. California diversified approach could lead to original solutions, which other States could adopt.

"It's a very aggressive effort", said Frank Spasaro, head of the energy efficiency partnerships and financial Sciences at the Southern California gas company.

Most new programs offered by all State major private utilities. California has other great use, but they are not part of the CPUC decision.

"We have much effort into things that are market transformative," said David Nemtzow, Rector of Nemtsov & associates. "You can imagine it as a catalyst."

Taxpayers use the new suite of programs to access private capital funds. The programs will go on at the same time financing challenges from many angles. It tests a wide range of financing approaches to discover how to effectively perform. Utilities can later, as they by their experiences during the pilot phase these programs expand.

"This is a pilot project to learn how the market reacts in different ways to see," Nemtsov said. "Will lead it to lower interest rates [or] different terms? Borrowers will be more willing to lend? These are the things, which we want to test."

It has been somewhat controversial, that on-Court programs require repayment of the written consent of buyers of commercial real estate if the properties are sold. After Brad Copithorne, energy and financial policy specialist at Environmental Defense Fund can this feature be discouraged investment, because some lenders prefer loan, which are automatically transferable.

The new financing of programmes includes three residential and three non-residential programs.

Residential programs include an energy efficiency finance items fee, a master-metered more families pilot program with Bill-repayment and a single-family house direct loan program.

The non-residential programs include two on-Bill-repayment programs for companies and a small-business area on Bill repayment of lease provider program (for equipment leasing).

New residential programs

Energy efficiency post free finance program offered by Pacific gas and electric company. Participants will be on line article-to-/ discounts on their electricity bills to pay back. Private investors will finance the loans.

Even if participants do not pay their bills, California will protect them law breakers. According to Spasaro if homeowners partial payments, these payments applied to other duties on the Bills before they are applied to the energy-efficiency loans.

The master metered more families pilot program with Bill-repayment is designed for the affordable housing market. This program connects private investors with multifamily owners who strive, retrofit their buildings more energy efficient. (A master is meter an electricity meter, serve several households.)

California Spasaro said affordable housing market is fairly limited, so it is difficult to develop effective programs for this sector. He said community development, which involved financial institutions, to create this program.

Spasaro said that this program in the price can provide heating included, discounts and solar water. Credit enhancements are probably to be expected. (Incentives offer credit enhancements for lenders to improved conditions for projects to offer.)

The CPUC decided that this program does not require that loan recipient enough energy to financially break save each year. (This requirement is also known as "Bill neutrality.") Program participants who do not their credit payments will be protected from interruptions.

The House direct loan program is a loan program, provides the private capital for low to middle income homeowners. The program was expanded to allow both direct and indirect loans. There is a provision for outstanding claims loans lenders protect, in case that some loans will not be repaid.

New non-residential programs

The two on-Bill-repayment programs for company records grant private capital from lenders to energy-efficiency loans. One of the programs is for small businesses, while the other programme covers the rest of the industry.

The small-business program is aimed at organizations that have difficulties with the procurement, energy efficiency financing.

The medium to large business program covers various approaches to energy efficiency, including the distributed generation and demand response. (Demand response programs energy consumption of a company customize, so that it is better makes in accordance with the, the utilities provide.) This company can be more energy efficient.)

Electrical service can be separated in both programs, if companies fail to make loan payments. When companies make installment payments, these payments will be split the cost of energy and their loans. These programs will include loan loss reserves as a credit enhancement.

An attempt to engage, Spasaro the equipment leasing market said the small businesses on-Bill-repayment leasing provider program. "We think there is a very large effort that goes in the area of leasing." It will be a competitive tender, any plants to find leasing providers.

Existing programs

The existing on-account-financing programs use funds collected from utilities by the taxpayer to energy efficiency financing support. The CPUC modified decision these programs so that they will reduce their focus on lighting. Spasaro said that these programs have waiting lists.

The new generation of pilot programmes these programmes in the area of the on account repayment, search go a step further private capital to the energy efficiency retrofit support.

Data management

Requires California new mediator - so-called organisational "hub these programs" for data and financial information set up sharing. This hub is the California hub for energy are called efficiency financing (Mamadou) and California are running from the alternative energy and advanced transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA).

Spasaro said the CHEEF activities responsible for the management of the master servicer, credit enhancements and loan performance data.

The CHEEF will stand between the utilities and the financial organizations and handle their transactions and data. Exchange of information between these organisations will be expected to be very complex. California adopts an IT system that can process these transactions, find other States copy it a useful model.

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Energy efficiency Act helps in the fight against climate change

To maneuver, after months of behind the scenes, it seems that the Senate will debate soon on critically important laws that could save American consumers, businesses and the Federal Government hundreds of millions of dollars annually using less energy. And with less energy, a large leg gives us in the fight against climate change.

Simply put, a "win-win" for all would this bi-partisan legislation.

Improving energy efficiency should be a national priority - no mercy. Today, there are an infinite list low-cost, commercially available technologies, the improvement of energy efficiency and can pay for itself over a short period of time.

Our country's energy law helps to reduce the energy savings and competitiveness Act, also known as Shaheen Portman, create our economic competitiveness, new American jobs and improve U.S. energy security. It was through a coalition of more than 200 companies, associations and interest groups, including the confirmed solar energy industries Association (SEIA).

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) deserve great credit for this sensible legislation forward move and that the question of energy efficiency on the front burner in Congress.

As the second largest consumer of energy in the world second only to China - it is of vital importance to the United States energy efficiency to improve. Take for example the use of computers. By some estimates, typical computer between 65 to 250 Watts used one while a monitor burn an other 35 to 80 watts. Multiply, distributed by 310 million computers across the United States, and you look around an enormous amount of electricity used every day - only makes our computers!

Among other things, Shaheen Portman requires the Federal Government to come up with new power-saving features of your computer as the largest energy consumer in the United States. This saves not only energy, but also the taxpayers.

According to the energy information administration, residential and commercial buildings are currently almost 3/4ths all power consumption in the United States. Reducing the amount of wasted energy will help our economy as well as the environment.

Senator Shaheen said it best: "The cheapest energy is the energy we don't use."

Wasted energy, Shaheen Portman also shorten:

Strengthens national model building codes to make efficient new homes and commercial buildings more energy.Efficiency Upgrades.Hilft provides incentives for private sector investment in commercial, industrial and municipal buildings manufacturers reduce energy consumption and more competitive through efficiency upgrades. federal authorities to use existing resources to plans for new federal buildings, with the most current update can Baunormen.Legt efficiency a new DOE program - SupplySTAR - help companies to make that their supply chains more efficient.
America's solar industry is doing its part. Today, more than 30 utility-scale clean energy projects under construction, are thousands of electricians, Steelworkers and workers to work and contribute, the CO2 emissions to bring. These facilities together with roof solar will help on real estate, businesses and schools, to generate clean, abundant energy for future generations.

Innovative solar heating and cooling systems offer low-cost, efficient options American consumers, businesses, and schools to meet their energy needs while reducing their energy consumption.

As an industry, we are very concerned about climate change. It is a real and growing threat to America and the rest of the world.

Shaheen Portman is a smart, sensible approach to combating climate change, by reducing the amount of energy we use and waste.

Improved building efficiency, R & D, cost-saving programs, Shaheen Portman should one increased get balanced and pragmatic approach to the biggest bang for our money, when it comes to energy. Will it be this year? Hopefully. Should it pass this year? Absolute. This is an opportunity that we simply cannot afford to lose.

Rhone Resch, President and CEO of the solar energy industries Association

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China's efforts are ineffective in industrial energy efficiency prove.

