Energy Efficiency Markets

Two seasoned energy writers follow the energy efficiency market, which they say is poised for major growth in North America. They interview industry leaders, who provide news and analysis, and explain how businesses can make money by reducing their electricity use.

Sign up for the free podcast, Energy Efficiency Markets, by visiting http://www.realwriters.net/rew/rtlnkmr.htm

Podcast #54:

Net-zero homes: No energy bill, no carbon emissions part 2

Lisa Cohn continues her interview with Scott Sklar, founder and president of The Stella Group and chair of the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Energy Coalition. He explains how people can move toward having net-zero homes through efficiency improvements and renewable energy system installations. We may not all achieve net zero, he says, but can take action that affects climate change, reduces energy and water use, and saves money.

Podcast #53:

Net-zero homes: No energy bill, no carbon emissions part 1

Lisa Cohn welcomes back Scott Sklar, founder and president of The Stella Group and Chair of the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Energy Coalition. He explains how people can begin moving toward net-zero homes through efficiency improvements and renewable energy system installations. While not everyone may reach net zero, everyone can take actions that affect climate change, energy use, water use, and financial savings, he says.

Podcast #52:

Solving the green gap with a smart grid part 2

Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast continues her interview with Andrea Fabbri, chief operating officer of EcoAlign. He explains why people want to save energy—but don’t. A smart grid could help solve the problem. He addresses some of the challenges of implementing a smart grid.

Podcast #51:

Solving the green gap with a smart grid part 1

Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Andrea Fabbri, chief operating officer of EcoAlign. He explains why people want to save energy–but don’t. A smart grid could help solve the problem. He addresses some of the challenges of implementing a smart grid.

Podcast #50:

The value of real-time energy use data part 2

Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets continues her interview with John Petersen, chairman of the environmental studies program at Oberlin College. In addition to his work with the Dorm Energy Orb, Petersen is working to motivate homeowners in the surrounding community to be more aware of their energy use. Again, providing real-time energy use information is the key.

Podcast #49:

Energy Orb inspires students part 1

Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets interviews John Petersen, chairman of the environmental studies program at Oberlin College. In Part I, he describes Oberlin’s Dorm Energy Orb, which gives students feedback about their energy use and — coupled with an energy saving contest — inspires them to save energy.

Podcast #48:

How EE innovators can avoid patent problems

Lisa Cohn from Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Mike Messenger, director of the electronics group for the law firm Sterne Kessler Goldstein Fox. He explains what issues EE companies should consider when filing for patents and how to avoid patent problems that affect green industries.

Podcast #47:

Quick climate-change recommendations

Lisa Cohn interviews Ken Bossong, coordinator of the Sustainable Energy Network, about the recommendations that 116 businesses, organizations and activists offered President Obama on January 21. The proposals are designed to provide quick action on climate change.

Podcast #46:

Customer-friendly demand response

EE Markets’ Lisa Cohn interviews Paul Tyno, executive vice president of program development for Energy Curtailment Specialists about its PowerPay! Program, an Energy Efficiency Markets’ 2008 contest winner. He also discusses demand-response market trends.

Podcast #45:

How EE Will Benefit From The Recession

Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Scott Sklar, founder and president of The Stella Group and Chair of the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Energy Coalition. Energy efficiency will likely grow even more than it would have without a recession because of the strong efficiency stipulations outlined in the federal economic stimulus package, he says. What’s more, he says, businesses seeking to save money will find ways to invest in EE. He identifies the sector most likely to grow.

Podcast #44:

Making Obama’s infrastructure plan “smart” part 2

Energy Efficiency Markets continues its conversation with Saifur Rahman, vice president of new initiatives and outreach for IEEE Power and Energy Society. He’s back to talk about President-elect Barack Obama’s proposals to invest in infrastructure—and how to ensure the investments are “smart.”

