As Christmas lights went dark, investor-owned utilities struggled to find extra power, and the California ISO issued alert after alert, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power issued daily notices like this:

"The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power forecasts a peak energy load today in Los Angeles of 3,560 megawatts. DWP has 700 MW of uncommitted energy available today.

"This energy will be available to California entities such as the Independent System Operator or the California Power Exchange to assist them in meeting their normal and emergency energy needs. No power will be sold outside of the state."

Through the steamy summer and the power-sparse fall, DWP remained flush with power. "While electric rate increases are being sought by some utilities in California, Los Angeles city residents continue to enjoy stable rates that have remained unchanged for almost nine years," the utility told customers and anyone else interested.

But DWP isn't sitting still. It continues to develop innovative programs that benefit both utility and customers. They focus on efficiency, reliability, and renewable energy.

Energy efficiency
With the recent energy shortages in California, consumers are more concerned about saving energy than in the recent past. DWP is using this concern to promote energy efficiency. In December, the utility began offering free CD-ROMs to customers that contain information on improving energy efficiency.

"We are pleased to offer this special CD-ROM to our customers so that they can save on their bills, and we can provide additional electricity resources to the rest of California during this time of very tight energy supplies," said S. David Freeman, DWP general manager. "We are fortunate that DWP has adequate supplies for our customers and we are in a position to help the rest of the state," he added.

The CD helps residential customers survey their homes and apartments and make simple changes to improve energy efficiency. It also provides links to additional information.

Urban forestry
DWP also encourages energy efficiency through its "Cool Schools" program. Working with nonprofit community organizations, the program encourages the planting of trees at Los Angeles Unified School District campuses.

Since trees help save energy, especially in the peak summer season, this program will reap benefits for the district and city residents for years to come. It also saves money.

A review of this program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service found that, for each dollar spent on Cool Schools, approximately $2.37 is returned in reduced energy expenses and improved air quality, plus increased property value and improved human health and well-being. The analysis explicitly accounted for tree planting and program costs, as well as energy, carbon dioxide, and air pollution reduction benefits over 30 years.

Distributed generation
DWP also plans to pursue distributed generation, using microturbines and fuel cells. "The premise of distributed generation is to provide electricity to a customer at a reduced cost and efficiently, with reduced losses," according to its Web site. Other benefits, depending on technology, include reduced emissions, waste heat use, improved power quality and reliability and deferral of transmission or distribution upgrades.

To realize these benefits, DWP recently ordered two 250-kilowatt direct fuel cell powerplants. A previously ordered 250-kW powerplant will be installed at DWP headquarters in the second quarter of this year.

Funded by the utility's Public Benefits program, the fuel cell powerplants will demonstrate the benefits of the technology. Freeman said, "With approval of these additional projects, we are pleased to support the development of energy from advanced technology fuel cells, expected to be one of the main power sources in the years to come. DWP is prepared to be a 21st century leader in the use of this clean resource."

"These fuel cell powerplants will expand the important role of fuel cell power in our Distributed Generation Program," added Mahmud Chaudhry, assistant general manager-distribution.

DWP also plans to install and test several microturbines over the next few years. Some may use landfill or sewage treatment gases for fuel, providing more environmental benefits.

Programs like these will help DWP continue to meet consumer needs now and in the future.