Beijing-the Chinese Government has installed efficient industrial development emphasis on energy in recent years by high costs and a series of policies and measures. However, the problems are lagging still developing its energy industry, including the generally small size of firms in China and difficulties in paying for the implementation of a policy under the current financing system.

Several projects, the addressing of the energy-consumption control were discussed and provided by the Council of State meeting, which took place at the beginning of this year. The 2013 Government work reports by the national people's Congress and the Chinese people's political Consultative Conference declared unequivocally that save energy and cyclic utilization aggressively focusing must be applied on energy saving in the manufacturing and transport sectors and public and private buildings. Focus energy consumption control, extended reduction in material consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Is to shift the main areas that new specifically stated for the improvement of the previously mentioned 'disposal of the obsolete methods of production"in 2012 on a" device updates from leading companies "in 2013.

Statistics show that in the five years from 2007-2012 total energy consumption of China's reliable every year to more than last year, 3.62 billion tons of standard coal equivalent in the year 2012 a average 4.08 percent annual ranking of the country as the world's second largest consumer of energy retained, after the US-Chinese industrial energy consumption 71.5 percent of total energy consumption in the country in 2005 and had a share of 73% in the year 2012 accounted for to achieve.

According to 2012 China energy unit GDP energy consumption had decreased 56 percent saving service report, from 1990 until 2011, and were unit GDP carbon dioxide emissions declined 58 percent. But in the same 21 years in total energy consumption by a factor of 3.5 during the total carbon dioxide emissions rose by a factor of 3.4 increases.

During 2012, the pressure was reduced, since energy saving the growth of industries that consume vast amounts of electricity an acceptance as part of the general economic downturn. However, China's industrialization is not yet completed and its electricity demand remains high with total energy consumption continues to increase is expected in the next ten years.

Experts expect that until China reduced emissions and further complements the systems and mechanisms needed to ensure energy saving, the rate of increase of the country's unit GDP energy consumption remains high and is to reach 3.7 percent in 2013. China has already announced that it aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP 16 per cent by the year 2015.

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Energy efficiency & competitive secrets

Voluntarily 20 per cent by 2020, in the context of a challenge that initiated by President Barack Obama reduce several Presidents energy consumption. But that is not the big deal.

The great thing is that they have agreed to, publicly disclose how they do it.

Factories, data centers, shops and other large energy consumers resist often manifested their energy-efficiency strategies. After all energy saving reduces the costs of doing business and gives them a competitive advantage. Through the exchange of information, tip them out the contest for better practices.

Through the exchange of information not, forcing other new wheel - invent if she ever - slowing it so US invent progress in achieving the national energy productivity targets to improve the economy.

"The real goal is to find out who is leading in the area and how we learn their learning and quickly replicate their activities on the market," said Maria Vargas, Director of the better building challenge at the U.S. Department of energy.

Vargas described the Obama strategy on the Northeast energy efficiency partnerships (NEEP) annual Summit, an event that drew more than 300 people in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 18-19.

"I have kids, and they see a show called Myth Busters. So the way I think about the better corporate challenge as 'Barrier-Busters', "she said.

Some who can participating in the program have pursued for a decade or more energy efficiency, bust a lot of myths and offer extensive advice. Redirected are two examples where the participants offered useful strategy or technique.

Kohl's was interested in the pursuit of energy efficiency for years, but the energy team could not convince the Department of chief financial officer. It was largely a communications problem, told Vargas.

"CFO held search according to various criteria, as she had. Finally said "this is crazy, we speak different languages, literally," 'she said.

Kohl's someone then added to from the CFO Office at the energy team. This changed everything. "Suddenly, they move to another country, and they are forced to speak the language," she said.

As a result, is Kohl's "very much move way to see an energy efficiency and enormous savings in their portfolio," she said.

Vargas also tells the story of the HEI hotels & resorts, owner of the Hilton, Marriott, Westin and other hotels. The company has developed a "simple but challenging" energy dashboard. "It was very decency," she said.

"" But after getting a direct request from Obama, said Kohl's CEO: "" asking me to share, and I'll share. "" Vargas, said. "They have."

But ultimately the Federal Vargas as to innovation for communities, cities and States--the real launch pad for an energy efficiency revolution to increase programme.

"" "I firmly believe that all policies, all success, all life is local," she said "anyone can tell the Department of energy, what to do, and people are like,"that's nice to pass the muffins.""

NEEP, host of the Conference where Vargas said, works most active regions for energy efficiency within a country. In line with the idea that it will help to get information about successful companies out there NEEP announced several guide environmental award. Videos or written profiles are available through the energy efficiency efforts of 12 companies and organizations.

The year's winners were American University, Atlas & packaging packaging factory, Anheuser-Busch (New Hampshire and New York), the health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston College, Cape Cod linen service, Covidien, ESPN, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Woodstock Inn station and Brewery.

ELISA Wood is a long-time energy writer, CNN, the New York Times, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal online and the Washington Post whose work has been picked. Sign up for her free newsletter, energy efficiency business customers, RealEnergyWriters.com.

The information and opinions in this blog are solely those of the author and not necessarily the RenewableEnergyWorld.com and company, the advertising on this website and other publications. This blog was written directly by the author and has not been reviewed for accuracy, spelling or grammar.

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Efficiency New Brunswick Cuts Geothermal Energy Incentives

Throughout Canada, energy efficiency retrofit grants have helped stimulate the geothermal industry and have made geothermal heat pumps more popular than ever before. The introduction of these substantial financial incentives on both a provincial and federal level have been a boon for the geothermal industry and the energy efficiency retrofit industry in general. They made energy efficiency upgrades accessible to home owners, stimulated the economy, and generated enough tax revenue to cover the cost of implementing the program.

Unfortunately, energy efficiency grants have been gradually phased out over the past few years, to the dismay of homeowners and energy efficiency professionals. The Canadian federal ecoENERGY retrofit program has been discontinued, and the latest program on the chopping block is the energy efficiency program administered by the Efficiency New Brunswick organization.

Efficiency New Brunswick has offered substantial grants for homeowners of both new and existing homes seeking to incorporate energy efficient building materials into their homes. It offered significant financial incentives for a variety of retrofits including the installation of geothermal heat pumps. The $5,000 grant offered for new and existing buildings significantly reduced the pay back period for a geothermal installation.

Unfortunately, Efficiency New Brunswick recently followed the lead of the federal government through discontinuing some of their incentive programs. In particular, the grants available for new homes are no longer available. This program was very popular, paying out $1.6 million in grants in 2011 and 2012. This sudden turn of events came as a shock to many homeowners who were planning on incorporating energy efficient features into their new homes, and were counting on the grants to defray the initial cost.

In addition to discontinuing the new homes incentive, four contract employees and two permanent staff were also laid off. This is one more blow in a series of misfortunes that the energy efficiency industry has suffered over the past several years, and will make accessing affordable ground source heat pump installations even more difficult.

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Energy Efficiency Stocks Rally on Shaheen-Portman Bill

Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) are reintroducing their Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, supported by a broad range of industry leaders, energy efficiency advocates, and environmental stakeholders. A similar bill passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the 112th Congress with broad bipartisan support, but drew fire from Republicans for expanding a Department of Energy loan program. This bill eliminates that provision, along with another revolving loan program which had been intended to fund energy efficiency upgrades.

A representative of insulation manufacturer Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) applauded the bill. She said,”Energy efficient buildings must be a cornerstone of National Energy Policy as the building sector remains the nation’s single largest energy consumer. As the residential insulation market leader for over seven decades, we are keenly aware of the energy savings, environmental improvements, and job creation opportunities derived from strong energy efficient buildings policies and practices.”

