Energy User News articles from February 2003

Energy User News archives from February 2003

Battle lines drawn over greenhouse gas emissions.(United States Congressional debate )
February 1, 2003... ASHINGTON, DC--Even as the complaint is heard that environmental regulations have been unjustifiably relaxed by the Bush Administration in recent months, the stage has been set for a Congressional debate about another potentially sensitive...

California gets bill, not refund.(U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; bill for $1.2 billion)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Instead of a refund, a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) administrative law judge on December 13 handed California a bill for $1.2 billion. Despite California's claim that it was owed $8.9 billion as a result of overcharges by...

The California Public Utilities Commission. (Eunticker).(putting utilities into power-buying business)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in December 2002 took final steps toward getting California's biggest utilities back into the power-buying business. The PUC ordered the utilities to take over all the basic electricity usage...

El Nino. (Eunticker).(U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... El Nino, the seasonal weather phenomenon that tends to result in warmer-than-normal winters in the northern United States, could put a crimp in revenues for natural gas and electric utilities already hit in 2002 by low wholesale power prices,...

The Energy Information Administration. (Eunticker).(Report on solar and wind power )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The Energy Information Administration (EIA) solar and wind energy use data for the year 2000 shows that California led the states in power production from solar and wind sources--in fact, it is listed as the only U.S. state that used a...

FirstEnergy Corp. (Eunticker).(Will retain ownership of its four coal-fired power plants in Ohio)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... FirstEnergy Corp., Akron, OH, said it will retain ownership of its four coal-fired power plants in Ohio. The company said bids it received on the plants fell short of the $1.5 billion agreement that was previously reached with NRG Energy Inc....

A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Eunticker).(Judge rejectsrenegotiation attempts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) judge rejected Nevada utility companies' attempts to renegotiate prices that were agreed to in contracts with energy suppliers during the Western energy crisis. The decision, however, will go to...

Sierra Pacific Resources. (Eunticker).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Sierra Pacific Resources announced that its two Nevada-based utility subsidiaries have signed long-term contracts with Duke Solar Energy LLC to supply 50 MW of electricity generated by solar power from a plant to be located in Eldorado...

Distributed generation could help Long Island Power crisis. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... DURHAM NC--A report released in December by Jerry Associates, Durham, NC, suggests that distributed generation could help the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) meet the five objectives outlined in its draft energy plan. President Jerry...

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2001 show largest decline in 11 years. (News).
February 1, 2003... WASHINGTON, DC -- Total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, led by a decrease in carbon dioxide, fell by 1.2% in 2001, from 1,907 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCe) in 2000 to 1,883 MMTCe in 2001 (-23.7 MMTCe), according to Emissions...

EUN Calendar. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... FEBRUARY 4-6 Electric West 2003, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA. Primedia. For more information, visit: images.electricshow.com/files/1104/ew03_ConfBrochure.pdf 10-14 CERA Week 2003, Westin Galleria and Westin Oaks,...

Letters.
February 1, 2003... Technology Is the Solution Readers have their own pet technologies, too Let us not forget that behind every solution to energy problems is an entrepreneur with a great idea. This month, we publish, without editorial or investment...

Environmental news you may have missed: don't mess with the honesty police; buy a gas guzzler; surrender that electric vehicle. (Green Matters Environmental Policies).
February 1, 2003... We editors are always coming across some news item or fact that's interesting or bemusing, but we never quite find a place to work them into an issue. So we squirrel them away until we no longer remember why we saved them. Following,...

Mr. Blue indeed: Brian Dennehy and Enron let us down. (Editorial).
February 1, 2003... I have always thought of Brian Dennehy as a good, solid actor who fared best when he portrayed a character caught between his sense of conscience and his sense of duty. Think of the sheriff in Rambo or even the district attorney in The Burden...

Smarter ways to bring power to critical power facilities: proper data center sizing promotes reliability.
February 1, 2003... Data centers are the engines fueling the phenomenal growth of the Internet economy. They also unite the vast infrastructure of the 21st century's new information utilities. Today's data centers are highly secure, highly reliable, and highly...

A strategic approach to critical environments: facility managers can maximize reliability, performance, and energy efficiency in critical facilities.
February 1, 2003... A financial service company's facility managers had no cause to suspect trouble in the computer room. Temperature and humidity seemed to be within normal ranges -- there had been no alarms. Two weeks earlier, after a contractor performed...

