Energy User News articles from March 1999

Energy User News archives from March 1999

Restructuring Stalls in N.M.(electric utility deregulation)
March 1, 1999... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Electricity restructuring is a complex. contentious process for regulators, legislators. utilities, and end-users. It can take months or years for parties involved to hash out the issues and reach a consensus. When done...

Plenty of "Cool" ASHRAE Topics.(American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditionnig Engineers winter conference)
March 1, 1999... CHICAGO-Energy efficiency, indoor-air quality (IAQ), education, and key business issues were among the primary topics of discussion on tap at the 51st annual winter meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and...

Sun Hydraulics Ices Down Cooling Costs at New Plant.
March 1, 1999... SARASOTA, FLA.-The installation of thermal storage units and T-8 lamps is helping Sun Hydraulics Inc. ice down energy costs by about $82,000 annually at its newest manufacturing facility. Sun's decision to install thermal storage units...

Taking Bets on the Weather.(Chicago Mercantile Exchange offers options to hedge against weather swings)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... End-users and utilities now have an option to hedge against potential revenue losses caused by wild, unexpected weather swings. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange has announced plans to trade heating and cooling degree futures in nine cities...

The Department of Energy.(planning to reduce aims to improve energy efficiency in energy intensive sectors)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... The Department of Energy (DOE) is aiming to improve energy efficiency by 25 percent in the nine most energy intensive industrial segments by 2020. The savings are projected to be enough energy to run industrial plants in Ohio, Michigan,...

ABB Financial Services.(acquires Energy Capital Partners)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Financial Services has acquired Boston-based Energy Capital Partners. The acquisition is expected to help ABB Financial expand its business from arranging financing for large power projects, such as privatized...

States considering electric.(States seeking electric utilities deregulation need to consider the distribution system)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... States considering electric restructuring may want to find ways to foster competition for electricity distribution. "In most states, distribution is 40 to 50 percent of the bill. If this segment is not open to competition, it will hinder...

Tanks A Lot: A Decade of Indifference.(a large degree of non-compliance in EPA underground storage tank rules)
March 1, 1999... That there are still 400,000 non-compliant USTs does not speak well for those who have ignored the problem Being an environmentally conscious energy manager is about paying attention--and not just to the pervasive bottom-line outlook on...

State Attorney's Office Shaves Costs.(Electronic Lighting Inc. controllable ballast makes substantial energy savings possible)
March 1, 1999... GAINESVILLE, FLA.-Alachua County's Office of the State Attorney is saving more than $20,000 a year in energy costs-a reduction of 76 percent of its lighting costs-due to a controllable electronic ballast retrofit incorporating strategies of...

Partnership Spells Better Schools.(Southern Company Energy Solutions and Rabun County Schools)
March 1, 1999... MOUNTAIN CITY, GA.-Rabun County Schools-with a total of five schools, including three elementary, two middle, and one high school-faced a situation similar to that of many school districts throughout the nation when conditions dictate the...

Without a Safety Net, Interruptible Rates Are a Big Gamble.(Gary Markowitz of Star Markets Company Inc. of Boston)(Interview)
March 1, 1999... BOSTON--Gary Markowitz is the corporate energy manager for Star Markets Co., a chain of 52 supermarkets throughout Boston. As an energy manager with more than 20 years experience, Mr. Markowitz has negotiated a wide range of energy contracts,...

Going Off the Grid.(customer-sited energy generation)
March 1, 1999... Trends in on-site generation and uninterruptible power are driven by economics and reliability concerns On-site, or customer-sited generation is clearly gaining steam in the energy-generation market. Building owners are finding that the...

Power Standing By.(emergency generators)
March 1, 1999... Harry B. Zackrison, Jr., P.E., is director of Electrical Engineering with APM Engineering, based in Washington, D.C. After last summer's extreme weather and widespread utility outages, building owners are preparing for the unexpected ...

Is Time Running Out for Nuclear Plants?
March 1, 1999... Stuart V. Price is an energy writer living in New York City. With standard 40-year operating licenses running out, the future of U.S. nuclear-generating plants is in question A great deal 01 uncertainty will accompany energy...

Reflections on Lighting's Latest Trends.(energy-saving reflectors)
March 1, 1999... Today's fixture enhancements offer more control and efficiency For most energy managers, replacing outdated fluorescent lamps and mechanical ballasts with modern, energy-efficient T8 lamps and electronic ballasts has become standard...

Making Thomas Edison Proud.(school renovations in Edison Township)
March 1, 1999... EDISON, N.J.--In the same municipality where Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb, and coincidentally with the 150th anniversary of his birth, the Edison Township School District in New Jersey has upgraded its entire school lighting...

