September 1st, 2010
Articles about energy and environmental matters happening around the world.
Thumbs Down on Corporate Green Efforts
The corporate sector has gone to great lengths in recent years to persuade consumers of its commitment to environmental sustainability. But consumers aren’t buying it.
A Milestone in Greener Lighting
It passed by without much mention, but early this summer a major milestone was reached in the realm of LED lighting.
Ontario Power Authority Finalizes Price for New Ground-mounted Solar Category
The OPA has finalized the price for the new microFIT ground-mounted solar price category at 64.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
How Businesses Can Plan for the Unpredictability of Climate Change
With managers across industries under pressure to develop sophisticated views about how climate change will impact their companies, it might seem natural to look to the insurance industry for guidance.
Green Revolution will Force Businesses to Innovate, or Die
It’s time to put on some strategic brass knuckles and attack the market opportunity sustainability represents.
ShareThis
Categories: E&EM News
August 25th, 2010
By: Tiffany Richmond
Recently the Alberta government announced the launch of its new commercial retrofit lighting incentive program. This program – Light it Right – is an incentive program aimed at getting rid of old wasteful and expensive lighting and replacing it with a more efficient system.
Businesses that are eligible for the provincial rebate can receive between $37,500 and $375,000, depending on the building type, and when the energy efficient lighting is installed.
The following building types are eligible:
- Restaurants;
- Retail;
- Multi-unit Residential;
- Office/Hotels; and
- Warehouse/Recreational Facilities.
The commercial lighting incentive program aims to reduce 191,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking approximately 40,000 cars off the road by 2020. The initiative takes effect immediately, and will continue until December 31, 2011, or until funding runs out.
The rebate program will be administered by Climate Change Central, a non-profit organization empowering Albertans to take action on climate change.
How does the program work?
First you have to book an assessment, which costs $250 per assessment. However the province will refund 50% of that cost when your rebate claim is approved.
Secondly an assessor (prequalified by Climate Change Central) will come out to your facility and take inventory of your lighting. After which you have two months to reserve funds from the program by informing Light it Right of the changes you plan to make. You then have six months (from the time you reserve your funds) to complete the retrofit and submit the rebate claim. Sourcing lighting experts and installing new lighting systems (and costs associated to it) are the responsibility of your company.
Lastly Light it Right will verify your work and if everything lines up you will receive your rebate cheque.
For further information about the program please visit http://lightitright.ca/.
Tiffany Richmond is an enthusiastic marketing guru and is responsible for online marketing strategies at Energy Advantage Inc.
ShareThis
Categories: Energy Efficiency
August 19th, 2010
By: Tiffany Richmond
This summer has been unforgettable. Some might remember it as hot summer days spent swimming at the cottage or warm dinners with friends on the patio. What I will remember are the events, the earthquake in Ontario, monsoon rains in Pakistan, Moscow’s heat wave, that have reassured me that not only is the world is getting warmer but the way of life for many is changing dramatically.
I remember the classic story my grandparents would tell my brother and I of the hardship of having to walk to school in 10 feet of snow uphill– what’s the chance that by the time I’m a grandparent, some years away, I am reiterating this story to my grandchildren? Chances are slim. Instead my tales are going to consist of walking through puddles and rarely having to shovel snow.
Recently a report from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) reported that 2010 is the warmest year worldwide since 1880, the year weather record keeping began. The report noted that year by year the earth’s temperature has been steadily increasing. The first 10 years in the 2000 are already warmer than the average of the entire 90s. The report also stated that each decade has seen an increase in about a fifth of a degree Fahrenheit , which in the past 50 years has increased the temperature of the earth by 1 degree Fahrenheit. This number seems so little, but 1 degree Fahrenheit increase has already altered the planet’s behaviour with glacier melting, increased heavy rainfalls and intensifying heat waves.
To most, this may mean nothing. People will still go about their day without thinking twice about the temperature of the earth rising. However, daily I am reminded that the earth is changing as frequent natural disasters are occurring around the world.
In case you haven’t been reading the newspaper the Petermann Glacier in Greenland broke off an enormous chuck of ice, approximately 97 square miles. This is the largest chunk of ice shed in Greenland in nearly half a century. If this type of activity continues we are going to experience increasing sea levels. If this occurs low lying areas, such as New Orleans, will see greater flooding.
Moscow Russia has experienced scorching temperatures this summer, hitting an all time high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This has sparked hundreds of forest fires and prolonged drought for the country. Other countries have also experienced increased temperatures this summer causing unbearable heat waves.
