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| News and Events: Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities: Resources and Guides:
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| Nashville Electric Service Breaks Ground on Music City Solar Array
Earlier this month, Nashville Electric Service (NES) broke ground on the Music City Solar Array (MSCA), located on the former Due West Landfill site. The landfill closed in 1973 and was issued a ‘No Further Action’ letter by TDEC’s Division of Remediation in 2016. The MCSA will transform approximately 25 acres of the 37-acre site into Nashville’s first community solar park, giving customers access to sustainable, maintenance-free solar energy. The 2-megawatt facility will use over 17,000 solar panels, each generating an estimated 14 kWh. The solar array is expected to generate approximately 2.8 million kWh of electricity each year, which is enough to meet the average annual energy needs of 210 households. Read more about the MSCA here.
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| Knoxville's LED Streetlight Upgrades are Underway In fall 2017, the City of Knoxville began working with Siemens to retrofit the City’s nearly 30,000 streetlights with LED fixtures. The retrofit will cut the City’s streetlight operation budget by $2 million annually in energy and maintenance costs. With these savings, the investment is expected to pay for itself in less than ten years. Now in spring 2018, pilot locations for the City of Knoxville’s new LED streetlights are up and running. The pilot locations have been serving as testbeds to be evaluated by the City, public stakeholders, and for residents to also get the chance to experience the new LEDs in action. Since late last year, Knoxville has been gradually flipping the switch to energy-efficient lighting in several neighborhoods through these design and testing phases. An interactive map on the City of Knoxville Office of Sustainability’s website shows select testbed areas where some of those high pressure sodium (HPS) bulbs have already been converted to LEDs. Learn more about the project here.
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| Tennessee Aquarium Achieves LEED Gold Certification
Recently, the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for sustainable building design. The LEED rating, conferred by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), credited the building’s rainwater catchment system, use of native plants in landscaping, stockpiling and reuse of site soil, and more. The building was designed to improve water quality in nearby wetlands and the Tennessee River and to emphasize energy-efficiency and a minimal environmental impact. Click here for more information on the certification.
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| Tennesee State University Becomes Finalist for U.S. DOE Race to Zero Student Design Competition
Students from 84 teams, representing 68 collegiate institutions, began the process of participating in the U.S. DOE Race to Zero Student Design Competition last fall. Each team was tasked to create cost-effective and market-ready residential, school, and commercial designs that ensure ultra-energy-efficient buildings and systems. A team of students from Tennessee State University (TSU) joins a list of 40 finalist teams who will continue on in the competition for first place. The Race to Zero is designed to provide students with: - An opportunity to participate in hands-on building science analysis, including an in-depth investigation of specific interactions and integration of building design;
- Access to unique building science training from recognized experts and educators;
- Experience working on a multidisciplinary team, which is vital to professional work;
- Partnerships and networking with industry professionals and companies;
- Interactions with national thought leaders about zero energy buildings and future innovations; and
- A tour of NREL's award-winning high-performance buildings.
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| TDEC Now Accepting Nominations for the 2018 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards
The Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards honor outstanding accomplishments that support the protection and enhancement of Tennessee's natural resources. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2018 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, which include ten categories: Building Green, Clean Air, Energy and Renewable Resources, Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Education and Outreach (school category), Land Use, Materials Management, Natural Heritage, Sustainable Performance, and Lifetime Achievement.
Any individual, business, organization, educational institution, or agency is eligible, provided it is located in Tennessee and the project was completed during the 2017 calendar year. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive years of overall environmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged.
A panel of judges representing agricultural, conservation, forestry, environmental, and academic professionals will select award recipients based on criteria including level of project or program completion, innovation, and public education. The deadline for nominations is March 30, 2018. Award recipients will be announced in May 2018.
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| U.S. Energy and Homeland Security Departments Partner to Advance Federal Infrastructure Resilience
Earlier this month, leaders from U.S. DOE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a strategic partnership for advancing federal critical infrastructure resilience. The partnership will result in the development and implementation of a systematic approach to planning and deploying projects and measures that will help reduce DHS energy use while strengthening the resilience and security of their facilities. This partnership will also address federal continuity of operations, energy and water efficiency in buildings, mobile/transportation assets, and information technologies and facilities. Finally, the partnership will permit the development of an agency-wide resilience framework and support implementation of the plan at DHS pilot sites. Read more about this MOU here.
