Energy User News articles from May 2002

Energy User News archives from May 2002

Buoyed by Supreme Court ruling, FERC takes next step.(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Fresh from a Supreme Court ruling on March 4 that affirmed the government's right to regulate the nation's power grid, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) lost little time outlining its latest plan to require a standard design for...

California PUC won't void direct access contracts.(Public Utilities Commission)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... SACRAMENTO, CA--Electricity deregulation, thought dead in California, lives on in a limited way as a result of action by the state's Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which voted to allow many large commercial and industrial companies that...

EUN Load Profile: Percent of US Electricity Sales by Class of Consumer.
May 1, 2002... EUNLOAD PROFILE Percent of US Electricity Sales By Class of Consumer Residential 35% Commercial 31% Industrial 31% Other 3% Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Note: Table made from pie chart

RLE Technologies. (EUN Ticker).(accepted as partner of Facilities Solution Alliance)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... RLE Technologies, Fort Collins, CO, a provider of monitoring devices, has been accepted as a partner of the Facilities Solution Alliance (FSA), joining companies such as Cummins-Onan, Square-D, Power Logic, MGE, and Stulz-ATS. FSA offers a...

Honeywell's control products business. (EUN Ticker).(joint marketing and distribution alliance with Cannon Technologies)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Honeywell's control products business announced a joint marketing and distribution alliance with Cannon Technologies, a supplier of electric utility automation and peak load management services and products. Honeywell and Cannon plan to offer...

Allegheny Power. (EUN Ticker).(PJM West to begin operations)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Allegheny Power, the energy delivery business of Allegheny Energy, Inc., and PJM, the electric grid operator for the mid-Atlantic region, announced that PJM West, an extension of the PJM energy market, would become operational on April 1,2002.

GE Digital Energy. (EUN Ticker).(delivers Advanced Power System to GE Industrial Systems)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... GE Digital Energy in March delivered its first Advanced Power System (APS), a pre-engineered, pre-assembled, and pre-tested system that delivers premium power for mission critical applications, to a GE Industrial Systems (GEIS) facility in...

A U.S. bankruptcy judge. (EUN Ticker).(Constellation Power Sources bids on former Enron contracts)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... A U.S. bankruptcy judge gave approval to the auction of 20,000 electricity contracts in which Enron contracted to deliver power to small and mid-size businesses in Texas, Maine, and Massachusetts. Constellation Power Source submitted a...

Fast Company magazine. (EUN Ticker).(names John Woolard as one of "Fast 50" Innovators)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Fast Company magazine named John Woolard, CEO of Silicon Energy, Alameda, CA, as one of its debut list of "Fast 50" Innovators. Woolard was selected as a leader in the "Disruptor" category for championing best practice strategies to help...

Amerex USA. (EUN Ticker).(buys crude oil and products businesses of RedMeteor Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Amerex USA, Houston, TX, has purchased the crude oil and products businesses of Houston-based RedMeteor, Inc. for an undisclosed price. With the acquisition, Amerex expands its North American energy brokerage presence beyond its core...

EUN calendar. (News).
May 1, 2002... MAY 15-17 NAESCO Mid-Year Conference, Chicago, IL National Association of Energy Service Companies. For more information, call: (202) 822-0950. 27-31 Right Light 5, Hotel Radisson, Nice, France. ADEME, French Agency for the...

Energy project funding sources revealed. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Details on grants, loans, incentives, rebates, and tax credits to encourage energy-efficient or renewable energy projects have been compiled by several organizations. Renewable Energy Incentives The Database of State Incentives for...

Economic stimulus bill encourages purchase of efficient products. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... WASHINGTON--The U.S. Senate on March 8 approved a bill that would increase depreciation of new equipment, including energy-efficient machinery, and thus serve as an economic stimulus, sponsors hope. The House of Representatives had previously...

Conflicting reports issued on energy policy. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... WASHINGTON, DC--The National Energy Policy Initiative (NEPI), announced at a press conference on March 14th led by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D.-NM), contains a series of broad-ranging policy recommendations based on the conclusion that...

Wind Energy Tax Credit extended two years. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... WASHINGTON, DC--The U.S. wind energy industry installed nearly 1700 megawatts (MW) or $1.7 billion worth of new generating equipment in 16 states last year, according to American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). The final tally of 1694 MW...