On top of that Pakistan is experiencing the worst monsoon rains in 80 years. 300 millimeters of rain in one 36-hour period has sent rivers rampaging over huge swaths of countryside, flooding thousands of villages. It has left 14 million Pakistanis homeless or otherwise affected, and killed 1,500. Monson rains occur due to seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with zero balance between the temperatures in the ocean and the temperatures in the air. With the air and ocean temperatures being hotter than normal it has produced more humidity. When humidity rises it forms intensive storms, causing natural disasters like in Pakistan.
China is also witnessing its worst floods in decades. Floods and landslides have killed at least 1,100 people and left more than 600 missing. It has buried farmlands and destroyed homes, factories and railways.
I’m not going to say that these disasters are a result of global warming. To me global warming is no more than coined political phase that has been splattered across the media and used out of term far too often. But I am going to say that the earth’s temperatures are increasing. This is evident every day and the above examples only name a few.
The question I ask is – what has to happen to make a change? People can debate back and forth about whether climate change is real but the issue at hand is this – things are changing and if we don’t do anything to help prevent further damages things are going to get worse. Lives are at risk, homes are at risk, basic living essentials, such as water and food are at risk.
This is what people should be thinking about and this is what should motivate people to make a change.
Tiffany Richmond is an enthusiastic marketing guru and is responsible for online marketing strategies at Energy Advantage Inc.
ShareThis
Categories: E&EM News
Tags: Climate Change, Global Warming
August 12th, 2010
Articles about energy and environmental matters happening around the world.
10 Steps on the Road to Carbon Management
Organizations of all shapes and sizes need to manage their carbon footprint — and they know it. However, what some don’t know is where to begin. This article details the ten basic principles towards a successful carbon management program.
It’s Time to Give Up Spreadsheets for Tracking Carbon Emissions
CFOs, CIOs and sustainability teams at large companies have used spreadsheets for years to track corporate carbon emissions. We are now, however, at a tipping point where the benefits of carbon management software, also known as enterprise carbon accounting (ECA) software, outweigh the benefits of spreadsheets.
EPA Thwarted in Bid to Ease Pollution Rules
A U.S. federal appeals court sided with 14 states on Friday and stopped the Environmental Protection Agency from going forward with new regulations that opponents say would lead to more air pollution from the nation’s power plants and factories.
Data Centres join the Green Bandwagon
With rising energy costs and environmental friendliness making for good public relations, more tech companies are touting ways they are “greening” data centres.
New Ways to Scrub Out the Carbon
Three new technologies are leading the pack for capturing the carbon dioxide in coal while also harnessing the energy.
ShareThis
Categories: E&EM News
August 5th, 2010
By: Tiffany Richmond
Companies today face multiple energy and sustainability challenges that significantly impact risk exposure, financial performance and reputation. This combined with price volatility, looming carbon management regulations and an array of renewable energy alternatives has created a complex set of challenges to manage.
In concert with the growing corporate focus on the overall sustainability agenda, companies are now integrating energy and environmental matters in the core of their business operations. Bracing this change organizationally is not only complex but unknowing, especially if your company has not considered energy or environmental initiatives before.
So where do you begin? You could implement one off energy efficiency projects, however the impact on your company’s bottom line will be minimal. The most effective solution is to implement a total program dedicated specifically to energy and environmental projects. This program must be aligned with corporate goals and objectives and must have executive backing.
I’ve outlined five steps to consider when developing an energy and environmental program. Each step details tasks that should be completed prior to moving on to the next one.
Step 1 – Orientation
The orientation phase is all about planning. During this phase it’s important to set goals and objectives, develop a committee along with its mandate to support resourcing, outline timelines and set program tactics. You should also identify key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and report performance against. Typical KPIs include energy use, cost, or emissions measured against; per unit area, per dollar revenue, per unit of production, etc. The main objective of this phase is to provide the proper context to discuss energy and environmental initiatives so that the information gathered and analyzed in later phases is customized to your organization’s needs.
Step 2 – Initial Assessment
The next step is to complete an initial assessment of selected facilities. The number of facilities selected depends on the number of locations your company operates and the similarity between them. Completing an initial assessment will provide a baseline for the program to measure its future success against. This step includes completing an energy and environmental baseline, on-site reviews and a review of corporate policies and practices.
