Transcript Energy Efficiency Efforts and Initiatives in Alabama DOUG SWEET, P.E. Doug Sweet & Associates, Inc. Power-Up Forum – Birmingham, AL Dec.

Energy Efficiency Efforts and
Initiatives in Alabama
DOUG SWEET, P.E.
Doug Sweet & Associates, Inc.
Power-Up Forum – Birmingham, AL
Dec. 12, 2013
Quick Comments on the Paper
Industry in Alabama
• Alabama is 2nd largest pulp & paper producer in the US
– 8.6 million tons/day
• 70,000 employees in AL forest products industries $2.2 billion in payrolls
• Timber expansion is outpacing removal by 23 percent increased by 1.1 million acres since 1978
• Energy intensive but pulp mills can use wood, bark and
pulping by-products as fuel for boilers.
• Paper is not a dying industry
– Newsprint ↓
– Packaging ↑
– Magazines & printing →
Paper Industry
Energy Efficiency
• If a process cannot be measured, it cannot be
controlled or improved: Paraphrased quote by
Lord Kelvin, 1883
• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only
transformed: First Law of Thermodynamics
• Energy Efficiency combines the knowledge of
measured energy consumption with maximizing
benefits from energy conversion to useful
products (lighting, motors, heating/cooling,
pumping, transportation, conveying, etc.)
So, what are we doing to promote energy
efficiency in Alabama?
Energy Efficiency – Some Key Efforts
• Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on
Energy - PJLCOE
• NGA Policy Academy
• Governor Bentley – EO #25
• ADECA – Energy Division
• Alabama Technology Network
PJLCOE
• Rep. Greg Wren – Chair, Sen. Cam Ward – Vice
Chair
• Committee established in 2007
• Several bills passed regarding fuel efficiency
for state vehicles, life cycle costing, etc.
• Adopted 2009 International Energy
Conservation Code
NGA Policy Academy on Industrial Energy
Efficiency and Combined Heat & Power
• Sept 2012 thru May 2013
• Alabama selected to participate along with 4 other
states - Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois and Tennessee
• Recommendations included:
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Technical assistance and education on EE potential
Annual IEE summit/forum
Governor’s awards on EE accomplishments
Student internship program to identify or implement
efforts for EE which have been identified
– Assistance with meeting Boiler MACT compliance
– Potential tax benefits for EE investment and/or Boiler
MACT compliance
Student Internship Program
• Working with ATN and others to create pilot program
to run from May - August 2013
• 6 U of Alabama students and 6 manufacturing facilities
– engineering & bus. management – 3.0 GPA minimum
• $760,000 of actual annual energy savings were
identified and implemented
• Additional $260,000 identified
• 6,280 megawatt hours saved annually
• Successful program will be expanded to other schools
in 2014
Governor’s Executive Order #25
Governor’s Executive Order #25
• When: Dec 27, 2011
• What: Understanding that state buildings and employees
can be a model for EE practices since there is significant
expense to the state for energy consumption by these
facilities
• Goal: Reduce energy consumption by 30% by fiscal year
2015, relative to 2005 levels – Annual value is $5.4 million
• How: Energy officers designated, audits, education,
tracking, use of USEPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager (not
by reinventing the wheel). Significant assistance through
ADECA – Energy Div.
• Score: 2012 savings = $3.9 million
2013 savings = $1.3 million (low estimate)
• Expect to exceed the goal by 5%
ADECA – Energy Division
• Alabama SAVES Energy Revolving Loan Program - $65
million pool for 1%, 10 year loans to implement EE
projects – 30 businesses participating with $21.9
million of funding and $5.1 million in energy savings
• Administer Alabama energy codes
• Workshops and training to accomplish goal of EO #25
• Alabama WISE Program – low interest loans for
residential EE projects - $2.4 million in projects, mostly
for local contractors
• Low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP)
– working with 22 community agencies to assist with
heating and cooling costs
ADECA – Energy Division
• Alabama Energy Plan – Develop and issue RFP for
assessment of energy issues, needs, concerns across
Alabama in 2nd half of 2012 and early 2013
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Contracted with Baker Tilley who prepared a survey
Survey forwarded to stakeholders previously identified
417 responses submitted by deadline of 1-18-13
Highest priority (75%) – Pursue conservation and EE as a
preferred energy source
– Other (65%) – reduce dependence on foreign oil, EE for
transportation, maintain economic competitiveness for
Alabama
• Project put on hold in spring 2013 due to funding limits
because of sequester
Alabama Technology Network
• Existing organization already active in
promoting EE, conservation, lean
manufacturing, waste reduction, and
sustainability for Alabama industries
• Many success stories
• E3 – Economy – Energy – Environment
• Worked closely with U of A in summer intern
pilot program following NGA Policy Academy
Energy Efficiency and Conservation in
Alabama – WHAT’S NEXT?
• Build on strengths
• Observe and implement successful programs
used elsewhere – not just in Southeast
• Promote policy to enhance EE efforts while
promoting economic growth
• Alabama is a great place to: live – work - and
make stuff…….EFFICIENTLY