Above, you will find an electronic slide show of the webinar that Mark Wantage, OSFC Program Director, delivered on January 11, 2012.  For the time challenged School District Administrator, below are a few of the key takeaways:

• The School Board must now provide  an annual measurement & verification report to the OSFC.  This report must also be acknowledged in all future HB 264 board resolutions.    This means that each Board has to estimate the total cost (including financing and annual performance report by a third party) and identify any estimated grant, rebate, and non-district dollars.  We estimate the costs for these annual reports to be between $1-$5K.
• The Board must also acknowledge their intent to maintain facility staff Building Operators Certification (BOC).  This certification is nationally recognized and offers training for facility personnel to garner the skills in order to run their improved building efficiently and effectively.
• This year the OSFC is also recommending that there is a recommissioning of all the energy systems installed every five years.  This is necessary to ensure that the building systems are still functioning as originally planned, constructed, and delivered.  This is also to identify where periodic changes in control calibrations have affected the building mechanical system performance.  It is imperative that these systems are functioning according to plan in order to ensure that the payback matches up with the financing.
• Lastly, since this is known as the school energy conservation program, the OSFC is trying to make the entire process paperless in order to conserve energy and reduce waste.  Their goal is to have all of the associated documentation and correspondence submitted electronically.  In the final submittal, they will require a single, searchable Adobe PDF file, with all of the information for the program included.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s fluorescent lighting mandate is official. As of July 1, 2010 magnetic ballasts most commonly used for the operation of T12 lamps were no longer produced. Now in July 2012 the phase out of lamp production will also commence.

Did you know?

Approximately 30 percent of all fluorescent lamps sold in the U.S. are still T12 technology. As a result of the T12 phase out, 70 percent of all T12 fluorescent lamps sold in the U.S. will be phased out in July 2012.

Are you a T12 Consumer?

If you have one of the following lamp types below, there will be some major changes coming your way. If you don’t know what kind of lamps you are currently using, please don’t hesitate to call Plug Smart 1 (800) 518-5576 and we will be glad to assist you.

• T12 4-ft. & 2-ft U-lamps with medium bi-pin bases
- Majority of F40 and F34T12 lamps and all FB40 and FB34T12 U-lamps
- 4-ft. requires 3560 lumens @ 40W and 3030 lumens @ 34W to pass @ 89 LPW
- 2-ft. U-lamps require 3360 lumens @ 40W and 2856 @ 34W to pass @ 84 LPW
• T12 8-ft. Slimline with single pin bases
- All 75W F96T12 lamps
- All 60W F96T12/ES except for the 800 Series
• T12 8-ft. 800mA HO with RDC bases
- All 110W F96T12 HO lamps
- All 95W F96T12/ES/HO lamps

What should I be prepared for?

• Manufacturers will be phasing out their production of T12 lamps and ballasts
• Progressively less availability of T12 lamps and ballasts
• Increased cost of T12 lamps and ballasts due to demand vs. limited supply
• To keep up with federal regulations of energy efficiency, manufacturers’ technology and production will be focused on T8 and T5 systems
• Limited-time opportunity (2010) to access enhanced Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund incentives for T12 upgrades

What support can I get for upgrading to an energy-efficient lighting system?

Plug Smart captured over $3,000,000 in rebates for its customers in 2011. This includes being AEP Ohio’s largest procurer with over $1,200,000 in total rebates found for its customers. A commonly asked question about these programs is “Why are they giving away money?” Honestly they are not “giving away money” but giving back money to the customers who have been paying into these programs whether they know it or not. The rebates are similar to federal tax rebates; we all enjoy receiving our Tax rebate checks because it’s a refund of our money. The Energy Rebate Programs hosted by your utility providers are of the same principal, to refund money to encourage energy efficiency projects. Plug Smart will be with you every step of the way, from financing and implementing projects, to capturing the most rebate money for you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Why are T12 fluorescents systems being phased out?
Answer: T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts are considered outdated compared to the far more energy efficient T8 and T5 fluorescent technologies now available. The Department of Energy’s objective is to remove less efficient T12 fluorescent systems from the market, and thus increase lighting energy efficiency for organizations.

2. What type of energy savings can I expect for upgrading?
Answer: Managers of facilities can select from several upgrade scenarios which could result in energy savings as high as 45 percent, with attractive 1-3 year simple paybacks to the building owner.

3. Why are Rebate Incentives only offered for a limited time on T12 upgrades?
Answer: Once the DOE mandate becomes effective, it will become common practice to remove less efficient T12 systems; therefore, retrofitting T12 systems will be the customer’s only option for maintaining their old, inefficient lighting system. Rebate incentive programs will likely not support commercial and industrial T12 system retrofits in the future.