Owens Corning’s shareholders cheered as well. Although the broad indexes were down at mid-day, Owens Corning stock was up 0.2 percent.

More specialized energy efficiency companies were also rallying. Waterfurnace International (TSX:WFI, OTC:WFIFF) rose 0.2 percent, while turn-key energy solution provider Ameresco (NYSE:AMRC) was up 3.7 percent. Energy efficiency LED lighting players Cree (NASD:CREE) Revolution Lighting (NASD:RVLT), and Phillips (NYSE:PHG) were also up, although broader conglomerates with a strong energy efficiency focus, such as Honeywell (NYSE:HON) and Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) followed the broader market down.

The Bottom Line

The bill’s success is not guaranteed, but the senators have spent months of negotiations getting buy-in from more than 200 groups and organizations, from the Union of Concerned Scientists to the U.S Chamber of Commerce.

If the Senators have or will gather enough support for a version of this bill to make it into law, expect many of the energy efficiency stocks listed above to rally further, although that is far from the only factor which will be affecting these stocks over the next several months.

Disclosure: Long AMRC, WFIFF, JCI

DISCLAIMER: Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results. This article contains the current opinions of the author and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This article has been distributed for informational purposes only. Forecasts, estimates, and certain information contained herein should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed.

A previous version of this article was first published on the author's Forbes.com blog, Green Stocks on April 18th and on AltEnergy Stocks and was republished with permission.

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Energy efficiency takes his cell phone, part II

If an energy-efficiency-geek and your fridge breaks you, you think likely, "Yes! A chance to buy a new super energy-saving model."

But you're the exception. Most consumers keep price tag before the ENERGY STAR certification. Human nature being what it is, they choose the cheaper model, even if it more utility bills in the long term it will cost. Here is what they don't know. You can on the high efficiency model and perhaps numbers no more than they would a much better deal for the energy guzzler - if they take advantage of discounts their usefulness can offer.

Buyers are often not aware of these incentive programs. Sure the utility at a given time sent a message about the rebate, but that was long ago tossed and forgotten.

A Menlo Park, California company acknowledged this problem and found a way, the discount information literally in the Palm of the buyer, right, if it is required. It's a mobile app.

The EcoRebates app is a growing number of ways energy the cell used phone to manage promotion of consumers to their energy, which employed more efficiently. (See part of this series as a New York City company helps customers to manage their air conditioners remotely via mobile phone.)

Utility incentive programs are not easy to track. They are often the product of the complex conservation plans developed annually by utilities and then extensively State public utilities commissions. New incentives be added, and some last expired only to households, or utility energy efficiency meets objectives are. As rebates come, go and change.

EcoRebates tracks the changes nationwide and maintains a database by zip code. His program maps automatically qualified products (according to model) with incentives within a zip-code available. The company has partnerships with several large retail enterprise, such as best buy, Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, H.H Gregg and Sears, as well as manufacturers such as whirlpool, Electrolux, Trane can.

So can the consumer in the store with the cell phone in hand, get on the right website, check the desired model and see what rebates or incentives available. The website shows how much the refrigerator (or other unit) after the discount costs will actually be. In some cases shop have installed mobile units with the app staff and can help buyers who do not have mobile phones. It is also possible to do shopping from home on a computer incentive.

Brett battles, CEO of EcoRebates, pointed out that changed the way consumers shop and are more liquid.

"The mobile shopping tools - such as our discount Finder - is crucial to the decisions, especially for 'as' how buy appliances and home improvement products. With mobile consumers instant access to real time savings opportunities on energy-efficient products, '' he said.

This type of app provides a clear consumer advantage: less pain in the wallet. And it's a good sales strategy for stores and manufacturers. But greater social benefits arise also - and the real reason, such incentives are available.

Our power can bring just as much to maximum efficiency utilities and central network operators. Those who produce and distribute the force is only half of the equation. Represents the energy user, the other half. How much energy we use, and more, before everything, if we use it profoundly influenced, how many power plants be built which in turn determines the electricity tariffs and environmental costs.

Policy realized a long time ago that flattery and doctrine of the energy user has no effect (other than to annoy us). Programs like this will save us energy while we are busy to save money. And this is done by using a gadget, this seems almost constantly have our ear - and eye - the mobile phone. Next week see III part 'Energy efficiency takes his cell phone' about what mobile phones via power can tell us.

ELISA Wood is a long-time energy writer, whose Werk will be shown on RealEnergyWriters.com.

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Energy Efficiency Finds Its Cell Phone

Energy efficiency insiders have envied the telecommunications industry for years. After all, it produced the iPhone, Android and other products that American consumers can’t seem to live without.

The telecom industry achieved this level of innovation after it deregulated. The electricity industry deregulated too, but no killer product followed, no technology that rallies consumers and transforms markets.

“Where’s our version of the cell phone?” became a common lament among those in the energy efficiency business. After all, if they could come up with an equivalent gadget – one that charmed us to manage our household energy flow as raptly as we manage email, texts and cat photos on cell phones – imagine the energy savings we could achieve.

It turns out the energy industry may have found its cell phone, and it is…well, the cell phone.

Smart phone users can now manage their energy through a proliferation of apps that do everything from help us find energy rebates to reveal the workings of multi-state electricity grids. Many of the apps spring from the understanding that we are visual creatures: if we see our energy consumption rise and fall on a screen, as it happens, then we’re more apt to shut off the lights when we leave a room.

The planet now has about as many cell phones as it does people. That’s right, six billion. And a glance around any coffee shop, subway stop or park reveals that we like to stare at our cell phones. So it’s the logical gadget to use for engaging people in energy management.

Ashley Banks, a 26-year-old New Yorker, tried out one of these new apps last summer and liked it. Banks was able to control her window air conditioner remotely using her cell phone. She used the app and a special kind of portable outlet, called a modlet, while participating in the CoolNYC pilot program offered by Con Edison and ThinkEco.

If Banks forgot to turn off her AC before leaving for work, she could do so on route using her cell. She could also remotely set the AC unit to a certain temperature and monitor how much energy the unit used and what it cost her.

Banks, who works in cultural non-profit marketing, learned about the program through some friends. She says she’s not particularly tech inclined, but decided to give it a try. “The cell phone was definitely part of the attraction. I liked the idea of connecting remotely,” she said.

And she wasn’t alone in finding appeal in energy management via cell phone. The CoolNYC participants had the option to use their personal computers – and forego the cell phone app. But they clearly liked the idea of using their smart phones. Between 60 to 70 percent of the program participants downloaded the app, according to ThinkEco.

Window AC units can be big energy wasters. New York City has more than six million of them, and many run when no one is home. The app makes clear the consequence, showing the apartment dweller the amount of energy the unit is using at any moment and what it’s costing. Most of the CoolNYC participants had at least two AC units, so could even compare performance unit-to-unit.

“They realized that they had two air conditioners that looked the same, but one was a greater power hog than the other. People never realize that until they are shown,” said Mei Shibata, ThinkEco’s chief strategy officer.

It was the app’s whiz-bang and convenience that first attracted participants. Some used it to turn down their AC before arriving home for a blast of cool air upon entering from the sweltering sidewalk. Others monitored temperatures in their homes while they were at work to make sure the climate was right for their pets. Whatever they did, the point was that they started to pay attention to their energy use, something most of us tend to ignore.