Podcast #43:

Making Obama’s infrastructure plan “smart” part 1

Energy Efficiency Markets continues its conversation with Saifur Rahman, vice president of new initiatives and outreach for IEEE Power and Energy Society. He’s back to talk about President-elect Barack Obama’s proposals to invest in infrastructure—and how to ensure the investments are “smart.”

Podcast #42:

Advances in waste-to-ethanol commercialization

Arnold Klann, president and CEO of BlueFire Ethanol, explains how his company makes cellulosic ethanol out of municipal waste and other waste. He projects what the future of cellulosic ethanol will look like in the US and how it will be distributed.

Podcast #41:

How to convince consumers to save energy

Why are people willing to buy a Toyota Prius but less likely to buy energy efficient lightbulbs? EE Markets interviews Suzanne Shelton, CEO of the Shelton group, which recently conducted its fourth annual Energy Pulse study looking at consumer attitudes about saving energy. She gives tips for convincing consumers to conserve.

Podcast #40:

Obama’s effect on the world-wide energy crisis

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Saifur Rahman, vice president of new initiatives and outreach for IEEE Power and Energy Society, about how President-elect Obama’s energy policies will affect the world-wide energy crisis. He explains how Obama’s policies will create a ripple effect around the world because people are looking to Obama to claim a leadership role in energy. His policies will lay the framework for other countries to follow and execute their own energy plan, says Saifur. He also critiques Obama’s call for 1 million plug-in hybrid cars by 2015.

Podcast #39:

Franchising distributed energy plants abroad

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Firas Ahmad, director of U.S. business development for Emergence BioEnergy. He explains how Emergence BioEnergy installs simple biowaste burners with sterling engines in developing countries where electricity is unreliable. He hopes to develop a franchise-like system that will allow individuals to own systems and provide energy to others in their area.

Podcast #38:

How President-elect Obama’s energy policies will affect industries

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Mark Breuker, director of client solutions for Advantage IQ, which provides facility information and expense management services. He provides an overview of how President-elect Barack Obama’s energy policies will affect industries and how they use energy.

Podcast #37:

The new CHP tax credit – and why it’s important
Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Neal Elliott, Ph.D., associate director for research for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) about the new tax credit for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems. He tells just how important CHP is, given that 20% of our power could come from it.

Podcast #36:

100 mile per gallon light trucks

Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Jennifer Zerwer, spokesperson for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, about its use of Raser Technologies’ hybrid-electric trucks that get 100 miles per gallon. She also talks about the challenges of integrating hybrid vehicles into the grid.

Podcast #35:

Presidential Candidates’ Energy Policies, Part 2

In part 2 of this interview, Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Ray Wuslich, partner with the law firm Winston & Strawn, Washington D.C., about the presidential candidates’ energy policies. He discusses the surprising similarities between the two candidates’ positions on many of the main issues, highlights the candidates’ differences and offers commentary on the issues.

Podcast #34:

Energy Policies of Obama and McCain, Part 1

Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Ray Wuslich, partner with the law firm Winston & Strawn, Washington D.C., about the presidential candidates’ energy policies. He discusses the surprising similarities between the two candidates’ positions on many of the main issues, highlights their differences and offers commentary on the issues.

Podcast #33:

Stabilizing the Grid with Energy Storage

Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Susan Meredith, author of Beyond Light Bulbs: Lighting the Way for Smarter Energy Management, about how energy storage plays an integral role in transmission. She discusses how energy demand doesn’t always match supply, especially with the introduction of intermittent forms of energy, such as wind and solar. Energy can be stored in batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, ultra-capacitors, pumped hydro power, geothermal, or compressed air. Combining these different energy storage techniques with renewable energy is critical for developing a comprehensive and stable energy grid, she says.

Podcast #32:

Improving the Efficiency of the Transmission Grid

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Kenneth Reich, partner in WolfBlock’s Environmental and Land Use Practice Group in Boston. He discusses the need for federal policy to fix the outdated and inefficient US transmission system. A national energy policy must alleviate grid congestion, implement energy efficiency and demand side resources, and eliminate electric heat loss over long distances, he says.

