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| News and Events: Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities:
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| Applications Now Open for Professional Energy Manager Training
Effective energy management can help reduce energy consumption across a portfolio of building stock, minimizing energy costs and mitigating environmental effects. In fact, most organizations can achieve annual energy savings of at least 2-10% through better energy management practices. This past spring, OEP provided its first ever tuition-free Professional Energy Manager (PEM) training to employees from local and state government, including public higher education institutions and k-12 schools. The coursework of the PEM training enables energy professionals to understand and implement energy efficiency solutions in buildings, industrial plants, and data centers. PEM is one of the longest-running energy management training programs in the world and offers a credible credential to complement an individual’s professional experience. OEP will offer this professional development opportunity again in 2017. Eligible participants include employees of state or local government, k-12 schools, utilities, non-profits, and NGOs who provide energy management related technical assistance (e.g., audits, strategic energy planning, energy project / program development and implementation) to the public, commercial, and/or industrial sectors. The application window is now open and applications submissions are due by 5:00 pm Central on December 12. To access the application and to view details related to the training session location and dates, click here. For program-related questions, please contact Jaclyn Mothupi at Jaclyn.Mothupi@tn.gov.
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| I-40 in Tennessee Designated as Alternative Fuel Corridor
On November 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the designation of 55 routes that will serve as the basis for a national network of “alternative fuel” corridors. The designation of these corridors fulfills a directive in the “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act” and will help drivers identify routes where they can refuel and recharge vehicles that run on compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied propane gas (LPG) or propane autogas, hydrogen, and electricity. In the State of Tennessee, the entire I-40 corridor has been designated as an alternative fuel corridor for all of the abovementioned fuels. Of note, the section of I-40 between Dandridge to Nashville was designated as a “sign-ready” electric vehicle (EV) charging corridor, due to the fact that the charging infrastructure along this route is already in operation. The new signs to be installed will look similar to existing signage that alerts drivers to gas stations, food, and lodging. FHWA’s designation of I-40 in Tennessee as an alternative fuel corridor is in response to a nomination that was submitted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs, the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, and many alternative fuel stakeholders assisted with the compilation of this nomination. For more information, click here.
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| TCCI Environment and Energy Conference and Awards Dinner On October 26-27, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI) hosted its 34 th Annual Environment and Energy Conference and Awards Dinner. OEP Director Molly Cripps presented on a panel alongside Wade Willatt, Senior Energy Engineer from Nissan, and Ehsan Languri, Ph.D, Associate Director at Tennessee Tech. The panel, entitled, “Energy Management: A Competitive Edge for Your Plant,” highlighted programs such as U.S. DOE’s Superior Energy Performance program, the Better Buildings Challenge, and Tennessee Tech’s Industrial Assessment Center. Speakers also highlighted energy management related financing opportunities through U.S. DOE’s Loan Programs Office, the Pathway Lending Energy Efficiency Loan Program, and TVA’s EnergyRight solutions initiative. To view the presentations from this panel, click here. For more information on the event, and to view the full agenda, click here.
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| Montgomery County Partners with Siemens on $5 Million Energy Savings Performance Contract
Montgomery County announced on September 27 that it had entered into an agreement with Siemens Industry Inc. for a nearly $5 million energy savings performance contract, with a savings guarantee written into the contract. This savings guarantee includes 2,473,263 kWh of electricity saved per year, 34,154 ccf of natural gas saved per year, and 8,545,365 gallons of water saved per year. Utility expenditures are expected to drop by at least 23% and the total projected utility and operational savings over 15 years is $6,744,857. The first year savings alone are $358,827. Project highlights include: - Retrofit of over 23,000 lamps and fixtures to LED
- Water efficiency upgrades – including the upgrade of over 600 toilets to low flush components
- Replacement of 3 chillers and 4 boilers with new higher efficiency units and replacement of two 500 gallon hot water storage tanks
- Installation of an Ozone Laundry Treatment System for the Jail
- Refurbishment of 4 cooling towers
- Upgrades to the HVAC building automation systems and variable frequency drive (VFD) installations to increase energy efficiency
Energy savings performance contracts (ESPC) are an innovative financing mechanism that allows for entities to procure energy savings and facility improvements with no up-front capital costs. ESPCs can provide a one-stop procurement process and can allow building owners to use future cost savings to pay for new efficient equipment and services, while guaranteeing that cost savings will meet or exceed payments for equipment and services over the contract period. Supported by a 2013 award from U.S. DOE, TDEC OEP and its subrecipient Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. (CESI) have provided no-cost technical assistance to Montgomery County and many other local governments, K-12 school districts, and public housing authorities seeking the appropriate financing mechanism or approach to implement energy efficiency, energy management, and renewable energy projects. For more information, click here.
