Energy User News articles from April 2000

Energy User News archives from April 2000

GE Showcases New Standard for Gas Turbine Efficiency.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2000... GREEN VILLE, SC--GE Power Systems (GEPS) unveiled the first gas turbine based on new generation H System technology that will enable U.S. power plants to produce electricity using "the most efficient system in the world," the company said....

EELA Announces Certification for Lighting Service Companies.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ--The Energy Efficient Lighting Association (EELA) has announced CEELSCo, a certification program for energy-efficient lighting service companies. A company seeking to become certified must adhere to specific...

GSA to Test Products in Adaptable Workplace Laboratory.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... ATLANTA--Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., is installing an electric power management system in the General Services Administration's (GSA) Adaptable Workplace Laboratory. It is part of GSA's two-year evaluation of a variety of office...

President Clinton.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... President Clinton's FY 2001 budget proposes over $2.4 billion (a more than 40% increase over FY 2000 enacted levels) in funding to combat global climate change. This includes a series of new initiatives, such as accelerated efforts to develop...

The National Association of Attorneys General.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) recently adopted a resolution finalizing its Environmental Marketing Guide lines for Electricity. In the resolution, NAAG urges the electric power industry to conform its advertising of...

Texaco Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... Texaco Inc. expects to more than double spending on electrical power generation and a gasification technology by 2004, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The company currently is involved in projects with a total power generation...

The Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI) has added an electronic version of its 2000 Directory of North American Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment to its "CoolNet" website: http://www.ari.org. The directory contains...

Reliant Energy Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... Reliant Energy Inc. announced an agreement to acquire the bulk of Sithe Energies Inc. The purchase of 21 power plants will give Reliant an immediate presence in the mid-Atlantic energy market. The acquisition also will help Reliant build its...

Michigan Electric utilities.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... Michigan Electric utilities are warning that the state's electric reserve margin will be slim this summer, even though total generating capacity is expected to be 4% higher than last year. A utility executive, testifying before a state Senate...

Pond Scum May Fill Tomorrow's Energy Needs.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... A green algae known as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, commonly found in pond scum, has been found to be an almost limitless source of hydrogen, one of the basic components necessary for the operation of devices such as fuel cells. Most designs...

Honeywell Awarded $18.1 Million in Energy Savings Contracts for Fort Dix Army Reserve Installation.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... MINNEAPOLIS--Honeywell announced that its Home and Building Control business has been awarded $18.1 million in Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC) by the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, AL, to design and install...

Fuel Cell Demonstration Project Unites Major Players.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... HOUSTON--Two utility companies, a major energy company, and a major supplier of engine components and automotive products have joined forces to power up a fuel cell demonstration and evaluation project at the Houston Advanced Research Center...

Industry Trade Shows Provide Opportunities for Learning.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... AHR, EELA, Lightfair show much needs to be done Last month, I wrote about how Energy User News would be an active participant in the U.S. energy industry. I cited features and departments in the March issue as examples of the help Energy...

Distinguishing Between Environmentally Friendly and Friendly Environments.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... Asking what work is performed, who performs it, and how the interior environment impacts both are essential questions Saying that a building is environmentally friendly generally means that the facility's impact on its surroundings has been...

Power Industry Transformation Demands Knowledge and Preparation.(Michael P. Keith)(Interview)
April 1, 2000... Deregulation has already brought about changes in the power industry, and more are sure to follow Michael P. Keith is currently director of marketing for ConEdison Solutions and is responsible for the corporate brand and communications...

Distributed Generation Poised To Win Over End Users.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... While it won't replace central generating plants any time soon, utility customers may be ready embrace the idea if the price is right Distributed generation, I known by developers as DG, has suddenly become the "killer application" of the...

Cutting Cooling Costs in the Deregulated Electric Powerscape Requires Flexible Response.(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2000... Hybrid cooling assets can expand energy-saving horizons The deregulation of the electric power industry and the emergence of real-time pricing and retail wheeling are fostering a fiercely competitive supply arena. While chiller plant...

Beyond the Building Envelope: Direct Digital Control, Open Systems, and Beyond.
April 1, 2000... Facilities managers must now be information managers, too Current trends in automation require the facility manager to think outside the confines of the building envelope. The old controls industry has gone virtual, providing tools that...

Planning for an Effective Energy Management Program.
April 1, 2000... The headline in the local newspaper caught my eye -- "Lower energy use leaves experts pleased but puzzled." The article stated that "Although the data are preliminary, experts are baffled that the country appears to have broken the decades-old...

Interface for building automation systems.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Interface for building automation systems connects Staefa's MS1800 and MS2000 building management systems to third-party systems such as HVAC, fire systems, boiler control, industrial, lighting, and computer room air conditioning systems. The...

MN 50/150 LonMark controllers.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... MN 50/150 LonMark controllers expand the capabilities of the Invensys I/A Series to meet a wider range of applications and provide a cost-effective solution set when multiple controllers, working in tandem to perform a sequence of control, are...

Vertical in-line pump series.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Vertical in-line pump series has been expanded to provide flows up to 2,500 gpm at heads up to 300 ft TDH. The space-saving design of the pumps does not require isolation pads, and maintenance is simplified because the pumps feature a rear...

Optical fiber culling tool.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Optical fiber culling tool improves installation of fiber optic lighting systems by providing precise cuts. The hand-held cutting tool makes it easy to get clean cuts for all kinds of solid-core plastic fiber optic pipe, up to 16 mm. The...