Podcast #31:

Revolutionizing the Transmission System with Smart Technologies and Policies
Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Kurt Yeager, co-author of the new book “Perfect Power: How the Microgrid Revolution will Unleash Cleaner, Greener, More Abundant Energy.” The electric transmission grid in the US is outdated and overloaded and is not sufficient for the addition of new, intermittent, renewable energy sources. He argues that we need to use smart technologies and implement new policies at the local and national level to solve this problem. His plan would put consumers in control of their energy usage.

Podcast #30:

Science Fiction Is Now a Reality: Smart Building

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Nancy Edwards Cronin, principal partner with IP Capital Group. She discusses the growing market for “new” Smart Buildings and how science fiction is becoming a reality as technology advances and prices drop for energy efficient appliances. For example, technologies are under development that may deliver wireless electricity or turn off all appliances and lights with one main switch.

Podcast #29:

Energy Efficiency Businesses and Reaching New Markets, Part 2

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Steve Wunker, senior partner with Innosight, which advises businesses about entering new markets. He discusses the strategic side of entering new markets for companies that offer energy efficiency technologies. He recommends that expanding businesses try to win on several performance metrics and seek trade offs to facilitate innovations.

Podcast #28:

Energy Efficiency Businesses and Reaching New Markets, Part 1

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Steve Wunker, senior partner with Innosight, which advises businesses about entering new markets. He discusses the strategic side of entering new markets for companies that offer energy efficiency technologies. He recommends that expanding businesses avoid chasing big name customers initially and instead seek strong “foot-hold” customers that need the efficiency product and do not compete with other customers.

Podcast #27:

How Companies Benefit from Carbon Footprint Reduction

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Mark Breuker, director of energy consulting for Advantage IQ, a comprehensive expense management and an energy and environmental solution service for multi-site companies. He explains how companies can measure and reduce their carbon footprint in order to receive carbon credits, which are quickly becoming a hot commodity as legislation changes. He discusses how CEOs and employees feel empowered once they get a handle on their carbon emissions by cutting operational costs, helping control climate change, as well as generating good PR.

Podcast #26:

New Technology to Implement Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Susan Haifleigh, director of sustainability solutions with VFA Incorporated in Boston, Mass. She discusses how to use technology to implement energy efficiency. The latest technology in newer buildings, for example, can monitor the amount of energy used by each boiler in real time from a control room.

Podcast #25:

Increasing Car EE by Using Plastics

Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Jim Kolb, senior director of automotive programs for the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council. He discusses how plastics are used for light-weighting cars for energy efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, lightweight cars are not necessarily small and often rival the safety of their heavier counterparts.

Podcast #24:

Market Drivers for Energy Efficient Building Retrofits

Attorney Gail Suchman, of New York-based Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, talks with EE Markets Podcast about forces that drive today’s building retrofits market. She explains how building owners can offset the cost of retrofitting by following state green building codes and pursuing efficiency tax credits.

Podcast #23:

Venture Capital and Start-Up Options in EE, Part 2

EE Markets Podcast interviews Drew Clark, co-founder and director of strategy for IBM Venture Capital Group, who addresses venture capital and start-up opportunities in EE. He explains how IBM Venture Capital Group partners with traditional venture capital firms, then uses its expertise and skills to leverage start-ups into profitable opportunities. He reveals why EE investments are growing quickly and which technologies draw investments.

Podcast #22:

Venture Capital and Start-Up Options in EE, Part 1

EE Markets Podcast interviews Drew Clark, co-founder and director of strategy for IBM Venture Capital Group, who addresses venture capital and start-up opportunities in EE. He explains how IBM Venture Capital Group partners with traditional venture capital firms, then uses its expertise and skills to leverage start-ups into profitable opportunities. He reveals why EE investments are growing quickly and which technologies draw investments.

