2/23 – 2014 Energy Briefing Recap and Slides

Monday, February 24th 2014

IMG_3456The Smart Energy Initiative and the Chester County Economic Development Council hosted the 2014 Energy Briefing on Thursday, February 20th. Thanks to our sponsors PECO, ICF International, and the Coatesville Solar Initiative, as well as the speakers:

  • PWI Engineering – Mark Fischer
  • PECO Energy – Mike O’Leary
  • Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Sustainability – Alex Dews
  • Community Energy – Tom Tuffey

Click here to download slides from the event.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Sponsor                 CSI_logo-web-225

 

2/14 – Electric Rates Fall In Top 11 Wind States, Increase In Other 39

Friday, February 14th 2014

From John Hanger’s Facts of the Day:

pngA new report documents that wind power is pushing down electricity prices in those states with substantial wind generation. Electricity prices actually fell in the top 11 wind power states from 2008 to 2013 but rose nearly 8% in other states.

Wind farms lower electricity prices in a number of ways that are discussed in the linked to paper above. For example, in competitive power markets, wind farms displace the most high-priced power plants and lower the total market price by doing so, creating large savings for all consumers of electricity.

In utility service territories, where consumers are captured monopoly customers, wind power avoids the large fuel costs for coal, gas, oil, and uranium that are otherwise charged dollar for dollar to consumers.

Read more here.

 

 

1/24 – Job Alert: Viridity Hiring in Several Positions

Friday, January 24th 2014

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.

Viridity’s team of professionals is passionate about developing innovative technologies to evolve demand side management and power markets to benefit consumers with sources of revenue to achieve their energy and environmental goals and to relieve the costs of energy for society as a whole.

If you are results-oriented and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment that offers great responsibility and the opportunity to make significant contributions, Viridity Energy would like to hear from you.

CURRENT OPENINGS

Energy Storage Program Director
Senior Project Engineer 2
Sr. Project Engineer

More info at viridityenergy.com/about-us/viridity-energy-careers/

1/10 – Job Alert: Business Development Manager at Practical Energy Solutions

Friday, January 10th 2014

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.

Small, dynamic energy consulting group located in historic West Chester, PA, seeks a Business Development Manager to help define core markets and targets; co-develop, prioritize and manage strategic market penetration initiatives; manage and grow our existing service line; and leverage our past successes to develop new partnerships and business opportunities.

We are a Certified B Corp and are committed to helping our clients reduce energy use and adopt sustainable business practices.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Business Development Manager

  • The candidate must have a minimum of 3 years experience in a business development / sales role
  • We also require excellent strategic / analytical skills, solid interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple projects, and an entrepreneurial mindset – meaning that the candidate must be self-directed, committed to our company’s goals, unafraid to take calculated risks, and willing to take on any job that needs to get done in order to help our firm meets its goals
  • The ideal candidate will also be a team player with a good understanding of effective sales presentations

We offer a flexible work schedule, a creative environment, and the opportunity to make a difference. This position can start as part-time but we will consider starting off full-time if the right person applies.

Apply online here.

12/12 – ESCOs: Sign up for SEI Advisory Services

Thursday, December 12 2013

Calling all consultants, contractors, and other ESCOs: SEI’s Advisory Services program is up and running. By participating, local firms can receive occasional, qualified project leads that align with your services, geography, and project size/scope. In return for leads that result in a project greater than $1,000, a 3-5% referral fee is returned to the Smart Energy Initiative.

Our first lead resulted in a $20,000 project in West Chester for an Advisory Services member.

Please click here to request to participate in the Smart Energy Initiative’s Advisory Services!

11/29 – Training Grants Application Available Online

Friday, November 29th 2013

The Smart Energy Initiative is pleased to announce the availability of training grants for energy-related training by Pennsylvania companies, made available through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the Chester County Workforce Investment Board.

Note that the following cannot be supported with training funds:

  • Webinars and online training
  • Conferences
  • Travel and other training-related expenditures

Click here to complete our quick, online application.

11/8 – SEI Hosts Manufacturers Energy Forum

Friday, November 8th 2013

IMG_2745The Smart Energy Initiative, in conjunction with the Manufacturers Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties, hosted an event Thursday morning for manufacturing firms with energy questions. The agenda included:

Benchmarking – Understanding where you are today
Developing an energy plan- Prioitizing first steps
Calculating ROI – Calculating project payback periods
On-site renewable energy – Is your site viable? Does it make sense?
Backup generation – Reducing or eliminating downtime due to grid interruptions Procurement -Leveraging your demand to buy energy, including clean energy, at a discount
Natural Gas – Can/should your company convert to natural gas?
Financing – Available resources and incentives to facilitate your projects

Thanks to our Sponsor!

Thanks to our Sponsor!

Speakers included:
Paul Spiegel
Practical Energy Solutions

Mark Fischer
PWI Engineering

A Case Study in Sustainability:
Walter D. Schroth, Chief Operating Officer
Eagle Design Group – Chester County

 

 

10/18 – SEI Training Grant Application Released

Friday October 18th, 2013

We are pleased to announce that the Smart Energy Initiative’s application for funding for ongoing incumbent worker training has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry!

Retroactive to October 1st, these funds will be used to reimburse energy companies who train their existing workforce in the fields of energy efficiency, geothermal, solar PV, and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.

The first step is completing a training application by clicking here.

Contact Will Williams with questions, and stay tuned for more info!

 

9/27 – Sponsor needed for November’s Manufacturers Energy Forum

Friday, September 27th 2013

SEI and the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties have partnered to provide a program to answer manufacturer’s energy questions. We are looking for sponsors to help underwrite the cost of developing this event. Opportunities begin at $250! Read more about sponsorship by clicking here.Contact Jim Lauckner if you’re interested.

 

The event’s agenda includes:

Benchmarking
Developing an energy plan
Calculating ROI
On-site renewable energy
Backup generation
Procurement
Financing
SEI Advisory Services

Speakers include:
Paul Spiegel
Mark Fischer
A Case Study in Sustainability:
Eagle Design Group – Chester County