Rutgers University,USGBC
Date: 2019-12-23
In the Garden State, Piscataway-based Rutgers University reports its 106,000 sq-ft Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering -- Busch campus, was recently awarded LEED™ Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Richard Weeks Hall energy efficiency features include: energy cost savings of 29 pct through solar orientation and superior envelop design; mechanical systems include active chilled beams; ventilation with 100 pct outdoor air with energy recovery; occupancy controled LED lighting; a 38 pct reduction of potable water use; diversion of 97 pct of construction waste from landfills, and other energy efficiency and sustainability features. (Source: Rutgers University, School Construction News, 18 Dec., 2019) Contact: US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Rutgers University,  LEED Certification,  USGBC,  Energy Efficiency,  

The Climate Group
Date: 2019-12-20
The Climate Group, in partnership with Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), reports it is working to accelerate the adoption of LED street lighting in cities as well as driving a more urgent goal for all indoor lighting across the private sector to be LED by 2020. To that end, the Climate Group is working to create a network of companies and governments to speed up the sharing of energy efficient LED lighting information.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a global switch to LEDs is one of the most actionable and ready-to-implement technologies for cities to transition to a low-carbon economy. This is especially important given that lighting accounts for nearly 6 pct of global CO2 emissions, with outdoor street lighting accounting for 25-50 pct of a city's entire electricity use. With LED lighting, cities and municipalities can expect to make energy savings of between 50-70 pct, alongside reduced maintenance costs. (Source: The Climate Group, PR, DEC., 2019) Contact: Signify, www.signify.com/en-gb; The Climate Group, Toby Morgan, LED Program Manager, LED@theclimategroup.org, www.theclimategroup.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  Energy Efficient Light,  

Grundfos
Date: 2019-12-16
Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos reports its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore has been awarded the Singapore Building and Construction Authority's (BCA) Gold Green Mark, a green rating system for assessing new and existing buildings operational energy efficiency and overall environmental performance.

As a non-residential building, the Grundfos headquarters was evaluated across a number of areas -- energy efficiency, air-conditioning, LED lighting, water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality, and other green features. The buildings air-tight design incorporates double walls and double-glazed windows, 100 pct natural ventilation on the production floor, enhanced natural daylight in the office from a high-efficiency lighting system and high-efficiency air-conditioning system, and 30 pct recycled building materials. (Source: Grundfos, Bangkok Post, 15 Dec., 2019) Contact: Grundfos, www.grundfos.com; Singapore Building and Construction Authority, www.bca.gov.sg

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Building,  Building Energy Efficiency,  Building Sustainability,  

California Energy Commission
Date: 2019-12-13
In Sacramento, the California Energy Commission (CEC) is reporting approval of six applications from the cities of Menlo Park, San Jose, San Mateo, and Santa Monica; County of Marin and West Hollywood.cities of Menlo Park, San Jose, San Mateo, Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Marin County for local energy ordinances that exceed statewide requirements of the 2010 CalGREEN green building standard and the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

The CEC also approved the 2019 California Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which addresses building energy efficiency, efficiency in the industrial and agricultural sectors, barriers to energy efficiency for low-income and disadvantaged communities, and using efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. The 2019 standards take effect 1 January 2020.

Statewide standards focus on smart residential photovoltaic systems, updated and cost effective insulation standards, residential and nonresidential ventilation requirements, and nonresidential lighting updates to take advantage of the rapid improvement in LED lighting technology. (Source: California Energy Commission, Green Car Congress, 12 Dec. 2019) Contact: California Energy Commission, (916) 465-4500, www.energy.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Energy Commission,  Green Building,  Energy Efrficiency,  

Lightsource
Date: 2019-12-09
British energy, oil and gas giant BP is reporting it will increase its stake to a 50-50 joint venture position in UK-based solar developer Lightsource BP, originally known as Lightsource Renewable Energy.

BP acquired a 43 pct stake equity share in Lightsource in 2017 for $200 million over three years, and the company was then relabelled Lightsource BP. (Source: BP, Renewables, 9 Dec., 2019) Contact: Lightsource BP, Carl Jackson, Director Utility-scale Solar Initiatives, +44 0 333 200 0755, www.lightsourcebp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  BP,  Lightsource,  

Florida Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-12-06
Reporting from Tallahassee, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nicole Fried has announced a newly created council to address climate and energy is considering changes to, or replacement of, the Sunshine State's 30-year old Florida Energy Efficiency Conservation Act (FEECA).

. Under FEECA, the state Public Service Commission (PSC) is mandated to set energy conservation and efficiency goals for utilities every five years. The utilities are in turn required to offer energy conservation and efficiency goals and incentives -- LED light bulbs, attic insulation, water heater wraps and others -- to utility customers and add the cost of the programs to customers' power bills. The PSC previously rejected a call from the state's utilities to eliminate the FEECA program completely.

FEECA uses the rate impact measure (RIM) to measure the impact and effectiveness of energy conservation programs on customers based on costs, not on the net savings produced by lowering energy consumption. (Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Miami-Herald, Contact: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 800-435-7352, www.fdacs.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  

RenewAire,USGBC
Date: 2019-12-04
Waunakee, Wisconsin-based RenewAire reports its 111,000-square-foot, 35 year-old HVAC manufacturing plant has achieved LEED Gold certification in the “Optimize Energy Performance” category in. received 60 out of a possible 110 points for its efforts. Of the 60 points awarded, RenewAire received 14 in the. The ERVs and DOAS processes, which reduce cooling/heating loads and result in smaller chillers and boilers and less refrigerants, earned two points in the refrigerant management category. Other energy performance credits came from LED lighting, which cut lighting costs by 50 pct compared to industrial/office space lighting.

RenewAire has previously received two Green Globes and a LEED Silver certification for its former headquarters, a 32,000-square-foot Madison-based indoor soccer stadium it retrofitted in 2005 for its manufacturing headquarters. (Source: RenewAire, PR, HVAC, Dec., 2019) Contact: RenewAire, Chuck Gates, CEO, (800) 627-4499, www.renewaire.com; US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC,  Energy Efficiency,  LEED Certification,  

Great Wolf Lodge,Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-11-29
Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor waterpark chain, is expected to save more than $1.3 million in energy costs and realize a 10% reduction in carbon emissions during the first year of its new energy efficiency upgrades.

