Con Edison

Distributed Generation Alternatives Take Spotlight at NARUC

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The daunting cost of getting new transmission lines built is spurring the search for alternatives that not only cost less but can make the electricity system more resilient in the face of natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy.

Proponents of distributed generation, like rooftop solar panels, have been promoting many of these options as clean energy. But Doug Hurley, senior associate with Synapse Energy Economics, told the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) in Baltimore this week that cost alone will drive the power industry toward “non-transmission alternatives” (NTAs). Keep reading →

Published November 21, 2012 at 10:30 AM

How Your Business Can Save Energy This Summer

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An aerial view of New Yorkers taking in the sun on Manhattan rooftops on August 4, 2012 in New York City.

With summer upon us, now is the time for businesses to take steps to save energy before the temperature rises. Upgrading to high-efficiency cooling equipment and lighting are two ways businesses can use less energy and improve comfort this summer. Here are some specific tips to stay cool, save energy and keep energy costs under control. Keep reading →

Published August 8, 2012 at 11:00 AM

How Schools Can Use Less Energy & Spend Less Money, Without the Sacrifice

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Making schools energy efficient need not be an exercise in sacrifice. Schools can get the same or better services, as well as increase the health and comfort of students and staff, all while using less energy.

The first step is to get an energy assessment that can help identify and prioritize opportunities for substantial energy and operational savings. Once these opportunities are identified, a school can develop a customized plan to reduce energy use, replacement and operating costs, and their carbon footprint. Common energy-saving measures for schools include installing high-efficiency lighting and lighting controls; heating, cooling and ventilation equipment; and motors, controls and variable frequency drives. Keep reading →

Published July 6, 2012 at 8:00 AM

Benchmarking: How Does Your Building Stack Up?

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Energy benchmarking can help you better understand your commercial property’s energy use and monitor performance over time. It allows for comparisons among similar building types and helps identify which ones could operate more efficiently.

The Environmental Protection Agency and its ENERGY STAR® Program offers a free online tool called Portfolio Manager that allows users to track and assess building energy consumption for a single building or an entire portfolio. Portfolio Manager can help comply with local energy laws, set investment priorities, identify under-performing buildings, verify efficiency improvements and receive EPA recognition for superior energy performance. Keep reading →

Published June 6, 2012 at 8:30 AM

What Does it Mean to be a High Performance Building?

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According to the US Energy Information Administration, 47% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from existing buildings. From a global perspective, reducing energy consumption in buildings is imperative for a sustainable future.

So when property owners and managers transform an existing facility into one that’s a high-performance building, what does that mean? Essentially, it means doing more with less. High-performance buildings are energy efficient, and therefore, easier and more affordable to operate and maintain. They provide healthier and more comfortable workspaces, making them more attractive to tenants and more desirable to own. Keep reading →

Published April 27, 2012 at 8:00 AM

A Smarter Grid for Natural Gas, Power, Water – Even Renewables

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Smart grid technology benefits everyone from utilities to consumers and a business case can be made for the large capital investment required to get us there.

That’s the message eMeter Co-Founder and CTO, Larsh Johnson gave Breaking Energy during a recent interview. Energy and infrastructure giant Siemens acquired eMeter in January 2012. Keep reading →

Published March 19, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Giving Away Money – A Tough Sell

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If you think it’s hard trying to get a loan from a bank or selling real estate in this economy, try “selling” money. Well, not actually selling money but giving generous rebates and incentives for energy efficiency projects. The sales process is not any easier even when the “product” is cash-back, moolah, money! In these tough economic times, businesses from all levels have pulled back and have become extremely guarded with how they spend their dollars. Accordingly, based on various energy efficiency polls, although public sentiments are aligned with the idea of energy conservation to reduce carbon emissions and to help the environment, many businesses do not plan to implement energy efficiency upgrades because they can’t afford it.

When the purse strings are tightened, how can the message get across that investing in energy efficiency today only benefits participants in the long haul? “People naturally think there is a catch but the catch is…there is no catch. Owners and managers of large office buildings, medium size retail outlets or any other commercial and industrial facilities interested in improving operations, reducing maintenance costs, lowering energy bills and procuring a more sustainable future, can greatly benefit from an energy efficiency rebate program” said David Pospisil, program manager for the Con Edison Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program. Keep reading →

Published February 8, 2012 at 9:00 AM

ConEd: Access The Funds For Energy Efficiency Projects

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Ultimately, you want an energy efficiency plan for your business – understanding it makes good business sense to lower your energy consumption, to save money, improve your bottom line and protect the environment in the process. You followed the preliminary steps of benchmarking to see how your building compares with similar buildings in your area. You’ve also had an energy audit to get a handle on what upgrades your building needs.

After looking at the laundry list of inefficient equipment and building systems that need improvements and the associated costs, you start to conceptualize the various ways to shuffle the budget to find capital for these improvements and make it work! Keep reading →

Published December 20, 2011 at 6:00 AM

Four Best Ways To Reduce Lighting Use And Costs

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Did you know lighting consumes up to 40% of a commercial facility’s electricity? The heat output from lights also impacts cooling loads.

In this article we will explore the following four options you can employ to reduce lighting costs: Keep reading →

Published October 6, 2011 at 6:00 AM

Island Of Smart Grid Rises At The WTC

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When the lights switch on and the fountains rise, the World Trade Center will take on a new life that deepens the poignancy of the complex as more than buildings, but as a place of national renewal and remembrance.

For the last eight years, engineers from infrastructure giant Siemens have been working with the World Trade Center design team to guarantee that when the site comes back to life, it will be ahead of its time as a showpiece of the energy future in New York and the US. Keep reading →

Published September 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM
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