Energy and Environmental Baseline: The baseline analysis establishes the starting point for your energy sustainability program. Like starting a new business, it’s essential to have an opening inventory, which is the basis upon which the success of the program will be measured. The baseline analysis will provide an overview of the current state of your energy and environmental performance and acts as a baseline to set quantifiable targets against.
Screening Audits: A screening audit is the simplest and quickest way to become familiar with a building’s operations and identify obvious opportunities for energy savings measures. During this step you should assess the performance of equipment, processes, and systems to help identify further opportunities for improvement.
Review of Policies & Practices: This consists of executive interviews, internal surveys, and documentation reviews that are designed to provide insight into the organizational dynamics and decision-making processes within the business. It also includes policy reviews, data management review, financial evaluation, communication analysis and a risk tolerance analysis.
Step 3 – Identifying and Quantifying Energy and Environmental Opportunities
Opportunities identified in the initial assessment, baseline and screening audits should be compiled into a master opportunity list. The opportunities can be organized into three types:
- Organization and behavior opportunities – policy improvements, awareness programs, communication initiatives.
- Operational and non-capital opportunities – data management, energy procurement, operational practices and maintenance and re-commissioning.
- Capital improvement opportunities – Infrastructure improvements, green technologies and incentive management.
Estimates of energy reductions, cost savings, implemented costs and emission reductions should be included for each measure. At this stage, the intent is to include all the indentified measures for discussion purposes. This list can then be reviewed with the committee to discuss the feasibility of inclusion in the energy and environmental program.
Step 4 – Development and Review of Program
The next step is to review identified opportunities from step 3 and determine which opportunities to pursue. Chosen opportunities will depend on program goals and objectives and financial feasibility.
At this stage your company will have the following:
- A completed review of goals, mission and objectives;
- Baseline analysis of selected facility energy consumption and energy related greenhouse gas emissions;
- A completed review of policies and practices;
- Screening audit results for selected facilities; and
- A detailed program-based list of behavioral, operational, and capital improvement opportunities.
The energy and environmental program then combines these deliverables into a single strategy document that serves as the mandate for future energy and environmental management objectives.
Step 5 – Implementation of the Energy and Environmental Program
Once the development of the program is completed it’s now time to implement it. Your organization probably has set rules and policies concerning the implementation of operational programs and capital budgets, be sure to follow the approval process thoroughly. It’s important to consistently monitor the performance of the program by implementing measures such as commissioning and monitoring and verification programs.
Tiffany Richmond is an enthusiastic marketing guru and is responsible for online marketing strategies at Energy Advantage Inc.
ShareThis
Categories: Energy Management, Sustainability
Tags: Energy, Energy and Environmental Program, Key Performance Indicators, Reducing Energy, saving energy
July 30th, 2010
By: Tiffany Richmond
The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) and its partner jurisdictions released a comprehensive strategy on Tuesday, including a robust cap and trade system, to address climate change in North America. The program’s objective, culminated from two years of work, is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.
The program includes:
- A market-based approach that caps greenhouse gas emissions;
- Encouraging reductions throughout the economy, including offset certificates;
- Expanding energy efficiency programs;
- Encouraging additional renewable energy sources;
- Vehicle emission standards, fuel standards and incentives in the transportation industry;
- Establishing performance benchmarks for high –emitting industries; and
- Identifying best practices programs for new jobs in the clean energy economy.
The WCI’s jurisdiction partners backing the program include Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia in Canada, and California and New Mexico in the United States. The other 6 members have not committed to the program.
How The WCI Cap And Trade Program Will Work
The cap and trade program will be composed of the individual jurisdictions’ cap and trade programs implemented through state and provincial regulations. Each jurisdiction will issue emission allowances to entities to meet the jurisdiction’s specific emissions goal. Emission allowances are the maximum emitted emissions that entities can produce. The total number of available allowances serves as the cap on emissions and can be bought or sold (traded).
The WCI’s cap and trade program includes rigorous emission reporting requirements to support accurate and timely measurement and recording of GHG emissions. The WCI reporting requirements in the United States will be harmonized with the EPA Mandatory Reporting Rules for GHG emissions. In Canada the WCI is currently developing a similar version of this reporting requirement. Under the program emitters will have to report their emissions and submit sufficient emission allowances and offset certificates (achieved when a reduction or removal of GHG emissions is obtained) annually.
Each jurisdiction will have an allowance budget, the total emissions emitted maximum in each jurisdiction, with each year gradually reducing to the 2020 emission target.
