From El Nuevo Dia, PR Newspaper

6:40 p.m. - No hay luz en todo Vieques. En el refugio se encuentran en labor de reparación de la planta eléctrica. Los refugiados comienzan a registrarse con la ayuda de linternas.

6:40 p.m. - No Power in all of Vieques. Repairs to the power plant at the shelter are underway. Refugees begin registration with the help of flash lights.

Please stay safe.

Webinar: OpenStudio—Whole-Building Energy Modeling

This webinar will review the OpenStudio application suite, primarily used by architects, engineers, and others involved in the design, construction, or facility management industries.

Speakers: Nicholas Long and David Goldwasser, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction: Learn How You and Your Clients Can Benefit from this Federal Program

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58) created a new tax incentive for constructing energy efficient commercial buildings. Specifically, Section 1331, the Commercial Building Tax Deduction, establishes a tax deduction for expenses related to the design and installation of energy-efficient commercial building systems.

The AIA strongly supported this provision and played a major role in its legislative development. AIA also helped form a partnership with other concerned stakeholders and through this partnership, developed implementation recommendations for building owners to obtain this tax deduction. In 2008, the AIA helped pass legislation to extend the life of the deduction so that it covers property placed in service by December 31, 2013.

EDIN USVI Next Workshop Scheduled for September 15-16th - UVI STX

As the efforts to reduce petroleum-based energy consumption in the USVI continue to move forward, the increased involvement of the local citizens, businesses and organizations is increasingly important.  We hope you will consider taking time out of your busy schedule to attend the upcoming Workshop.  Please, post any topics that you would like to see addressed and we will do our best to include them.  The final agenda and issues to be discussed will be posted here and on the Facebook page when received.

World Green Building Week

World Green Building Week 2011 will be taking place between September 19-23, 2011. How will you be celebrating green building and green communities where you live?

World Green Building Week is celebrated annually to draw attention to the importance of creating healthier, more sustainable buildings and communities. Each year during the third week of September, Green Building Councils and their members mark this occasion with events and activities that reflect the diversity of their cultures and industries.

The number of countries participating in World Green Building Week tripled last year and we expect even more growth this year. The best way to get involved in World Green Building Week this year is to contact your local GBC and find out how your organization can be a part of this remarkable groundswell in support of a greener built environment.

World Green Building Week 2010 Summary Report: Read about the events and activities that took place between September 20-26, 2010, with participation by over 26 countries from around the world.

WorldGBC released a special report, Tackling Global Climate Change - Meeting Local Priorities, on the first day of World Green Building Week 2010. The report demonstrates the important role that green buildings can play in providing social and economic benefits such as affordable housing, job creation and disaster recovery. It also brings together exemplary case studies from around the world and provides evidence of how green buildings have been used effectively to meet local needs.

For more information about World Green Building Week please contact Jason Neudorf.

America's Home Energy Challenge

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, the America's Home Energy Education Challenge aims to enhance and extend existing energy-focused programs, provide specific home energy-saving tips, and make materials that support the learning of science and energy available to schools. Participating schools compete for more than $200,000 in prizes distributed at the regional and national levels of the competition.

The America's Home Energy Education Challenge is designed to:

•educate students across the United States in grades 3-8 about energy and the benefits of energy efficiency
•teach students to recognize that lowering their home energy use saves money and
•engage students and their families in a save energy, save money initiative.

PARTICIPATION
Teachers, students and families can participate in two ways:

•Home Energy Challenge
◦Energy Savings Plan and Data Collection
◦Energy Savings Plan and Poster Contest

•Energy Fitness Award
◦Individual Student and Class Group Activities

For enrollment, registration assistance, or for questions regarding America's Home Energy Education Challenge, contact the AHEEC help desk: 1-888-Joules1 [1-888-568-5371]

Bogota's Amazing Bikeways! (Video)

A Model for the World

This video by our friends at Streetfilms is not only great because it shows us a powerful example of bike infrastructure improving a city, but also because it shows how you can change the perception of riding a bike among citizens by treating bikes as an equally important way to get around and building safe lanes in both poor and rich neighborhoods. "When we build very high quality bicycle infrastructure, besides protecting cyclists, it shows that a citizen on a $30 bicycle is equally as important to one in a $30,000 car," said former mayor Enrique Peñalosa. Via Streetfilms.