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| Watts Bar Unit 2 Enters Commercial Operation
On October 19, TVA’s Watts Bar Unit 2, the nation’s first new nuclear generation in 20 years, officially entered commercial operation after successfully completing an extensive series of power ascension tests to validate safety and reliability. Watts Bar Unit 2, near Spring City, Tennessee, has already provided consumers across the Valley with more than 500 million kWh of carbon-free energy during testing. It now joins six other operating TVA nuclear units to supply more than one third of the region’s generating capacity, and meeting the electric needs of more than 4.5 million homes.
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| East Tennessee Leads the Way in Composites Manufacturing Composites such as carbon fiber offer advantages in strength, weight and other factors compared with traditional materials. Earlier this year, U.S. DOE announced a licensing opportunity for a new method of producing carbon fiber from multipurpose commercial fibers. The technology can reduce carbon fiber production costs by more than 50%, reduce energy consumed during production by up to 60%, and has applications across aerospace, transportation, energy, and infrastructure industries. On October 19, U.S. DOE recognized Oak Ridge, Tennessee-based LeMond Composites as the first company to bring this innovative technology to market. The company is expected to employ nearly 250 skilled workers over the next five years. For more information, click here.
LeMond is one of many companies working with the U.S. DOE-funded Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), a Tennessee-based consortium of companies and research facilities that work to advance the development of new materials for use in cars, airplanes, and other products. This past week, Lockheed Martin, Ford Motor Co. and DowAksa pledged to invest $5 million each over five years to support IACMI. The Institute was established with more than $250 million in funding, including $70 million from U.S. DOE, $15 million from the State of Tennessee and the rest from other partners and companies. ORNL, UT, and Vanderbilt University are partners in the Institute’s composite materials initiative. For more information on the Institute and some of the work that is coming out of it, click here.
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| UT Utilizes Supercomputers to Understand Plant-Based Biofuel, ORNL Turns CO2 into Ethanol
A UT-ORNL team is using supercomputers to better optimize biofuel production from plant matter. Specifically, a huge barrier in converting plant polymers to biofuel lies in removing other biomass polymers that subvert the chemical process. To overcome this, large-scale computational simulations are picking apart lignin, one of those inhibiting polymers, and its interactions with cellulose and other plant components. The results are helping researchers understand the complex chemistry of plant cell walls and the ways in which these structures and molecules can be engineered to produce biofuel more efficiently. For more information on this research, click here. In a similar vein, researchers at ORNL have devised an electrochemical process to turn carbon dioxide into ethanol, which could then be used to power vehicles or generators. The team used a catalyst made of carbon, copper, and nitrogen, and applied voltage to trigger a complicated chemical reaction that reversed the combustion process. With the help of the nanotechnology-based catalyst, the solution of carbon dioxide dissolved in water into ethanol with a yield of 63%. The technique relies on low-cost materials and can be performed at room temperature in water. Based on this, the researchers believe that the approach could be scaled up to industrial-level productions with relative ease. For more information on this discovery, click here.