But it turns out the cell phone is doing even more than helping consumers manage energy use for their appliances. It’s also helping them buy the right appliance in the first place, the most energy efficient one. More on that next week in part II of “Energy efficiency finds its cell phone.”

Elisa Wood is a long-time energy writer whose work can be found at RealEnergyWriters.com.

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The real power behind the current energy efficiency industry?

President Barack Obama recently urged the energy efficiency in his State of the Union address. His endorsement is a plus, no argument. But it may not be the Federal Government that drives the industry's next growth spurt.

The push for clean energy seems more and more base, of the city and the community.

Consider this clear green energy trends and events.

Cities increasingly require that builders evaluate and report how well their commercial real estate use energy. Officials say that the results will help to create Government better policy. The information is also valuable in real estate transactions. Buyers get a better sense of the true value of a building. And owners of green buildings can use the information as a marketing tool for rental or sale of real estate. Minneapolis is the last town, usually reporting and disclosure. Public buildings must comply with this year and the largest private building in 2014. Other cities with similar requirements are Boulder, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco, Austin, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.Massachusetts, the top US State for energy efficiency and a thriving market for solar energy, is known its reputation building community by Community law in the year 2008, as the Green Communities Act. While the law has many components, a key feature is its community grant program. Use 20 percent within five years, cities and towns, to be, if they agree to reduce energy subsidies. Communities must also streamline, more energy to keep the revenue within its borders is nice for green energy projects, as well as other measures. Massachusetts is trying, more environmentally friendly and more efficient become partly because it makes sense economically. About 80 percent of the State energy dollars are to places such as South America, Canada and in the Middle East, the sources its fuel paid. State officials call it a $18 billion "economic opportunity lost." The State wants more money in its own country "through investment in the domestic renewable energy and energy efficiency projects." General breast again are communities like the program. So far 110 have signed 45.2 per cent of the population of the Superstorm Sandy Staates.Nach, New York City looks to Microgrids – smaller, more concentrated local energy systems closer to more working a neighborhood operation on the user to develop. Utility officials can isolate a Microgrid storm masonry it cascading on the larger power grid fails. The NYS2100 Commission the Governor Andrew Cuomo find ways the State for future storms provide the State recommended that incentives to develop the creation of Microgrids. Connecticut urges Microgrid development for similar reasons. Has the Department of energy and environmental protection have been evaluating, 36 projects and plans to grant about 15 million $ to come to the best of them ahead. Governor Dannel Malloy will use an additional $30 million in the next two years on Microgrids.More and more municipalities build solar gardens, offers the advantages of solar tenants, with shady roofs or who face other barriers to solar system - an estimated 75 percent of the US population. (See this blog for more details).
Why is the city, the city and the community is becoming the power behind the clean and efficient energy?

I recently interviewed Rob Thornton, President of the International District Energy Association, during the preparation of this year's Guide to power heat coupling, published by PennWell. He offered an interesting insight.

Much consolidation has undergone such as banking, power industry mergers and acquisitions and takeovers of national and international energy companies in recent years. In many places the hometown utility is no longer. As a result, officials of the city have little influence over the shape of their current system.

"Mayor have used, had a direct relationship with the leadership of the utility investor. This person is now three States away. Mayor realize that she is not same range or lever, or engagement, they have used", said Thornton.

As a result, mayors and city leaders consider to increasingly their responsibility, their cities clean energy. You feel compelled to act, sometimes by organizations as C-40 cities, a network of megacities around the world working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "It is a trend that we actually see, arise," Thornton said.

This trend is good for clean energy in many ways. Decisions, the proximity to home evoke less not-in-my-backyard resistance to new infrastructure. Local people develop a sense of ownership in energy projects and are therefore more likely to support than oppose them.

So, while it is good news that clean energy and energy efficiency are getting attention from the highest office holder in the United States, is the industry also the home team win. Tellingly, the Mayor and the City Council about the benefits of efficiency prove just as important as the support of the President and the Congress to win.

ELISA Wood is a long-time energy writer whose blog a week comes to the RealEnergyWriters.com.

Report from the Commission provides recommendations, to double US energy efficiency financing

The Commission's action plan would use funding programs and policies, capital to support billions of dollars in savings to unleash hundreds of billions of dollars.
According to the Commission, energy savings contracts for services and utility energy service contracts, focusing on government buildings, are the most important energy efficiency of financing methods on the market involved. Although these models work well, its scope is not wide enough, to nationwide have far-reaching effects on energy efficiency.

To open the door to new energy efficiency funding, the Commission recommends:
Create a secondary market for efficiency Loanssetting State and local programs to resell loans to investors in secondary Marketsinitiating on Bill-repayment and on-Bill financing Programsimproving federal regulations financing efficiency through property taxes and Trustsattaching energy efficiency incentives for Mortgagessetting, control strategies for the promotion of investment of in Efficiencyincreasing the industry real estate buyers to assist customers with their energy use data awareness through ratings and Informationproviding

Creating a secondary

Since there is no uniform system for the evaluation of these loans, there are no robust secondary market for energy-efficiency loans. On the secondary market, investors purchase loans have already been issued. When institutional investors could buy large amounts of energy-efficiency loans, would create a market for energy efficiency loans.

To remove this barrier and investors, access to the market, recommends that the Commission produced consistent underwriting guidelines, contract, language and data requirements for energy efficiency investments.

The report also recommends that State and local governments set up programs, sell to groups of loans to investors on the secondary market. These programs would be similar to the new camp for energy-efficiency loans (wheel)-program.

Revision of guidelines and to initiate programs

New State and local programs can on invoice refund or taxes to finance energy efficiency. On-Bill-repayment programs offer customers the option to pay improvements in energy efficiency in the course of time through their utility bills. Third lending figures for the investment costs. On invoice financing programs programs are similar to the repayment account, but by the utility or taxpayer capital financed.

Revision of federal regulations could develop energy efficiency financing easier. In real terms, for example, a possible tool for efficiency are estate investment trusts.

Improvement of federal regulations, that of residential property assessed clean energy the current roadblocks would remove (PACE), which interfere with these programs. There are no federal restrictions to commercial speed.

Federal regulations can build energy efficiency incentives in mortgage programs. If programs of incentives for energy efficiency include mortgage, would the housing market towards more efficient decisions draw. It would also people their homes upgrade before selling them stimulating.

Federal tax rules change could encourage industries to make investments that could support energy efficiency. This policy could also target specific energy efficiency improvement measures.

Efficiency to visualize information

The Commission recommends that awareness of the energy efficiency at national level. A step towards improving public understanding of energy use is to make energy data transparent, available and easy to understand. It is also important for the financial markets, which require high-quality data on the actual energy savings, associated with different types of energy-efficiency projects.

Energy efficiency rating systems for building real estate buyers and sellers to a Visual stimulus energy can give attention. Manufacturers can also reviews for appliances and other products.

Utility customers and third can track access to standardised energy data customers authorize their energy savings. For this approach, to succeed State agencies would have to set up rules to ensure the privacy of our customers.

This story was originally published by the Energy Finance Center (CEFC) clean. You can subscribe future stories from the clean energy source for financial services by visiting the CEFC-news page.

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Energy efficiency perspectives: what to see

Events in two States of the United States Northeast--New York and Massachusetts--unfolding signal increased business opportunity grid innovators and others for energy-efficiency company, green architects, contractors, lighting in the energy saving business smart.

First the world of energy efficiency should be a debate on the possible closure nuclear Indian point in New York eye on.

New York commissioned before recently consolidated Edison, New York City utility regulator with figuring out how to compensate the loss of the 2,040-MW Indian point. Federal licenses for the system running until the end of 2015. And while the plant criteria to the searches, it looks some strong opposition. So, the State wants to be prepared.