Dow Solar Design to Zero Competition

As a worldwide-leading chemical company focused on innovation and sustainable solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, Dow proudly sponsors the international Dow Solar Design to Zero Competition. The competition presents a global opportunity to underscore and showcase Dow’s focused commitment and vision to help solve the world’s most pressing challenges, as articulated in the company’s 2015 Sustainability Goals. The Design to Zero Competition is an opportunity to engage universities, the media and employees while demonstrating Dow’s commitment to sustainability and role in reducing their environmental footprint while delivering solutions that help the rest of society do the same.

Contestants are asked to develop and propose innovations necessary to achieve affordable, high performing and energy-efficient housing solutions on a global scale. The competition is open to all undergraduate or graduate students worldwide studying design, interior design, sustainable design and all other relevant subjects. The competition is envisioned as a global brainstorming exercise in which competitors cooperate in an ongoing dialogue and assessment of ideas.

There will be a generous first, second and third prize ($20,000, $10,000, and $5,000, respectively) as well as three Honorable Mentions awarded at a 2012 ceremony.

Before you dismiss geothermal, consider going hybrid

Before you dismiss geothermal, consider going hybrid

New study identifies cost effectiveness of hybrid ground-source heat pumps

Install a hybrid geothermal heat pump system and reduce the cost of implementing geothermal heating and cooling on your building project. A hybrid system reduces the peak capacity of your ground loop, letting you install a smaller, less expensive ground heat exchanger.

The Energy Center of Wisconsin with assistance from the University of Wisconsin Solar Energy Laboratory collected a year of operating data on three working hybrid system installations to analyze the economic and environmental impact of the hybrid approach and to compare it to other HVAC system designs. This data was used to investigate what contributes to an effective hybrid design and to validate energy models of these systems.

The study was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Alliant Energy, and Madison Gas and Electric. As a result of this project the Energy Center developed documents and tools for HVAC system designers to use, including a freeware version of their model, to assess the benefits of applying the geothermal hybrid approach on building projects. Download the final report at www.ecw.org/hybrid.

Free software models hybrid geothermal systems

An easy-to-use, but sophisticated method of analyzing various hybrid geothermal configurations is one piece that has been missing from the world of geothermal analysis tools. This new tool fills a gap for engineers and designers by modeling hybrid systems that can lower the up-front costs of geothermal. Learn more and download tool: http://www.ecw.org/project.php?workid=1&resultid=465



FACT SHEET

Hybrid ground-source heat pumps: saving energy and cost

http://www.ecw.org/ecwresults/HyGSHPfactsheet.pdf



FINAL REPORT

Hybrid ground-source heat pump installations: experiences, improvements and tools

http://www.ecw.org/ecwresults/262-1.pdf



FREE WEBINAR

Hybrid geothermal systems: less is more

Presented by Scott Hackel, P.E., LEED AP, Senior Project Manager, Energy Center of Wisconsin

September 29, 2011

www.ecw.org/hybrid


Energy Center University

Learn the latest strategies to design, build and maintain high performance energy efficient buildings.

www.ecw.org/university/

Energy Disclosure Laws - A Nationwide Trend in Transparency

By Jason Mandler

With more information we make better decisions, right?  Well, that’s the idea behind energy disclosure requirements.  States and municipalities are increasingly adopting energy disclosure laws, requiring commercial building owners to report the energy efficiency of their buildings annually and pre-transaction.  Some laws also require energy audits, retrocommissioning and/or retrofits.  Energy disclosure laws vary from public disclosure (New York City) to private disclosure (California).

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Urban Land Institute’s Policy and Practice Forum in at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago: The New Transparency in Real Estate – Sustainability Metrics, Asset Performance, and Public Disclosure.  There I had a chance to hear from a number of leading experts in the fields of sustainability and energy efficiency, as well as tour a number of leading sustainability buildings in Chicago, including the Merchandise Mart owned by Vornado Realty Trust and 300 North LaSalle Street owned by Hines – both amazing buildings leading the sustainability forefront.

Energy efficiency and disclosure – who’s on board?

What stood out to me at the ULI forum was the enthusiasm for and support of energy efficiency and disclosure laws by both city leaders and major real estate investment groups.

