We’ve been hearing and reading (and talking) about load control and demand response quite a bit over the past several years. Hardly a day goes by that DR doesn’t make the headlines in one context or another. And then there’s the technology – oh, so much technology! There must be at least a gazillion ways to curtail demand out there these days, give or take a few. But here’s what worries me: Even with all of the energy efficiency measures and technology available, why do we still not seem too serious about doing something substantive about demand, and why does it seem like we aren’t willing to spend and/or sacrifice anything to get it under control? So far, I haven’t observed a deep commitment to demand reduction on a national scale, and I can’t help but wonder why that is the case.

The fact is, DR is still an evolving business, and I’m not sure that anyone has found precisely the right balance between the pluses and minuses yet. Despite there being several of what I’d call serious DR suppliers, none of them seems to be setting the world on fire. Is it just that DR is not the panacea that some people claim it is, or is this yet another one of those things that hasn’t been properly explained to the marketplace? Personally, I’m betting on the latter, and here’s why…

Way back in 2007-2008 – before the recession became the #1 topic of discussion – we saw a lot of commentary about load growth, transmission congestion and the direct and indirect environmental impacts of future demand – all of which are as valid now as they were then – but these days we don’t hear much about those issues. Why is that? Well, I believe that there is a very good reason. Notably, as the economy sagged, so did load growth. So naturally, being the ‘farsighted’ kind of folks that we are, we immediately developed a case of amnesia. We conveniently forgot about all of those down sides to meeting demand using conventional methods and quietly moved on to other pertinent issues of the day. (See, there are actually some positives out of this financial malaise!)

While the old adage ‘ignorance is bliss’ may be applicable here, don’t think for a minute that the current situation will last. Be assured that along with economic recovery will come a return to load growth – you can depend on it. That is, as business ramps back up and energy use starts to rise again, energy demand will inevitably increase right along with it. And, when – not if – it does, those pesky problems with generation shortfalls, transmission congestion and environmental issues will be right back in our collective faces. Yep, déjà vu all over again! The question is, what are we going to do about it? Let’s quickly review our options…

One thing we can do is build more generation. We still have lots of coal, which is the bulwark feedstock for a sizeable portion of existing power production. Nah, too dirty, you say. Okay, how about shale gas? The jury may still be out on that one, but early assessments of the pollution potential don’t look so good, and it will definitely take some time (that we don’t have) to sort it all out. Fuel oil? (More foreign oil!) Natural gas? (Hey, can you predict gas futures?) And then there’s the renewables angle. Wind? Solar? Maybe as supplementary resources, but because of intermittency, there still has to be a base load capacity that will fill in the blanks when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine, which as we all know, occasionally happen. Nuclear? Well, I’ll let you figure out the chances of that happening in the near-term for yourselves.

But let’s just assume for now that we figure out this pricey and exceedingly complex generation debacle, whatever the selection or mix turns out to be. What about those transmission lines that are at capacity and already straining to even handle present-day loads on a hot day? Now that we’ve all had some time to think about it, are we suddenly okay with siting and building new transmission lines – in YOUR backyard? How about in the Adirondack Mountains? Or, perhaps through the Mohave Desert? How about across Martha’s Vineyard? Are those or similar alternatives somehow more palatable now than they were only a few years ago? I’m gonna go out on a limb here and assume that the answer isn’t ‘no’ – but more likely, hell no! Understandably, almost no one wants to volunteer their personal property or put aside their protective instincts concerning the Great Outdoors, merely for the privilege of keeping the lights on, right?

Okay, that’s admittedly a tongue-in-cheek question, but in fact, that’s pretty much what it comes down to when you really think about it on the basis of the cold, hard facts – which by the way, are even colder without power! Obviously, we don’t want to stop the economic recovery, but we also don’t want our lights to dim or go out. So what to do?

Here’s the good news: We already have several effective ways to deal with this problem. Categorically it’s referred to as Energy Efficiency. Regardless of how you choose to engage in energy efficiency or which company you select to carry out your EE strategy, the net result is saving energy. And in the process of doing that we also get the additional benefits of fewer plants required (regardless of the fuel being used); fewer transmission lines needed to transport the power; and diminished negative impact on the environment.