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| UT Knoxville Speaks to Southeast's Energy Technology Innovation
In late September, U.S. DOE hosted a webinar, during which representatives from six different regions gave presentations and spoke about the key takeaways, opportunities, priorities, challenges and next steps within their regions to maximum clean energy technology innovation. The southeastern presentation was given by UT Knoxville’s Vice Chancellor of Research and Engagement, Dr. Taylor Eighmy. Dr. Eighmy noted that the current strengths of the Southeast lie in its strong technology-based ecosystems, its accelerated collaborations with federal partners, its national laboratories, engaged universities, OEMs and their supply chains, and supportive state governments. Dr. Eighmy highlighted that some of the clean energy R&D priorities for the Southeast will include: - Advanced manufacturing for light-weighting in the vehicles and transportation sector
- Integrated grid management and new power electronics
- Bio-derived fuels and carbon conversion
- Nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing and materials
- Sustainable smart communities with net neutral energy and water consumption and resilient infrastructure
In terms of next steps, Dr. Eighmy noted that the Southeast will need to direct strategic collaborations tied to regional innovation needs, workforce needs, and innovation accelerators and private/foundation/investment efforts in the clean energy technology space. On October 20, U.S. DOE issued a two-volume report on the regional clean energy technology innovation efforts to date. To view the reports, click here. For more information on Mission Innovation and the Regional Energy Technology Innovation initiative, click here.
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| Nashville and Chattanooga to Participate in Smart Cities Collaborative
Nashville and Chattanooga are two of the 16 cities that will receive support from Sidewalk Labs, an offshoot of Google parent company Alphabet, and advocacy group Transportation for America, as part of the groups’ efforts to help shape the “smart cities” of the future. Nearly 60 cities applied to be a part of the Smart Cities Collaborative, which will focus on three core areas: automated vehicles, shared mobility, and ways to use data to manage complex networks and measure performance. Participating cities will initially participate in a variety of information-sharing meetings, both with each other and with transportation experts. From there, cities will receive direct technical assistance, create pilot programs and share results with the rest of the collaborative. For more information, click here.
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| Chattanooga's Grid Protection Alliance to Receive $1 Million in Support of Grid Reliability Project
In line with an ongoing commitment to continue improving the reliability, resiliency, and flexibility of the nation’s electric grid, U.S. DOE announced on October 19 over $5 million in research funding that will allow electric sector organizations to develop synchrophasor applications for electric grid reliability and asset management. Syncrophasors, which use systems of phasor measurement units (PMUs) to measure data and time-synchronize it using GPS satellites, provide system operators with a near real-time snapshot of the grid’s operating status. Having this kind of visibility into the health of the grid allows grid operators to manage their systems more efficiently, integrate new generation sources, and improve reliability. As part of this initiative, Chattanooga-based Grid Protection Alliance (GPA) will receive over $1 million in DOE funds to create a new data exchange protocol for synchrophasor data, allowing for the creation of dynamically-configurable data packets. This application will lower capital and operating costs and will significantly improve the quality and robustness of the data exchange layer that serves as the foundation for reliability management tools. For more information, click here.
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| Smart Energy Analytics Campaign to Help Commercial Buildings Achieve Greater Energy Efficiency
A new U.S. DOE-led analytics campaign aims to encourage the use of cost-effective, energy-saving building analytics programs in commercial buildings nationwide. The initial goal is to engage commercial building owners and operators to use smart energy analytics in 80 million square feet of floor space. Already, the 18 partners that have signed on to participate represent a total of 1,800 buildings or 50 million square feet. Program participants benefit by achieving cost-effective energy savings, receiving no-cost technical assistance from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, learning out to make the best use of data, gaining recognition for the organization’s participation, and winning a national award from U.S. DOE. The Smart Energy Analytics Campaign is part of the broader Better Buildings Initiative, which aims to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20% more energy efficient over the next decade. For more information, and to sign up as a campaign partner, click here.