At least once each three years, entities are required to turn into the state or provide one emission allowance for each metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions they emit and report. Entities that reduce their emissions below the number of allowances can hold them for later use or sell their excess. The WCI is reviewing using an auction setting to sell excess emissions. Recommendations for the design of the auction include a sealed bid, single round, uniformed price auction, a reserve price auction, allowances from future compliance periods to be sold concurrently, allowances to be sold in lot size of 1,000, and open auction to anyone who meets pre-qualified financial assurance requirements.
With two years until the planned launch of the program, the WCI recognizes that variations in jurisdictional authority, regulatory procedures, and administrative requirements will result in different approaches for implementation. The program also recognizes that future conditions, such as technology cost increases, weather instability and disruption in electricity supply, could lead to higher than expected program costs.
The WCI announced that it will continue to address program design and take the necessary steps to make regional trading operational.
During a recent conference, Energy Advantage presented on the topic of holistic carbon management and spoke to five steps organizations should take to prepare for carbon regulations. With this recent announcement from the WCI it’s evident that the industry is moving towards a regulated reporting system and it’s imperative to start preparing today.
Click here to read the summary of this presentation on how to prepare for carbon reporting regulations today.
1. “Western Climate Initiative”. WCI Partners Release Their Comprehensive Strategy to Address Climate Change and Spur a Clean-Energy Economy. Western Climate Initiative, 28 July, 2010.
2. “Western Climate Initiative”. Design Summary and Documentation Section of the Design for the WCI Regional Program. Western Climate Initiative, 28 July, 2010.
3. “David Ebner”. Biggest Provinces Push Plan to Cap Emissions. The Global and Mail, 27 July, 2010.
Tiffany Richmond is an enthusiastic marketing guru and is responsible for online marketing strategies at Energy Advantage Inc.
ShareThis
Categories: Energy Reporting, Sustainability
Tags: Cap and Trade System, Carbon Management, Climate Change
July 29th, 2010
Articles about energy and environmental matters happening around the world.
Proceed with Caution on Shale Gas
New drilling and hydrofracking technologies have dramatically reduced the cost of shale-gas development, changing the fortunes of the natural-gas industry almost overnight.
Enbridge Pipeline Leaking Oil into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River
Workers in Battle Creek, Michigan, are frantically trying to clean up more than three million litres of oil from an Enbridge pipeline that has been spilling into the Kalamazoo River since Monday morning.
Global Warming ‘Undeniable,’ it’s Getting Hotter Every Year
“A comprehensive review of key climate indicators confirms the world is warming and the past decade was the warmest on record,” the annual State of the Climate report declares.
Democrats Call Off Climate Bill Effort
The effort to advance a major climate change bill through the Senate this summer collapsed Thursday evening.
Smart Grid into the Home: The Battle Begins
Recent announcements illustrate that battle lines are forming over who, what, and how home energy management will be offered to consumers.
ShareThis
Categories: E&EM News
July 28th, 2010
By: Luke Takeuchi 
On Monday July 26th the Democrat’s climate change legislation was pulled from the senate in an attempt to spare the embarrassment of a fourth cap and trade bill failing to pass. With the entire Republican Party in opposition of the legislation and wavering support from fellow democrats the bill lacked ample support to enact significant government mandated environmental policies.
The main point of contention in the legislation was one of President Obama’s major campaigning points, the introduction of a cap and trade policy on carbon emissions in the United States. The cap and trade policy is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. By setting a cap on the amount of emissions a firm can emit they are forced to either reduce their carbon emissions or be forced to pay for the market cost of their emissions. On the flip side those companies who are able to reduce their emissions receive monetary incentives through the market by selling their carbon offset.
But even with this setback the Democrats still plan to push a more limited climate change bill through that includes the reform of offshore drilling, additional alternative energy incentives, and remedies for the conservation of energy and water.
The offshore oil reform, heavily influenced by the recent BP oil spill in the Gulf, will focus on the accountability and liability cap for companies. The liability cap for companies is suggested to be raised from its current $75 million to $10 billion, to ensure that companies are more accountable for their offshore drilling sites. Additionally with the suggested raised cap it ensures that companies will be fully liable to cover damages in the event of an environmental disaster.
As for alternative energy incentives in the new proposed legislation the major push is on the auto and housing industries. The legislation outlines incentives for the auto industry to begin converting trucks to run on natural gas and for cars to run on electricity. For the housing industry the bill includes the energy efficient measure “Home Star” endorsement, incentivizing small fixes around the house such as plugging window leaks, and proper insulation of the home.