Great Wolf Lodge partnered with Dalkia, a building energy solutions provider to develop an end-to-end building energy plan, implementation and support for a range of energy improvements for the the company’s resort in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The plan included building energy software, LED lighting improvements, water conservation devices, HVAC upgrades, and on-site electricity generation with a combined heat and power (CHP) unit. Once these improvements were in place, Great Wolf Lodge New England immediately began to realize savings on electricity, natural gas, and water bills.

Similar efficiency projects were initiated at nine other Great Wolf Lodge resorts across the US. Thus far, Dalkia’s efficiency upgrades has saved 11,211,938 kWh of electricity. The energy cost-cutting impacts of Dalkia’s work is projected to provide $1.3 million in savings for Great Wolf Lodge, along with a 10% reduction in carbon intensity of their operations its first year of deployment. (Source: Great Wolf Lodge, Environment Energy Leader,, 25 Nov., 2019] Contact: Great Wolf Resorts, www.greatwolf.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Orillia
Date: 2019-11-22
In Ontario, the City of Oriliia (pop. 32,000 +-) city council reports it is investigating the conversion of its 3,200 high pressure sodium streetlights which have an estimated end-of-life of 24,000 operating hours, or more than 2.5 years, to LED lighting. The proposed switch to LEDs would include "smart" lighting controls that would allow the city to monitor and change light output levels as needed.

With the proposed conversion to LEDs, energy consumption is projected to decrease by approximately 76 pct with a resulting 80 pct drop in annual maintenance costs and a $40,000 drop in operating cost.

The proposed switch to LEDs is expected to cost roughly $2.850 million. (Source: City of Orillia, CTV, 20 Nov., 2019)Contact: City of Orillia, www.orillia.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Streetlight,  Energy Efficient Lighting,  

Cornell University
Date: 2019-11-22
In the Empire State, Cornell University is reporting completion of a comprehensive indoor and outdoor lighting upgrade to LEDs at its Ithaca campus. The upgrades, which began in 2014, have saved the campus more than 18,000 tons of carbon and $2.9 million to date for an expected $16 million savings over the lifetime of their use. The new lighting also reduces the campus carbon footprint by nearly 3 pct per year and will remove more than 45,500 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from the campus carbon footprint in the next five years. (Source: Cornell Univ., American School & University, 21 Nov., 2019) Contact: Cornell University, www.cornell.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  LED Light,  Energy Efficiency,  

Knoxville
Date: 2019-11-15
The City of Knoxville, Tennessee reports completion of the conversion of over 28,000 streetlights city-wide to more energy-efficient LEDs. The city is expecting roughly $2 million in energy and maintenance cost savings with the new lights and as of June, realized over $275,000 from two years ago.

Knoxville is one of the first cities in the Southeast to retrofit all its streetlights to LED lighting. (Source: City of Knoxville, PR, WBIR, 14 Nov., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Streetlight,  

Nexant,Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-11-08
In Salt Lake City, EMI Health reports its office building in Dalt Lake City has been awarded its first ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance.

The EPA awarded an ENERGY STAR Score of 88, meaning that this building performs better than 88 pct of its peers -- office buildings in the mountain west. Only 77 office buildings and 4 industrial plants in Utah have earned the ENERGY STAR for superior efficiency. ENERGY STAR is the foremost energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance. The following features contributed to the EMI building's performances:

a high efficiency Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating/cooling system;

entilation air is delivered by Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) that recover waste heat from the exhaust air flow and uses it to preheat the incoming fresh air;

100 pct LED light fixtures that are controlled by day lighting and occupancy sensors;

the building shell is comprised of high performance glazing, well insulated walls and roof, and is tightly sealed;

HVAC system is properly commissioned and is scheduled to operate only when the building is occupied.

Nexant, which carried out much of the buildings efficiency work, is a premier provider of technology enabled solutions to the Utility and Energy Industry focused on the next generation intelligent grid, distributed energy resources, and the digital customer experience. (Source: Nexant, PR, 7 Nov., 2019) Contact: Nexant, www.nexant.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ENERGY STAR,  Nexant,  Energy Efficiency,  

US DOI
Date: 2019-11-04
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is reporting over $5 million in fiscal year 2019 funding under the Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) program to support a variety of energy retrofitting and efficiency projects that are estimated to provide thousands in savings for the residents of the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Energizing Insular Communities grants for energy efficiency and related projects are going to:

American Samoa Power Authority -- $1,876,325 to conduct a retrofit and replacement of all 5,792 high pressure sodium street lights in the territory with LED fixtures over the next two years for an expected annual savings of $347,233.26 in electricity .

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands -- $785,000 for LED light systems on public buildings and pathways on the island of Tinian.

The Rota Commonwealth Utility Corporation -- $222,988 for a feasibility study for a 2 mw battery energy storage system and $160,000 to provide a PV system for the Rota aquaponics program site.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) -- and $152,393 for professional services to update the CNMI's Strategic Energy Plan, last published in 2013. The Strategic Energy Plan, once updated, will continue to guide CNMI's overall efforts to reduce costs of energy in the territory and explore the best options for energy production in the territory.

Guam Power Authority -- $1,729,815 -- $620,428 to install solar arrays estimated to produce 93,072 kilowatt hours per year, which represents four percent of GPA's annual energy consumption, and roughly $36,000 in annual savings.

Bringing Energy Savings To Schools Program -- $586,771 for an LED lighting retrofit at the Agueda I. Johnston Middle School. The program is a collaborative effort between the Guam Power Authority and the Guam Department of Education to find ways to reduce costs of energy consumption at Guam’s public schools. Once the retrofit is completed, Johnston Middle School is expected to realize an annual savings of $49,763 in utility costs. An additional $522,616 to fund a LED lighting retrofit at the Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School which is expected to contribute to $38,946 in annual savings for the school.

U.S. Virgin Islands Energy Office -- $625,500 for the design, material procurement, and installation of a solar plus-storage micro-grid pilot project at the St. Croix Educational Complex's emergency hurricane shelter.