Industrial standby generators. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Industrial standby generators for commercial and rental applications where portable power is required are available in trailer-mounted or skid configurations. Features include heavy duty trailer; capacities from 25 kVA/2O kW to 175 kVA/140...

Building automation system. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Building automation system now features LonWorks interoperability in addition to BAGnet, OPC, Modbus, Web, and others. The network solution consists of new products as well as revisions or extensions to existing products. Included are...

A graphical UPS interlace. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... A graphical UPS interlace with a color touch-screen display is offered on multi-module systems with power ratings up to 800 kVA. Also available as an option for single-module systems, the high-resolution display offers features including...

Packaged 1000-kWe natural gas-fired generator. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Packaged 1000-kWe natural gas-fired generator with optional combined heat and power (CHP) capabilities allows companies to capture the heat created by the electric generation system and use it for heating or chilling, potentially cutting both...

Desktop companion software. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Desktop companion software makes it possible for users to analyze lighting audit data collected with a Pocket PC using recently released CE-Lite software. The Pocket PC is simply connected to the desktop PC, and a single click produces a...

Network protector communications relays. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Network protector communications relays allow users to select closing curves and have access to voltage, current, power, power factor, harmonics, and last trip information. Users can select from two closing curves, including a modified...

A web-based interface for energy management systems. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... A web-based interface for energy management systems (EMS) provides "plug-and-play' connectivity to Andover Controls' Infinity, Continuum, and AC256 systems. It provides control, not just access, the developer says. The system is said to...

2000 A-hr battery system. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... 2000 A-hr battery system, designed for performance and extended battery life, is valve-regulated and features horizontal plate orientation for better cycling capabilities and a movable positive post seal that reduces potential stress on the...

Air filter/diffuser units. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Air filter/diffuser units are designed to hold high performance or HEPA filters for use in ducted HVAC systems which utilize the concept of diffuser outlet filtration (DOF). In conventional systems, filters of various efficiencies and...

Heat exchanger service program. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Heat exchanger service program offers reconditioning, service, and repair of any brand of heat exchanger. The company offers two multi-step heat exchanger services: The Plate Heat Exchanger Reconditioning Service includes stringent check-in...

Medium-voltage motor controller. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Medium-voltage motor controller can execute 5000 operations without maintenance, the manufacturer says. In addition, the controller reduces installation, maintenance, and life cycle costs, and its compact footprint makes it suitable for...

Ethernet card and web reporting tool. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Ethernet card and web reporting tool works with the company's Nexus series power meters. The combination allows users to access and monitor real-time power data anywhere at anytime via the Internet--from online substation monitoring to...

Jobsite generator. (Products Literature & Services).
February 1, 2003... Jobsite generator series includes nine models, ranging from the 2.3 to 9.7 kW. The generators use a brushless design that minimizes maintenance by eliminating the carbon brushes and slip rings. Output voltage is maintained within [+ or -]3%....

Report suggests California conservation not permanent. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A report from Washington State University for the California Energy Commission concluded that local governments in the state showed more concern about fluctuating energy costs than did private businesses. The report said that the private...

ASHRAE publishes new guideline to improve the reliability of enerqy measurements. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ATLANTA, GA--A guideline that describes how to reliably measure energy savings resulting from building energy management projects has been published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)....

EPRI recommends new metrics for characterizing the performance of power delivery systems. (News).
February 1, 2003... PALO ALTO, CA--A new standard that more accurately measures power delivery system performance and outlines a methodology for determining the level of service required by a consumer is needed, according to a recent report from the Consortium...

CryoEnergy, Inc. acquires LNG technology license. (News).(liquid natural gas )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... NORWELL, MA--CryoEnergy International, Inc. (CEII) has successfully completed negotiations for an exclusive worldwide license to patented intellectual property initially developed by CryoFuel Systems, Inc. CEII was formed to design and...

Virginia wary of PJM. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... RICHMOND, VA--Plans to reorganize the nation's electricity markets by having utilities join regional transmission organizations (RTOs) have encountered opposition, particularly in the Southeast and Northwest. Virginia lawmaker Sen. John...

NEMA says incentives will spur technology. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ROSSLYN, VA--The technology exists to improve the United States' national transmission grid, but there are few incentives for transmission owners to make changes, says the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in a recent issue...