Horizontal split case centrifugal pumps.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Horizontal split case centrifugal pumps, designed for a variety of commercial HVAC applications, feature internally self-flushing mechanical seals that extend seal performance and operating life. The pump's casing configuration provides quick...

Btu meter.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Btu meter measures water flow with a multijet turbine meter and measures the temperature change on the supply and return pipe with platinum sensors. A seven-digit liquid crystal display can selectively show total as well as momentary energy...

Desiccant dehumidifier.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Desiccant dehumidifier line offers a complete air treatment system to efficiently condition ventilation air and meet ASHRAE Standard 62 for indoor air quality. Each unit is constructed in modules, which are bolted together. The...

The Power Watch.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Power Watch will monitor and record up to 4,000 voltage disturbances such as surges, sags, impulses, dropouts, outages, and frequency variations. Users can view the information on a PC in real time or download it for later assessment....

Diesel generator.(Deutz F3L1011F engine)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Diesel generator set is a 20-kW, 4-pole, multi-voltage, reconnectable, 12-wire gen-set that is environmentally friendly and economical, according to the manufacturer. The oil-and air-cooled gen-set is power by a Deutz F3L1011F engine, which...

Propeller fans.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Propeller fans feature a cast-aluminum motor mount for a rigid platform and a wide range of motor choices. Integral safety guard permits motor wiring without guard removal. Airflow is developed by a quiet and efficient adjustable-pitch airfoil...

Digital thermometers.(series 50)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Digital thermometers, Series 50, feature a large dual display with a bright backlight. The four new models offer Min/Max/Average of all channels simultaneously with either relative or real-time stamp and have a measurement range...

Inverter-ready premium-efficiency electric motors.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Inverter-ready premium-efficiency electric motors are available in 15 hp and above sizes and meet the requirements of NEMA MG1, Part 31, for peak voltage when used with inverters. The motors, with improved insulation materials, can successfully...

Ventilation controller.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Ventilation controller is designed to control indoor air quality and save energy. The unit uses a carbon dioxide sensor to determine the occupancy of a space and then controls ventilation much like a thermostat would control heating or cooling....

A semi-rigid acoustical and thermal insulation.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... A semi-rigid acoustical and thermal insulation used to internally line spiral and oval metal HVAC duct systems provides the same acoustical and thermal performance benefits common to lined rectangular duct. The lightweight insulation snaps into...

Wall sconce.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Wall sconce meets a range of interior applications including hospitality, corporate office, museum and gallery spaces, reception, and banquet areas. The unit is distinguished by a cylindrical diffuser with beveled ends. Five ring louvers cut...

UVC Emitters.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... UVC Emitters keep coil and drain pans clean and kill microbes that grow in and circulate through HVAC systems. Standard double-ended fixtures come in three lengths (18, 24, 30 inches) and a choice of voltage options to allow application in...

New models of the NTG3 gas furnace.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... New models of the NTG3 gas furnace series deliver 2200 CFM and offer electronic ignition with the Honeywell spark-to-pilot system. The ignition system, coupled with the NTG3 furnace design, provides 80% AFUE to meet higher minimum efficiency...

Occupancy sensor.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Occupancy sensor incorporates both passive infrared and ultrasonic technologies. With coverage up to 1,500 square feet, the two technologies complement each other, eliminating blind spots. False on/offs due to temperature changes, warm air...

Out of the plane of the wall.(fire/smoke dampers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... "Out of the plane of the wall" UL-approved 1 1/2 hour-rated fire dampers and leakage rated fire/smoke dampers are designed for use directly behind supply/return grilles, allowing for easy frontal access to the damper and any accessories.

Indirect optical systems.(glare-free lighting)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Indirect optical systems produce glare-free ambient lighting. Interior spaces, such as warehouses, health care facilities, offices, art galleries, and even places of worship, all benefit when lighted by these uniform and efficient light...

Software.(air handler software)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Software simplifies the process of configuring and specifying Vision Customized Air Handlers. The Windows-based selection software program reduces time and cost by guiding users through a step-by-step. selection menu that generates...

Exit signs.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Exit signs can be specified in wall-, side-, or ceiling-mounted models to suit a range of application requirements. Energy-efficient, ultra-bright LEDs or highly luminous, cold cathode light sources ensure that exits are highly visible. AC-only...

City of Hammond Moves to Cut Energy Usage.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... A variety of measures brings improvements to 18 city-owned facilities HAMMOND, IN--The city of Hammond is working with Illinova Energy Partners (IEP) to help reduce energy use, revitalize 18 municipal facilities and lower operating costs...

Infrared Heaters Increase Productivity and Safety.(at Austin Jet International)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Installation of heaters in a Texas aircraft maintenance hangar has increased productivity and safety at a nominal cost HORSESHOE BAY, TX--Many people may think heaters aren't really a necessity in a place like Texas, but employees who work...

Pasadena Corporate Center Chooses Direct-Fired Absorption Chillers.
April 1, 2000... Adjacent buildings tied together for additional savings PASADENA, CA--Advanced absorption chillers have replaced 30-year-old machines at a Pasadena office complex, improving efficiency and reliability at all load levels. In the process, the...

Motor Controllers Keep Escalating Costs in Check.(Honolulu International Airport)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... New technology and utility rebate reduce costs at airport HONOLULU--When approached by representatives of Performance Control, Inc. of Ann Arbor, MI, in conjunction with KONE Corp. (formerly Montgomery KONE), with a plan to reduce the...