In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Recycling promotion highlights energy efficiency, local resources
		MHA Nation tackles wind development one step at a time
		ACORE committee provides renewable energy forum for utilities
		Schools, forests, taxpayers all win with Fuels for Schools
		Utilities join projects to promote energy-efficient homes
		SOLAR 2006 focuses on renewable energy's role in climate recovery
		Automated meter reading spreads through Western territory
		Nebraska utility, university partner on energy research center
		Western plans workshops to demystify power factor
		New Equipment Loan manager brings experience, plans to job
		Topics from the Power Line: Powering irrigation with renewable energy
		Energy shorts
		Technology spotlight: Pressure-independent valves - Do they save energy?
		Calendar of events

New Equipment Loan manager brings experience, plans to program

Gary Hoffmann worked on the Western crew that built a wind turbine in Archer, Wyo., in 1979. The turbine did not operate for long, but it helped electrical engineers learn about the technology. (Photo by Gary Hoffmann)

Replacing a loyal, long-time employee like Equipment Loan Program Manager Richard Burnkrant is never easy, especially when he ran one of Energy Services' most popular and successful programs. Fortunately, Gary Hoffmann has the right mix of enthusiasm and experience and he was right here at Western.

Spurred by Burnkrant's approaching departure, the Energy Services team formed a transition committee to evaluate the Equipment Loan Program and see if it could be improved. "We wanted to thoroughly analyze the program and that takes time," recalled Energy Services Representative Ron Horstman. "Rich was leaving at the end of 2005 and we were still sorting through the options, so we decided to fill the position temporarily with a current Western employee."

Although Hoffmann was working as a financial analyst at the time, he had a background in Energy Services. The Equipment Loan position sounded like a chance to return to engineering and do what he liked best. "I really enjoy working with customers," Hoffmann said, "and I wanted to get involved with renewable energy again."

Western's first anemometer loan program

Working at Western since the Department of Energy formed the administration 29 years ago has given Hoffmann the chance to wear many hats. As an electrical engineer in 1979, he was part of the crew that built two wind generators at the Archer and Laramie substations in Wyoming. "They only operated for about a year, but we learned a lot about the technology from those first turbines," he said of those early units.

Moving to the Power Resources department, Hoffmann joined the Conservation and Renewable Energy program and set up Western's first anemometer loan program. Measuring wind required some creativity back then, Hoffmann recalled. "There were some commercial units available, but we had to improvise a lot."

The program's first anemometers used revenue metering equipment to record data, and a method for translating that data had to be set up. "The Loveland [now Rocky Mountain Region] office metering department worked that out for us," said Hoffmann.

The piecemeal anemometers measured the wind velocity at about 200 sites. Later, the program acquired commercial units with data chips to record the information. "I could load that data into my laptop—excuse me, desktop computer," Hoffmann corrected himself. "We didn't have laptops."

Computers aren't the only things that have changed since Western's first anemometer loan program. "All of the equipment is more accurate, sturdier and less expensive now," said Hoffmann.

Training, sharing information take priority

And things will continue to change in the Equipment Loan Program. Since Hoffmann has arrived, Energy Services has added some new, lower-cost infrared cameras to its inventory. "More utilities are interested in buying units," Hoffmann explained. "The new models give them a chance to test the type of equipment they will be able to afford."

The new Equipment Loan manager would also like to do more field training with the regional offices, he said. Hoffman teamed up with Energy Services Representative Tracy Thorne from Western's Huron, S.D., office to conduct infrared camera mini-workshops in Wayne and Norfolk, Neb., May 17. The sessions offered engineers, supervisors and operations personnel from several utilities an overview of thermographic auditing and a hands-on introduction to Western’s state-of-the-art infrared cameras. Hoffmann demonstrated the cameras, then fielded questions about the Equipment Loan Program from a group of very engaged participants.

The Energy Services Web site offers more possibilities for training, Hoffmann added. He would like to develop "Frequently Asked Questions" and helpful tips for each piece of equipment. "This would take care of some of the routine, easily-solved problems that come up because people are unfamiliar with the equipment," said Hoffmann. "I tend to get two or three calls at once about the same problem."

Hoffmann would also like to share case studies from past equipment loans. "Some of our customers have gone way past the basics," he said. "Their innovative ideas for using and operating the equipment could be a great resource for the program."

The same could be said for Gary Hoffmann.

If you are interested in arranging equipment training in your area, contact Hoffmann or your regional Energy Services representative.