The back-up plan, power authority, submitted by Con Edison with the NY focuses primarily on power plants and other energy infrastructure. But it also requires 100 MW energy efficiency, which seek the utility in addition to programs that is already underway.

The utility imagines that a majority of the 100 MW peak demand reduction of large buildings advanced LED lighting, advanced energy systems, vapor with air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and cooling, and energy storage systems.

The time urges if Indian point in New York closes by 2015 must now ramping up its energy-efficiency backup says Con Edison. For this purpose, the utility has approved the New York Public Service Commission requested $300 million for the efficiency program in April.

Given the time constraint, it is also important, create an incentive package ", which encourages interest and participation of customers quickly" Con Edison said. In particular, Con Ed Wats, payback in 12 months customers will receive see or less for the energy-efficiency investments.

Meanwhile, smaller cities in New York of also their pursuit of energy efficiency - are extended for other reasons. NYPA, the country's largest state-owned energy company, issued recently a prompt that develop search consultant and managing energy master plans for five cities: Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers.

The authority says that it significantly to expand, "nature and extent of their traditional energy efficiency programmes approach," which will tend to focus on lighting, motors, boilers, and HVAC systems in public and Government buildings. While the new plans these things will look at, they are also the private sector and focus on add:

Energy planning and CoordinationEnergy delivery InfrastructureTransportation EfficiencyEnergy energy efficiency in buildings
The plans are to not only reduce the demand for creating energy, but also jobs, focus reducing the dependence on imported oil and clean up the environment. NYPA provides the plans includes a variety of resources and Uberlegungen--use electricity, natural gas, steam infrastructure, renewable energy, clean vehicles, zoning and traffic patterns, energy in the building of the city, and so on.

A larger efficiency companies also in the works is in the nearby Massachusetts. The final details in the 2013-2015 utility plans approved State regulators last week, calling for $2.01 billion in energy-efficiency programs. This keeps Massachusetts in the top spot at the national level for energy efficiency investments per capita. The utilities expect the plans to 3.7 million MWh electricity, enough to more than 500,000 households for a year to store and deliver $8.9 billion in economic benefits.

"With this decision, Massachusetts has its commitment to investment in energy efficiency, the cleanest, lowest cost available energy renewed. Support you efficiency important economic and environmental dividends will deliver, "said Jeremy McDiarmid, Massachusetts Director of environment Northeast, an important efficiency in the region.

For approval of the plans, the Massachusetts says Department of public utilities (DPU) that for every dollar, utilities will invest in energy efficiency, taxpayers will receive over three dollars in return energy saving. Specifically, saving homeowners who install energy-efficient lighting, insulation, and offered benefits from other programs such as $24 / month on electricity and $39 / month natural gas.

The DPU order goes much more into detail - 180 pages worth - which you can find here.

If you want to pursue other opportunities for energy efficiency companies, see the section "RFP" energy efficiency markets newsletter at RealEnergyWriters.com. (It's free).

ELISA Wood is a long-time energy writer whose blog a week comes to the RealEnergyWriters.com

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Strong marketing is necessary for energy efficiency finance

New England clean energy Council in Boston on November 29 titled monetizing was the savings through energy efficiency projects, the relationship between marketing and finance as a key issue that required further exploration in the industry.

"There was not much recording existing programs," said Martin Gitlin, Senior Advisor of Harcourt-Brown & Carey energy & finance. "The biggest obstacle is... What do convince to buy energy efficiency."

The panelists agreed that consumer reluctance to invest in energy efficiency makes it difficult for programs Government ambitious to achieve it. All of the strategies the panelists, how be effectively - municipal public relations, 1: 1-communication and intervention at the point of sale - require significant investment in marketing. This level of marketing goes far beyond the one-size fits all standard approaches some energy-efficiency programs.

"" If you build, they will come "does not work", said Angela Ferrante, Director of alternative energy solutions at energi. "The only way to get this marketed, is of people go out and hit the pavement and educating people about the program."

Claire Broido Johnson, head of new markets & services at next life, said that customers for programs to login to do when they hear a recommendation from a friend or trusted colleague. Next life participation in targeted, local public relations, because it his work extended this year.

Energy-efficiency programs have found it also difficult to develop compelling messages. Mark Barnett, co-Chair of the energy technologies & renewables group at Foley Hoag LLP, said the approaches that take organizations on the civilian market "Not keys, where people are interested in will hit."

In a separate interview, Kerry O'Neill, Senior Advisor at the agreed clean energy Finance Center, Gitlins comments. "Consumers don't care about energy. If you try to get a lot of shooting, try to break through, to be the noise of the hustle and bustle of customers."

In the last year involved an energy efficiency marketing task force, sponsored by the Housing Development Fund in Connecticut O'Neill. The task force was part of a multi-stakeholder planning process in Connecticut, developed in the State of the recommendations to strengthen the residential energy efficiency. O'Neill works together with Connecticut clean energy finance and investment authority (CEFIA), has a marketing plan assessed clean energy (C-PACE) for its commercial real estate program developed.

O'Neill's insights from participating in these projects have made it a strong advocate, the market improved. She said that driving consumer demand for each funding programme of vital importance. She stressed the value of budgeting for intensive marketing and public relations, which goes beyond advertising.

When you start a program, O'Neill said, it is important, the consumer demand three components - to coordinate worker capacity and capital requirements. Often, the consumer demand falls short.

Private customers: News and contractor

"Targeting customers based is marketing their demographic and psychographic profile of the normal way of life these days," said O'Neill. But this approach is not accessible yet marketing in the field of energy efficiency. Customers receive instead distributed mass, one-size fits all messages that often focus mostly to save yourself money. But not all consumers are motivated by money. Some are concerned about comfort, while others may react to a message from a trusted source or supplier.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory of driving demand project examines some of these approaches to marketing and recommendations. The driving requirement report says providing information and funding is sufficient to promote the widespread adoption of energy efficiency. Retrofitting decision process simple, adjust messaging for public interest and must, offered a partnership with entrepreneurs and collaboration with trusted can strengthen marketing and public relations.

Merrian Balogun, one of the authors of the report, provided additional recommendations. "A lot of people not... see energy costs as a problem," she said. She added that a simple, clear message, working with trusted offered, and talk about the benefits that matter seem crucial to the promotion of energy efficiency.

Balogun said that use personal marketing program should, arouse interest of customers and talking about financing later. "She don't want a used car loan, if you want a used car. "If a customer wants something... but they have not the money comes, which is funding."

O'Neill said essential partnership with contractors for strong marketing. "Entrepreneurs are one of the most important marketing channels," she said. It recommends that co-branding materials with contractors.

Balogun said that her research supports the value of contractor sales training programs. She said, how contractor to communicate with private drive is vital for the success of the program.

Commercial customers: budgets and relationships

In the commercial and industrial market, energy efficiency is the finance motivating a greater role in investment as it largely does not. A piece of financial services in this sector however is a more complete picture that includes the intense personal marketing.

"A large focus of the CEFIA was... hard focus, what motivates the commercial property owners and the commercial real estate market," O'Neill said. This is harder than it may seem at first glance. To develop messages for each group of actors is a difficult and time-consuming process for individual interviews.

To sell energy to these actors is also time-consuming. It requires personal trust, working with peers and set professional associations and meetings with policy makers. "Each of these user groups is a potential conduit for deals and also for other contacts," said O'Neill.