4. Should I gradually change out my T12 magnetic ballast system or should I change it all at once?
Answer: In order to take advantage of the rebate incentives, a project upgrade to the lighting system as a whole is best, not as individual fixture upgrades. This is biased on a few factors; you will get better pricing on the quantity of fixtures and project installation and you actualize more savings when projects are complete all at once.

Geothermal heat pumps move heat to or from the near constant temperature of the earth rather than the fluctuating temperatures of the outside air. This allows the system to operate much more efficiently by utilizing a heat sink or source that is much closer to the desired temperature in the space.  In terms of cooling, on a hot summer day, the ground temperature is somewhere between 50°F – 60°F, whereas the air temperature could be somewhere in the 90°F – 100°F range. As you can imagine, it is much more difficult to reject the heat when it is 90°F rather than when it is 55°F, and therefore more energy is required.  In terms of heating, even the best boiler systems on the market are not 100% efficient, whereas heat pumps can be over 400% efficient. This means that 4 units of heat are delivered for every 1 unit of energy consumed. While the upfront costs tend to be higher, the energy savings can create a payback in as little as five years.

Depending on the resource available, geothermal systems can be set up in a number of ways. There are closed loop vertical wells, closed loop horizontal wells, pond loops, open loops and standing column wells. The engineers at Plug Smart can help you determine which system makes the most sense for your application. Whether you are retrofitting a new HVAC into an existing building or starting from scratch, you should at least consider the many advantages of geothermal.

Energy audits are a great way to find energy conservation measures (ECM’s) which can lead to significant savings on a customer’s utility bill. Energy assessments are often performed by engineering companies, who will analyze a sites energy use to discover and recommend ECM’s. Energy users, small to large, can find cost effective ways to finance energy savings, resulting in more money in the customer’s pocket.

There are different levels of energy audits depending on the depth of the study. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) describes the standards on three different levels of energy audits in their official handbook. Below is a summary of each level of auditing.

Level I Energy Audit

A level I audit consists of an analysis of a sites energy bills as well as a brief walkthrough of the building. A level I audit will show a site’s energy costs and a brief high level search for potential ECM’s. A level I audit may provide a rough cost analysis of certain ECM’s compared to their energy saving.

Level II Energy Audit

A level II audit builds upon information presented in a Level I audit. A level II audit will include a more in depth energy breakdown as well as a more in depth or multiple walkthroughs. Also, a list of potential ECM’s with their costs and associated savings are presented to the customer. A level II audit may include energy modeling and/or energy monitoring to provide a better understanding of a buildings energy use.

Level III Energy Audit

A level III audit provides the most detailed report out of the three levels, offering in depth pricing and savings on ECM opportunities. A level III audit will have a high level of confidence on savings and prices associated with implementing ECM’s at the building. An appropriate financing model may be suggested to the customer based on their financial requirements.

Energy audits provide a unique pathway for customers to save money. Energy conservation and cutting utility costs are extremely important as energy prices rise. Energy Audits are great investments for the future, often resulting in immediate returns and a quick payback.

Rebates offered by utility companies can be a great way for clients to recoup capital expense for facility improvement. We have an excellent team of engineers at Plug Smart that have a great reputation for making sure that our clients receive the highest rebates possible. Whenever our team comes across a project or an Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) that isn’t eligible for a standard rebate, prescribed by the utility company, we look into more analytical custom methods to measure the actual savings. One of the ways that we are able to do this is through building energy modeling. Energy modeling is a technique where a building is created in a computer, using modeling software.  All of the different aspects of the building are then specified (HVAC equipment, lighting, occupancy schedules, etc). Once the building is created in the computer, another identical model is created as a baseline to compare against.  The only difference between the two is that the baseline model is created using minimum design elements required by ASHRAE code. Finally, the energy use of both models is simulated and compared. This methodology allows Plug Smart to deliver much larger rebates than most companies. This in depth approach has endeared us to our clients and has generated close to $200,000 in rebates in the past few months alone. We are currently working on several models, mostly for geothermal facilities.

The potential for modeling, however, isn’t limited to just rebates. We have also used models to help support some of our project proposals.  Often, we find that it is difficult to calculate the actual savings from certain ECMs due to all of the complex system interactions within a modern building.  In this case, having a model can be a huge benefit.  In just a few minutes, virtually any ECM can be simulated and quantified, and since modeling software simulates every system in a building simultaneously it captures these interactions. This gives our proposals more credibility and helps safeguard our clients against projects with unrealistic paybacks. Looking forward, energy modeling will likely become more widespread as the standard tool for doing most building energy analysis. As improvements are made to the software, the process will become quicker, more accurate, and more cost effective.

Plug Smart is capable of doing projects like this one, across the entire state of Ohio. There is no obligation to the client to move forward with these projects, but with the cuts made by schools all over Ohio, projects like these are a must. The Ohio Valley School District was so impressed by the work that Plug Smart completed, that they are currently contracting with us to find rebates for two other schools within the district.