. The Energizing Insular Communities grant program provides funding for energy strategies that reduce the cost of electricity and reduce the cost of energy to consumers. Funds under this program are appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress. (Source: US DOI, Marianas Variety, 3 Nov., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  US DOI,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-11-01
In the Cornhusker State, the city of Alliance (pop. 9,500 +-) reports it is partnering with its wholesale electric power supplier, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) to provide financial incentive for home energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades including: attic insulation; smart thermostat program, cooling system tune-up program; and a commercial LED lighting program.

The Attic Insulation Program provides cash incentives of $0.15/per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. (Source: City of Alliance, Star Herald, 30 Oct., 2019) Contact: Energy Efficiency Program Details, City of Alliance, Kirby Bridge, (308) 762-1907, www.cityofalliance.net; Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraskawww,mppenergy.org/mean

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Insulation,  

Greenskies Renewable Energy
Date: 2019-10-30
The City of West Haven, Conn., reports the installation of a solar array as part of the reconstruction and energy efficiency upgrade of the city's High School will save the city roughly $40,000 per year -- more than $1 million over the project's expected 25 years service period.

Middletown, Conn.-based Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC will install, maintain and own the array. Under an agreement with Greenskies, West Haven will off-take the energy generated by the array and purchase the electricity it produces at the negotiated per-kWh fixed rate of 5.9 cents over 25 years, well below the city's current rate of 11 cents.

West Haven High's $130 million reconstruction includes high-efficiency boilers, LED lighting, an insulated envelope, energy-efficient windows, water-saving fixtures, and high-efficiency heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment. (Source: City of West Haven, West Haven Patch, 28 Oct., 2019) Contact: Greenskies Renewable Energy, www.greenskies.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  

City of West Haven
Date: 2019-10-30
In Connecticut, the City of West Haven (pop. 55,000 +-) reports the installation of a solar array as part of the reconstruction and energy efficiency upgrade of the city's High School. The upgrades are expected to cut the city's electric power and energy costs by roughly $40,000 per year -- more than $1 million over the project's expected 25 years service period.

West Haven High's $130 million reconstruction and energy efficiency upgrades include: replacement of inefficient boilers with high-efficiency units; LED lighting; a fully insulated building envelope; energy-efficient windows; water-saving fixtures; and high-efficiency HVAC equipment. (Source: City of West Haven, West Haven Patch, 28 Oct., 2019) Contact: City of West Haven, Building Dept., 203-937-3590, www.cityofwesthaven.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Marquette Board of Light and Power
Date: 2019-10-28
In Michigan, the Marquette Board of Light and Power (BLP) is working to spread the word about the statewide energy optimization program that can provide rebates for consumers who purchase energy-efficient items, such as LED light bulbs or ENERGY STAR rated appliances.

From 2008 to 2017 the rebate program generated significant customer savings and reduced BLP customers' electric usage by over 31.3 million kWh and saving customers over $17 million in energy costs. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, saving 31.3 million equates to burning 24,188,356 pounds of coal or consuming 51,226 barrels of oil, according to the EPA.

This energy optimization program is part of a larger statewide effort that stems from Public Act 295 of 2008, which expanded energy efficiency efforts, supported the development of clean and renewable energy and aimed to improve air quality through a number of measures. Beyond saving energy at homes and businesses, the program also helps BLP reduce the need for costly new generation equipment.

Marquette BLP is one of 13 municipal and cooperative utilities that is part of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association collaborative -- a group of electric service providers that offer energy optimization programs. (Source: BLP, PR, Mining Journal, 28 Oct., 2019) Contact: BLP. Toby Smith, Customer Service Manager, 906-228-0311, www.mplb.org, www.michigan-energy.org/utility/Marquette; Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 517-351-6322, www.meca.coop

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Efficiency Rebate,  ENERGY STAR ,  

EDF Group, Dalkia Energy Solutions
Date: 2019-10-25
French multinational energy company EDF Group reports the re-branding of its US energy management businesses as part of efforts to strengthen its presence with commercial, industrial and institutional customers. The new brand -- Dalkia Energy Solutions -- is being launched via a subsidiary of EDF Group named Dalkia. Groom Energy Solutions and Aegis Energy Services, both US subsidiaries of EDF Group, will operate under the same banner.

Dalkia Energy Solutions will offer HVAC, LED lighting, cogeneration, building energy management systems and remote control services to enable customers in the distribution, health, hotel, housing and logistics sectors to reduce their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Dalkia Energy Solutions will also work with EDF Trading North America for wholesale and retail energy supply, EDF Renewables for large solar, wind power and energy storage installations. (Source: EDF, Dalkia, Smart Energy, 24 Oct., 2019) Contact: Dalkia Energy Solutions, Sylvie Jehanno, CEO, +33 1 71 00 71 00, + 33 1 71 00 71 10 – fax, www.dalkia.fr; EDF Group, Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO, www.edf.fr

More Low-Carbon Energy News EDF Group,  Dalkia Energy Solutions,  Energy Efficiency,  

Southwestern Electric Power
Date: 2019-10-16
Shreveport, Louisiana-based Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power (AEP) Company, is reporting payment of a $94,987.74 incentive check to Texarkana Aluminum for an energy efficient LED lighting project at its aluminum mill in Texarkana, Texas.

As part of the upgrade, the mill installed more than 200 LED fixtures. The SWEPCO incentive will help cover some of the upfront costs of this project, which has an expected payback period of less than two years with an annual savings of roughly $82,000.

This project is part of SWEPCO's Commercial Standard Offer Program. (Source: SWEPCO, PR, 15 Oct., 2019) Contact: Southwestern Electric Power Co., Malcolm Smoak, Pres., CEO, Mike Nix, Energy Efficiency and Consumer Program Coordinator, www.swepco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Southwestern Electric Power Co.,  Energy Efficiency,  LED Light,  

All In Energy
Date: 2019-09-30
In the Bay State, the City of Cambridge reports it has partnered with All In Energy, a Boston-based nonprofit, to increase and enhance energy efficiency outreach to renters and landlords in one- to four-unit buildings.

resources and renewable energy programs. The organization serves as a pipeline for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, resources and workforce development in the sector.

