Con Edison Proposes New Energy Efficiency Programs for a Cleaner, Greener New York
NEW YORK, NY, Apr 15, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) has filed
a plan with the New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC)
asking that a package of new energy efficiency programs be approved
for implementation this summer.
"Con Edison's proposals represent a major part of the company's
overall effort to achieve at least 500 megawatts (MW) of demand
reduction by 2015," said Rebecca Craft, Con Edison's Director of
Energy Efficiency Programs. "Reaching that goal would offset the need
to power the equivalent of 500,000 homes. It coincides with the
state's desire to realize a 15 percent reduction in electric
consumption growth, significantly reducing carbon emissions over the
same period."
The 11 residential and commercial programs proposed in the filing are
designed to achieve 378 MW of demand reduction and reduce energy use
overall by 4.4 billion kilowatt hours (KWh). The resultant 2.3
million tons of CO2 reduction is the equivalent of taking 380,000
vehicles off the road, or growing 53,000 tree seedlings for 10 years.
Total estimated cost of the programs is $306 million through 2015,
varying from approximately $10 million this year to $75 million in
2015. The funding would be drawn from funds already designated for
energy efficiency programs in the most recent rate plan approved by
commission effective April 1.
Con Edison estimates an annual anticipated savings of 86 MW of
demand, 1.1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), and 27.7 million therms
through four residential energy efficiency programs:
-- An Appliance Dealer Incentive program
-- A Residential Lighting program
-- A Residential Space Heating and Cooling program
-- A Home Energy Efficiency Kit
The company also estimates an annual anticipated savings of 292 MW
and 3.3 billion kWh through implementation of seven commercial energy
efficiency
programs:
-- An Office Building program, focusing on larger office buildings
-- A Buyback program
-- An Education and Healthcare program, focusing on schools and hospitals
-- A Hospitality and Entertainment program
-- A Data Centers program
-- A Freezer-Case LED Lighting program
-- A Multi Family Building program
These programs (see details on fact sheet attached) were developed
to build on the company's unique customer relationships, have a
sector-by-sector approach specifically geared to its service area, and
are designed to reduce both peak demand and energy consumption. If
approved, Con Edison will incorporate the peak demand reductions into
system planning so that that it can defer building certain new
infrastructure.
A portion of the proposed programs, over 130MWs, is for the
continuation of the company's Targeted DSM program designed to defer
capital projects for infrastructure upgrades and expansion.
Permanent energy efficiency projects installed in specific
neighborhoods can defer the installation of cable, transformers, and
other equipment.
In the past several years, Con Edison has contracted for over 190 MW
of demand reduction through its targeted programs that began in 2004.
Measures to achieve these reductions will be implemented through
2012.
Con Edison has the largest underground electrical system in North
America with 94,000 miles of underground cables, enough to wrap the
earth 3.6 times. The company also maintains 36,000 miles of overhead
cables.
Con Edison expects to spend approximately $5 billion over the next
three years on its electric delivery system to maintain reliability
and support the significant economic growth projected for its New
York City and Westchester County service area. EnergyNY, the
company's recently announced plan to meet the future energy needs of
its customers through infrastructure upgrades and energy efficiency
programs, can be viewed at http://www.conEd.com/energyny.
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED),
one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with
approximately $13 billion in annual revenues and $28 billion in
assets. The utility provides electric, gas, and steam service to more
than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New
York. For additional financial, operations, and customer service
information, visit Con Edison's Web site at www.coned.com.
Energy Efficiency Program Fact Sheet
Con Edison has proposed 378 MW of demand reduction, part of the
company's overall plan to achieve at least 500 MW of demand reduction
by the year 2015. The programs consist of 11 residential and
commercial programs designed to reduce energy use by 4.4 billion kWh
and demand by 378 MW by 2015. The estimated total cost is $306
million.
Funding to support these energy efficiency programs was designated by
the most recent rate plan approved by the New York State Public
Service Commission effective April 1.
Additionally, 137 MW of demand reduction will be achieved through
continuance of the Con Edison Targeted Demand Side Management (DSM)
program from 2008 to 2015.
The selected Energy Efficiency Programs planned for an eight-year
period for residential and commercial customers, along with estimated
therm, energy and demand savings are as follows:
Residential Programs
An annual savings of 86 MW of demand, 1.1 billion (kWh), and 27.7
million therms will be achieved through four residential energy
efficiency programs.
1. Appliance Dealer Incentive Program -- This program encourages
customers to purchase the highest rated ENERGY STAR(R) household gas
and electric appliances (room air conditioners, washers, dryers,
refrigerators, freezers and water heaters) by providing incentives to
sales staff and store managers for promoting the ENERGY STAR(R) label
and high efficiency home appliances. Estimated demand and energy
savings are 13.5 MW and 152.9 million kWh respectively, over the life
of the program.