Quotes from Steve Wolfe (Facilities Manager) –

“I have worked with a lot of vendors; Plug Smart is at the very top of my list”

“Plug Smart was very low-pressure and made the rebate process very easy to understand”

“The turnaround on the rebate project was much quicker than I could have ever imagined, as a small school district, we don’t have the time or resources to do projects like these, and in this case we were able to get the rebate with minimal effort on our part.”

“There is nothing that Plug Smart could have done to make this process easier; I would recommend Plug Smart to any School District.”

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This has created an environment where the use of solar, wind and other renewable resources are not only possible, but in many cases, the most cost-effective energy sources being considered.  Add in local, state, and federal tax credits – and the real cost for converting some or all of your energy needs to renewable energy sources can be dramatically less than all other options being considered.

At Plug Smart, we work directly with our large non-profit and commercial clients to develop large solar and wind projects from a greenfield concept all the way through to commercial operation.  We can provide your business with a no upfront-cost solution in the form of a power purchase agreement (PPA), or design and build a system for direct sale to you.

Our typical projects range between 500kw and 2MW in size requiring up to 320,000 sq. ft. of roof space or approximately 16 acres of land including both net metering and direct utility interconnect systems. Listed below are just a few ways our consultants can help you with your renewable energy projects:

• Developer Services – Perform all engineering analysis, coordinate activities with all third party providers, oversee construction and installation process, commission and test renewable system, provide ongoing operation and maintenance services.
• Site Services– Evaluate best renewable energy sites, assess environmental and regulatory impacts, and identify utility interconnection points.
• Construction Services – Oversee contractor proposals, construction scheduling, collection systems, substations, interconnect facilities, material procurement, and engineering analysis.
• Project Financing – Identify creative financing options involving power purchase agreements (PPAs), capital leases, Energy Special Improvement Districts, renewable energy credits (RECs), and government subsidies.
• Consulting Services – Conduct technical and financial feasibility studies, research government grants, and perform realistic energy production projections and financial modeling.
• Operation & Maintenance Services– Perform regularly scheduled maintenance, generate production and savings reports, conduct periodic site inspections, and deploy data monitoring and display systems.

Companies that have invested in these projects have enjoyed lower operational costs, improved reliability, higher productivity, lower utility bills, process improvements, and a reduced carbon footprint.  All of which are competitive advantages in any marketplace, not to mention the intangible benefits to employees, the corporate brand, and shareholders when implementing these types of energy efficient projects.

At Plug Smart, we’re here to help you navigate these energy demand side challenges.   From demand response and energy efficiency projects, to peak-reduction and load-shifting, we bring the experience, knowledge, systems, and skills to help you identify capital projects and other operational projects that will quickly reduce your energy consumption and costs.

Examples of our energy efficiency and demand side services include:

• Energy Conservation Projects – Identify and prioritize energy conservation projects, including lights, motors, HVAC, refrigeration, steam/hot water systems, air compressors, waste heat recovery, and new technologies
• Energy Audits – Conduct enterprise wide assessments of uses and loses of energy including identification and prioritization of self-financing measures
• Cogeneration Projects – Design, own, build, and operate cogeneration projects that can provide additional sources of energy savings while reducing energy supply risks.
• Energy Efficiency Consulting – Prepare and conduct request for proposals, feasibility studies, building envelope analysis, and custom projects.
• Performance Contracting – Provide energy savings performance contracting allowing for financing of energy efficiency projects with minimal out-of-pocket costs.

Plug Smart provides a full suite of energy management, procurement, and demand response services that help our clients take advantage of the new opportunities associated with electric power and natural gas deregulation.   Our energy consultants can help you demystify the complexities associated with this procurement process, and advise you on how to achieve significant cost savings at the lowest possible risk through obtaining a competitive supply contract.

Our network of energy consultants can be viewed as an extension your energy management team, providing you with invaluable market knowledge, procurement alternatives and risk management services that will allow you to make more informed decisions and help you finally take control of your escalating energy costs.

Examples of these Supply Side Services include the following:

• Opportunity Assessment – Discuss energy goals and objectives, review energy markets, assess savings opportunities, and evaluate best available strategies.
• Data Analysis – Analyze billing and consumption data,  cross-check data for accuracy, review current supply contracts,  and assess utility rate schedules and tariffs
• Market Strategies – Analyze market drivers, review historical pricing trends, review supplier terms and conditions, and perform comparative market pricing.
• RFP Services – Develop bid strategies, pre-screen energy suppliers, obtain credit approvals, set benchmark pricing, and review and finalize client contracts.
• Ongoing Support – Monitor market fluctuations, establish ongoing metrics, prepare annual energy budgets, and reassess market at end of contract periods.
• Demand Response – Assess DR program viability, prepare DR revenue projections, assist client in DR enrollment, and provide event notification services.