At the end of the day, meeting future demand is OUR collective responsibility, and fortunately, we have measures we can employ that don’t involve breaking ground on new generation plants, building new transmission or polluting our environment. Whether you call it Energy Efficiency, Load Management, Demand Response or something else, as the famous Nike slogan says, let’s Just Do It! 

Mike Marullo is President and CEO at Infonetrix, LLC., a privately-held research and analysis firm providing research and consulting services for energy and utility automation and information technology markets. He is also Editor in Chief for Electric Energy T&D Magazine and ElectricEnergyOnline.com. (Article reprinted with permission. ©2011 Jaguar Media Inc.)

Photos by Robert J. Pennington, courtesy www.RhizomeImages.com

As an owner/builder, I’m always on the lookout for new products that make a difference in how we build or use materials. Walking the tradeshow floor at Globe 2010, I found four products that caught my eye as we look toward the future of the built environment.

Solar Shingle installation. Photo with permission of Dow.

USA – Dow Chemical Company- The Dow™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle is the company’s latest innovation showcased at GLOBE 2010. A recent recipient of GLOBE 2010’s Foundation award for “Environmental Excellence in Emerging Technology,” their solar shingles not only protect a roof from the elements, but serve up a photovoltaic charge at the same time. The unique product design has similar weight, reveal and installation practices as an asphalt shingle while also generating electricity. DOW’s Solar Solutions (DSS) technology uses a cost-effective and durable PV material called CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide). The electrical circuitry is integrated into every shingle and is connected by wireless plug-style connectors. Dow also recently announced in February, its plans to build the first full-scale production facility for its solar shingle facility in Midland, Michigan, bringing with it more than 1,200 jobs to the marketplace. Could it be affordable, renewable energy roofing solutions are on the horizon?

A sample piece of a MagWall panel shows foam on the inside and a magnesium oxide base sheathing. Photo by Robert J. Pennington

Canada – MagWall Pacific Inc. Tucked into a small booth on the tradeshow floor is a new SIPS (Structural Insulated Panel System) building product that has some very cool new features. SIPS built homes are generally much more efficient than stick-built homes. Think of SIPS like an extremely efficient Oreo cookie. A hard crust on the outside, (generally OSB plywood) with a fluffy foam filling in the middle. On the MagWall systems, the OSB is replaced with sheathing boards that have a magnesium oxide base making it fire and insect resistant and impervious to mold, because there is no wood product in it. Additionally the ability to erect structures in wet or cold conditions is not a problem, so costly delays in schedules are minimized. As a bonus, it can also eliminate the use of costly additional products used in construction. For example, interior and exterior walls can be finished without additional sheathing, and the company claims vapor barriers are not necessary. Currently the company’s focus is on providing healthy, affordable, sustainable and energy efficient buildings, that require less dependence on highly skilled labor. The company is currently in talks with multiple countries, and even UN and Disaster relief efforts. After just completing the envelope of my own SIPS house, it wasn’t hard to see how these MagWalls would have made a huge difference in shaping the course of our project. www.mag-wall.com

MicroHeat’s 9kW electrical instantaneous hot water system. Photo by Robert J. Pennington

Australia – MicroHeat® Technologies PTY LTD. Tankless hot water heaters are nothing new to the market. But behind this little white box is a whole house hot water heater with a 98% efficiency rating saving both water and greenhouse gas emissions. Normal tankless hot water heaters rely on the flow of water to run through heated coils to deliver hot water to a faucet or shower system. This can mean running and wasting water longer than necessary until it is at the right temperature to use. MicroHeat’s electrical instantaneous hot water system eliminates that heating coil element altogether and instead uses water as the conductor. The water is energized (or heated) via inert electrodes in the water stream. The result is instant hot water, but water is not the only resource being saved. Instead of a constant flow of electricity running to heat big tanks of water, this smart system turns on when you need it and can be placed in convenient locations closer to the source of use. The system on display was a 9kW single-phase unit. The best part is, it senses when it needs to add more juice to the system and delivers absolute temperature control. You can increase the flow but retain the temperature. Still in the research and development phase, MicroHeat has already received grants from the Australian Government and support from the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing. But this little heater is keeping cool about its technology. Currently no website or marketing efforts are available to the public. We’ll just have to wait.