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| Tennessee Natural Gas and Propane Vehicle Grant Program
TDEC's Office of Energy Programs is pleased to invite public, non-profit, and private Tennessee-based fleets to apply for the Tennessee Natural Gas and Propane Vehicle Grant Program. FUNDING: - $2,500,000 is available under this competitive funding opportunity.
- Each grant will provide up to 50% of the incremental purchase cost of eligible vehicles, with a maximum grant of $25,000 for each eligible vehicle.
- The maximum amount that may be awarded to a grantee shall not exceed $250,000.
ELIGIBILITY: A project must propose to receive funding for a minimum of three vehicles.- Eligible vehicles must be purchased new, from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or OEM-authorized dealer. The vehicles purchased must be fully equipped by the manufacturer or by a third party at the direction of the manufacturer to operate on an alternative fuel prior to the initial purchase and registration of the vehicle.
- Vehicles must be registered within the State of Tennessee, unless the vehicle is to receive International Registration Plan (IRP) apportioned registration. In the case of the latter, the entity applying for a grant must submit a letter, certifying the percentage of time that the vehicle is expected to operate within the State of Tennessee.
- Eligible vehicles include dedicated compressed natural gas vehicles, dedicated liquefied natural gas vehicles, and dedicated propane-powered vehicles.
- Vehicles must be classified as “medium-duty” or “heavy-duty,” and must therefore have a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 14,000 pounds. Examples of “medium-duty” vehicles that would be considered eligible are shuttle buses, delivery trucks, and some bucket trucks. Examples of “heavy-duty” vehicles that would be considered eligible are school buses, tractor trailers, and waste collection vehicles.
- Applicants must intend to maintain operations in Tennessee for a minimum of six years.
Applications must be received by 8:00 pm CST on December 16. Awards are expected to be announced by January 16, 2017, and the expected timeframe for award negotiations will be March 2017. For more information, and to access the Application and Application Manual, click here. If you have questions, please contact Alexa Voytek at alexa.voytek@tn.gov or 615-532-0238.
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| TPGA Incentives for Propane Vehicles
The Tennessee Propane Gas Association is offering incentives of up to $1000 to Tennessee public or private fleets with three or more vehicles. The incentives will apply towards the purchase of new, factory-direct liquefied propane gas (LPG) engines or towards the conversion of engines to run on liquefied propane gas (to be either bi-fuel or dedicated). Incentives will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the purchase or conversion date. For more information, and to apply, click here. Please direct any questions to (888) 240-8742.
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| No-Cost Whole Plant Energy Assessments Now Available for West-TN Manufacturers
The IAC at the University of Memphis (a satellite center of the Tennessee Tech IAC) is now providing no-cost whole plant energy assessments to West Tennessee manufacturers within a 150 mile radius of the campus. A team of students and faculty will spend a day in the plant, looking for cost effective ways to save energy and reduce operating costs and emissions. A typical plant assessment results in recommendations to reduce annual utility costs by 5-20%. If interested, contact Jeff Marchetta at jmarchtt@memphis.edu or 901-678-3141. Have a question about energy efficiency and conservation in your manufacturing facility? The Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at Tennessee Tech University now has a hotline to address your questions. IAC students, staff, and faculty are available to consider your issue and make recommendations to support your organization. Call 931-372-6256 to speak to an industrial energy specialist today.
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| Application Deadlines Announced for USDA's REAP Program On October 18, USDA announced the next annual deadlines for its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which provides small businesses and agricultural producers loans and grants to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. - REAP applicants requesting grant funds of over $20,000 or a combination of a grant and guarantee loan, must submit complete applications no later than 4:30pm local time on March 31, 2017.
- Applicants may also apply for Guaranteed Loans at any time throughout the year. REAP Guarantee Loan applications are processed when received, with periodic competition.
- USDA also offers grant funding through its Energy Audit/Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA) program. This program sets up a “feeder” system for the general REAP grant as it provides up to $100,000 to eligible entities, who then conduct energy audits or provide renewable energy development assistance to rural small businesses and agricultural producers. Applications for this program are due by January 31, 2017. For more information, or to apply, click here.