Millennium Dome Project Designed to Meet the Future.(cooling system for the Greenwich, England structure)
March 1, 1999... GREENWICH, U.K.--Having been in existence for more than half of the current millennium, Britain is preparing a special celebration to welcome the next with a massive construction project--the Millennium Dome. Billed as the largest enclosed...

Comparing Power Contracts.(electricity purchasing management advice)
March 1, 1999... Kevin J. Simonsen is the principal in charge of EMS modeling projects and is the general manager. EMS provides regulatory financial analysis, energy-related analysis models, strategy identification, and rate analysis services for both the...

Correction.
March 1, 1999... The January installment incorrectly stated that electricity generators can control point-of-use power quality.

Flowserve Corp.(close-coupled motor-mounting system)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... Close-coupled motor-mounting system is designed to be self-setting on outer magnetic assembly of the motor shaft for Flowserve Corp.'s Guardian and Chemstar mag drive pumps. Jackscrews are provided to facilitate separation of inner and outer...

Anko Products Inc.(peristaltic pump)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... Self-priming peristaltic pump features variable-speed controls and positive displacement. Factory preset flow rates range from 300 to 2,000 mI/min. Pumping capacity up to 3,800 mI/min for applications requiring non-continuous flows. Mityflex...

Graham.(VLT 6000 Series adjustable-frequency drives)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... Adjustable-frequency drives for HVAC applications feature built-in two-setpoint PID controller, built-in RS-485 connection, and built-in N2-FLN communication for direct communications with Johnson Controls Inc.'s Metasys and Landis & Staefa'...

Dectron Inc.(reverse-cycle heat pump)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... Reverse-cycle heat pump (RCHP) recovers heat from watersource heat-pump loop during winter months. Unit eliminates need for additional boiler equipment to heat make-up air. Units range in size from 500 to 15,000 cfm. Larger sizes can be...

Saftronics Inc.
March 1, 1999... Compact HVAC inverter available in 208 V to 7.5 horsepower, 230 V to 10 horsepower and 460 V to 15 horsepower. Features include low harmonic distortion with 12-pulse input and DC link chokes, user-friendly keypad, drive/off/bypass selector...

Rockwell Automation.(alternating current motor)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... AC motor line is available in models ranging from 1/8 to 1,000 horsepower and in frame sizes from 56 to 4,460. Compact design reduces motor inertia, which allows for faster changes in motor speed and direction. Low-flux saturation reduces...

Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems.
March 1, 1999... Two- and fiveton capacity heat pumps deliver 13.0 SEER. System efficiency can be raised as high as 14.5 SEER with a compatible fan coil. Pumps also offer heating seasonal performance factor of 8.5. Pumps use Puron, a chlorine-free...

Gardner Denver Machinery Inc.
March 1, 1999... Oil-less air compressors range in size from 5 to 15 horsepower and feature a dry crankcase. Coated piston head isolates the piston, rings, and connecting rod bearings from full heat of compression. Protection from heat extends ring life up to...

Marathon Electric.
March 1, 1999... Line of motors is available in open drip-proof construction from 1/4 to 500 horsepower and completely enclosed fan-cooled enclosures from 1 to 20 horsepower. Mounting configurations include rigid base, C-face rigid, close-coupled JM and JP,...

Greenheck.
March 1, 1999... Heavy-duty centrifugal fans are designed to operate in environments with high-pressure requirements. Heavy-gauge steel construction reinforced with rigid members allows units to handle high static pressures up to 20-in. wg and volumes up to...

ABB Drives & Power products.
March 1, 1999... Adjustable-speed AC drives control motors for a variety of HVAC applications, such as powering fans, pumps, and variable-air-volume systems. Controls are available in two models: one to operate motors from 3 to 100 horsepower at 200 VAC; the...

AOIP Instrumentation.
March 1, 1999... Electronic soft starter for squirrel-cage motor features built-in macro programs that automatically select relevant parameter settings and configure programmable I/O terminals after selecting macro applications and entering nominal motor...

Netzsch Inc.
March 1, 1999... Close-coupled metering pumps range in capacity from 70 gpm to 400 gpm. Motor sizes range from 10 horsepower, 405 rpm to 25 horsepower, and 315 rpm. All motors are TEFC enclosures, and 3/60/460 V with thermistors. Pumps are constructed with...