Economic difficulties have made commercial builders financially conservative than she might otherwise be. Financing is an important part of a strong marketing pitch for commercial and industrial customers. Building relationships with these customers, your questions answer and explain the financial terms of the energy efficiency programs are all important.

This story was originally published by the Energy Finance Center (CEFC) clean. You can subscribe future stories from the clean energy source for financial services by visiting the CEFC-news page.

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Energy Department provides $12 million to accelerate solar cell efficiency.

The Energy Department on January 25 announced a new $12 million funding for innovative, to develop highly efficient solar equipment, the the gap with the theoretical limit of efficiency. This limit is defined as the highest possible proportion of sunlight converted directly into electricity. Currently there is still a considerable gap between the efficiency of laboratory and commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) and the predicted maximum efficiency of different solar cell materials. Shortening of the breakthroughs in solar cell efficiency helps reduce the total cost of solar energy.

The new initiative - the Basic program for the advance cell efficiency II (FPACEII) - aims to speed up record-breaking conversion efficiency, the gap with this theoretical limit for a wide variety of PV cells, including silicon-based technology and thin-film materials such as cadmium telluride and Cooper-Indium-Gallium diSelenide. The new possibility of funding initiative FPACEI builds the SunShot projects awarded in September 2011, which reached cells in the laboratory and produced the efficiency of typical cells on production lines to eliminate the gap between the efficiency of the best prototype.

In the current advertising FPACEII seeks proposals by collaborative teams of researchers from national laboratories, universities and industry, the materials of model systems develop and manufacture prototype devices that the theoretical limit can achieve efficiency in the vicinity. See the alert DOE progress and the funding opportunity announcement.

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Energy efficiency: great deals and new ideas

The economic premise behind energy efficiency –, it is cheaper, a unit of energy than to make a save - on trapped in the United States has. Energy efficiency issues, and our energy consumption is declining, both per capita and per dollar gross domestic product measured according to the Government.

So it is not surprising, the year several begins energy efficiency with busy in traditional markets, as well as some good suggestions, respond how they moved customers more elusive.

Here are some of the recent deals that came across my desk.

Ameresco, one of the major players in the contracts, energy services was early January with two contracts out of the gate. First contract the Massachusetts-based company a $6.8 million energy performance with a housing authority in Fall River, Massachusetts for more than 1,500 residential units. The work includes CHP, control and monitoring systems, and upgrades to water, temperature and lighting controls, and mechanical space heat and domestic hot water systems. The Housing Authority expects to save $13 million over 20 years. Secondly, the company hit a $5.2 million deal with Austin Energy of the nation eight largest publicly-owned electrical use. Under an energy performance contract, Ameresco installed a new memory system for 24,000 tonne-hour chilled water to the utility district cooling plant, which power consumption hours will layer as energy is less expensive.EnerNOC, which after a live-ticker on its website customers more than $545 million (and counting) has saved provides demand response and energy efficiency for the Denver Public Schools. The project includes 24 school buildings, a total 4.5 million square feet. The deal comes after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock homebuilders, non-profit organizations and President Barack Obama Push for energy savings meet public schools by 20 percent by 2020 over 1.6 billion square feet of Office, industrial, municipal, hospital, University and school in question provided. World energy solutions, a Massachusetts-based energy management services company with $30 billion in energy, request-reply and ecological raw materials transactions, installed the Telkonet EcoInsight thermostats in 187 supported living apartments in the State. The thermostats are the first step towards the introduction of a more complex energy management Systems.American DG Energy began operating two 75 kW power heat power (CHP) plant at the Cumberland County jail in Portland Maine, under a $2.4 million, more than the company uses 15 years dealing with a business model that has the American DG Energy and operates cogeneration units prior to place utility called and the prison pays only for the energy, which he used. American DG Energy guarantees that the prison pay less than what would free the local utilities.
New ideas

Meanwhile came some interesting reports around the first of the year, reaching efficiency opportunities for energy companies offer new or sometimes indifferent.

Washington, D.C.-based market transformation Institute has, for example, consultancy, efficiency to the multifamily housing. The Institute published a report in early January, promoting benchmarking of multifamily housing. Provides benchmarking data of the building energy use, the equivalent of a nutritional label for food. MTI underlines several advantages for the approach: it leads to a better designed programmes and incentives, the owners, to promote updates. Upgrade the tenants energy costs lower, creating a comfortable indoor climate and can give owners better cash flow. Furthermore, in real estate transactions buyers better understand of the building energy profile and can accordingly set the property value. MTI provides $9 billion in savings from America's multifamily building.

"As a rule of thumb, a positive development, the markets work better transparency all around, to help", said Julia Stasch, Vice President of the U.S. programs of the John D. and Catherine t. MacArthur Foundation.

Meanwhile, Northeast the Connecticut Fund for the environment (CFE) and environment published a report here for, to create successful energy efficiency financing programs for private clients.

"A well designed residential energy efficiency financing program can help expand access to capital and pave the way for increased program participation" Roger Reynolds, Senior Attorney for the CFE said. "This report shows that there are a number of program design elements that are necessary for the success of energy efficiency financing products and therefore the programmes as a whole."

And most recently, the clean energy and Bond Finance Initiative (CE + BFI) a financing model that uses bond financing on safe, low-cost capital for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects exhibited.

"How the clean energy industry matures and grows, it needs to be less dependent on federal tax credits as an important source of financing," said Lew Milford, President of the clean energy group.

Industrial development bonds or IDBs called, offering tax-free interest to private borrowers, comply with the specific requirements of the non-profit. Borrower must have or middle small American manufacturers.

The paper on the IDB model is part of a series on the financing of CE + BFI published. It is aimed at the State and local governments. See www.cebfi.org.

ELISA Wood is a long-time energy writer. Subscribe to their free energy RealEnergyWriters.com EfficiencyMarkets newsletter

Markets for energy efficiency in 2013: part II

The greenest in the United States holds the unofficial title of California. But Massachusetts could be the Crown of swipe card reader if it maintains the current pace of investment in green energy.

For those in the energy efficiency industry, Massachusetts is a State for the opportunity to see. The American Council for an energy efficient economy has named the top state for energy efficiency Massachusetts two years in a row. Massachusetts spends more per capita on efficiency than anyone else, and it requires that the utilities are looking for all cost-effective energy efficiency before the new power sources.

Expect the opportunity to increase in Massachusetts next year. A key State of advisory Council in November approved utility efficiency plans, the total $2.01 billion 2013-2015. The plans require the approval of the State Department of public utilities. A decision is expected by early 2013.

Utilities expect plans to 3.7 million MWh of electricity, enough to make more than 500,000 households to save for a year. Medium for the programs income from the coming greenhouse from a surcharge on bills and auction regional gas initiative.

Massachusetts utilities already offer a broad swathe of the efficiency programs under their previous three-year plan. A report of Energy Advisory Board of the Massachusetts State legislature highlights results and contains several short case studies, including:

Cape Cod of famous Sea Crest hotel is more than $83,000 yearly energy costs $413,000 store due to a renovation, the re-insulation, energy star Windows is highly efficient lighting and sensors, and a roof that isolated weather against the salty air. The Sea Crest get incentives for $126.536. payback is 3.4 Jahre.Simonds international, a global manufacturer of cutting tools, installed a $5.5 million combined heat and power. In place save the project is expected to be more than 24 years Simonds $1.7 million per year. Simonds received incentives for $606.546. payback family in the town of Westford is 2.9 Jahre.Eine installed more than a dozen CFL lamps without cost, after a test. The investigator also recommended to seal the air leaks and house insulation add 48-year-old. The cost of the project $3.486, partly by providing incentives in the amount of $2,550. $228.36 Family of annual energy savings and payback is four years.
Neighboring Connecticut is to see another State in 2013. Already highly keyed by ACEEE, Connecticut prepares a new State energy plan that in the draft form placed renewed emphasis on energy efficiency. "Among other things, what the plan for the reach of 'All areas and all the buildings' calls, including Government, municipalities, universities, colleges, schools, hospitals, churches, businesses and real estate." It places special attention on small businesses and low-income housing.

