October, 2000
What's inside?
- NTUA turns to PV systems for distributed generation
- Western unveils new Web site
- DOE gives consumers info on energy issues
- Summer heat highlights importance of energy efficiency
- Who are you going to call? Western's experts
- California municipalities use solar energy for public buildings
- Fremont upgrades to state-of-the-art control
- SMUD hydropower project earns national award for recreation facilities
- California utilities contribute to communities
- Alliance helps customer evaluate motors
- Power Line has the answers
 Western’s Energy Services Website: www.wapa.gov/es Western's Power Line: |
| The Energy Services Bulletin is published by the Western Area Power Administration (Western) for the information of Agency customers. The mailing address is Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213; the telephone number is (303) 275-1739, e-mail: buntin@wapa.gov. Regional Energy Services Managers are: Billings, MT - Diane Noennig, (406) 247-7392; Loveland, CO - Peggy Plate, 1-800-472-2306; Phoenix, AZ - Steve Szarka, (602) 352-2462; Folsom, CA - Robert Parkins, (916) 353-4490; and Salt Lake City, UT - Dave Bennion, (801) 524-5506. The mention of any service, product, or technology does not constitute an endorsement of same and Western, the Department of Energy, or the United States Government cannot be held responsible or liable for use thereof.
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California municipalities use solar energy for public buildings
These days, the California sun provides power to more than sun worshippers along the Pacific Coast. It's powering public facilities from Sacramento to Los Angeles, bringing with it the advantages of renewable energy and distributed generation.
In the wake of soaring summer temperatures, and energy prices to match, utilities were scrambling for every kilowatt of energy. Strategically placed renewable energy systems can help businesses and public facilities keep the power on even when supplies dip. The systems also provide power for the grid, especially on long summer days when solar resources and energy demand are both at their peaks. And they reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Anaheim Public Utilities
The Anaheim Convention Center's roof will soon hold the world's
largest convention center solar PV system, with a capacity of 102 kilowatts.
That's enough energy for 27 homes, according to Anaheim Public Utilities.
The Anaheim installation includes an educational display to help consumers recognize the benefits of PV power. The Convention Center attracts more than 1 million visitors each year, and the display will tell them about wind speed and direction, air and roof temperatures, and how much electricity is being produced. It also shows how PV systems work. Visitors taking the elevator to the top of the atrium will get a chance to see the system itself.
Anaheim Public Utilities received a $23,000 grant for the display from the American Public Power Association's Demonstration of Energy Efficient Developments program. Utility PhotoVoltaic Group provided $25,000 toward the system's cost. City of Colton
City of Colton
A solar electric system at the city of Colton's Public Works Administration
Building acts as a 120-foot-long carport. Colton Electric Utility dedicated
the facility in July. At the same time, the city sponsored a solar energy
and electric vehicle expo to inform residents about the benefits of clean
energy technologies.
The system will supply grid-connected power during peak energy use periods, adding 22kW to the city's electric capacity.
"We believe that solar energy will play an increasingly important role
for the utility in the coming years," said Gerald Katz, project manager
for the city. "The Colton Electric Utility sees renewable power to be
increasingly effective and viable. We are looking to expand on the success
of this project and have been very pleased with Applied Power's performance
and the system."
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
LADWP has combined a PV system, a carport, and a rapid electric vehicle charging station in one project. The system pumps 750kWh of solar energy daily into the grid. The facility powers DaimlerChrysler's Epic minivans, including those used by a commercial airport shuttle service.
The solar carport is not LADWP's only public building powered by the sun. An on-site PV system will soon provide nearly 15 percent of the energy needed to run the Los Angeles Convention Center. The grid-connected system will demonstrate the technology to convention center visitors.
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Web Sites Anaheim Public Utilities: www.anaheim.net/utilities/ From Western's Power Line
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