Sherpa aluminum timber connectors. Photo by Jen Pennington

Austria- Sherpa®- Good things come in small packages, and this little mounting and assembly hardware introduces a new technique for traditional timber construction. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, the product provides a simple, safe and reliable connector between load bearing trusses, joints or any other timber connection. Two aluminum-molded plates contain a male and female piece that slips into each other to form a very strong connection. A concealed fastener and a good alternative to Simpson® Strong ties and a semi-concealed fastener allows the beauty of the hardware to become a part of the design. What makes the product sustainable is in the fact that a structure can be just as easily disassembled without wasting valuable wood resources. Beams are lifted and joints can be non-destructively disconnected.

Find information in English regarding this product here.

Find more images from Globe 2010 at www.RhizomeImages.com

For many of us, a yearly health checkup with our general practitioner is standard. We count on our GP to have a grip on the grand scheme of what’s going on with our bodies, providing an integrated medical approach, and sometimes a referral to a specialist if a problem comes up.

Your house deserves the same attention, every ten years or so.

A home performance contractor is the GP for your home. “Home Performance” is the term used to describe how well a house functions in terms of thermal comfort, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and durability. Because all of these elements interact, the science-based, whole-house approach taken by home performance contractors is the best way to solve problems with a house.

For example, if insulation is installed without considering moisture and ventilation, or if a new furnace is installed without addressing air and duct leaks, the house could end up in worse shape, and even possibly a safety hazard with air quality or combustion issues. A thorough home performance analysis (commonly called a home energy audit) can ensure that your home is healthy with all its elements working well together.

Home Performance illustrating potential air leaks. Source: U.S. EPA

If there are home health problems, a home performance contractor can prescribe the appropriate construction improvements or system retrofits. The whole-house approach means this can be done in a way that best meets the wants of the homeowner as well as the needs of the house.

While you perceive benefits such as being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, breathing fresher air, and having lower energy bills, the increase in the house’s efficiency also means a lower carbon footprint. Improving the nation’s residential carbon use by 25% is equivalent to doubling the gas mileage of all the nation’s cars.

Thanks to an increasing number of articles in the mass media, along with state and federal tax credits and incentives, the public is beginning to understand that home performance is an important part of the energy solution, but there is a long way to go. The non-profit organization Efficiency First is working in Washington, D.C. to effect legislation that will incentivize based on performance, rather than products. Certain jurisdictions are already requiring an audit before a home can be put up for sale, and as metrics become more centralized, an energy score (much like a car’s MPG) may end up on the real estate listings.

In Washington State, a new trade association—Home Performance Washington—has formed to address the growing demand for home performance contractors and related companies. Their mission is to increase public awareness, set the standard for the work that is performed, support conservation programs, and work with local, regional, and national organizations to support the industry.

The great news is that hiring a home performance contractor to retrofit your home usually does not cost a fortune; the most common improvements are quick, easy, and affordable—with immediately detectable results for the health of your home and your enjoyment of it.

So just as an apple a day may keep the doctor away, doing a home performance retrofit can keep the energy losses at bay.

Alison Kartiganer is the Operations Manager for Vesta Home Performance Retrofitting

I can’t help but remark on a concept Philips is promoting for an outdoor lighting structure that transforms from a solar flower during the day to a wind turbine on cloudy days to a nightlight. It’s been out for a few months, but as a designer, I’m drawn to both it’s functional and aesthetic qualities. The concept is called Light Blossom. And I definitely want to see this concept bloom.

The idea is to provide a large tower that collects solar energy on the inside of its open petals, moving in harmony with the position of the sun. On cloudy or windy days, the petals half-close upward to catch the wind and convert the movement to energy. At night the petals close to form an LED nightlight providing only the light that’s necessary. Great for cities, but even better for rural areas where a power infrastructure is not possible, or power outages are frequent. A smaller version for residential use I believe would find a very willing market.

What I truly admire about the concept is that it takes an everyday mainstream item like a streetlight and serves up sustainability with style. Truly remarkable is how simple a concept it is in theory and how in line it is with the Philips brand of sense and simplicity. With so many variables, it surely won’t be easy to build nor maintain. Harder still will be making it cost efficient enough for cities and communities to afford. But if Philips can make it a reasonably priced option to retrofit or build into new communities, that’s not good design–that’s great design. Just think of it…wild energy flowers scattered from the seeds of imagination.

Find out more about this concept at www.Philips.com and check out the concept called: Simplicity Tomorrow – Light Blossom