Comments on: An efficiency portfolio standard is as important as a renewable standard — and should come first http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/ The Latest on Climate Science, Solutions, and Politics Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:55:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: msn nickleri http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-26390 msn nickleri Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:32:06 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-26390 Connecticut provides an interesting model that is worth a closer look. As to results and performance, it’s too early to tell – but in a year or two we’ll all have data to look at. Connecticut provides an interesting model that is worth a closer look. As to results and performance, it’s too early to tell – but in a year or two we’ll all have data to look at.

]]> By: Federico Fische http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-26202 Federico Fische Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:07:58 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-26202 Al nice and dandy, but without no long term policy no ideal solution. So what we should be pushing for first? Let us take the case of the clean air act or the clean water acts, and their ups and downs. The CFR 40 (Environment, which include the mentioned acts) define standards, that usually are role-up under Democratic administrations and role-back under Republican administrations, that are the law. You have define standards, benchmarks and acceptable methodologies to assess who is in compliance and who is not. Such national framework becomes the baseline for the States and Municipalities, and present them with the challenge to match an improve. We can have a section in the Code for Renewable Energy, which should tie with other regulations, with its own baseline for EEPS and/or on how you develop an RPS. Two direct effects: (1) provides States and Municipalities with a baseline and (2) gives the private sector a regulatory piece that is critical to their decision making process and the sustainability of any business venture. For that, we need the involvement of all stakeholders for a comprehensive policy vision, goal and framework for renewable energy in the US. A note on the efficiency issue: looking back to renewable energy statistics at the International Energy Agency, you find that a significant contribution of energy efficiency to the ratio of renewable energy generated. On the other hand, energy efficiency is limited it can go as far as you can improve systems and processes through the energy life cycle (generation, distribution and consumption). Energy efficiency is a short term game, once we all work within the standard, we face the real challenge: a sustainable renewable energy based society. Al nice and dandy, but without no long term policy no ideal solution. So what we should be pushing for first? Let us take the case of the clean air act or the clean water acts, and their ups and downs. The CFR 40 (Environment, which include the mentioned acts) define standards, that usually are role-up under Democratic administrations and role-back under Republican administrations, that are the law. You have define standards, benchmarks and acceptable methodologies to assess who is in compliance and who is not. Such national framework becomes the baseline for the States and Municipalities, and present them with the challenge to match an improve. We can have a section in the Code for Renewable Energy, which should tie with other regulations, with its own baseline for EEPS and/or on how you develop an RPS. Two direct effects: (1) provides States and Municipalities with a baseline and (2) gives the private sector a regulatory piece that is critical to their decision making process and the sustainability of any business venture. For that, we need the involvement of all stakeholders for a comprehensive policy vision, goal and framework for renewable energy in the US.

A note on the efficiency issue: looking back to renewable energy statistics at the International Energy Agency, you find that a significant contribution of energy efficiency to the ratio of renewable energy generated. On the other hand, energy efficiency is limited it can go as far as you can improve systems and processes through the energy life cycle (generation, distribution and consumption). Energy efficiency is a short term game, once we all work within the standard, we face the real challenge: a sustainable renewable energy based society.

]]> By: Kerry O'Neill http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-26095 Kerry O'Neill Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:54:31 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-26095 Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards are an important tool in the national toolbox: they will drive widespread adoption of energy efficiency behaviors and technologies in the market with all the attendant benefits (energy usage reductions, $ savings, positive environmental benefits). How best to implement these standards? The author mentions a few states that have incorporated anemic EEPS into their RPS legislation. I would also point to what’s going on in Connecticut. It adopted a mandatory EEPS target of 1% in 2007, 2% in 2008, 3% in 2009 and 4% in 2010, with a compliance payment of $31/MWh and the creation of a market for trading energy savings certificates. Currently, the market is trading around $20-25. Just recently, CT’s market for energy savings certificates was opened up to the residential market if at least 100 kWh is aggregated (see CT DPUC Docket No. 05-07-19RE01). This market is attracting increasing private sector activity. I would argue that: (1) A market-based approach to an EEPS can work (2) There needs to be transparency and liquidity in the market (CT is working on this, as a new market, it does not yet have the kind of transparency or liquidity you see in more mature markets and that are required to attract large private sector investors) (3) High quality measurement & verification is essential in a market approach – investors want to know they are investing in high quality projects and regulators need to know the projects are delivery the goods (4) The residential sector presents many significant opportunities for aggregation, and a market-based approach to EEPS offers this challenging sector a new vehicle to finance large scale residential projects (5) Combining an EEPS with an RPS is an effective way to have one help pay for the other, and to ensure that an RPS doesn’t unintentionally contribute to an increase in energy consumption Connecticut provides an interesting model that is worth a closer look. As to results and performance, it’s too early to tell – but in a year or two we’ll all have data to look at. Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards are an important tool in the national toolbox: they will drive widespread adoption of energy efficiency behaviors and technologies in the market with all the attendant benefits (energy usage reductions, $ savings, positive environmental benefits). How best to implement these standards? The author mentions a few states that have incorporated anemic EEPS into their RPS legislation.

I would also point to what’s going on in Connecticut. It adopted a mandatory EEPS target of 1% in 2007, 2% in 2008, 3% in 2009 and 4% in 2010, with a compliance payment of $31/MWh and the creation of a market for trading energy savings certificates. Currently, the market is trading around $20-25. Just recently, CT’s market for energy savings certificates was opened up to the residential market if at least 100 kWh is aggregated (see CT DPUC Docket No. 05-07-19RE01). This market is attracting increasing private sector activity.

I would argue that:
(1) A market-based approach to an EEPS can work
(2) There needs to be transparency and liquidity in the market (CT is working on this, as a new market, it does not yet have the kind of transparency or liquidity you see in more mature markets and that are required to attract large private sector investors)
(3) High quality measurement & verification is essential in a market approach – investors want to know they are investing in high quality projects and regulators need to know the projects are delivery the goods
(4) The residential sector presents many significant opportunities for aggregation, and a market-based approach to EEPS offers this challenging sector a new vehicle to finance large scale residential projects
(5) Combining an EEPS with an RPS is an effective way to have one help pay for the other, and to ensure that an RPS doesn’t unintentionally contribute to an increase in energy consumption

Connecticut provides an interesting model that is worth a closer look. As to results and performance, it’s too early to tell – but in a year or two we’ll all have data to look at.

]]> By: David B. Benson http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25951 David B. Benson Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:57:06 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25951 Harold Pierce Jr --- Just to the south of there, in Idaho and Washington State, it used to be that the railroads were electrified, to go over the mountains. Regenerative braking. All trains, freight and passenger. Harold Pierce Jr — Just to the south of there, in Idaho and Washington State, it used to be that the railroads were electrified, to go over the mountains.

Regenerative braking.

All trains, freight and passenger.

]]> By: Harold Pierce Jr http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25935 Harold Pierce Jr Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:43:53 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25935 Attn: hapa The reason Diesel engines are used extenstively in industry and commerce for transportation is that these engines have high thermal efficiency. A modern Diesel engine has a thermal efficiency of 50% and this is highest of all thermal engines. A coal-fired power plant has a maximum thermal efficiency of 40%, and nuclear power plants have thermal efficiency of only 30-35%. Electric trains are fine for dedicated passenger service, but not for hauling freight because electricity is too expensive. Overhead electrical sevice lines would not be able to supply the enough power for long freight trains (more than 100 cars) especially for those that have to go over mountains like the Rockies. In the Canadian Rockies, snow and rock slides are not uncommon and would take down the lines, and traffic would come to a stand still. Attn: hapa

The reason Diesel engines are used extenstively in industry and commerce for transportation is that these engines have high thermal efficiency. A modern Diesel engine has a thermal efficiency of 50% and this is highest of all thermal engines. A coal-fired power plant has a maximum thermal efficiency of 40%, and nuclear power plants have thermal efficiency of only 30-35%.

Electric trains are fine for dedicated passenger service, but not for hauling freight because electricity is too expensive. Overhead electrical sevice lines would not be able to supply the enough power for long freight trains (more than 100 cars) especially for those that have to go over mountains like the Rockies. In the Canadian Rockies, snow and rock slides are not uncommon and would take down the lines, and traffic would come to a stand still.

]]> By: walle http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25890 walle Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:57:40 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25890 This is an interesting concept. To make this work, you need a constituency to drive it (e.g., industry) - that's just politics. Then, you would have to figure out how to slice the pie - commercial, residential, municipal, federal, etc. I like where this could go... Regards, walle This is an interesting concept. To make this work, you need a constituency to drive it (e.g., industry) – that’s just politics. Then, you would have to figure out how to slice the pie – commercial, residential, municipal, federal, etc. I like where this could go…

Regards,

walle

]]> By: hapa http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25879 hapa Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:37:16 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25879 there are also such things as electric boats, aside from the nuclear ones that named the famous industrial group. they are hybrid cargo ships with sails (generating electricity with wind pull), solar, even wave energy capture. again, this is about reducing the fuel used; switching to a cleaner fuel mix is not impossible. reducing redundant shipping is easy, too. there are also such things as electric boats, aside from the nuclear ones that named the famous industrial group. they are hybrid cargo ships with sails (generating electricity with wind pull), solar, even wave energy capture. again, this is about reducing the fuel used; switching to a cleaner fuel mix is not impossible. reducing redundant shipping is easy, too.

]]> By: hapa http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25878 hapa Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:29:36 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25878 harold: everybody here would really enjoy if you would just one time say, "there's no such thing as an electric train." after that, maybe you could devote your life to inventing a new background story for the phrase "third rail." harold: everybody here would really enjoy if you would just one time say, “there’s no such thing as an electric train.” after that, maybe you could devote your life to inventing a new background story for the phrase “third rail.”

]]> By: www.GreenPoliticsNJ.com http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25877 www.GreenPoliticsNJ.com Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:22:09 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25877 You're right, we're REALLY GOING WRONG by not focusing enough on efficiency. For instance, New Jersey's Draft Global Warming Response Act Recommendation Report doesn't do nearly enough with efficiency. FORTUNATELY, we're entering the public comment period, with meetings from Jan 6-16 in Trenton. Hope to see you there. A short blog post summarizing the issue is here: http://www.greenpoliticsnj.com/2008/12/nj-global-warming-sharpen-our-response.html You’re right, we’re REALLY GOING WRONG by not focusing enough on efficiency. For instance, New Jersey’s Draft Global Warming Response Act Recommendation Report doesn’t do nearly enough with efficiency. FORTUNATELY, we’re entering the public comment period, with meetings from Jan 6-16 in Trenton. Hope to see you there. A short blog post summarizing the issue is here: http://www.greenpoliticsnj.com/ 2008/ 12/ nj-global-warming-sharpen-our-response.html

]]> By: Harold Pierce Jr http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25873 Harold Pierce Jr Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:01:22 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/27/an-efficiency-portfolio-standard-is-as-important-as-a-renewable-standard-and-should-come-first/#comment-25873 Sorry, it ain't ever going to happen especially for boats, planes and trains. Sorry, it ain’t ever going to happen especially for boats, planes and trains.

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