Through the partnership with the city, All In Energy and its partner Neeeco, a "Mass Save" home performance contractor, will offer dedicated access to a rental property energy adviser to connect renters with no-cost home energy assessments, including instant savings measures like LED light bulbs and programmable thermostats, as well as a customized list of actions to help residents save energy and money. (Source: City of Cambridge, Cambridge Chronicle & Tab, 16 Sept., 2019) Contact: Cambridge Energy Alliance, www.cambridgeenergyalliance.org, www.allinenergy.org/cambridge; All In Energy, www.allinenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News All In Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  

Orion Energy Systems
Date: 2019-09-13
Manitowoc, Wisconsin-based LED lighting specialist Orion Energy Systems reports it and BC Energy Solutions have been selected to upgrade a major privately owned national food distribution company facility with Orion's IoT enabled LED lighting solutions. The Enlighted™ upgrade will reduce maintenance and substantially improve energy efficiency as measured in lumens per watt of electricity. Enlighted™ IoT enabled wireless sensors and controls allow the customer to automate and analyze critical facility management data, driving further savings through more carefully monitored energy consumption.

The upgrade, which includes 1,354 Orion LED lighting fixtures and 1,249 LED Bulbs for an expected $597,711 per year savings, also qualifies for a $300,000 rebate from Salt River Project.

BC Energy is a national energy management and reduction firm helping companies drastically reduce their energy consumption. The company provides turnkey energy efficiency-energy reduction projects and enterprise-wide solutions, according to the release. (Source: Orion Energy Systems, Inc., PR, 12 Sept., 2019) Contact: Orion Energy Systems, Inc., www.orionlighting.com; BC Energy Solutions, www.bcenergysaves.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Orion Energy Systems,  LED Light,  Energy Efficiency ,  

City of Edinburgh,Salix Finance
Date: 2019-08-28
In Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council reports it has invested £1.6 million of London-based Salix Finance Ltd. funding -- £800,000 provided by the council and £800,000 matching funding from Salix -- in energy efficiency projects across several city schools. The work was carried out using the London RE:FIT (energy efficiency) framework.

The upgraded school technologies include: combined heat and power (CHP), LED lighting, boilers, and controls, all of which are expected to deliver better than £4 million in energy cost savings over the lifetime of the project.

The upgrades were made possible thanks to funding from Salix Finance, an independent, government-funded organisation that provides interest-free loans to the public sector for energy efficiency projects. In addition to the school improvements, the council upgraded Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) and completed projects such as LED lighting upgrades to both the Edinburgh bus station and Councils Assembly Rooms, CCTV monitor upgrades to the City Chamber, and others. (Source: Edinburgh City Council, Scottish Construction Now, Aug., 2019) Contact: Salix Finance, +44 20 3102, 6900, www.salixfinance.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Efficiency Finance,  

Amesbury Mass
Date: 2019-08-28
In the Bay State, the city of Amesbury reports the upgrading of its 1,250 "cobra head" streetlights to LEDs program is slated to get underway in early Sept. The Essex County city of 16,700 resident recently purchased all of its 1,250 "cobra head" streetlights from National Grid for $23,267 and has entered into a contract with Rhode Island-based Arden Engineering Constructors to begin converting the halogen/mercury vapor lights to light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The $469,748 upgrade to LEDs is expected to cut the city's energy consumption by roughly 5 pct. The project received grants from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Massachusetts Department of Energy, and expects to receive rebates from National Grid. (Source: City of Amesbury, PR, Daily News, 27 Aug., 2019) Contact: City of Amesbury, Tom Barrasso, Director of Energy and Environmental Affairs, (978) 388-8110 x314, www.amesburyma.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  Energy Efficient Lighting,  

USDA Rural Development
Date: 2019-08-25
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Bette Brand has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding grants for projects in all states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to reduce energy costs for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions. Under today’s announcement, USDA is investing $9.3 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the nation. Congress appropriated $50 million for REAP grants and loan guarantees in fiscal year 2019. USDA will make additional funding announcements in the REAP program in coming weeks. Recipients can use REAP funding for a variety of needs, such as conducting energy audits and installing renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. Funds also can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration. This announcement includes, seven businesses in rural New Mexico that received funding to purchase energy saving systems. Listed below are the REAP investments made for seven rural businesses in rural New Mexico: • CIA Inc. an insurance company in Ruidoso will receive $9,236 to install a solar array system at that company's building, which will save $1,849 in the company's electric bill every year. • Conley's Lumber Mill in Española will receive $7,897 to install a solar array system at the lumber mill. By installing the solar power system, the company will save $1,857 per year in electricity, which is a 100 percent of the electricity used by the lumber mill for its business. • Four Peaks Energy LLC of Sunland Park will receive $20,000 to upgrade its lighting, HVAC system, and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) (connected to motors) insulation upgrades, and an environmental shade screen at the Camino Real Landfill Facility. This project will save $17,638 per year in electricity costs. • Pamela N. MacArthur of Rancho De Taos will receive $2,811 to install a solar array system for her horse boarding facility. The solar array will save $529 per year in electricity costs, which is equal to 103 percent of the yearly energy usage for the business. • Joseph J. Mathieu of Deming will receive $7,500 to install LED lighting and energy efficient windows at his Denny’s Restaurant. By installing the energy efficient systems $9,987 in electricity will be saved yearly. • Roxie Properties LLC of Santa Rosa will receive $18,711 to install a solar array system at the El Rancho Motel. The new solar power array will save $5,122 per year in electricity costs for the business. • Taos Veterinary Clinic PC of Taos will receive $ 11,021 to install a solar array system. By installing the solar panels, the business will save $3,796 per year in electricity or a 103 percent of the electricity used by the veterinary clinic.

To view the report in its entirety, view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB). USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. (Source: USDA, 25 Aug., 2019) Contact: USDA Rural Development, www.rd.usda.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA Rural Development news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Philadelphia Energy Office
Date: 2019-08-23
In the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia Energy Office reports it will issue a call for vendors to convert all 100,000 city streetlights to energy efficient LEDs over a two to three year time frame. The aim is to reduce the city's carbon footprint and to lower the city's $15 million annual street lighting expense by 40 pct. The LED conversion is expected to cost between $50 million to $80 million, which would likely be covered by a bond issue. (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, 22 Aug., 2019) Contact: Philadelphia Energy Office, Adam Agalloco, Dir., www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-sustainability/about/energy-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  LED Streetlight,  ,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-08-21
Coral Gables and West Palm Beach, FL: (August 19, 2019) In the Sunshine State, the Miami Business School, located on the University of Miami Coral Cables campus, is reporting receipt of US Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification for Existing Building Operations & Maintenance (EBOM). The project is the first LEED v4.1 OM higher-education building in the State.