Connecticut's plan goes beyond a 'traditional focus on improved lighting and weather stripping, lower efficiencies in heating, air conditioning, ventilation, insulation, Windows, furnaces, boilers and other devices to deliver."

Furthermore, the Connecticut efficiency standards for new buildings and retrofitting plans set. The plan calls for building benchmarking and requiring that the owners then efficiency to disclose results for rental or sale of real estate.

Connecticut's proposal wraps the reader on the site of the Connecticut Department of energy and environmental protection can follow its way through the Government approval process.

Then there is California, no longer number one for energy efficiency, but always the elephant in the room when it comes to green energy in the United States. The California public utilities Commission has about 2 billion $ in energy-efficiency programs for 2013-2014 approved.

"The nearly $2 billion investment over the next two years allows utility companies, municipalities, non-profit organizations and others such as efficiency energy auditors programs dissipate installers and retrofit companies January 2013, electric and gas utility customers save energy, help", says Lara Ettenson, Director at the natural resources Defense Council, in a recent blog.

More information are advocating website California Department of the taxpayer.

For information on the prospect for the business in New York, in my blog December 12 "efficiency markets for energy 2013: part I" at RealEnergyWriters.com.

And to immediate opportunities for energy-efficiency company track, see energy efficiency of markets freely per list of talk, also available at RealEnergyWriters.com.

ELISA Wood is a long-time energy writer, which carries regularly several top energy industry publications. Their work was picked up by the New York Times, CNN, and Reuters.

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Markets for energy efficiency in 2013: part I

A view over the landscape of the United States shows several rich markets for energy efficiency in the next year. Some arise from unfortunate natural disasters; others arise from the growing recognition by Governments that it is usually cheaper energy to save than it produce.

SuperStorm Sandy leveled neighborhoods in New York, and broken shores mansions in the middle and left tens of thousands still without power weeks after the disastrous end of October hit. Some buildings were so damaged, utilities simply could not connect it to the mains.

With $32 billion in debris left behind the effort of rehabilitation at the New York is enormous. It requires new walls, roofs, offers a tremendous opportunity to introduce more efficient replacement cables, lights, heating systems and appliances.

To this end, environmental groups urge New York controller of the State of energy efficiency to redirect money in a disaster fund. The money could go in incentives to choose the New Yorker, efficient building materials and devices, as they rebuild would promote.

Not one that is to be regretted the State do so would represent a missed opportunity, that if it meet a target, the energy natural resources Defense Council, citizens campaign for the environment and use a letter from pace & energy climate Center, Sierra 15 percent by 2015, according to Club, Alliance for clean energy New York, environmental advocates of New York.

Finally, is the time to promote an efficient buy, if a machine breaks. When consumers buy, thats new models; Replace only rarely work equipment only to upgrade to a more efficient model.

"New York recovery with a more efficient and reliable electric landscape must emerge from the post-sandy, but this requires all hands on deck approach," said the group in a letter to the New York Public Service Commission.

Although the resources allot, State regulators still now the funding that avoids investment costs can opportunity in New York for energy-efficiency companies and entrepreneurs, especially those for homeowners and businesses. This funding is spurred not only energy efficiency on a national level, but also solar-panel installations.

In addition to bread and butter energy efficiency insulation, Windows, appliances is a reconstruction Superstorm New York chance to innovate. He opens the door for companies, the smart-grid devices and makes install location. Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other leaders have stressed that as utilities New York's grid, new structure, new technologies, to fortify the city against future storms must take into account. Edison, the New York City serves, has already stepped on the plate, committing consolidated by $250 million to strengthen and modernise its delivery of energy system as a result of sandy.

As often is the case of a power outage, now gave the storm a chance for cogeneration (CHP) striving for his stuff. CHP is highly efficient because produces two forms of energy from a fuel. The technique also serves as back-up generation. CHP units work locally, so not on utility wires often depend on, the primary victims of wind and falling trees in the storm. When the grid is down, CHP systems can continue to heat, cool, and provide lighting for a building.

New York City has encouraged the installation of cogeneration in commercial buildings for some time. So it is not surprising that stories around the Internet about building with CHP are now floating, that is never lost. These include building owned by New York University and a 14,000 units Bronx apartment complex called co-op city. In the nearby Connecticut Fairfield University retained power during Sandy because its CHP system such as Princeton University in New Jersey to Houston Advanced Research Center.

Chance for cogeneration is 50 percent an increase of the current cogeneration capacity is growing not only in the Northeast, but nationwide due to a goal by President Barack Obama that add United States 40 GW of cogeneration by 2020. The goal is ambitious, but Government and industry players to work to happen set.

Reconstruction of Hurricane Sandy opens new doors for CHP and other forms of energy. But New York is certainly not the only place boom is expected next year. Next week looks blog, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other markets ready to thrive - as long as the Federal Republic of prosperity not undermine fiscal cliff of the energy efficiency industry.

Part II "Markets for energy efficiency in the year 2013" in your mail box supplied free of charge, please contact Elisa Woods free energy efficiency newsletter at RealEnergyWriters.com.

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Energy efficiency and a cold marriage

We know energy efficiency can save the world, but can save a marriage?

Let research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) it to the New York State Energy, to take on this question. The Agency is known for its vanguard energy research, but it's one thing to produce papers on topics like ' air bypass in vertical stack water heat pumps ' and others to explore, what a cold room to do a new marriage.

The is the premise behind unforgiving temperatures, produced a five-part comedy/ad NYSERDA.

I know what you're thinking. An Energy Agency and humor? No, not the case.

It was with deep skepticism, I clicked on the first 'Webisode.' I have people try energy for comedy before and failed miserably, but these short sketches had me giggling - in learning about financial accounts. A miracle.

The show's slogan is "save your love life! Plus hundreds of dollars - even more - of energy per year."

Here is the plot: Newlywed Russell is crazy low. After he and Wendy get their first energy bill, he considers himself turn the thermostat. Wendy freezes, Russell is blind.

Finally they Russell sits down and says: "We need professional help."

Russell is confused. "Why?" he asks. You can see his breath.

It is of course not even about marriage counseling, but to monitor a free home energy performance NYSERDA. He is hesitant. "Russell, our marriage is value... free?" she asks.

Enter the supporting characters. A triathlete neighbor who Soy Latte with whey protein drinks, thinks that energy efficiency starts with the installation of an expensive new heating system. You brags that its new furnace "has a self-calibrating inductor with variable speed."

"How nice for you not to do that all calibration by hand," commented Wendy.

To help you-a man who often relieves Wendy and Russell's confusion come two assessors are certified by the building performance Institute. For example the couple thought, for the home improvements pay Russell's presidential election would have to sell sock collection on e-Bay.

The sketches are a clever way to educating the public about the home performance with energy star program. Rather arcane trading energy information and make even an arcane what should be easy. Industry's penchant for staying inside their bubble was okay, when consumers were passive recipients of services. But the new world of the smart grid now requires, that consumers Act and manage their energy consumption. Incompatible temperatures not exactly the daily show or even Saturday night live a week way. But for a number of public service type, it is clever. High-quality actions like this are a big step to the world of energy to make them accessible.

"Humor can be a powerful educational tool. This campaign should humor in a way use, the homeowner that shows many in energy efficiency in their homes, very real and practical benefits of investment,"said Francis Murray, NYSERDA President and CEO. "We want to know all New Yorkers about the variety of programs available - from the direct incentives for free or low-cost assessments and funding - which can increase the comfort, safety and energy efficiency of their homes."

The unforgiving temperatures website contains also stories about home and homeowners in New York, which have saved money through energy efficiency, the first steps and information about incentives and funding.

See the new.

ELISA Wood is a long-time energy writer, whose Werk can be found RealEnergyWriters.com.

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On-Bill Repayment Shows Great Promise for Energy Efficiency, But Significant Challenges Remain

Although on-bill repayment programs have many advantages, these programs are still in their infancy and many barriers to widespread deployment remain. One of the programs’ advantages is that they build on utilities’ preexisting customer relationships. Another advantage is that the programs tend to be reliable investments if customers have a track record of paying their utility bills consistently.

However, some barriers still exist. As is the case with most energy efficiency financing mechanisms, lenders and utilities lack market experience with on-bill repayment. Therefore, many different perspectives exist about what is needed for on-bill repayment programs to succeed.

To get a sense of some of the current issues, Clean Energy Finance Center staff talked with individuals who are trying to make on-bill repayment programs work across the United States.

On-bill repayment makes energy efficiency available to almost all utility customers, including those who may not qualify for existing loan programs using standard underwriting criteria.

“If you ever want energy efficiency and renewables to compete head-to-head with buying energy, you have to buy them as a service,” said Dave Carey, Principal of Harcourt Brown & Carey, a consulting firm specializing in clean energy finance. On-bill repayment can be viewed as a service because it can be packaged with utilities’ other services.

Carey said that while 50 to 60 percent of residential customers are approved for energy efficiency loans currently, on-bill repayment could increase that figure to 95 percent or more. While it is important to increase loan approvals to expand customer access to energy efficiency finance, programs also need to consider the risk that higher numbers of approvals could lead to greater loan default rates.

According to Carey, there are four main components of on-bill repayment, all of which depend on the choices of program developers; programs rarely have all four of them. These components are: a payment which is on the utility bill, a shutoff option for non-paying customers, a requirement that the cash flow resulting from the investment stay positive, and an option to transfer the cost to new property owners. While these components are intended to strengthen on-bill repayment programs, some of them can be controversial and difficult to implement.

Adam Zimmerman, Executive Vice President of Craft3, a community development financial institution which has been the primary lender for the Clean Energy Works Oregon program, said residential customers in Oregon and Washington have been very responsible in repaying their energy loans. Previous utility bill payments are a reliable indicator of future behavior, Zimmerman said. Because of the positive results Craft3’s residential lending program has achieved, using utility payment history as a qualification, Craft3 dropped its required credit score to 590 and does not have income requirements. Using these criteria, Zimmerman estimated, a large state like California could increase program enrollment levels by 25 percent.

“A lot of energy efficiency programs haven’t generated as much demand as those of us in the environmental community have wanted them to,” said Brad Copithorne, Energy and Financial Policy Specialist at Environmental Defense Fund. He believes on-bill repayment programs can increase demand for energy efficiency and drive private sector investment in both the residential and commercial sectors.

Bill Codner, Program Manager at National Grid, said he is excited about bringing lenders on board to support energy efficiency programs. He has a goal of expanding National Grid’s commercial and industrial on-bill repayment program by a factor of two or three this year — if he can get sufficient funding from lenders to do so.

“We are seeing strong uptake on the two coasts,” Carey said. He has observed that regulators on the east and west coasts tend to be more supportive of innovations in financing, including on-bill repayment, although all programs are still in their infancy. While National Grid has strong support from regulators in Massachusetts, that is not always the case for utilities in other states. In Oregon, legislation paved the way for the Clean Energy Works Oregon program.

Driven by requirements from the state’s Public Utilities Commission, California is developing on-bill repayment programs for both the residential and commercial sectors. Copithorne played a large role in developing the blueprint for the state’s on-bill repayment program. He said he hopes other states will copy California’s program and “have it go viral as soon as possible.”

Environmental Defense Fund is also collaborating with stakeholders in Ohio and Texas; the initial results have been positive despite the political differences between the states. Copithorne said on-bill repayment has broad political appeal because it is both business-friendly and environmentally positive.

“In the end, this all boils down to a dialogue between regulators and utilities,” Carey said.? He said regulators in many states seem reluctant to allow utilities to begin on-bill repayment programs. “There’s always trepidation about risks and unknowns. In the end, there has to be an economic reward,” Carey said.

Utilities are also cautious about starting on-bill repayment programs, which require changes ?to their IT and billing systems. Copithorne is working with stakeholders to build support for a statewide program in California; he said he considers it essential to make the on-bill repayment process easy for both utilities and their customers. He also said utilities want to protect their reputations and customer relationships.

Copithorne emphasized that utilities can focus on their core competencies and play the role of middlemen rather than becoming deeply involved in financing. He uses the analogy of a Visa card, since Visa is the middleman for transactions between lenders and customers. Similarly, utilities can partner with lenders so they don’t need to become financial experts to offer on-bill repayment programs.

While many utilities are concerned that they may find the cost of making changes to their IT and billing systems to be costly, others have been able to make the changes at a relatively low cost. For example, according to Zimmerman, the Oregon and Washington utilities which collaborate with Craft3 found the cost of altering their billing systems to accommodate on-bill repayment to be very reasonable.

Craft3’s programs are designed to minimize the risk to utilities’ reputations. Zimmerman is skeptical of programs which promise customers a net neutral or net positive return (also known as bill neutrality). He said the utilities he works with are cautious about promising bill neutrality due to the many uncertainties inherent in energy efficiency retrofit projects.

Customers hesitate to participate in programs for many reasons, including the cost of upfront capital investment. For example, Codner is interested in starting the first on-bill repayment program for natural gas in the United States. However, according to Codner, natural gas poses a financing challenge because the payback period for the customer investment is longer than it is for electricity. In the current economic climate, National Grid’s commercial and industrial customers are reluctant to initiate programs unless the payback period is short-term.

Making the loan application process user-friendly is essential. Copithorne said he would like to see the private sector make it as easy as possible for utility customers to apply for loans. Ideally, the process might become as easy as applying for an auto loan. When a customer goes in to purchase a car, an employee takes down his or her information and provides loan options before he or she leaves the building. Auto dealerships offer same-day service.

Energy services agreements – where an intermediate company sells energy services to a customer and shoulders the burden of the risk – can reduce commercial building owners’ reluctance to participate in programs, said Copithorne. A building owner may lack the upfront cash for upgrades, the lease may require the owner not to borrow, the owner may not be able to pass on costs to the tenants, or the owner may simply be skeptical of salespeople. Copithorne believes that energy services agreements can solve some of these problems and should be part of commercial on-bill repayment programs.

National Grid targets its loans selectively to reach commercial customers who might otherwise not participate in programs. Codner said, “Our goal is not to provide zero-interest loans for everybody. Our goal is to get those companies that would not move forward with a project to do something. A lot of companies have capital constraints.”

Zimmerman said cash rebates may be more effective, from a residential sales perspective, than buying down interest rates. “Free money brings people to the table as customers,” he said.

This story was originally published by the Clean Energy Finance Center (CEFC). You can subscribe to future stories from the Clean Energy Finance Source by visiting the CEFC's news page.

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