Energy Efficiency Implementation
Encyclopedia
Energy Efficiency Implementation is an industry comprising firms which retrofit
or replace inefficient equipment with more efficient parts or equipment, with the goal of reducing energy consumption
.
Energy efficiency implementation firms have the resources, both physical and intellectual, that can provide advice and materials to entities/facilities, assisting in decreasing energy use.
Energy efficiency implementation is performed in two distinct ways: by retrofitting existing equipment or by replacing existing equipment completely. Retrofitting enhances existing equipment by making it expend less energy.
The goal of this kind of implementation is to save kilowatts
(kW) and kilowatt hours (kWh). The difference between these two measurements is that one is a power rating (kW) and the other is a measurement of energy actually consumed (kWh).
in many states mandate that their utilities design and implement energy efficiency programs. The funding for these can be reflected in their rates or are collected through a surcharge in monthly customer bills. Some utilities design their own programs and implement them using a rebate form or other application, and administer the programs using their own staff. Most major utilities hire implementation contractors who are responsible for the design and implementation, and some implement programs already designed and approved by their PUC. Some programs require a co-pay by the customer, some are installed at no-cost.
The end result is that utility companies have more energy to sell, or in other words, they are able to sell their excess capacity to more customers in the area without increasing their production capacity.
, and it can even improve quality of life
. Energy efficiency implementation can also play a role in increased revenue when consumers choose a “greener” product over another that is not http://www.gbb.org/news/green-marketing-pr-study.
Energy efficiency implementation can be extremely beneficial to large market segments like small businesses, schools, cement processing plants; basically any area that uses large amounts of energy. Small changes here add up to large savings.
Implementing energy efficiency measures in a home or business can also lead to behavioral changes. When an energy efficiency change has been made and the energy consumer sees the benefits, more changes are often wanted to further their savings. These small changes create awareness and can be as simple as turning of lights when a room is not in use, or as complex as adding window glazing
or installing demand-control ventilation
.
system more efficient, energy consumption levels drop, which lead to a lower utility bill for utility customers.
An example of an Energy Efficiency Implementation company is Matrix Energy Services, Inc. As a long time provider of energy efficiency services to numerous gas and electric power companies in the US, Matrix Energy Services, Inc. designs and implements energy efficiency programs that reduce investment payback periods and create long-term reductions in energy consumption and cost on the part of utility company customers. Primarily focused on the commercial sector, Matrix Energy Services, Inc. is known for implementing “boutique” energy efficiency programs which cost-effectively bring to new technology applications to large, but hard-to-reach market segments. One such program is their Mobile Energy Clinic, which they implement on behalf of San Diego Gas and Electric. The Mobile Energy Clinic delivers no/low-cost lighting and HVAC energy efficiency services to small and medium sized businesses throughout the utility's territory. Matrix Energy Services, Inc. employs a multi-faceted marketing strategy to achieve deep penetration into this generally under-served market sector. Matrix Energy Services, Inc is woman-owned business headquartered in Sacramento, CA.
There are many systems, machines and methods that assist in creating energy savings:
Retrofit
Retrofitting refers to the addition of new technology or features to older systems.* power plant retrofit, improving power plant efficiency / increasing output / reducing emissions...
or replace inefficient equipment with more efficient parts or equipment, with the goal of reducing energy consumption
Domestic Energy Consumption
Domestic energy consumption is the amount of energy that is spent on the different appliances used within housing. The amount of energy used per household varies widely depending on the standard of living of the country, climate, and the age and type of residence...
.
Energy efficiency implementation firms have the resources, both physical and intellectual, that can provide advice and materials to entities/facilities, assisting in decreasing energy use.
Energy efficiency implementation is performed in two distinct ways: by retrofitting existing equipment or by replacing existing equipment completely. Retrofitting enhances existing equipment by making it expend less energy.
The goal of this kind of implementation is to save kilowatts
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
(kW) and kilowatt hours (kWh). The difference between these two measurements is that one is a power rating (kW) and the other is a measurement of energy actually consumed (kWh).
Utilities and Energy Conservation
Public Utility CommissionsPublic Utilities Commission
A Utilities commission, Utility Regulatory Commission , Public Utilities Commission or Public Service Commission is a governing body that regulates the rates and services of a public utility...
in many states mandate that their utilities design and implement energy efficiency programs. The funding for these can be reflected in their rates or are collected through a surcharge in monthly customer bills. Some utilities design their own programs and implement them using a rebate form or other application, and administer the programs using their own staff. Most major utilities hire implementation contractors who are responsible for the design and implementation, and some implement programs already designed and approved by their PUC. Some programs require a co-pay by the customer, some are installed at no-cost.
Why would utilities want to reduce energy consumption if energy is the product that they sell?