At the forum were city leaders such as Jayson Antonoff, City of Seattle, Barry Hooper, City and County of San Francisco, and Laurie Kerr, City of New York.   They spoke of the successes of their disclosure laws and the positive effects on their cities, from increasing the grade of current building stock, decreasing carbon emissions, increasing value and net operating income of commercial buildings, to job creation from the green implementations.

It was great to see the participation and even leadership from some of the largest real investment groups in the United States.  Chuck Leitner, Chairman of RREEF, now also is the Chief Executive Officer of Greenprint Foundation.  Greenprint Foundation is a worldwide alliance of real estate owners, investors, financial institutions and other industry stakeholders committed to reducing carbon emissions across the global property industry.  Members include Beacon Capital Partners, Douglas Emmett, GLL Real Estate Partners, Jones Lang LaSalle, McArthur Glen Group, Paramount Group, PATRIZIA Immobilien, Deutsche Bank, Aetos Capital, AvalonBay, The Blackstone Group, Equity Office Properties, Henderson Global Investors, Hines, Prudential Real Estate Investors, Sonae Sierrra, DEXUS Property Group, TIAA-CREF, and others.  With this group of real estate giants on board, it makes it easier to get smaller mom and pop shops to see the value in energy efficiency and disclosure laws.

What are the benefits of energy disclosure?

If a building purchaser considers two comparable buildings and discovers that they have drastically different energy efficiency ratings, his or her purchasing decision will be influenced.  Perhaps they are drawn to the more efficient, more attractive green building.  Or, a savvy investor might use the information to negotiate a reduced price to the inefficient building and invest in upgrades.  Investing in energy efficient measures  or “EEMs”, even relatively simple lighting upgrades, can offer significant returns.

With greater transparency the market rewards efficient buildings – studies have shown green buildings command higher rent premiums and sale prices, have improved marketability, and increase tenant satisfaction and retention.  Additionally, many pension funds and other investment arms are requiring that their investment advisors have a “green real estate portfolio”, or at a minimum a “greening plan.”

Where is energy disclosure required?

Energy disclosure laws exist now in California, San Francisco, Washington state, Seattle, Austin, Washington, DC and New York City.  Many other state and local governments are in the process of introducing bills related to energy performance reporting, including: Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Portland, Tennessee and Vermont.  Over a dozen other states have appointed Energy Task Forces that are analyzing their states’ needs and are considering legislature in the next couple of years.  

While this trend might be seen as adding more bureaucracy and red tape, one could look at an energy rating as a valuable piece of information and an opportunity.

Cutting Energy Costs Could Transform Territory

The Virgin Islands' efforts to free itself from dependence on fossil fuels will mean big changes in the lives of islanders, Energy Office Director Karl Knight said Saturday.

"Life will never be the same in the Virgin Islands," Knight told an audience of about 40 people attending a conference sponsored by AARP and the League of Women Voters.

The conference, "EDIN and LEAC for Residential Consumers," was designed to explain the factors that lead to high energy costs in the territory. It is the first of what conference officials said will be a series of meetings on issues of importance to the territory.

Because LEAC – the much-discussed Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause – is directly tied to the cost of fossil fuel used to generate electricity, the only way to lower it is to lower the use of those fossil fuels. A year ago, Gov. John de Jongh Jr. set a goal of reducing the territory's use of fossil fuels 60 percent by the year 2025.

That seems like a huge undertaking, and Knight did not downplay the challenge. But the territory has a plan for achieving that ambitious goal, he said, and is already on its way.

Green Homes Sell for More, Studies Show

As green building pros know all too well, today’s recession-weary home buyers are often more concerned with price than with a home’s energy rating, durability, or indoor air quality. New research, however, reflects a steady increase in the public’s understanding of the value of green building features.

In fact, one analysis in the Portland, Ore., metropolitan area found that green-certified dwellings sold for up to 30% more on average. The study from Portland-based nonprofit Earth Advantage Institute, which analyzed sales data for May 2010 through April 2011 from the Portland Regional MLS, found that green-certified new homes, on average, sold for 8% more than non-certified ones. In one of the six counties reporting figures, the premium was more than 23%. Certifications came from Energy Star, LEED for Homes, Earth Advantage, or an Earth Advantage/Energy Star combination.