Georgia legislature rewrites natural gas deregulation. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... ATLANTA, GA--Gov. Roy Barnes' proposal to re-regulate Georgia's natural gas market was approved in the House and Senate March 20 after Barnes and lawmakers reached a compromise agreement that salvaged the state's landmark natural gas...

Survey reveals deregulation disenchantment among users. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... NORTH SALEM, NY--Buffeted by the Enron fallout, the California energy crisis, and the failure of deregulation to live up to its promises of lower prices and better service, many U.S. businesses are no longer as keen on electricity...

California sues power generators in 'double dealing' dispute. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... SACRAMENTO, CA--After a year-long investigation, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed a $150 million lawsuit on March 11 against four energy generators for accepting payment to keep some of their output in reserve for emergencies...

Lights out for another online energy exchange. (News).(Altra Energy Technologies to close operations)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... HOUSTON--Altra Energy Technologies, an online marketplace for natural gas, electricity, and other energy products, sold one of its last remaining business units to Chem-Connect and planned to shut down its operations completely, the company...

The world is a dangerous place: but it's also very connected. (Editorial).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
May 1, 2002... England's Queen Mother died last week at the age of 101. During her life, we fought the war to end all wars--and then all the following wars. We saw the rise of Communism--and its fall. We saw the rise of fascism--and its fall. We saw the...

Looking for energy in all the wrong places: Congress can't seem to get a grip on issues. (Green Matters: Environmental Policies).(Brief Article)(Column)
May 1, 2002... Anyone who sincerely hoped that some significant environmental good would come the latest energy fracas in Congress must surely be disappointed. As we write, the final version of the legislation hasn't been written, but the direction is...

Could DALI be lighting's next breakthrough? Digital lighting networks offer high energy savings and unprecedented flexibility in lighting control.(digital addressable lighting interface)
May 1, 2002... Imagine a large office building where the lighting system is set up as a dynamic network with luminaires that can be controlled separately or in multiple combinations of groups--then reprogrammed as space needs change. The luminaires can be...

Can intelligent office lighting systems really save 80%? A utility examines the claims and finds some surprising answers.
May 1, 2002... Energy-saving technologies such as occupancy sensors, personal dimming controls, facility-wide scheduling, and daylight sensors have been available in the lighting energy marketplace in one form or another for a number of years. While there...

Integrated lighting automation system. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Integrated lighting automation system provides automated on/off light switching, full-range dimming, real-time monitoring of lighting systems, and load shedding for peak demand reduction. It combines lighting control with Web-based software...

Passive infrared automatic wall switch. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Passive infrared automatic wall switch adjusts time delays and sensitivity based on usage patterns and room environment, achieving peak detection and maximum energy savings without false triggers, the manufacturer says. It also has a...

Switchgear presents a new option for applications through 34.5 kV requiring 16-kA symmetrical short-circuit duty. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Switchgear presents a new option for applications through 34.5 kV requiring 16-kA symmetrical short-circuit duty. The switchgear includes 600-A load-interrupter switches and fault interrupters, sealed in an SF6-insulated, elbow-connected...

Electronic dimming ballasts. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Electronic dimming ballasts provide 100 to 1% full-range continuous dimming and can operate with a wide variety of controls from over 30 control manufacturers. The ballasts can be easily integrated into such systems as total building lighting...

Energy-efficient luminaires. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Energy-efficient luminaires are featured in a comprehensive new product and applications binder, which is a specification tool for professional lighting designers, architects, electrical contractors, and distributors. It covers the full line...

Dimming controls. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Dimming controls for electronic fluorescent ballasts provide linear lighting control from 100 to 1% of rated lumen output on T8, T5, and CFL installations and are available for both 120 and 277-V applications. A specification-grade, preset...

Commercial downlighting catalog. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Commercial downlighting catalog showcases recessed down-lighting for commercial lighting applications. The publication features ordering information and performance data and also includes a lighting guide that simplifies luminaire selection....

Interoperability brochure. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Interoperability brochure explains the benefits of complete LonWorks-based building automation solutions. LonWorks permits interoperability by linking the LonWorks-based equipment of different manufacturers. Also described is a system that...

Protocol translator gateway. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Protocol translator gateway enables devices using foreign protocols to communicate with the LonWorks network. An example is a fire alarm panel using a proprietary manufacturer's protocol needing to supply alarm information to a network. A...