For questions on any of the abovementioned programs and opportunities, please contact Adia Holland, USDA's Energy Coordinator for the Tennessee State Office, at adia.holland@tn.usda.gov or 615-783-1373.
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| U.S. DOE Announces $6.5 Million in Funding for Building Efficiency Technology Packages On October 20, U.S. DOE’s Building Technologies Office announced $6.5 million in funding under DE-FOA-0001518 for project proposals that drive innovation in real building demonstrations of energy efficiency technology packages in commercial buildings. Proposals must also foster the collaboration of dynamic demonstration teams to include energy organizations (states, local governments or Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations), efficient building hubs (such as Innovation or Incubator hubs), utilities, and building energy modeling professionals. The objective of this funding is to identify teams and projects that can verify the cost and energy performance of multi-system energy efficiency packages (groups of technologies that improve efficiency across two building systems: envelope, lighting/electrical, plug, process, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, energy management and information, or sensors and controls). Through the program, teams will disseminate data, case studies, and information to lower perceived risk regarding the efficacy and economic benefits of innovative and under-utilized commercial building technology packages. Concept papers are due by 5 pm Eastern on November 21. Full applications are due by 5 pm Eastern on February 21, 2017. For more information, and to view the full funding opportunity, click here.
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| Build4Scale Manufacturing Training for Cleantech Entrepreneurs On September 29, U.S. DOE announced the launch of the Build4Scale Manufacturing Training for Cleantech Entrepreneurs. Build4Scale will help entrepreneurs build their clean energy products by providing training on manufacturing fundamentals like material selection, design for assembly, and working with production partners. Through the Build4Scale training, core manufacturing knowledge will be packaged and delivered to entrepreneurs across the country, delivering greater return on research and development investment and helping to build more manufacturing capacity in the U.S. Additional updates on the training program are expected to be announced soon. For more information, contact Build4Scale@ee.doe.gov.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| TenneSEIA's 2016 Annual Meeting
The Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association will hold its 2016 Annual Meeting on November 16 at the offices of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Nashville, Tennessee. The meeting will begin with a members-only meeting in the morning. During this meeting, members will elect new board members and determine the organization’s goals and agenda for 2017. Beginning at 1 pm CST, an open meeting for members and non-member stakeholders will cover a range of topics impacting the Tennessee solar industry. The meeting will conclude with the presentation of the 2016 Solar Champion award and a reception. If you have any questions or would like to register please email info@tennesseiasolar.com.
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| Save the Date: Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Quarterly Coalition Meeting
The Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (MWTCF) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 working proactively with regional fleets and partners to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve regional air quality and sustainability. On November 17, from 1-3 pm Central, MWTCF will host a coalition meeting at the in Jackson, Tennessee. Several different speakers will provide updates on alternative fuel technologies, ongoing projects, and new and existing funding opportunities. The meeting will also serve as an opportunity to connect with fellow industry specialists and resources. Details regarding the meeting location are expected to be released in the coming days. For more information, click here.
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| Save the Date: TAEBC's Opportunities in Energy
On December 6, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council will host its annual, year-end “Opportunities in Energy” event at the Square Room in Knoxville. This year’s event will feature a three part video series, to highlight Tennessee’s advanced energy industry and what’s to come in the future. The event will also include special guests from the U.S. Department of Energy, ORNL, Silicon Ranch Corporation, and more. Stay tuned for more details on the event and registration.
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| 3rd Annual TREEDC Conference at Tennessee Tech University
The 3rd Annual Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council Conference will take place on December 15-16 at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee. This year’s conference will highlight a wide variety of renewable energy technologies, case studies, and opportunities, and will encourage dialogue for networking and fellowship among supporters of these technologies in Tennessee. On the first day of the conference, TDEC OEP’s Ben Bolton will participate in a panel on Energy Efficiency for Local Governments, to highlight wastewater systems energy efficiency projects. To view the full agenda, click here. For more information and to register, click here.
