5/1 – Tesla Introduces New, Scalable Home Battery System

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Friday, May 1st 2015

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk officially announced two battery backup solutions, one for homes and one for industrial use, at an event at the company’s Southern California design studio. The lithium-ion battery modules can store electricity from solar panels and serve to balance loads from the grid, charging up during non-peak energy usage hours, then providing energy to a home or facility during peak hours.

Homeowners will be able to get the Powerwall, which Tesla will sell in 7 and 10 kilowatt-hour modules. Musk said that certified installers could buy the smaller pack for $3,000 and the larger pack for $3,500 (UK and Australian details were not announced).

For industrial applications, Tesla offers the Powerpack, sold in 100 kilowatt-hour modules at $25,000 each. Musk said that Tesla would work with industrial customers on these installations. The battery backup systems come under a new product line at Tesla called Tesla Energy.

4/27 – Pennsylvania PUC Proposes New Net Metering Rules

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Monday, April 27th 2015

Last week the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission proposed a new rule regarding net metering limits for distributed generation, such as solar PV installations. The rule, tentatively adopted at this point, would allow customers to produce (and sell back to the utility) up to 200% of their annual power needs, an increase from the current limit of 110%.

From Philly.com:

“The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission moved forward Thursday to set controversial rules and limits for “net-metering” customers who generate their own power from sources such as solar cells.

The commission tentatively adopted regulations that would allow “customer-generators” to produce up to 200 percent of their annual power needs and receive retail electricity prices for any surplus they sell back to the grid.

Solar-energy proponents were encouraged that the PUC’s rules were more generous than earlier proposals, which would have limited power production to 110 percent of power needs. But they questioned whether the PUC has the authority to set even a 200 percent limit.

“There’s no legal basis in the statute to add that restriction,” said Robert Altenburg, a senior energy analyst with PennFuture, who represented several environmental groups in the rule-making process.

The complex rule-making procedure attracted much testimony last year, including support from power producers such as small-scale solar developers and farmers who produce power from digesters that capture gas from livestock manure.

The PUC’s authority to regulate net-metering was outlined under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004. That law was amended by a 2008 law known as Act 129, which set targets for utilities to reduce energy demand.”

4/22 – A Bipartisan Idea: Energy Efficiency

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Wednesday April 22nd, 2015

It might not be a blockbuster bill, but Congress easily passed efficiency legislation yesterday proving that one energy issue both sides can get behind is simply using less energy. From the New York Times:

‘The bill, which President Obama is expected to sign into law this week, is a modest one. But its authors, Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire, who had worked together for years on more ambitious energy-saving legislation, called it a significant victory.

“On the bill’s merits — creating jobs, saving consumers money and reducing pollution — it was never a hard sell,” Ms. Shaheen said. “The tough part was convincing Washington to not play politics with a good idea.”

Mr. Portman said, “Our targeted energy efficiency bill has garnered widespread support because of a simple fact: It is good for the economy and good for the environment.”’

Amen. So what exactly does the legislation entail?

“The narrower bill would create a voluntary program for landlords and tenants to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings, mandate that large electric water heaters be run in a highly energy-efficient manner and require federal agencies to perform energy-use assessments on commercial buildings that they lease.”

4/2 – SEI Tours Independence LED in Boyertown

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Thursday, April 2nd 2015

Members of SEI’s Board of Directors and a handful of guests toured Independence LED‘s Boyertown, PA LED factory yesterday. The group learned how various components are manufactured into high-performance LED light fixtures for almost any application right here in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Special thanks for Charlie Szoradi, Chairman and CEO of Independence LED, and his team for showing us their facility!

3/19 – Local Lawmakers Propose Pipeline Impact Fee

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Thursday, March 19th 2015

From the always-informative VISTA.today:

West Whiteland Sen. Andy Dinniman has joined Montgomery County Sen. John Rafferty in introducing a pipeline impact fee through Senate Bill 557 based on pipeline right-of-way acreage, according a PA Environment Digest report.

“Throughout Pennsylvania, residents have been affected by the construction of natural gas lines. With the surge in natural gas drilling, many residents of Pennsylvania are experiencing the effects of the growth in this industry,” Rafferty said in the article. “… Although the construction of this energy infrastructure is often done very efficiently, many communities experience a period of reduced quality of life and long-term impacts to the environment as a result of the construction process. Increased traffic congestion, noise, environmental impacts and associated safety risks are experienced by those who live, work or commute in proximity to these projects.”

3/5 – Growth in Clean Energy Outpaces Fossil Fuels in 2014

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Friday, March 5th 2015

From the Washington Post:

There’s been a lot of positive news about clean energy lately. For instance, we’ve reported that from 2008 to the present, wind and solar energy capacity in the United States has tripled.

Now, a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration makes a similar point. It finds that the electricity generated from wind and solar grew a lot faster than electricity generated by fossil fuels last year. In fact, solar more than doubled, and wind outgrew all other sources.

“I think the story that renewable generation is up from wind and solar and other sources is certainly the story to tell,” said Emily Williams, deputy director of industry data and analysis at the American Wind Energy Association, which heralded the report.

2/27 – Slides from the 2015 Energy Briefing

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Friday, February 27th 2015

Thanks to everyone who attended The 2015 Energy Briefing this morning. Special thanks to our speaker Christina Simeone, as well as Nextility for sponsoring the event. Christina’s slides are available below as a PDF.

If you have questions about SEI, the CCEDC, VISTA 2025, or anything else mentioned this morning please feel free to reach out to Will Williams.

Slides – The 2015 Energy Briefing

2/12 – Governor Wolf Proposes 5% Tax on PA Gas Drilling

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Thursday, February 12th 2015

From StateImpact Pennsylvania:

“Governor Tom Wolf made good on a campaign promise Wednesday and proposed a severance tax on natural gas drilling.