Energy deficiency and sustainable design features of the 163,885 square foot facility include:

the building is 30 pct more energy efficient than the national average of university college buildings;

more than 90 pct LED lighting, in-room air quality sensors, audio/visual and tele-presence technology, and automatic window shading;

an average of 60 pct of the waste generated is recycled and/or reused;

a comprehensive carbon-footprint assessment of student and faculty transportation was completed to help meet transportation needs;

indoor air-quality testing was conducted to quantify levels of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals. (Source: Miami Business School, University of Miami, Florida Trends, 19 Aug., 2019)Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; Miami Business School, University of Miami, 305-284-4643, www.bus.miami.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Green Building Council,  LEED Certification,  

Ameresco
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Golden State, Framingham, Mass.-based energy efficiency and renewable energy specialist Ameresco is reporting completion of an energy efficiency project with Lynwood Unified School District. The completed project is expected to cut the district's utility costs roughly $234,000 per year.

The two-phased project began in August 2015 and reached commercial operations in February 2019. Seven of the district’s least energy efficient elementary schools, along with its administrative office building, were retrofitted with LED lighting, web-based energy management, wireless lighting control systems and upgraded HVAC systems. (Source: Ameresco, Renewable Energy, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Ameresco, Bob Georgeoff, VP, (508) 661-2288, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  Energy Efficiency,  

Fluence
Date: 2019-08-09
Austin, Texas-based Fluence by OSRAM (Fluence), a provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial crop production, reports it will become the LED provider of choice for The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TGOD), a publicly traded cannabis grower in Ontario, Canada.

TGOD will use Fluence's high-intensity, high-bay VYPR lighting solutions in two greenhouses measuring over 1.4 million square feet in total.

Fluence Bioengineering, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc., creates energy-efficient LED lighting -- Grow Light -- solutions for commercial crop production and research applications. (Source: Fluence, PR, BusinesWire, 8 Aug., 20190 Contact: Fluence, David Cohen, CEO, www.fluence.science/fluence-by-osram-emea; The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd., www.tgod.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  Fluence,  

American Water
Date: 2019-08-07
In the Garden State, water and waste utility American Water reports receipt of US Green Building Council LEED is has been awarded LEED Platinum certification for its new corporate headquarters building in Camden, NJ. Notable environmentally friendly and energy efficient building features include:

A water reuse system, providing water for the building toilets and landscaping;

LED lighting through the building and solar shades on the windows to maximize the use of natural light;

High-efficiency glass windows to reduce the heat impact inside the building;

Low-flow toilets, sinks and showers to reduced water usage;

High-efficiency HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption.

American Water's new headquarters is the first and only building in Camden, NJ to be certified LEED Platinum. (Source: American Water, PR, 6 Aug., 2019) Contact: American Water, Susan Story, CEO, www.amwater.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED,  USGBC,  Energy Efficiency,  

University of St. Andrews
Date: 2019-08-05
Scotland's University of St. Andrews has embarked on a £3.75 million energy conservation overhaul that is expected to cut £650,000 from the school's annual energy operating costs.

Energy saving measures include: a new district heating network to supply heat and power to University buildings; new energy efficient LED lighting; installation of solar energy arrays on select buildings; smart building management systems; HVAC system upgrades, and others.

The project is funded through the Scottish Government Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency (NDEE) Framework and will be completed by sustainable energy, energy efficiency specialists Vital Energi. (Source: University of St. Andrews, Renewable Energy, Aug., 2019) Contact: University of St. Andrews, +44 (0) 1334 47 6161 , www.st-andrews.ac.uk; Vital Energi, +44 0 1254 296 000, sales@vitalenergi.co.uk, www.vitalenergi.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Eversource
Date: 2019-08-05
Eversource New Hampshire reports it has partnered with Southwestern Community Services (SCS) and Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. (CAPBMCI) to upgrade energy efficiency in more than 75 affordable housing units. The two agencies expect to collectively save approximately $16,000 -- about $210 per unit -- in annual energy costs while also reducing carbon emissions.

Eversource and SCS worked to weatherize 40 affordable seniors housing units in Winchester and 36 units in Warner. Energy efficiency work included: sealing air leaks; improving insulation; replacing inefficient refrigerators; new LED lighting and upgrading HVAC systems. The work was completed through the state's Income Eligible Home Energy Assistance program. (Source: Eversource, Londonderry News, Aug., 2019) Contact: Eversource NH, Tilak Subrahmanian, VP Energy Efficiency, Allison McLean, Community Relations Manager, (800) 662-7764, www.eversource.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eversource,  Energy Efficiency,  

DOE SBIR
Date: 2019-07-31
American small businesses received a near-$44 million boost from the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, according to an SBIR release. Five buildings-focused, Phase II Release 2 grants awarded approximately $5 million to five small businesses. The projects, which are making advancements in building envelopes, building energy efficiency and modeling, and lighting, have already demonstrated a level of commercial feasibility for further innovations in the second phase of research. The five projects:

Innovations in Opaque Building Envelope Performance -- Lightweight and Thermally Insulating Nanowood -- (Inventwood LLC., College Park, Maryland) Inventwood LLC is using delignified wood to create a new, bio-derived cellulose thermal insulation material that could be used in window frames, exterior insulating cladding, or prefabricated panels for new building construction or retrofit applications.

Transparent Conductive Anodes for Solid-State Lighting -- Printed Anodes and Internal Light Extraction Layers on Flexible Glass to Create Cost-Effective High-Efficacy Bendable OLED Lighting Panels -- (OLEDWorks LLC, Rochester, New York) OLEDWorks LLC will further develop and commercialize a highly energy-efficient lighting product in the form of uniquely thin and beautiful curved sheets of light to accelerate organic light-emitting diode (OLED) market growth.

High Performance Substrate Embedded Microgrids for High-Efficiency, Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diodes -- (Electroninks Inc, Austin, Texas) -- Electroninks Inc. is developing an alternative, transparent conductor for optical-electronic applications like touch sensors, displays, and OLEDs that significantly outperforms today's indium, tin, and oxygen (ITO) conductors.