On the whole, while the main focus of the climate change bill was its downfall, the revised bill is looking to be pushed through within the next few weeks. With this we can expect to see the gradual steps towards a more environmental conscience America fuelled by alternative energies.
Luke Takeuchi is a recent business graduate & currently operating as a marketing analyst at Energy Advantage Inc.
ShareThis
Categories: Energy Efficiency, Energy Procurement
Tags: Alternative Energy Source, Carbon Management, Climate Change Risk, energy efficiency, Energy Incentives, energy reporting
July 19th, 2010
By: Tiffany Richmond
On July 2nd, 2010 the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) quietly lowered the rates paid to ground mounted solar projects from 80.2 cents to 58.8 cents per kilowatt hour under the Provincial’s microFIT Program.
The OPA stated that they adjusted the price due to a glitch in the program. With unexpected popularity of ground mounted solar projects the power authority dropped the rates in order for ground mounted solar installers to get a comparable return on investment than those that rooftop generators receive.
Installation rates for ground mounted solar, compared to solar panels are much lower, which the OPA believes allows for a greater return on investment. Under the 80.2 cents per kilowatt program profit margins are forecasted in the 25-30% range. By dropping the rate the return on investment is in the 10-11% range.
Since the start of the program the OPA has received over 16,000 applications, with roughly 10,000 of those being for ground mounted solar projects.
So why the sudden drop in price? Did the implementation of the harmonized sales tax have an impact? Rising electricity prices? The large volume of applications for solar projects? Or did the OPA simply renege on its promise to pay out at 80.2 cents per kilowatt?
Under the 80.2 cents per kilowatt program, panels with tracking (panels that turn to follow the sun) costs approximately $90,000 to install and can produce 16,600 kWh annually. This would generate approximately $13,300 in revenue annually for installers. Under the 58.8 cents per kilowatt program, panels with tracking cost the same, produce the same, but the return is $9,800 annually. A difference of $3,500. When multiplied by 10,000 applications, it’s a fair amount. But compared to the billions spent on electricity per year, its peanuts.
The microFIT Program is designed to encourage homeowners, farmers, small businesses and institutions to develop small renewable energy generation projects of 10 kilowatts or less. Project owners are paid a fixed price for the electricity they produce, with prices set to recover costs as well as earn a reasonable return over the 20-year term of the contract.
The OPA says applicants who have already executed a contract or received a conditional contract with the OPA will receive the original amount of 80.2 cents per kilowatt hour.
Many solar industry producers say this change could have multiple negative effects, such as job losses, fewer ground mounted solar panels installed and stalled solar generation. Most solar installers have already ordered inventory, put down deposits and hired trained staff to meet expected demand. If people walk away from the program solar producers will feel the after effect.
So what’s really making the industry mad? It may be about price but it’s also about consistency. If the FIT and microFIT Programs were designed to assure installers by offering stability of policy and price, then this sudden price adjustment clearly undermines that objective.
Can we expect further price slashes? Only time will tell.
Tiffany Richmond is an enthusiastic marketing guru and is responsible for online marketing strategies at Energy Advantage Inc.
ShareThis
Categories: Energy Efficiency
Tags: Electricity, Ground Mounted Solar Projects, microFIT Program, Renewable Energy, Solar Panels
July 15th, 2010
Articles about energy and environmental matters happening around the world.
BP: Beyond Practical. The Point(s) We’ve Missed About Sustainability
BP (and the many companies who are very glad they are not BP), don’t seem to make the link between company displays of sustainability and the utter lack of a corporate culture of sustainability in so many companies.
Climate Change Can Be Hazardous To Your Health
From heat stress to sewage overflows, climate change promises to bring extreme weather that can throw our nation’s ill-prepared public health infrastructure ‘back to the 1890s, according to experts.
Oil Sands Ads Urge Tourists To Avoid Alberta
Alberta is famous worldwide for its stunning mountain vistas and wide open spaces, but a U.S. environmental group wants oil-soaked birds to be the image that sticks out in tourists’ minds.
Will ‘Solar Trees’ Sprout In Parking Lots?
Envision Solar has found a niche in the solar world by building shaded parking areas with solar panels fixed to the roofs.
Oil Still Spilling As Well Test Is Delayed
Officials announced that a critical pressure test on the well would be postponed, pending further analysis.
ShareThis
Categories: E&EM News
