Public bodies, such as Universities and Hospitals, are heavy users of energy and a few basic measures can save a substantial amount financially and environmentally.

Wright State have their own newspaper “The Guardian” which in part reported the following details:

Dayton Power and Light has awarded $118,000 in rebates to Wright Sate in just the first year of the University’s energy conservation project.

Wright State could potentially receive an additional $200,000 for using new lighting techniques to save energy. The rebates from DP&L have allowed WSU to upgrade all lighting on campus.

“Upgrading light fixtures everywhere on campus was phase one,” said Wright State Energy Manager, John Howard. “It touched every room within the university, which has never been done before.”

These upgrades have already saved WSU 32 percent on lighting energy alone….

“To save energy, sometimes it takes a considerable investment because you need to have greater equipment,” said Howard. “There’s always something more efficient out there.”

Associate director of the WSU physical plant, Bill Knotts further explained the process.

“Florescent lights at Home Depot used to run about ten bucks and now you can get them for a dollar,” said Knotts. “That was part of the rebate from Dayton Power and Light. This project is the same thing, just on a much larger scale.”

In addition to the money gained from the rebates, Wright State will also benefit from an estimated annual energy savings of $45,000.

This is interesting as these projected savings are just by changing the lighting, they are obviously benefiting from the rebates from the utility company and there will no doubt be grants available from the Federal or State government.

Although WSU are changing lights to more energy efficient products an intelligent lighting management system would also contribute to major savings.

All WSU needs now is a way of monitoring their energy use to discover where the greatest savings could be made, as Bethune-Cookman University did in Florida (Check out the story).

Universities and other public bodies can make serious savings on harmful emissions and in money which will boost hard hit budgets and services – but as in the case of Wright University action has to be taken and consideration of energy monitoring for effective energy management.

This should be great headline grabbing news but it is strange how often “spend, spend, spend” is regarded as sexy while being frugal and saving is regarded as nerdy or introverted.

Fortunately the U.S. is taking a lead in changing what is sexy as far as saving money through energy efficiency is concerned. They have just announced that President Obama’s administration has set up the SEE Action Network (State Energy Efficiency Action Network) to help states achieve maximum cost effective energy efficiency improvements.

This sounds like an interesting development and will hopefully keep the energy efficiency drive, at least in the U.S. of A, moving forward – it is also good to see the States setting a good example in this area compared to past times.

Credit to Mr Obama to keep pushing forward with the energy efficient message and schemes such as this one, particularly when he trying to increase his popularity because as we have established doesn’t produce the biggest headlines.

To help raise the importance and hopefully the desirability of energy efficiency there were some interesting quotes in the Initiative’s press-release from Lisa P. Jackson, the EPA Administrator, and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Jackson said in a press-release regarding the new initiative:

“In the clean energy future, energy efficiency is action number one. We can cut greenhouse gases and protect our environment at the same time we save money for homeowners, schools and businesses.”

While Chu added:

“Expanding energy efficiency is one of the quickest, most cost-effective ways we can address climate change and grow America’s economy.”

These quotes are worth highlighting as the truths they state need to be kept to the fore as they crank up awareness of energy efficiency – focussing on it rather than leaving it lurking in the shadows.

A lot of talk and focus goes into renewable, clean energy sources and new energy generation – important in the long term but as Jackson states: “Energy efficiency is action number one,” because as she suggests it ticks all the boxes, particularly with regard to saving money.

Chu underlines the importance of putting energy efficiency at the top of the list by stating that it is the quickest way to address climate change and save money, thus affecting the economy.

Wind turbines, solar panels, wave power and clean power stations are all sexy as they often involve major capital investment, jobs creation and are clearly visible on the skyline or in the oceans. Meanwhile energy efficiency is so often hidden, turning off lights; either by hand or automatically doesn’t demand much attention.

For politicians, locally and nationally, energy saving actions do not grab the headlines when compared to announcing some new wind farm or similar – but the message does seem to be getting though, possibly thanks to the economic downturn over the last year or so.

As politicians, business leaders and others begin to see the figures for the savings made through energy efficiency then they begin to salivate – they can see the headlines and hear the sound-bites in their heads. Suddenly turning out that light becomes sexy and the figures can be seen in black and white (and hopefully in 172 point on the front page alongside a politicians/community leaders name and photo!).

I am not suggesting at all that President Obama, Lisa P. Jackson (mustn’t forget the P) and Steven Chu are taking action for the headlines – I think they want to make the right decisions and are a major driving force behind these energy efficiency initiatives, but what they say is helping to convince the movers and shakers in business, politics and communities to act. When the estimates and even the actual figures are produced then we see a further boost from decision makers.

What happens on a national or international level can be illustrated within your own home. You know, as Ken Cheyne has stated on this blog, that if you hang your washing on a washing line outdoors instead of using an electric dryer you will save money, let alone the environment. Yet so many people do not do it, they carry on using the drier because of habit or convenience.

If someone added a running money meter above the drier running up the costs while in use (like a running taxi meter) would people think again. Imagine that on every appliance, light or electrical system in your home – would you make changes? Only you can answer that but I think we can make a good guess.

If your local City Hall or other public buildings had giant energy cost meters displayed prominently on the sides of the structures showing what was being used and the costs do you think people would change habits and become energy efficient?

So the more encouragement followed up by estimates and actual figures, for energy efficiency the better as saving money instead of throwing it away is always sexy!