Podcast #21:

How to Ramp Up EE as Quickly as Possible

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Ralph Cavanagh, co-director of the energy program for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), about the challenges facing the EE industry—including lack of programs in higher education—and the programs and policies needed to ramp up EE as quickly as possible. Cavanagh, whose organization has partnered with the American Public Power Association, calls, among other actions, for creating more rewards for customers using EE—including inverted rates that provide an incentive to use less energy.

Podcast #20:

Public Power Seizes New Energy Efficiency Opportunities, Part 2
Mark Crisson, CEO of the American Public Power Association, discusses how the public power business model lends itself to efficiency efforts. He describes APPA’s new partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and its plans to help expand energy efficiency offerings for the 2,000 not-for-profit utilities it serves.

Podcast #19:

Public Power Seizes New Energy Efficiency Opportunities, Part 1
Mark Crisson, CEO of the American Public Power Association, discusses how the public power business model lends itself to efficiency efforts. He describes APPA’s new partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and its plans to help expand energy efficiency offerings for the 2,000 not-for-profit utilities it serves.

Podcast #18:

ConEd’s View of EE Trends and Demand

Jorge Lopez, president and CEO of ConEdison Solutions, which recently acquired Custom Energy Services, addresses trends in energy efficiency. He identifies EE “hot spots” in the U.S., and describes innovations in LED lighting and demand response.

Podcast #17:

Innovative EE Policies in France and Italy

Nick Brass, CEO of CoolNRG USA, describes policies in France and Italy that allow companies like CoolNRG USA to implement innovative EE programs. He contrasts them to US policies, which often present stumbling blocks to innovation.

Podcast #16:

Scoring Canada’s Effort to Achieve Greater Efficiency

Ken Elsey, President and CEO of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, tells Energy Efficiency Markets about the exponential growth in support for efficiency in Canada. The nation is increasing its pursuit of cogeneration, demand response, better appliance standards and efficient lighting and building practices. Exactly how well Canada is doing will be revealed soon when CEEA releases its next national report card evaluating the performance of the federal government and provinces.

Podcast #15:

Demand Response in Regulated and Unregulated Markets

Ken Schisler, senior director, regulatory affairs for EnerNOC, a demand response firm, explains the difference between demand response programs in regulated and unregulated markets. In competitive regions, DR adapts to requirements created by regional transmission organizations, while in regulated markets DR companies tailor programs to meet specific utility needs. He also explains why EnerNOC operates more in unregulated markets.

Podcast #14:

Making it easy to find EE products
RealEnergyWriters.com interviews Duane Hallowell, president and CEO of Hallowell International, about how to make it easy for consumers to locate energy efficient products. EE companies need to tap into conventional dealer networks and other Yellow-page type services.

Podcast #13:

The Challenges of Implementing Energy Efficiency in the US
Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Nick Brass, chief executive, CoolNRG USA Inc., about the challenges–especially from utilities and regulators–his company faces implementing energy efficiency in the US. He explains how the process is much more streamlined in other countries, and how it could be improved in the US.

Podcast #12:

Policy Initiatives That Could Revolutionize EE, Part 2

Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Steve Cowell, CEO of Conservation Services Group, about policy initiatives that could revolutionize energy efficiency. Part Two of Two Parts.

Podcast #11:

Policy Initiatives That Could Revolutionize EE, Part 1
Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Steve Cowell, CEO of Conservation Services Group, about three policy initiatives that could
revolutionize energy efficiency. Part One of Two Parts.

Podcast #10:

Why Companies Strive to Satisfy Customers with EE Efforts
Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Brandi McManus, energy services manager for TAC, which provides energy, building automation and security solutions. She discusses how legislation, including the Kyoto Protocol, affects how businesses view energy efficiency in the US.  Even though the US hasn’t yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol, global emission standards are influencing all US businesses that hope to be competitive in the future market. Businesses now recognize that their customers are demanding sustainable practices. McManus describes California’s leading-edge energy efficiency legislation, as well as voluntary cap-and-trade programs in the US designed to reduce greenhouse gases.

