In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Marshall, Schwan lighting project puts custom in customer service
		Mor-Gran-Sou partners with Boy Scouts to change lights and the world
		Western's IR cameras help utilities, customers maintain efficiency
		Technology Spotlight: Energy efficiency in new and existing computer data centers
		Energy shorts
		Calendar of events

• Western's new administrator to focus on three key issues
• What's in a name: Marketing energy programs to consumers
• CEC reports lessons learned for five dairy manure digesters
• DOE campaign offers "Easy Ways to Save Energy"
• Video Web site highlights renewable energy projects

Western's new administrator to focus on three key issues

Western's new Administrator Tim Meeks is looking forward to attending more customer meetings and touching base with power customers as he fills the new position, he said in an interview with Western's Closed Circuit newsletter.

At a recent meeting of the MidWest Electric Consumers Association, Meeks shared his goals and expectations with Western customers and employees. Transmission, wind integration and tribal partnerships are the three key areas he wants Western to focus on, he said.

"I think of transmission as being the ultimate key to our future," he explained. "I think we have an obligation to get out there and work with public, private and even non-utility entities to help alleviate transmission congestion points and 'conditional congestion areas' within our service territory, as defined by the Department of Energy's National Electric Transmission Congestion Study," Meeks continued.

"Conditional congestion areas" are locations where existing congestions is expected to worsen significantly if large amounts of new generation are developed without associated transmission capacity. Western's 17,000-plus miles of transmission lines put the agency in the position to be a major player in solving congestion.

On wind integration, Meeks stated, "Wind energy is here. It's the world's fastest-growing energy technology. We need to do what we can physically to make it easier for wind generators to connect to the system.

Thirdly, I anticipate expanding our partnership with Native American tribes to foster economic development on reservations. We're going to continue to reach out to the tribes. They are our customers and we need to ask them, 'What do you value from us and how can we help you develop and grow economically?' "

"I would like Western to be a strong strategic player in the electric utility industry," Meeks concluded. "When people think about transmission and transmission services in the West, I want them to think of Western as the organization to talk to."

What's in a name: Marketing energy programs to consumers

Idaho Power recently combined its renewable energy efforts with its energy efficiency and load management team, leading the investor-owned utility to wonder, how do you make all those distinct but related programs understandable for consumers?

That question cuts across the industry as rising energy costs, increasing demand and environmental concerns drive power providers to promote wise energy use and alternative resources. "We've been using 'DSM Team' for the EE+LM group, but that isn't an ideal name when it comes to the public's understanding," Efficiency Team Leader Celeste Becia observed. "It won't even be accurate when we try to cover our renewable energy programs and staff under the same umbrella."

"Demand-side management is a term coined back in the '70s that the industry understands but consumers don't," noted Elliot Boardman, executive director of Utility Communicators International. "Now it is being used for measures like peak load reduction as well as conservation. There's no question that utilities need to clarify terminology, so we can better explain these programs to consumers."

Becia wants to know how others in her field are meeting the challenge. "We would like to hear from utilities that have come up with effective umbrella names to cover their energy efficiency, load management and renewable energy initiatives," said the new UCI member. 

Western would like to know, too. Does your agency or company have a clever and descriptive name for a combined program encouraging customers to use energy efficiency and renewable energy? Have you discovered any strategies that have been especially helpful in communicating those concepts to the public? Share your experience with Western by contacting the Energy Services Bulletin editor.

CEC reports lessons learned for five dairy manure digesters

Dairy farmers thinking about converting manure to methane for electrical generation should study five evaluation reports on new dairy digester systems that the California Energy Commission issued in December.

The five farmers generally found the systems useful for manure and odor management, but some struggled with the operation of their systems and most were unable to make the best use of the energy provided by their systems.
Challenges the farmers faced included delays and cost overruns; lack of funds due to a drop in milk prices; reduced herds that produced less manure; troubles obtaining construction and utility interconnection permits; difficulty staying connected to the utility grid; inability to connect the largest dairy power loads to the generator; difficulty avoiding demand charges due to system down time; financial woes due to inadequate net metering arrangements; and equipment problems.

Despite the challenges, the systems produced ample biogas and electricity, although all of the farmers ended up flaring much of their biogas instead of producing power. Net metering laws and demand charges often worked against the project. It seems that most farmers would be better off trying to power their farm with their generators, rather than counting on benefits from feeding the power into the electrical grid.

DOE campaign offers "Easy Ways to Save Energy"

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has launched Simple Monthly Awareness Reminders & Tips as part of its "Easy Ways to Save Energy" initiative.

The year-long campaign broadcasts monthly e-mail messages to all DOE employees about simple actions everyone can take to save energy, save money and improve the environment. The message directs recipients to the "Easy Ways" Web site where visitors will find the animated tip of the month. The first tip in January was advice that everyone is familiar with and that even a child can do—turn off that light!

The Web site also provides links to energy-saving information for consumers, kids, educators, businesses and government agencies:

1. Energy Savers.gov – A Web site to help households reduce their energy bills by making homes more energy efficient. The site includes resources for homeowners, contractors and builders, building managers, realtors, and states.
   
   
2. Federal Energy Management Program: Office Energy Checklist – Tips for energy-saving activities at work include turning off lights and equipment that aren't in use, reusing paper, and eliminating disposable cups.
   
   
3. Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home – Find tips on ways to save energy at home and in your car.
   
   
4. Energy Hog – This site has fun games and activities to help kids and parents learn about energy efficiency, as well as student and teacher guides based on National Science Standards.
   
   
5. Powerful $avings: Tips to Save Money and Energy (Alliance to Save Energy) – Public service announcements with ideas for saving money and energy with home heating tips, gas tips and Energy Star product tips.
   
   
6. Save Energy Now – This initiative offers manufacturers opportunities for energy assessments, training, mini-workshops, energy saving information and recognition for energy-saving efforts.
   
   
7. Industry Plant Managers and Engineers: 20 Ways to Save Energy Now – Facilities managers can adopt these twenty steps for little or no cost, using in-house expertise.

DOE created the initiative in 2005 in response to rising energy costs caused by tight oil and gas markets, and the damage done by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The campaign is intended to build on the outreach activities of Energy Awareness Month, observed in October.

Video Web site highlights renewable energy projects

Bringing the do-it-yourself ethic of interactive Web sites such as YouTube to the growing renewable energy industry, the recently-launched Green Energy TV provides video clips of green energy projects globally. 

Through the company’s website, anyone can submit videos of renewable energy projects, under construction or completed. Projects may include solar energy, wind power, hydropower, hydrogen, biomass, biofuels, geothermal, fuel cells, wave or tidal energy, energy conservation, recycling and hybrid vehicles. 

Videos must be a minimum of 30 seconds long and cannot exceed 5 minutes unless approved by GreenEnergytv.com. Most video formats are acceptable (VHS, 8MM, Hi-8, digital video).

After a review process, the videos air on the Internet, giving users from all over the world the opportunity to learn about the project.  Green Energy TV also hopes to feature companies, inventors, installers, colleges and universities that have an existing or breakthrough technology that is waiting to be discovered and marketed to the world.
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 “This type of coverage allows consumers to become educated about the energy choices available and empower them to make the educated switch to clean energy,” Green Energy TV Founder Craig Zamary said.