Utilities invest in energy efficiency for the following reasons:- Social interests: environmental issues and resource conservation
- Economic interests: to prevent costly construction of power plants or the purchase of more energy
The end result is that utility companies have more energy to sell, or in other words, they are able to sell their excess capacity to more customers in the area without increasing their production capacity.
What this means to a utility customer
The results of energy efficiency implementation are all beneficial for the energy consumer. It reduces operational costs, reduces carbon footprintCarbon footprint
A carbon footprint has historically been defined as "the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person.". However, calculating a carbon footprint which conforms to this definition is often impracticable due to the large amount of data required, which is...
, and it can even improve quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
. Energy efficiency implementation can also play a role in increased revenue when consumers choose a “greener” product over another that is not http://www.gbb.org/news/green-marketing-pr-study.
Energy efficiency implementation can be extremely beneficial to large market segments like small businesses, schools, cement processing plants; basically any area that uses large amounts of energy. Small changes here add up to large savings.
Implementing energy efficiency measures in a home or business can also lead to behavioral changes. When an energy efficiency change has been made and the energy consumer sees the benefits, more changes are often wanted to further their savings. These small changes create awareness and can be as simple as turning of lights when a room is not in use, or as complex as adding window glazing
Insulated glazing
Insulated glazing also known as double glazing are double or triple glass window panes separated by an air or other gas filled space to reduce heat transfer across a part of the building envelope....
or installing demand-control ventilation
Ventilation (architecture)
Ventilating is the process of "changing" or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality...
.
Operational Costs
By making appliances, lighting or HVACHVAC
HVAC refers to technology of indoor or automotive environmental comfort. HVAC system design is a major subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer...
system more efficient, energy consumption levels drop, which lead to a lower utility bill for utility customers.
Carbon Footprint
By reducing energy consumption we are able to conserve natural resources and thus have a less dramatic impact on our environment.Quality of Life
Working in natural or well-lit areas contributes to performance and productivity [citation here]. Comfortable temperature levels also factor into how well a person functions. This fact can be applied to any operation that requires the use of lighting or an HVAC system.Energy Efficiency Implementers
Energy efficiency implementation companies normally focus on specific equipment or appliances that they specialize in retrofitting or replacing, or they provide this service by sector: residential, commercial or industrial. Energy efficiency implementation is a complex field, and in order to implement effectively, the implementer must be multi-faceted and have extensive experience in many areas of energy efficiency.An example of an Energy Efficiency Implementation company is Matrix Energy Services, Inc. As a long time provider of energy efficiency services to numerous gas and electric power companies in the US, Matrix Energy Services, Inc. designs and implements energy efficiency programs that reduce investment payback periods and create long-term reductions in energy consumption and cost on the part of utility company customers. Primarily focused on the commercial sector, Matrix Energy Services, Inc. is known for implementing “boutique” energy efficiency programs which cost-effectively bring to new technology applications to large, but hard-to-reach market segments. One such program is their Mobile Energy Clinic, which they implement on behalf of San Diego Gas and Electric. The Mobile Energy Clinic delivers no/low-cost lighting and HVAC energy efficiency services to small and medium sized businesses throughout the utility's territory. Matrix Energy Services, Inc. employs a multi-faceted marketing strategy to achieve deep penetration into this generally under-served market sector. Matrix Energy Services, Inc is woman-owned business headquartered in Sacramento, CA.
There are many systems, machines and methods that assist in creating energy savings:
Methods/Equipment
- DaylightingDaylightingDaylighting is the practice of placing windows or other openings and reflective surfaces so that during the day natural light provides effective internal lighting. Particular attention is given to daylighting while designing a building when the aim is to maximize visual comfort or to reduce energy...
- Motion SensorsMotion detectionMotion detection is a process of confirming a change in position of an object relative to its surroundings or the change in the surroundings relative to an object. This detection can be achieved by both mechanical and electronic methods...
- window glazingInsulated glazingInsulated glazing also known as double glazing are double or triple glass window panes separated by an air or other gas filled space to reduce heat transfer across a part of the building envelope....
- Refrigerator Strip Curtains
- Revolving DoorsRevolving doorA revolving door typically consists of three or four doors that hang on a center shaft and rotate around a vertical axis within a cylindrical enclosure. Revolving doors are energy efficient as they prevent drafts, thus preventing increases in the heating or cooling required for the building...
- AnteroomsAntechamberAn antechamber is a smaller room or vestibule serving as an entryway into a larger one. The word is formed of the Latin ante camera, meaning "room before"....
- Thermostat ControlsThermostatA thermostat is the component of a control system which regulates the temperature of a system so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. The thermostat does this by switching heating or cooling devices on or off, or regulating the flow of a heat transfer...
- demand-control ventilationVentilation (architecture)Ventilating is the process of "changing" or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality...