This week in energy efficiency news…
Conservation Services Group and EnergySavvy have collaborated on a new program management portal, designed to enhance communication among homeowners, contractors and managers of the Home Performance with Energy Star program at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The New York Home Performance Portal aims to increase customer satisfaction, improve the contractor experience, and speed energy efficiency projects. The portal provides access to information through an easy-to-access web interface that lets homeowners, contractors and NYSERDA track individual energy efficiency projects and program data.
More about CSG and EnergySavvy and the new program management portal for NYSERDA
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District is using Space-Time Insight’s geospatial and visual analytics software. The software facilitates faster and more informed smart grid decisions. It correlates, analyzes and visualizes data in smart grid, distribution, outage, fire and weather systems. SMUD is using the solution as part of its Situational Awareness and Visual Intelligence initiative, which is designed to improve the speed and quality of data analysis and decision-making. The system helps managers and operators respond to outages, develop switching plans, and make decisions about equipment maintenance and investments.
More about Space-Time Insight’s software being implemented at the SMUD
ForceField Energy won a contract with the Comptroller General’s Office of the Republic of Costa Rica to install its 100-W SL3 LED street lights in the government agency’s parking facility. In addition, ForceField Energy is working with the University of Costa Rica to study the health benefits of LED lighting on professors and university employees as well as the impact of LEDs on students’ academic grades.
More about ForceField Energy and its contracts in Costa Rica
The Bond Buyer, a leading public finance publication, recognized the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. for achieving a “Deal of the Year for Small Issuer Financing.” The organizations won the award for their recent multi-million dollar bond issuance for energy efficiency financing.
More about the NYSERDA and EFC award for energy efficiency bond financing
The advanced battery market is in the midst of a massive expansion, says Navigant Research’s Advanced Battery Tracker 4Q13. Battery use is increasing in consumer electronics, electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. In particular, global manufacturing capacity for lithium ion batteries has increased rapidly in recent years. Several governments have subsidized factories in Asia and North America to boost supplies for EVs. Worldwide sales of advanced batteries totaled $10.8 billion in 2012, a significant increase over 2011. The market for advanced battery manufacturing is diverse, with more than a dozen significant manufacturers, none of which holds more than a 13 percent market share, according to the report. The top two suppliers, Samsung SDI and LG Chem, are based in South Korea. Only one of the top manufacturers is headquartered in North America, and one in Europe, the report finds.
More about the Navigant Research report Advanced Battery Tracker 4Q13
ASHRAE will offer six certification exams at its 2014 Winter Conference, Jan. 18-22, at the New York Hilton, New York, N.Y. ASHRAE’s certification program recognizes industry professionals who have mastered the knowledge and skills that reflect best practices in certain aspects of building design and operations. ASHRAE has certified more than 1,600 HVAC&R professionals. Take advantage of ASHRAE’s special administration of the certification examinations on Jan. 23. The deadline to apply is Jan. 3.
More about ASHRAE’s certification exams at its Winter Conference in New York