Speaking in an elementary school classroom in Thorndale, Chester County, Wolf said the “lion’s share” of the revenue will go to hiking overall funding for public education.

“We sit on top of one of the richest deposits of natural gas in the world,” he said. “We have the natural resources to actually do something about the problem here.”

Wolf’s proposal calls for a 5 percent tax on the value of natural gas at the wellhead, plus 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet of volume pulled out of the ground to hedge against fluctuations in prices. The governor’s plan is modeled on neighboring West Virginia’s severance tax structure and he projects it would generate $1 billion in its first year, which is about $800,000 more each year than the current impact fee.

Since 2012, drillers have paid a fee for every well with most of the money going back to communities that host the drilling.

Under Wolf’s proposal, the tax would replace the impact fee while maintaining a certain portion of revenue for impacted communities. The governor said he has not yet “worked out the formula” for how much of the money would be distributed among local governments and spent on education, as well as boosting environmental protection.

Polls have shown public support for a severance tax in Pennsylvania. However, the natural gas industry has lobbied against it, claiming it would create an unfriendly business climate in the state and could prompt a slow-down in drilling operations.”

2/6 – Job Alert: Keares Electrical Hiring Sr. CADD Operator

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Friday, February 6th 2015

SEI is pleased to post job openings from member companies and partners, as a means of effectively reaching qualified, local candidates in the smart energy industry. Additionally, SEI staff can review applications on you company’s behalf. If you’d liked to post a Job Alert, send descriptions and application instructions to Will Williams.

Sr. CADD Operator

The operator in this position primarily generates and provides the necessary plans, calculations and coordination associated with certification and re-certification of a variety projects. This includes generation of production level detailed plans, energy calculations, electrical load calculations, and coordination with external engineers and third party agencies as required. Additionally this position may include providing sales plans, modified standards drawings and other requests to customers and branches.

Main responsibilities
• Utilize AutoCAD to provide production level plans capable of state certification/recertification through the third party agency/engineers as required.
• Ability to perform energy calculations using Com-Check, coordination with external engineers as required on structural calculations to support state approval package submission.
• Coordinate and submit state documentation as required for state certification/recertification.
• This may include submission forms, completion of data plates, etc.
• Responsible for Quality Control Manual content, coordination for updates, approvals andoversight.
• Monitor code development and code change cycles as needed to support state plan submissions
• Provide 3d Renderings on projects as required, using Revit software.
• Provide project support from start to finish while working on specific jobswith all departments of the company including: Sales Department, Estimating, Service Department, Projects Department & Renewable Energy Department.
• Maintain and store all drawing files internally as well as those received from manufacturers or branches through CD, E-mail or FTP Site.
• Provide CAD phone support for departmental technical questions.
• Reply to phone and/or e-mail messages punctually.

Additional Responsibilities:
• File/maintain all plans electronically
• CADD Intranet Site Content & Updates
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications
• General office duty experience.
• Extensive knowledge/use of AutoCAD and Revit.
• College degree in related field or AutoCAD work experience, minimum 8 years.
• Working knowledge of Word and Excel

Other Requirements:
• Computer work 100% of the time.
• Sitting 100% of time for computer work and file organization.

Travel:
• Occasional as required to assembly location(s), branch offices, customer sites for installation review.

Compensation & Benefits Information
• Competitive salary
• Business Casual Dress every day
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Prescription Plan
• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
• 401(k) Program
• Paid Vacation, Holidays & Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Program

Apply by sending cover letter and resume to Lou Nazirides at Keare’s .

1/29 – Performance Contract to Save Chester County $6.7 Million on Energy

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Leslie Rylke

Thursday, January 29th 2015

“A contract for the start of construction on $5.9 million in energy and water conservation measures at Chester County government facilities was introduced to the Chester County Board of Commissioners at today’s Sunshine meeting. The contract, presented by Chester County Director of Facilities and Parks, Steve Fromnick, includes conservation measures guaranteed to provide $6.7 million in cost savings through the county’s 15-year energy performance contract with Constellation.

“Through our strategic plan focus on the environment, we have already taken great strides to reduce energy usage within county-owned buildings,” said Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioners’ Chair. “This new project reflects our continued commitment to implement water and energy saving measures for the good of the environment, but that also have the benefit of bringing a monetary return to the county.”

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone noted: “Like many other large businesses and organizations, Chester County government is facing a situation where aging facilities, volatile energy costs and capital constraints make operating buildings cost-effectively a major challenge. Since 2010, we have decreased our electricity usage within county facilities significantly and reduced our energy expenditure by more than 20 percent, but there is much more that we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. Entering into this contract with Constellation will allow us to enhance our energy efficiency efforts, improve our facilities and make major strides towards water conservation.”

“By implementing the water and energy conservation measures proposed by Constellation, Chester County will be saving an estimated 2.2 million kilowatt-hours in electricity and more than 18 million gallons of water every year,” added Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “Energy performance contracting is a valuable resource for allowing us to leverage our existing operational budgets for needed capital improvements – all while helping to reach our environmental goals.”

A Chester County task force researched and prepared a “request for quotes” and a “request for proposals” from Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) that identify water and energy savings opportunities and the costs associated with conservation and facility improvements. The task force included representatives from the Facilities & Parks, Purchasing and Finance departments.

In his recommendation of Constellation to the Commissioners, Steve Fromnick said: “Constellation representatives showed the greatest understanding of Chester County’s needs and our vision for facility improvement and energy conservation. The company’s proposal offered more measures for the dollars, and demonstrated the most attractive cash flows based on our investment.

“The $6.7 million in savings is guaranteed by Constellation. If our utility costs are not reduced by this amount following our investment, then Constellation makes up the shortfall.”