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Energy Efficiency in New Federal Buildings to Increase by 30%
The U.S. Department of Energy has established regulations that require most new federal buildings to achieve at least 30% greater energy efficiency than that of the prevailing building codes. The new standards, which were published in late December, are also 40% more efficient than the standards in the current Code of Federal Regulations and will help federal agencies meet Executive Order #13423, which mandated increased federal energy efficiency. Over the next ten years, the standards could save more than 40 trillion Btu and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million metric tons. The new regulation updates an interim final rule that DOE issued on December 4, 2006, and which applied to any federal building that entered the "design for construction" phase by January 3, 2007.
The new regulations took effect on January 22 and apply to new federal commercial buildings, multi-family high-rise residential buildings, and low-rise residential buildings. The standards aim to address energy efficiency by looking at a building's entire performance, instead of relying on prescriptive requirements for building components and systems. The high standards put forth in the new regulations will also encourage federal builders to use an integrated approach when constructing new buildings. See the DOE press release (http://www.energy.gov/news/5790.htm) and the final rule (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24615.pdf).
Most DOE-EERE Programs See Increased Funding
An appropriations act signed into law in December provides $1.536 billion in direct support of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), a 4.2% increase over the funds that were provided through a continuing resolution in 2007. The bill also directs $186 million toward congressional earmarks. A number of EERE programs will see significant increases under the appropriations bill, including hydrogen technology, which is up by 9% over its fiscal year (FY) 2007 funding; solar energy, which is up by 5.7%; geothermal technology, which is essentially quadrupled (but still slightly below its FY 2006 funding level); building technologies, which gained 4.4%; industrial technologies, which gained 14%; weatherization assistance grants, which gained 11%; and tribal energy activities, which increased by 50%.
In addition, the act provides more than $26 million for facilities and infrastructure at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, including nearly $5 million toward a new Energy Systems Integration Facility. And the act provides essentially level funding for biomass and biorefinery systems, wind energy, the Federal Energy Management Program, and the Renewable Energy Production Incentive. Only state and international programs suffer under the act, with a 25% cut in state energy funding and an elimination of funds for international activities.
Building Community Launches Net Zero Energy Initiative
The Commercial Building Initiative brings together government and industry groups working to make every building, new and old, carbon neutral by 2030.
Unveiled at a workshop last month in Washington, the CBI was founded by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers; the American Institute of Architects; the United States Green Building Council; the World Business Council for Sustainable Development; the U.S. Department of Energy; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; and the Alliance to Save Energy. Together, these groups will plan, coordinate, and implement strategies that will completely overhaul how commercial buildings use energy in coming decades.
Because buildings in the U.S. are responsible for 70 percent of total energy use, as well as 40 percent each of total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, improving building performance has become a key environmental strategy. The CBI was launched to leapfrog past current building energy efficiency programs, which the group says have made important progress, but which often comes in fits and starts.
Instead, through its comprehensive strategies of technological and policy innovation, the group believes it can make zero net energy buildings a widespread and affordable reality. These buildings use 50 to 70 percent less energy than comparable traditional buildings, and the remaining energy use comes from renewable sources, like solar panels or wind turbines incorporated into the facility itself.
More information about the Commercial Building Initiative is available at http://buildings.lbl.gov/cbi.
Western Governors Push Energy-Efficient Building
The Western Governors’ Association recommended policies and best practices for energy-efficient building that could dramatically reduce the demand for energy and water, while providing a boost to the region’s economy.
The recommendations included in the WGA report, “Building an Energy-Efficient Future,” were developed by stakeholders participating in a workshop held last year. Participants included representatives of building industries, utilities, public interest groups, all levels of government and energy service companies.
Workshop participants delivered to the governors a comprehensive set of recommendations that will help the region achieve a 30 percent improvement over current International Energy Conservation Codes. Experts in the field advised the governors that implementing “best practices” over the next 15 years could reduce the need to construct new generating facilities in the West by 48,000 megawatts, save 1.8 trillion gallons of water and create a net regional economic gain of $53 billion.
The report focuses on energy efficiency measures with the greatest potential to cost-effectively generate energy savings. They include information and education, stronger code performance, incentives for energy efficiency practices, removing impediments for utilities to aggressively promote efficiency and conservation, and use of innovative financing programs.
The energy efficiency workshop was held as part of WGA’s Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative. WGA leads for that initiative are Govs. Dave Freudenthal (Wy.), Bill Richardson (N.M.), Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.) and John Hoeven (N.D.) For a copy of the full report and more information on the CDEi, visit the WGA Web site at http://www.westgov.org/.
CFL Sales Jump to 20% of the Market
The sales of Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) nearly doubled last year, according to the estimates of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2007, 290 million CFLs were sold, and the energy-saving bulbs now account for about 20% of the light bulb market in the United States. Energy Star-qualified CFLs use approximately 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
The sale of CFLs has been on the rise since 2006, when their market share jumped from 5% to almost 11%. Energy Star retail partners have played an important role in educating consumers about the importance of saving energy and the value of these products. DOE and EPA also worked to promote the sales of CFLs throughout 2007 with their "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign, which encourages people across the United States to sign a pledge to change at least one bulb in their house to an Energy Star-qualified CFL. The campaign has gathered over 1 million pledges so far. See the DOE press release ( http://www.energy.gov/news/5825.htm) and the Energy Star Web site (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=lighting.pr_lighting).
U.S. Wind Power Capacity Surged Up 45% in 2007
The U.S. wind energy industry installed 5,244 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity in 2007, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). The rapid growth shatters all previous records and boosts the total U.S. wind power capacity by 45% in only one year. The growth even exceeded AWEA's expectations for 4,000 MW of new capacity, a prediction made just two months ago. In fact, wind power provided 30% of the new generating capacity installed in the United States in 2007. The total U.S. wind power capacity is now at 16,818 MW, with wind projects located in 34 states. AWEA estimates that in 2008, U.S. wind power facilities will generate 48 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, or about 1% of the nation's electricity needs. AWEA expects similar capacity growth in 2008, although factors such as the availability of new wind turbines could have an impact on growth. The trade association tallies 3,520 MW of new wind power capacity currently under construction.
Texas leads the states in terms of new wind power capacity installed in 2007, with 1,618 MW of new capacity, further cementing the state's lead in total installed wind power capacity. AWEA also estimates that at least 14 new wind power manufacturing facilities either opened or were announced in 2007. See the AWEA press release ( http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA_Market_Release_Q4_011708.html).
NIST Announces Available Grants
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces the solicitation of applications for financial assistance for FY 2008 for the Building Research Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program. The program will provide grants and cooperative agreements in the following fields of research: Structures, Construction Metrology and Automation, Inorganic Materials, Polymeric Materials, HVAC & R Equipment Performance, Mechanical Systems and Controls, Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems, Computer Integrated Building Processes, and Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation. Applications will be considered on a continuing basis. For complete information about this program and instructions for applying by paper or electronically, read the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) Notice at http://www.grants.gov/.