Call for papers issued for Lab Conference. (News).
February 1, 2003... Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs2l) announced its call for papers and posters for the Labs2l 2003 Annual Conference on October 21-23, in Denver, CO. Individuals with in-depth knowledge and experience in the areas of laboratory energy...

Texas environmentalists seek generator controls. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... DALLAS, TX -- Although Texas officials imposed air pollution limits on new small generators in 2001, environmentalists are not happy because the regulation doesn't cover existing equipment if it's used only as emergency backup, according to...

Wind power 'decent' in off year. (News).(300-410 megawatts of wind power capacity was added in 2002)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Approximately 300-410 MW of new wind power capacity was added in 2002, not rivaling 2001's additions, but still described as "decent" by Wind Energy Weekly. Large projects have been or are being added in Iowa, California, the Northwest,...

AEE to offer training & benefits to advance transformer's ESCO partners. (News).(Association of Energy Engineers, energy service companies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ATLANTA, GA -- The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) announced that it will offer energy service companies (ESCOs) that actively participate in Advance Transformer's EDGE program the opportunity to utilize their points to purchase a...

Coal-bed methane is hot, but so is environmental debate. (News).(environmental aspects of coal-bed methane production)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... DENVER, CO--Coal-bed methane is one of the fastest-growing energy products in the Rocky Mountains, the Denver Post reports, but its production has set off an environmental debate in the West. The problem is the water pumped out of the...

Power plant construction hits record year. (News).(new power generation capacity, electricity supply, demand data)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK--More than 54,000 megawatts (MW) of new US power generation were completed in 2002, a record year for construction despite the ongoing financial problems at many energy companies, according to Energy Argus. The 54,019 MW is...

New technologies decrease energy consumption. (News).(new energy conservation technologies for heating, ventilation, air conditioning industry )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CAMBRIDGE, MA -- New technologies developed for HVAC systems can significantly decrease peak energy draw and reduce the energy consumed by commercial buildings, according to a recent report authored by TIAX LLC, a technology research...

Freedonia predicts 10% micropower increases. (News).(forecasts, trends for micropower products, systems)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CLEVELAND, OH -- The US market for micropower products and systems is projected to increase 10% per year through 2006 to $6.5 billion. Although the economic slowdown and concomitant easing of energy shortages have removed some of the urgency...

ISO NE indentifies transmission problems. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... HOLYOKE, MA -- In its annual transmission plan, ISO New England Inc., operator of the region's bulk electric power system, disclosed that almost $900 million dollars in transmission upgrades would be needed to maintain power system...

Pew center says states leading with GHG reductions. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... WASHINGTON, DC--Long missing from the debate on global climate change and the negotiations surrounding greenhouse gas emissions are the significant measures being undertaken by the states, says a Pew Center on Global Climate Change report,...

New power plant for Brooklyn. (News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... NEW YORK, NY -- Independent energy concern TransGas Energy announced plans to build a said Thursday it is to build a 1100 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power plant and cogeneration facility in Brooklyn, NY. TransGas wants to...

Degree days for selected cities.(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... Degree days for selected cities December Montly Monthly Deviation Monthly Deviation City Total from Norm from Last Year Atlanta 650 43 196 Baltimore...

Electricity Price Comparison.(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... Electricity Price Comparison Breakeven Rates ($/kWh) 1st Q 2nd Q 3rd Q Large Office...

Ranking of Electricity Prices Commercial.(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... Ranking of Electricity Prices Commercial Rank Cts/kWh ST UTILITY % Total kWh 1 27.91 RI Block Island Power Co. 0.002% 2 24.05 AK Kolzebue Electric Assn., Inc 0.002% 3 ...

Rebate Report.(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... Rebate Report State HVAC Motors Gas Water Renewables Refrigeration Alabama No No No No No No Alaska No No No No No No Arizona No...

Ranking of Gas Utility Prices by State Commercial.(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... Ranking of Gas Utility Prices By State Commercial Rank State Price/Mcf 1 Hawaii $17.83 2 Delaware $10.73 3 Rhode Island $10.55 4 District of Columbia...

Errata.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2003... On page 22 of the January 2003 Energy User News, in the "Ranking of Electricity Prices Industrial,", the rate for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is incorrect, according to a company spokesman. BGE said it submitted the incorrect rate to...

Gas Price Comparison.(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... Gas Price Comparison Breakeven Rates ($/therm) 1st Q 2nd Q 3rd Q Large Office (150,000...