(Please note that Enigin PLC do supply a system where your energy saving can be seen publicly – Check It Out)

It is time to get the facts and the myths about compact fluorescent bulbs — CFLs — to address the concerns, questions and rumors that seem to be everywhere these days.

And because I often hear from readers complaining that the CFLs they buy never last very long, I tried to find out the best ways to use the bulbs so they reach the promised lifetimes their manufacturers claim. Consider the following:

• Mercury: CFLs do contain about 5 milligrams of mercury. The bulbs do not emit mercury when they are being used. When putting them into lamps, hold the bulbs by their base and don’t force them into the socket.

• Breaking: The only way for the mercury vapor to escape the tube is if the bulb breaks. If that happens, ventilating the room for about 15 minutes will allow the gas to escape. You can then carefully scoop up the broken pieces, double-bag them and throw them out with your trash.

• Sources: The largest man-made sources of mercury are coal-fired power plants If you’re really concerned about the amount of mercury in our air, then, you’re actually better off buying CFLs than incandescents. Since CFLs use less electricity than incandescents, they actually reduce the amount of mercury getting into our environment.

• Disposal: To dispose of unbroken bulbs, it is recommended that you take them to a recycling center in your community. Contact your local municipal solid waste agency to find the locations of recycling centers near you.

• Hazards: There have been reports about CFLs causing fires, smoking and causing other hazards. While there has been little proof that bulbs caused these problems, you should make sure that the CFLs you buy carry the Underwriters Laboratories UL mark that show they have been tested for safety hazards.

• Lifetimes: Frequently turning CFLs on and off will shorten their lifetimes. For uses of about 15 minutes or less (such as in closets or stairways), use incandescent bulbs. For recessed fixtures, three-way fixtures, dimmers, outdoor use or other specialized situations, make sure the package says the bulb is appropriate for this use.

• Cost: Cheap bulbs probably won’t last as long or work as well as those with the Energy Star seal that ensures it meets strict federal standards. Low-quality bulbs often flicker and have short lifetimes.

• Savings: You will save money by using CFLs. It’s estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill is for lighting. CFLs will last seven to 10 times longer than incandescents and use one-fourth of the energy to produce the same amount of light.

By Ken Sheinkopf, who is a communications specialist with the American Solar Energy Society.

British utility prices could rise by as much as 60% during the next 10-15 years according to the “Energy Market Scenarios” report produced by the Office of gas and electricity markets (Ofgem) a UK government regulator.

This story could be from any nation as every region has the same problems an we all need to be more energy efficient.

The report highlights the problem of being able to supply the needed power, and many countries face that problem currently. The challenges we face can be reduced by energy efficiency.

Ofgem report that, just in the UK, investment of over £200bn is needed in power-plants plus other energy infrastructures during the next 10-15 years to be able to avoid energy shortages and meet climate change targets. Consistencies of supply and energy security form two major concerns.

Many countries have to import energy, gas and electricity, meaning energy and gas supply is dependent on other government’s readiness and stability to keep the current flowing. This means that supply disruption across the world affects energy costs.

Ofgem’s report also highlighted that energy suppliers face a twofold challenge of renewing or replacing old power-stations, while also deal with increasing volatility in worldwide gas markets, hence they would likely be forced to raise bills to meet future supply demands and carbon goals.

We can have an impact on this right away by becoming more energy efficient. Energy efficiency reduces demand, easing the urgency for new power production plants, allowing more consistent supply while reducing green house gas emissions.

Energy efficient products and tools are also far cheaper than constructing more power-plants, also allowing retrofit of energy inefficient older buildings.

It is important that we start to use smart meters with visual displays to help us to see what we are doing, why we are doing it and what we are achieving.

In commerce and industry something more is needed, an advance meter like Enigin’s Eniscope which takes report energy data a step up from regular smart metering. The Eniscope allows very precise decision making, knowledge is power in this case. Decisions can be made by business owners based on what real-time and historical data. What to do and where energy efficiency steps can be made to reduce escalating energy bills.

If you can see what is going on then you can measure it and make accurate changes for the good. Commerce and industry can make solid financial decisions to help to increase or protect the bottom line and reach environmental targets.

It seems whatever we do energy prices will go up, but we can do something by becoming energy efficient and, although energy prices will rise, we will be able to lessen our energy costs, leading to a secure future energy-wise and a environmentally.

Compact Florescent Lamp

IT is obvious to say the Compact Florescent replacement lamps (CFLs) can save energy and they will pay for themselves many times over by comparison to powering an incandescent bulb.

I personally use them in my home and office.  I am however not convinced that I am doing the right thing for the power system.

Consider an older home (or office); the electrical system (breakers, transformers, etc.) were engineered for mostly “traditional” linear loads.  An example of a linear load is a resistive load as in incandescent lights, AC Motors and electric heaters.

Today, consumers use so many non-linear devices generally found in consumer electronics: flat screens, computers, television sets, and now the addition of CFL’s.  One may never acknowledge the effects that these devices have on the electrical system.

There is a precious balance of linear and non-linear loads that should be considered.  If a wholesale exchange of bulb (incandescent) to CFL’s were to be considered, there could be a problem with a tipping the balance of non-linear loads.  This can present a problem with overheating the transformer (neutral loading) and or creating unwanted harmonics.

Most devices are designed and built assuming a perfect sinusoidal wave.  The introduction of non-linear loads will corrupt the pure waveform and therefore create a problem down the road.

While I am a user of CFL’s and I promote their usefulness in several applications as a natural solution to reduce energy consumption, I am also keenly aware of the potential problems that overuse may cause.