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| Save the Date: 2017 Sustainable Transportation Awards and Forum
On May 23-24, TDEC, TDOT, and the Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition will host the Sustainable Transportation Awards and Forum in Nashville, Tennessee. Topics to be discussed will include: - Behavior Change - Transportation demand management and the utilization of alternatives to single occupancy vehicles
- Mobility Planning - Improved efficiency in the delivery of goods and services, reduced congestion, and improved access to alternative transportation
- Energy and the Environment - Alternative fuel use for reduced emissions, improved air quality, and resiliency
- Green Fleets Certification and Exhibit of Alternative Fuel Vehicles - Presented by the Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition
- Awards Luncheon and One Big Idea Panel to highlight award projects
Additional details related to the forum are expected to be released in the coming months. For more information, click here. To sign up for Sustainable Transportation Awards and Forum email updates, click here.
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| ACEEE Report on Energy Efficiency Behavior Change Programs
On October 18, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a report on energy efficiency behavior change programs, which are often used to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. But what types of programs are out there, why do they work (or fail to work), and how effective are they? This report updates the 2013 ACEEE Field Guide to Utility-Run Behavior Change Programs, with new program evaluations, an analysis of major behavior change strategies, and a focus on programs with evaluated energy savings. The report intends to help program administrators understand the variety of behavior program options that are available to them, and the degree to which they successfully change behavior and save energy. To access the report, click here.
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| US DOE's Revolution Now Report Shows Cost Reductions and Rapid Deployment of Clean Energy Technologies
Revolution Now is an annually updated report that documents the accelerated deployment and decreasing costs of clean energy technologies in the U.S. market. The report also examines emerging technologies and provides updates on topics such as smart buildings systems, fuel-efficient freight trucks, and vehicle lightweighting. Some of the major findings within the 2016 report, which was released on September 28, are as follows: - LED Light Bulbs: Total installation of LED A-type bulbs exceeded 200 million in 2015 - growing 160% over 2014. According to the report, LED A-type bulb costs dropped by 94% since 2008. Projections show that increased installations could save Americans nearly $630 billion in avoided energy costs between now and 2035.
- Photovoltaic (PV) Power: The drastic drop in the cost of utility-scale solar PV—more than 64% since 2008—enabled growth to 15% of all new installed capacity in 2015. During this time, utility
PV generated 23 billion kWh–enough to power more than 2 million homes. To date, more than 1 million distributed solar PVs have been installed on American homes and businesses. - Electric Vehicles (EVs): As of August 2016, more than 490,000 EVs are on U.S. streets, making America one of the largest EV markets in the world. Today, there are more than 35,000 public and private charging outlets in the U.S. Battery R&D investments, totaling $1 billion between 1992 and 2012, have advanced the state-of-the-art performance by six years and created $3.5 billion worth of economic value.
To find out more, and to access the full report, click here.
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| USAA Building Upgrade Calculator
The United Services Automobile Association’s (USAA) Real Estate Company believed that they could better justify investments in efficiency projects if they could convert the expected results of the improvements and retrofits into meaningful metrics for financial decision makers. For this reason, USAA created an Excel-based tool to help their property managers evaluate the financial returns of energy performance projects in investor-owned real estate. They partnered with EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program to further enhance the tool. The resulting product, the Building Upgrade Value Calculator (BUVC), is available to the general public for free. The tool has also been integrated into the Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA) Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP), which is routinely attended by commercial real estate practitioners. For more information on the project, click here.
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| NREL's PVWatts® Calculator The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a calculator, which helps homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers estimate the energy production and cost of energy for grid-connected PV systems throughout the world. The calculator allows you to easily input variables such as DC system size (kW), module type, array type, system losses (%), tilt, azimuth, and average cost of electricity purchased from the utility to develop estimates related to the performance of potential PV installations. For more information, and to access the calculator, click here.
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