VIEO and WAPA Speak on Energy at LWV Luncheon

Anyone concerned about high energy cost and who wants an opportunity to give input to the V.I. Government’s Renewable Energy Working Group for Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) are invited to attend. Learn how EDIN is supposed to reduce the LEAC by year 2025? Register today to attend a luncheon sponsored jointly by the League of Women Voters-Virgin Islands and AARP Virgin Islands starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, at the V.I. Cardiac Center on St. Croix.

Karl Knight, director of the V.I. Energy Office, will speak about “The Goals of EDIN,“ and Hugo Hodge, executive director of WAPA, will speak about: “EDIN and LEAC: What You, As a Residential Consumer Need to Know.” This is an opportunity to learn what is being done for energy development in the territory, along with how people can reduce energy costs. Registration is $20, which includes lunch and copies of all materials. Register now by calling AARP Virgin Islands at 713-2002 (or register at the AARP Office in Sunny Isle Annex) before Wednesday, Aug. 3. The first 20 registrants will receive an energy-saving prize.

Caribbean Power Grid Is Feasible, Study Finds

Connecting St. Thomas, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico's electrical grid with submarine cables is technically possible and economically feasible, according to a just-released study performed by the energy technology firm Siemens.

"The biggest takeaway is the connection is feasible," V.I. Water and Power Authority Executive Hugo Hodge Jr. said Monday evening. The study also found that the grid would lower bills, improve reliability and cut down on pollution."

LEED Rating System Development

On Monday, August 1, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) opened the second public comment period for the proposed update to its LEED green building rating system, coined LEED 2012. The comment period, which will close on September 14, 2011, is the next step in the continuous improvement process and on-going development of the LEED program.

The drafts currently available for public comment feature updated language and scorecards, and include responses to comments with points associated with all credits. Members of the public can comment on any changes made since the first comment period, which ran from Nov. 8, 2010 until Jan. 19, 2011.

Green Building Association Needs Home for Re-Source Center

St. John’s Island Green Building Association is looking for a spot for its Re-Source Center, a place where the organization will sell donated used and surplus building materials to anyone who wants to shop there.

“The greenest building is one that uses existing materials versus new ones, so the Re-Source Center is a win-win alternative to the cost and impact of buying new – especially given the cost of materials locally,” IGBA Director Karen Vahling said.

Using used or surplus materials will reduce materials going to the landfill, reduce consumption of the earth’s resources and cut down on shipping costs.

The Re-Source Center wants donations of useful construction, household, gardening, and marine items from individuals, and construction or remodeling projects to resell at a fraction of new retail prices.

Since IGBA is a nonprofit organization, donated equipment and materials would be considered a charitable donation and may be tax-deductible. Proceeds will fund IGBA’s operations, educational outreach and other programs that promote green building and environmentally responsible island living.

IGBA needs an easily accessible, commercially zoned parcel or building in a convenient area of the island for the Re-Source Center. The organization is willing to consider all options and offers for a location – from vacant land to an existing building.