Building Energy Modeling -- Portfolio-Level Energy-Efficiency Simulation (PLES) -- (Maalka, Brooklyn, New York) Maalka is extending its customizable framework for energy efficiency program development and management. The framework leverages the increasing availability of building energy data and DOE's open-source data standards and platforms and energy analysis tools (EnergyPlus, OpenStudio). The project targets the large and growing energy-efficiency program market of cities, utilities, larger owners, and energy service customers with a focus on supporting a move from individual energy conservation measures to packages and deep retrofits.

CAD-Integrated Web-Based Performance Simulation -- (Ladybug Tools LLC, Fairfax, Virginia) -- Ladybug Tools will use DOE's open-source EnergyPlus and Radiance tools, as well as OpenStudio's new elastic cloud capabilities, to deliver a greater range of analysis services (and subsequent revenue streams) for architects. Phase I of this project involved creating a working radiance-based daylighting simulation service; Phase II work will focus on energy simulation. (Source: U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Small Business Innovation Research, PR, July, 2019) Contact: SBIR, EERE.SBIR@ee.doe.gov, www.energy.gov/science/sbir/small-business-innovation-research-and-small-business-technology-transfer

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE SBIR,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  

ABM
Date: 2019-07-24
National facilities management services provider ABM reports it has initiated an Energy Performance Contracting program for Saint Joseph County, Michigan. The company's customized energy efficiency-energy performance program is projected to save the County more than $2.6 million in energy and operating costs over a 15-year period. Revenue from savings will address aging infrastructure needs, without having to raise taxes.

Highlights of the project, which is expected to to conclude in 2020 include:

Retrofitting lighting systems to energy-efficient LED lighting, and replacing or retrofitting HVAC units, which will be controlled by state-of-the-art HVAC control systems to maximize energy and operational efficiency;

Replacing an inefficient boiler and chiller system at the Saint Joseph County Courthouse;

Installing building automation controls, providing officials with the ability to remotely monitor and address maintenance needs;

Improving ventilation and outside air intake systems at several facilities by sealing building envelopes to control humidity and drive energy savings. (Source: ABM, PR, July, 2019) Contact: ABM, Mark Newsome, Pres., (866) 624-1520, www.abm.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  LED Light,  

Canada Green Building Council
Date: 2019-07-22
Brampton, Ontario-headquartered digital imaging specialist Canon Canada Inc reports it has been awarded the Canada Green Building Council’s LEED®, Gold certification for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 certification for its corporate headquarters. . Canon Canada collaborated with Colliers Project Leaders and architects Moriyama & Teshima to construct the building which features:

Energy reduction and efficiency is built-in to the building's lighting and cooling/heating systems, with LED lighting that helps to save approximately 70 to 80% of energy (compared with traditional 60W incandescent lights) and building systems are set to shut off after hours to help reduce energy.

Natural light and solar-adaptive shading help to maximize daylight in the office while minimizing glare and solar heat, simultaneously aiding in the regulation of lighting and temperature.

Rooftop greywater collection system helps save 20%of the building's annual domestic city water usage (the equivalent of 4.5 million bottles of water); the water is reused for flushing and irrigation.

Energy-saving office technologies like Canon's own multifunction devices and display projectors automatically power down to minimize energy consumption in all meeting and copier rooms.

A sophisticated kitchen digestion system helps divert and reduce organic waste from landfills.

Encouraging employees to reduce carbon emissions by offering premium parking for green vehicles, employees that carpool as well as sheltered bicycle parking.

Employees and the surrounding residential community enjoy an expansive community green space, including a pond and recreational path, 6,000 drought-resistant shrubs and 200 drought-resistant trees to promote the area's wildlife biodiversity.

Phasing out the sale single-use plastic water bottles and plastic straws has begun at the headquarters and at all Canon Canada's 13 office locations across the country by the end of 2019. (Source: Cannon Canada, CNW, 22 July, 2019) Contact: Canon Canada, www.cannon.ca ; Canada Green Building Council, Thomas Mueller, President and CEO (CaGBC) and GBCI Canada

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  LEED Certification news,  Canada Green Building Council news,  

U.S. Conference of Mayors
Date: 2019-07-19
On Wednesday in Washington, the full House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved HR 2088. The bill is aimed at renewing and re-funding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, a legislative priority of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). As approved, this legislation would commit $3.5 billion annually -- $17.5 billion over five years -- in formula-based grants allocated directly to cities, counties, tribal governments and states.

The legislation, as existing law provides, continues to extend flexibility to local and state governments to invest these new resources across 14 categories of eligible projects and programs, including the development of comprehensive energy conservation and efficiency plans; conversion of street lighting to highly efficient LED lighting; installation of renewable energy technology (e.g., solar, wind, fuel cell and biomass energy) on municipal and other qualifying buildings; and weatherization of government buildings.

Under the bill, the Department of Energy retains responsibility for implementing the program, as it did in the 2009-2010 period when the first round of EECBG funding was appropriated and provided to local and state governments. The EECBG Program, which was authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 enacted by President George W. Bush, was first funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). (Source: U.S. Conference of Mayors, 18 July, 2019) Contact: U.S. Conference of Mayors, www.usmayors.org; Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, www.energy.gov/eere/wipo/about-energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Conference of Mayors,  Energy Efficiency,  Climate Change,  

Entegrity
Date: 2019-07-15
In Little Rock, Entegrity -- f.k.a. Viridian -- is reporting its recent $500,000 office building renovation saves or creates enough power to balance out all of its energy use.

With the energy efficient upgrades, the building has electrochromatic windows that tint at the command of a Wi-Fi signal; composting and recycling; high-control HVAC systems; a rooftop solar array; and all-LED lighting.

The building is "one of the only net-zero buildings in the state. and the second building in the world to get LEED Zero certification, and the first in the United States," according to Entigrity. (Source: Entegrity, USGBC, Arkansas Business, July, 2019)Contact: Entegrity Partners, Rob Guthrie, Bus. Dev., (800) 700-1414, info@entegritypartners.com, www.entegritypartners.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Entegrity Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  LED Light,  

Idaho Power
Date: 2019-07-15
In Idaho, the City of Jerome (pop. 11,600} has been recognized by $931,400 in incentives from Idaho Power for its commitment to energy efficiency through upgrades to the city's wastewater treatment plant.