KSB Aktiengesellschaft.
March 1, 1999... Floating pumping station carries three RDLO pumps on a pontoon. Each pump has a drive rating of 1,000 kW and can pump salt water through a 25-km long pipe at more than 2,000 cbm per hour. Pump features stainless steel-reinforced hoses made of...

TB Wood's Inc.
March 1, 1999... Vector drive for machine-tool applications can supervise up to eight motors per unit. Size ranges from 2 to 220 horsepower with input frequencies from 0-75 Hz for models below 125 horsepower and 0-375 Hz for models ranging above 125 to 200...

Armstrong Pumps Inc.
March 1, 1999... Submersible pumps available in three models. Oil-free motor improves energy efficiency and prevents contamination of pumped liquids caused by oil leakage. Stainless-steel shaft and permanently greased bearings are standard. Pumps have a...

Bessam-Aire Inc.
March 1, 1999... Portable evaporative cooler comes fully assembled. Electrical receptacle and garden hose required. Ambient air is cooled by as much as 20[degrees] F. Constructed of 16and 18-gauge G-90 galvanized steel. Capacities range from 3,000 to 10,000...

Rena OEM sales.
March 1, 1999... Compact, adjustable, multifunctional fountain pump features front-mounted flow control for easy access. Unit comes with unlimited settings for precise water control and low-mounted pump intake for greater efficiency. Suction cups for the...

Deming Pumps.
March 1, 1999... End-suction centrifugal pumps are available in seven basic frames and 44 sizes ranging from 1 in. to 8 in. discharge. Pumps are also available in frame-mounted and close-coupled designs. Features include one-piece casting of suction head,...

DF Fan Services Inc.
March 1, 1999... Centrifugal forward-curved fans come in capacities ranging from 150 to 88,000 cfm at static pressures to 8 in. wg and temperatures to 1,000[degrees]F. Constructed of galvanized steel housing. All parts can be manufactured in aluminum,...

Boston Gear.
March 1, 1999... Soft-start motor controllers available in 1/2 to 50 horsepower models. Controllers come in 208/230, 460, and 575 VAC models and feature motor overload protection. Units accept three-phase input voltage and come with ventilated NEMA 1...

Sterling Fluids USA Inc.(Pumps for HVAC applications)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... Pumps for HVAC applications feature compact casing for installation in tight spaces and stainless-steel shaft. Cast-bronze, one-piece hydraulically and dynamically balanced impeller eliminates vibration and extends bearing life. Pump has a...

ABS Pumps.(dewatering pumps)(Brief Article)
March 1, 1999... Dewatering pumps feature hydraulic parts and lightweight durable design for portable applications. Available with a float switch for automatic operation. Guaranteed by maker to run dry. Jumbo J12 Series contractor Pumps by ABS Pumps.

Motors.
March 1, 1999... Motors TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AC DC Horsepower range ABB Industrial Systems Inc. * ...

RANKING OF ELECTRICITY PRICES INDUSTRIAL.
March 1, 1999... RANKING OF ELECTRICITY PRICES INDUSTRIAL Rank Cts/kWh ST. UTILITY % Tot. kWh 1 14.41 AK Kodiak Electric Assn, Inc. 0.0% 2 13.27 HI Hawaii Electric Light Co. Inc. 0.0% ...

SPOT MARKET GAS: POSTED PRICES.
March 1, 1999... February prices reported by the Natural Gas Clearinghouse. Prices represent estimated median prices for one month spot transactions ranging at the indicated receipt points. Prices are not offers. Pipeline 2/99...

REFINERS FUEL PRICES.
March 1, 1999... REFINERS FUEL PRICES Mid-February prices in dollars per 42-gallon barrel, generally for tank cars going to consumers. Past prices are mid-month. Grade and Site Current 12/98 8/98 2/98 No. 6...

RANKING OF GAS UTILLITY PRICES BY STATE INDUSTRIAL.
March 1, 1999... RANKING OF GAS UTILLITY PRICES BY STATE INDUSTRIAL Rank Sale Price/Mcf 1 Montana $5.54 2 Florida $4.47 3 Nevada $4.39 4 Massachusetts $4.34 ...

DEGREE DAYS FOR SELECTED CITIES.
March 1, 1999... DEGREE DAYS FOR SELECTED CITIES January City Monthly Total Monthly Deviation Monthly Deviation From Norm From Last Year Albuquerque 760 ...

PRICE WATCH.
March 1, 1999... No. 2 oil for March delivery tell by 3[cent] to 29[cent] per gallon on the NY Mercantile Exchange (through February 10). No. 6 oil's posted price fell by 80[cent] to $16.70 per barrel (1% sulfur). Spot-market Texas crude traded at $11.75 on...