Energy Office to Help Businesses Get ‘WISE’ About Saving Energy

Energy Office to Help Businesses Get ‘WISE’ About Saving Energy

By John Baur — July 28, 2011

Small and medium-sized businesses crippled by rising energy bills can take advantage of a new V.I Energy Office program that can lower their energy use—and their costs—by at least 15 percent.
Members of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce met Thursday morning with Energy Office officials and others to discuss the Worthwhile Investments Save Energy program, aka WISE.
"This is to help the business community, the small and medium-sized businesses which are being hurt by the rising cost of energy," said Miguel Quinones, program specialist from the Energy Office.
WISE is a partnership between the Energy Office, Quality Electric Supply Inc. and the Atlanta-based Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance. The program offers an energy retrofit and rebate program for small businesses.
According to Quinones, any business that uses less than 30,000 kilowatt hours a month and owns its own building or has a long-term lease can apply for admission through the Energy Office.
Once accepted, the business will receive an "investment audit," in which its energy use will be analyzed and cost-saving solutions proposed. If the audit suggests measures that would reduce energy use at least 15 percent, the businesses then have 30 days to commit to the project.
Successful applicants will be eligible for a 40-percent rebate on the total cost of the project up to a maximum rebate of $80,000 – which would apply to a $200,000 project.
To qualify, the business owner will have to show the ability to finance 60 percent of the project. As part of the application project, the owners must provide:
• 12 consecutive months of bill from the Water and Power Authority;
• A building description, including the square footage, and a list of key planned energy-efficiency improvements; and
• A bank statement or letter verifying the applicant's ability to finance the necessary funds to cost share.
Renewable energy project, such as solar water heating or wind generation, are eligible for inclusion in the program, but only if energy-efficiency measures are installed first, reducing the amount of energy used before finding new sources for more energy, Quinones added.
Among the measure eligible are:
• Switches, timers, dimmers and occupancy sensors that reduce demand and consumption, especially to portions of a business that aren't in use at a given time
• Alternative, low-energy lighting instruments, such as LEDs and compact fluorescent fixtures
• Voltage regulators and power conditioners
• "Air curtains" to reduce loss of cool air from air conditioning units and other materials and equipment to change the way the building takes in heat or releases cool air, including window film and reflective roofing.
Further information on WISE is available by contacting Quinones at 714-8436 extension 4305 or via email at miguel.quinones@eo.vi.gov.

GM Upgrades OnStar to Power First Real-World, Smart Grid EV Pilot

OnStar is helping GM to pull off: offering a short-cut to connect electric vehicles (EVs) to the smart grid. GM yesterday announced the launch of a pilot program that can let utilities and customers skip the need to install physical smart grid points to manage recharging of their EVs. The new OnStar service will act as a remote brain, wirelessly tracking and governing the EV's charging behavior, coordinating the timing and billing, and potentially dramatically lowering the costs to extend smart-grid management features to EVs.

By skipping the need to install physical smart apparatus, the OnStar system can save utilities some $18 million per 1,000 customers, said Vijay Iyer, GM's director of communications for OnStar, citing GE estimates. To mesh OnStar's data services with utilities' internal information management systems, GM worked with GE, whose IQ Demand Optimization Services unit is used by utilities to monitor demand response systems.

This is important step for utilities which are busily, and expensively, building intelligent power and data devices in customers' garages, as well as at charging terminals, to referee how and when EVs will re-charge. Utilities don't want fleets of EVs drawing power on 95 degree summer afternoons when power is in short supply. Customers, likewise, will prefer the option of charging at night when power is much cheaper.

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Workshops

If the rising cost of oil and gas has been affecting you, here's your opportunity to save money and energy in your home or business. Take charge of your electricity costs by getting the tools and information you need to conserve energy and make your energy use more efficient.

This series of free workshops will focus on energy saving methods for the home or business; wind and water renewable energy solutions, solar hot water heaters; and the Energy Star program.

Location: UVICELL Center - St. Thomas Campus
UVICELL Center - F'sted, St. Croix

Fee:FREE

Presenters:
Bevan R. Smith, Jr.
Heru Ofori-Atta

Registration:
Although the workshops are free, you must register as space is limited. To register, complete the registration form and fax to 693-1115 or send to cell@uvi.edu.

Energy Office Funds Still Available for Solar Water Heaters

Residents interested in getting financial help to buy a solar hot water heater should do so now, while the V.I. Energy Office still has money left in its Sun Power loan/rebate program.

“There’s no money upfront. That’s how you get in the door,” Energy Office spokesman Don Buchanan said.

The no-money-down loans of up to $3,500 are financed through the Economic Development Authority at a 1 percent fixed interest rate over five years and are repaid through borrowers' V.I. Water and Power Authority bills. Rebates of up to $2,500 are available in conjunction with the loan program.

The program has helped 626 residents across the territory, Buchanan said.

While he didn’t have a figure for the money left in the program, he said there’s enough to fund about 100 applications on St. Croix and another 100 on St. Thomas/St. John.

There is currently no program that gives rebates alone for solar hot water heaters, Buchanan said. Residents must buy them under the Sun Power loan/rebate program.

While the current funding is running out, Buchanan said the Energy Office hopes to replenish the fund.

The Energy Office has other programs to help residents. Buchanan said that a program to help residents replace their appliances with those that are energy efficient helps them purchase refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, air-conditioners, and heat pumps.