In 2014, Jerome joined Idaho Power's wastewater energy efficiency cohort which aims to bring together city employees to reduce energy use through a series of innovative workshops using no- and low-cost energy-saving techniques and organizational strategies.

The recently completed wastewater treatment plant upgrades includes: new clarifiers; a new aeration basin; new energy efficient anaerobic digesters; energy-efficient turbo blowers with controls; LED lighting and efficient HVAC units. The energy efficiency measures are expected to save the plant more than 5,193,000 kWh per year. ( Source: Idaho Power, MagicValley.com, Jerome News, 14 July, 2019) Contact: City of Jerome, Wastwater Dept., : 208-324-7122, www.ci.jerome.id.us/201/Wastewater-Department

More Low-Carbon Energy News Idaho Power,  Energy Efficiency,  

RayonLed,Canada Economic Development
Date: 2019-06-28
In Ottawa, Canada Economic Development (CED) for Quebec Regions reports it has awarded $300,000 in repayable funding to Brossard, Quebec-based RayonLed, a newly established distributor of light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs and fixtures.

The CED funds will be used to acquire two production lines and equipment that will enable the company to manufacture heavy duty LED lighting systems. (Source: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, PR News,Telbec, 26 June, 2019) Contact: RayonLed Lighting Systems, 450-444-4567, info@rayonled.ca, www.rayonled.com/en; CED Regional Economic Growth through Innovation, www.dec-ced.gc.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficient Lighting,  Canada Economic Development ,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-06-26
In Minnesota, the Alexandria City Council reports its 2016 energy efficiency project completed by Anoka, Minnesota-based Efficiency Solutions has yielded the city of approximately 14,000 residents more than $230,000 in energy and repair/maintenance costs in the first year and $232,764 in the second year.

The 2016, $5.6 million project included $1.4 million in general improvements, such as replacing street lights and traffic lights with LED lighting, and sealing walls, doors, ceilings and windows, and about $4.2 million in refrigeration and capital upgrades mainly at the Runestone Community Center. The total cost is expected to be recouped through energy savings in about 14 years. (Source: Alexandria Minn. City Council, Echo Press, 24 June, 2019) Contact: Apex Efficiency Solutions, 763-201-8950, www.apex-co.us; City of Alexandria, www.alexandriamn.city

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Tenaga Nasional Berhad
Date: 2019-06-21
The Malaysian utility company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in Kuala Lumpur reports it has replaced almost 60 pct of the city's 367,000 street light bulbs with Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights.

The utility replaced 212,639 units of the old High Pressure Sodium Vapour (HPSV) bulbs with a capacity of 150 Watts with LED lights with a capacity of 90 watts, with the remaining HPSV united scheduled for replacement in December, 2020.

The conversion to LED, which is under the Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR) initiative for the period 2018 to 2020, is expected to deliver street light energy cost savings of between 30 and 40 pct as well as maintenance cost savings. (Source: TNB, Edge Source, 21 June, 2019) Contact: Tenaga Nasional Berhad, www.tnb.com.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  Street Light,  Energy Efficient Light,  

Alliance for Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-06-17
The Washington, DC-based Alliance for Energy Efficiency (AEE) is reporting the launch of a new, wide-ranging program for commercial building owners to reduce energy demand and, as a result, significantly decrease the need for utilities to build new generating capacity or purchase expensive outsourced power to meet future energy demand.

Central to the program is AEE's partnerships with trade associations in a wide range of industries, whose membership encompasses virtually every segment of the marketplace and collectively represents enormous purchasing power. These trade associations have established relationships and channels of communication with their members and are able to create broad scale awareness of economically compelling energy reduction opportunities.

The massive, collective buying power of the trade associations has motivated installation contractors and manufacturers of energy products to offer substantially lower costs to complete projects. As a result, commercial building owners can complete projects to reduce energy cost by up to 80 pct at no cost at all, or costs so low to often be recovered through energy savings in as little as 3 to 12 months, according to the AEE.

Despite the wide range of available energy-saving technologies and compelling economics, the broad marketplace still has little awareness of the opportunity, and has done little to participate, he said. The Alliance for Energy Efficiency focus is to change that by commercializing energy efficiency through this program.

The AEE program includes a full range of energy technologies, including, but not limited to LED lighting, HVAC, controls, building management systems, demand control ventilation, variable frequency drives, window films and power factor correction. (Source: Alliance for Energy Efficiency, PNR, New Kerala, PR. 16 June, 2019) Contact: Alliance for Energy Efficiency, 202.857.0666, www.ase.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance for Energy Efficiency,  

ATUM
Date: 2019-06-12
Newark, California-based bioengineering and bioproduction specialist ATUM is reporting completion of a $1.5 million 26,000 sq. ft solar panel installation at its corporate headquarters and manufacturing site. The solar panel installation will generate sufficient electric power for all of ATUM's needs. Pleasanton, California-based Cool Earth Solar is providing the majority of the new capacity.

In addition to the recently completed solar array, the site features LED lighting throughout, energy efficient elastomeric acrylic roofing, and a water recycling system. ATUM also participates in a cost-neutral waste to energy program and a composting program. Employees have access to free solar-powered car charging stations, as well as carpool and other incentives. (Source: ATUM, PR, SCNow, 11 June, 2019) Contact: ATUM, Jeremy Minshull, CEO, (650) 853 8347, Nicole Litchfield, www.atum.bio

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Renewable Electricity,  Renewable Energy,  

USDA
Date: 2019-06-12
In Indianapolis, the USDA State Director for Indiana is reporting a total of $109,195 in grant funding fto eight businesses for projects that will reduce energy costs in the Hoosier state. Among the recipients:

Commercial real estate leasing firm Home Sweet Home Properties, LLC will receive $1,669 for LED lighting upgrades and $14,109 for the purchase and installation of a 22.44 kwh solar array

Premier Roofing & Construction, LLC $14,476 for a 12.6 kW solar array.

The 18-member Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative will receive $25,000 for various energy efficiency projects throughout central and southern Indiana.

N & L Pork, Inc. will receive $20,000 for a 111-kW solar array.

The Darrel G. Erb farm will receive $12,441 to make energy efficiency improvements and Bowman & Bowman Farms, Inc. will receive $20,000 for a 37-kW solar array.