Podcast #9:

The Benefits of Certifying Buildings as “Green”
Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Aaron Nelson–project director for the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado and a U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional–about how building owners can save money and attract clientele by following the LEED energy guidelines. He explains how building owners receive LEED ratings and how LEED certification helps promote business. In LEED-certified buildings, energy consumption is reduced, emissions are lowered, and, often, the value of the building increases. What’s more, potential tenants are attracted to LEED buildings.

Podcast #8:

The Societal Benefits of Taking Part in Demand Response Programs
Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast Interviews David Brewster, president and co-founder of EnerNOC Inc. He explains that up to 10% of  the capacity of US power plants and transmission infrastructure is used solely to provide energy during peak (high-demand) periods that occur 1% of the time. Demand-response programs like EnerNOC’s collect loads from hundreds of different facilities and network them together to help meet peak demand and to avoid construction of new power plants. “We can shave off those peak demand periods and eliminate the need to build all that infrastructure,” Brewster says. Customers who implement demand-response programs reduce their non-essential use of electricity to help make the electric grid more efficient and cut carbon emissions. Brewster provides some background about demand response and EnerNOC.

Podcast #7:

How Businesses Can Take Advantage of Energy Efficiency Incentives

Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Bob Hinkle, vice president of MMA Renewable Ventures’ Energy Efficiency Business Unit, about how businesses can take advantage of energy efficiency incentives offered by state and local governments and utilities. He also describes technical assistance programs offered by the U.S. Department of Energy—including lists of service providers and financing opportunities.

Podcast #6:

Using the Kyoto Protocol to Invest in Energy Efficiency in The Ukraine
The Ukraine has one of the most inefficient and environmentally polluting economies in the world. Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Ken Bossong, co-director of the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association about how U.S. businesses can use the mechanisms in the Kyoto Protocol to invest in energy efficiency projects and help clean up the environment. He also tells how businesses can take part in carbon credit trading with The Ukraine. The World Bank estimates that the Ukraine’s carbon credits could be worth as much as $17 billion.

Podcast #5:

Energy Efficiency Moves Out of the Boiler Room and into the Board Room
Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Brandi McManus, energy services manager for TAC, which provides energy, building automation and security solutions. Today’s topic: EE has moved out of the boiler room and into the board room. What is the board room looking for in terms of EE? Brandi addresses both the financial and social issues that are so important to companies implementing EE today.

Podcast #4:

Energy Efficient Ships: Cutting Big Waste
Just sitting in port, ships use 10-11 megawatts of electricity—enough to service 10,000 homes. When they’re running, they use 40-95 MW of electricity. New technologies allow cruise lines, ferries and others to cut ships’ energy use by 8-15%, and in some cases, by as much as 20%. Bob Fesmire, media relations manager for ABB Inc. explains how. He also talks about energy efficiency trends in general.

Podcast #3:
Energy Waste in Information Technology
Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Matt Heinz, senior director of marketing for Verdiem, Seattle, a PC power management company. He tells us that energy usage in the commercial sector is expected to increase 75 % by 2030. Information Technology (IT) energy consumption alone is expected to double by 2021. What’s more, the typical personal computer wastes 2/3 of the energy it consumes. What are solutions?

Podcast #2:
The Save A Watt Program: Boosting Utility EE
Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Carol Mulholland, a principal consultant at PA Consulting Group, based in Arlington, Va., who has been working in energy efficiency for 20 years. She explains how Duke Energy’s “Save A Watt” program–recently approved by the South Carolina Public Service Commission–helps overcome a major obstacle to utilities’ implementing energy efficiency.

Podcast #1:
How Businesses Can Profit from Energy Efficiency Programs
Longtime energy writer Elisa Wood explains how businesses can make money taking part in Energy Efficiency programs. She explains the economic and societal benefits of “demand response” programs.