Modular wiring system. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Modular wiring system can reduce labor costs 25 to 50%, the manufacturer says. Factory-wired components replace conventional conduit and wire to distribute branch circuits to lighting luminaire and receptacle devices. Designed to work with...

Interior lighting zonal cavity calculator. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Interior lighting zonal cavity calculator for Palm-OS handheld digital assistants makes it possible to obtain accurate interior estimates for commercial or industrial lighting projects while on the road away from the computer. Working on a...

Metal halide lamps. (Products Literature & Services).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Metal halide lamps deliver 22% more light over life (mean lumens), the highest maintained lumens of any standard CW/CWA system, the manufacturer says. The lamps are suited for applications in retail ceilings, industrial facilities,...

California wants to unload high-priced energy contracts. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... SACRAMENTO, CA--The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Electricity Oversight Board (CEOB) filed separate but similar complaints on Februrary 25 asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to abrogate...

HVAC/R Handbook provides quick reference. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... DES PLAINES, IL--Developed by the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) Technical Institute, the HVAC/R Quick-Reference Handbook contains basic information that every person involved in HVAC/R operation and service can use. The...

Wisconsin Renewable Energy Program offers financial incentives. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... MADISON, WI--Wisconsin Focus on Energy on March 12 announced multiple financial incentives and grants to fuel interest in renewable energy projects across the state. These incentives and grants are being made available to individuals,...

NEMA releases Energy Guide. (News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... ROSSLYN, VA--The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), has released MG 10-2001, Energy Management Guide for Selection and Use of Fixed Frequency Mediurn AC Squirrel-Cage Polyphase Induction Motors. The guide provides practical...

Eyeforenergy announces Energy Management conference. (News).(Strategic Energy Management USA conference)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... LONDON, UK--Eyeforenergy, a leading developer of energy and environmental conferences in Europe, announced that it is finalizing the program for its June 24-25 conference Strategic Energy Management USA: New Techniques for Corporate Buyers...

Up on the rooftop: energy savings by remote control. (News).(New device saves energy for rooftop air-conditioning units)(Government Activity)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2002... RICHLAND, WA--Using equipment intended to save energy is a losing battle if that equipment isn't working properly. A diagnostic system developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory can help ensure economizer devices purchased for rooftop...

Cogeneration conference announced. (News).(Speaker from Detroit Edison)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Center for Business Intelligence announced that it would be holding a conference called the Business Case for Cogeneration June 27-28 at the Omni Ambassador East Hotel, Chicago, IL. Energy User News has agreed to participate as a media...

Report benchmarks pollution from top 100 electric companies. (News).(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data leads to new report)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Fewer than 20 power generation companies in the United States account for 50% of carbon dioxide ([CO.sub.2]), mercury (Hg), oxides of nitrogen ([NO.sub.x]), and sulfur dioxide ([SO.sub.2]) emitted into the air by the 100 largest...

Demand for reliable power sparks Power Quality Service Markets. (News).(Public utilities depend on mission-critical computer equipment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO--The proliferation of mission-critical computer equipment and the increasing instability of public utilities continue to boost demand for reliable power quality, says a report issued by market consultants Frost & Sullivan. ...

Johnson forms strategic alliance with Eaton corporation. (News).(To provide high-quality electric power in nonresidential buildings)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... MILWAUKEE, WI -- Johnson Controls and Eaton Cutler-Hammer announced a strategic alliance formed to help the companies compete effectively as providers of reliable, high-quality electric power in nonresidential buildings. Through a program...

Phone company to rely on fuel cells at call center. (News).(UTC Fuel Cells gets contract from Verizon Communications)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... NEW YORK--Verizon Communications has announced plans to install fuel cells as the primary electrical power source at a major call-routing center on Long Island. The project will be the largest fuel cell deployment project in the world, the...

Public awareness program promotes energy-efficient products and technologies. (News).(Energize America Educational Institute's new Web site)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ--Energize America Educational Institute (EAEI)--a non-profit institute developed by industry leaders who form the advisory board and dedicated to promoting the use of energy-efficient products and...

Environmental and consumer groups release green power standard for Illinois customers. (Marketplace: Statistics, Trends and Energy Data).(New "green power" standard endorsed by Sierra Club)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... CHICAGO--A coalition of Illinois environmental and consumer groups on March 25 released a "green power" standard to provide consumers and electricity suppliers with a consistent understanding of what constitutes environmentally preferable...