The grants are funded through the 2002 U.S. Farm Bill Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). (Source: USDA, www.rd.usda.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA,  

Amerlux
Date: 2019-06-05
Fremont, California-based Delta Electronics, Inc., a global provider of power and thermal management solutions, reports closing on its acquisition of Oakland, New Jersey-based LED architectural lighting specialist Amerlux LLC. Under the terms of the transaction, Delta Electronics (Netherlands) B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta, acquired 100 pct of Amerlux's interests.

The acquisition will expand Delta IoT-enabled smart green solutions for sustainable buildings and cities, building automation, energy management, commercial and industrial LED lighting, surveillance and indoor environmental quality systems. (Source: Delta Electronic, 3 June, 2019) Contact: Delta Electronics, www.deltaww.com, www.delta-americas.com; Amerlux, www.amerlux.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Delta Electronics.LED Light,  Amerlux,  

Eastern Oklahoma PSO
Date: 2019-05-29
The Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) reports the selection of energy services provider Entegrity Energy Partners as the exclusive provider of its Small Business Program for the Eastern Oklahoma PSO Service Territory.

The PSO program offers rebates of up to 70 pct for LED lighting upgrades for eligible PSO customers.

Entegrity, through its Tulsa office, will begin marketing the program to small businesses to help them reduce operating cost through lower energy and maintenance expenses. Entegrity will perform a no-cost facility audit to generate a proposal based on the program's pre-negotiated pricing and access to the up to 70 pct rebates. Financing options for the upgrades are also available through the program.

Entegrity is a sustainability and energy services company specializing in the implementation of energy conservation and renewable energy projects. The company's service package includes energy savings performance contracting, commissioning, energy modeling, building testing, lighting solutions, renewable energy, water conservation, and sustainability consulting. (Source: Oklahoma PSO, Shawneee News Star, 27 May, 2019) Contact: Entegrity Partners, Rob Guthrie, Bus. Dev., (800) 700-1414, info@entegritypartners.com, www.entegritypartners.com; Public Service Company of Oklahoma www.psoklahoma.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Entegrity Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  LED Light,  

Energy Action Fairfax
Date: 2019-05-20
In the Old Dominion State, Fairfax County is touting the launch of its Energy Action Fairfax program aimed at increasing energy efficiency. The no-cost program collects incandescent light bulbs and exchanges them for energy efficient LED lights. The U.S. DOE notes that the Energy Star LED lights used in the exchange program use 75 pct less energy than incandescent bulbs and could save users around $75 per by replacing five incandescent light bulbs. (Source: Energy Action Fairfax, 18 May, 2019) Contact: Jessica Lavender, Fairfax County Senior Energy Analyst, Energy Action Fairfax, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/energy/energyactionfairfax

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  Energy Efficiency,  

Otter Tail Power
Date: 2019-05-17
Fergus Falls, Minnesota-based Otter Tail Power Company and the city of Crookston are partnering with Minnesota's Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) to reduce energy use and save on energy costs. Otter Tail Power provides rebates, grants, education, and special programs to encourage individuals and businesses to use electricity wisely

According to Otter Tail Power, businesses will be able to sign up for free energy-saving LED light bulbs, linear LED lamps, vending machine controllers, and onsite energy assessments, all of which will deliver immediate bill reductions. The no cost assessments will offer detailed recommendations to help small businesses save energy and money and connects them to program and rebate options that meet their specific needs.

Otter Tail Power is an investor owned utility that provides electricity and energy services to over 250,000 customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. (Source: Otter Tail Power, Crookston Times, May, 2019) Contact: Otter Tail Power, www.otpco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Otter Tail Power,  Energy Efficiency,  

Sustainable Pennsylvania
Date: 2019-05-10
The city of Norristown (pop. 34,500), near Philadelphia, reports it's Keep Norristown Beautiful program has been awarded silver level certification from the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification program.

The program is designed to help municipalities manage energy, conserve resources and save money through the use of building energy bench-marking, motion sensor controlled lights, building code enforcement and other related measures. (Source: City of Norristown, Times Herald, 8 May, 2019) Contact: Sustainable Pennsylvania, www.sustainablepacommunitycertification.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Sustainable Energy,  

MBTA,Eversource,National Grid
Date: 2019-05-08
In Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the Bay State's largest energy consumer, reports it is partnering with National Grid and Eversource in a 3-year program to reduce energy usage at more than 50 T Stations, trim energy expenses and limit greenhouse gas emissions.

To that end, MBTA plans to invest as much as $30 million in energy efficiency projects including the installation of LED lighting and upgrades to HVAC systems for an expected savings of $2.7 million in annual energy costs and the prevention of 10,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

Eversource and National Grid will provide incentives to the MBTA that, based on the transportation agency's targeted energy use reductions, would add up to a total benefit of approximately $9 million. The Mass.Department of Energy Resources (DOER) will also provide $3.5 million in funding from its Leading by Example program. (Source: MBTA, Sentinel & Enterprise News, May, 2019) Contact: MBTA , Steve Poftak, GM, www.mbta.com; National Grid, www.nationalgridus.com; Mass. DOER, (617) 626-7300, doer.energy@mass.gov, www.mass.gov/doer; Eversource, Vilak Subrahmanian, VP Energy Efficiency, www.eversource.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News MBTA,  Energy Efficiency,  Eversource,  National Grid,  

Energy Focus
Date: 2019-05-08
Solon, Ohio-headquartered energy-efficient LED lighting technologies specialist Energy Focus, Inc. reports receipt of US Patent 10,236,716 for its RedCap® lamp emergency battery backup LED tube technology.

THE UL-approved and DLC-certified RedCap® is an integrated, general purpose LED lamp and emergency backup battery. One side of the lamp is connected to switchable AC mains to power the lamp for normal illumination, while the opposite end of the LED lamp is connected to an emergency mains circuit. In a power outage, a microprocessor in the lamp immediately detects the power loss and initiates the battery power for emergency egress illumination. The RedCap® functions as a normal, efficient LED lamp when building power is on, and becomes and stays lit during a power outage. (Source: Energy Focus, Inc., PR, 7 May, 2019) Contact: Energy Focus Inc., James Tu, CEO, and President, (440) 715-1300, www.energyfocus.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  LED Light,  Energy Focus,