2. Residential Lighting Program -- This program installs ENERGY
STAR(R) approved and rated compact fluorescent lamps (including
socket modifiers that accommodate fluorescent lamps only ) in both
single family and multi-family applications. Estimated demand and
energy savings are 44.1 MW and 804.8 million kWh respectively, over
the life of the program.
3. Residential Space Heating and Cooling Program -- This program is a
customer education and incentive program that encourages customers to
install ENERGY STAR(R) rated-heating and air conditioning systems,
high efficiency gas furnaces, high efficiency air source heat pumps,
setback thermostats and solar attic ventilation fans. Incentives
will be provided for distributors and contractors to stock and
promote eligible heating and cooling equipment. Incentives will also
be provided to retail sales personnel for selling targeted
appliances. Estimated demand and energy savings are 18.5 MW and 47.4
million kWh respectively, over the life of the program. In addition,
an estimated 6.3 million therms of natural gas are expected to be
saved.
4. Home Energy Efficiency Kit -- This program is a home energy kit
mailed to customers to implement immediate energy efficiency
measures. The kit provides measures to reduce weather infiltration
inside the dwelling, compact fluorescent lighting and water saving
devices. Estimated demand and energy savings are 10.2 MW and 51.5
million kWh respectively, over the life of the program. In addition,
an estimated 21.5 million therms of natural gas are expected to be
saved.
Commercial Programs
An annual savings of 292 MW of demand and 3.3 billion kWh will be
achieved through seven commercial energy efficiency programs.
1. Office Building Program -- This program focuses on larger office
buildings and provides prescriptive rebates for converting T-12 and
T-8 lamps to T-5 lamps and for retrofitting to more efficient lamps
and ballasts. The program also offers incentives for HVAC system
retrofits and for continuous commissioning and retro-commissioning.
Estimated demand and energy savings are 155.3 MW and 1.5 billion kWh
respectively, over the life of the program.
2. Buyback Program -- This program provides an incentive for avoided
or reduced kWh through the customized investment in energy efficiency
measures that cover unique and comprehensive facility operations. The
program offers $0.13 per kWh for qualified custom energy efficiency
projects proposed by the customer. Estimated demand and energy
savings are 50.2 MW and 222 million kWh respectively, over the life
of the program.
3. Education and Healthcare Program -- This program targets
colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, nursing care facilities
and Federal governmental facilities. The prescriptive rebates
encourage the installation of high efficiency lighting, ballasts, as
well as HVAC retrofits, and replacement and continuous commissioning
and retro-commissioning programs. Estimated demand and energy savings
are 27.2 MW and 419 million kWh respectively, over the life of the
program.
4. Hospitality and Entertainment Program -- This program focuses on
the performing arts, hospitality and restaurant industries, offering
incentives for efficient lighting, efficient HVAC,
retro-commissioning and measurement and verification services.
Estimated demand and energy savings are 22 MW and 238 million kWh
respectively, over the life of the program.
5. Data Centers Program -- This program focuses on data centers
using an energy buyback rate. Data centers typically require a
customized solution at each facility. Con Edison will offer to buy
back at $.13/kWh the energy savings from reduced energy use at data
center facilities. Estimated energy and demand savings are 8.8 MW and
145 million kWh respectively, over the life of the program.
6. Freezer Case LED Lighting Program -- This is a prescriptive
rebate program for replacing incandescent lamp strips with LED strips
in refrigerator and freezer cases. These change-outs result in
increased energy efficiency, lower heat gain, and reduced motor and
compressor operations in refrigerator cases. Estimated demand and
energy savings are 2.6 MW and 44 million kWh respectively, over the
life of the program.
7. Multi-family Buildings Program -- This program focuses on
multi-family buildings specifically addressing common areas such as
the outside perimeter lighting, parking garage lighting and
ventilation, lighting and space conditioning for entrances, hallways,
community kitchens and meeting rooms, elevator motors, central water
and heating systems and stairwell lighting. This program also would
serve as a lead generator for the residential energy efficiency kits
and appliance efficiency programs for tenants or property management
organizations making appliance purchasing decisions. This program
will offer energy audits and a financial incentive in the form of a
"buy back purchase" of estimated energy savings at a rate of
$0.13/kWh. Estimated energy and demand savings are 693 million kWh
and 26 MW, respectively, over the life of the program.
These Con Edison programs have been designed to achieve both demand
and energy savings. Demand reductions from permanent energy
efficiency will allow the company to defer infrastructure projects
serving peak load, generating cost efficiencies that will benefit
ratepayers.
SOURCE: Con Edison Co. of NY, Inc.