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INCENTIVES, AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| Interior Light Campaign Accepting Nominations
The Interior Lighting Campaign (ILC) is accepting applications for its 2018 recognition cycle, which covers projects completed between January 2013 and April 2018. Commercial building owners that have achieved significant energy savings in their troffer, linear suspended, high bay, and/or low bay lighting and controls projects are encouraged to apply. Recognition categories include: - Highest Annual Energy Savings for Lighting Retrofit
- Highest Percentage of Annual Energy Savings for Lighting Retrofits
- Highest Annual Energy Savings for Lighting New Construction
- Highest Percentage of Annual Energy Savings for Lighting New Construction
- Special Recognition Categories:
- Best Use of Lighting Controls in a Single Building
- Largest Number of Facility Projects
- Largest Portfoliowide Annual Energy Savings
Participants will also have the opportunity for sector-specific recognition for exemplary performance in the following: commercial real estate and hospitality; healthcare; higher education; retail, food service, or grocery; federal government; and state and municipal government. The deadline to apply for the 2018 ILC recognition cycle is April 23, 2018. Click here to apply. Click here for more information.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| Webinar: Exemplary Programs that Save Energy and Improve Health
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) will host a webinar on March 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM EST to launch a new report, The Next Nexus: Exemplary Programs that Save Energy and Improve Health. The report will highlight best practices for organizations looking to bring indoor health benefits and energy savings to their communities. ACEEE will also announce the first-ever winners of the Health and Energy Linked Programs (HELP) Award, an award that was created by ACEEE to recognize exemplary programs that address the health impacts of energy use. Register for the webinar here.
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| TDEC Manufacturers Roundtable Discussion: Prevent Pollution and Conserve Energy
TDEC’s Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices will host concurrent roundtable discussions on April 3, 2018 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST/10:00 – 1:00 PM EST at the Environmental Field Offices in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis. Additional concurrent roundtable discussions will be held on April 5, 2018 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST/10:00 – 1:00 PM EST at the Environmental Field Offices in Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Jackson. TDEC’s purpose in these informal meetings is to reach out to manufacturers across the state to discuss pollution prevention, facility waste issues, and energy consumption. Click on the city links up above to learn more about each session and register.
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| Call for Abstracts for ACEEE's Conference on Health, Environment, and Energy
ACEEE is accepting presentation abstracts for its first-ever Conference on Health, Environment, and Energy. The conference will take place in New Orleans, LA from December 3-5, 2018. It will showcase ACEEE’s new Health and Environment programs as well as the work of prominent experts and academics in this growing field. Join other public health and energy experts in submitting ideas for topics at the intersection of health, energy use, and the environment, including: improving health in buildings; reducing ambient air pollution by reducing energy waste; attracting funding across multiple sectors; quantifying the health and environmental benefits of energy savings; and more. Presentation abstracts must be submitted online by April 5, 2018. If an abstract is accepted, the presenter must still pay the conference registration fee to attend and speak. Abstracts must include a 200-word description of the presentation, a tentative title, the presenter’s contact info, and the presenter’s bio or link to a LinkedIn profile. Click here for more information about the forum. Contact shayes@aceee.org regarding sponsorship or other program questions.
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| Save the Date: TAEBC's Lunch & Learn with TVA Board Member Jeff Smith
As a part of its ongoing Lunch & Learn series, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) has distributed a save the date for a meeting featuring Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board Member Jeff Smith on April 26, 2018 at 11:30 AM EST. This event will be held in Oak Ridge, TN. Further information will be released as it becomes available.
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| The Solar Power Southeast conference will be held May 15-16, 2018 in Atlanta, GA. This conference will gather more than 700 attendees and 50 exhibitors from the solar field. Solar Power Southeast will provide attendees with regional networking opportunities as well as the chance to gain knowledge on the trends and policies impacting solar in the Southeast. For more information on the event, visit http://events.solar/southeast/. Register for the event here. SEIA and SEPA members are eligible to receive conference discounts.
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| ACEEE's International Symposium on Energy Efficiency
Join ACEEE for its 2018 International Symposium on Energy Efficiency on June 26, 2018 in Washington, D.C. This symposium will highlight energy efficiency best practices with a particular focus on opportunities for improvement in the United States. At this event, ACEEE will release its biennial International Scorecard, which examines the energy efficiency policies and performance of the world’s 25 largest energy-consuming counties. The scorecard evaluates countries based on 35 metrics and shows how all can substantially improve their energy efficiency. The symposium will feature panels on scorecard findings, lessons learned from high-performing countries, opportunities for the United States, and notable efforts and opportunities for global companies. Registration will open in Spring 2018. Click here to learn more about the event and to reserve hotel accommodations at the symposium rate.
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| ACEEE Releases Fact Sheets for Seven Money-Saving Energy Efficiency Programs
Last month, ACEEE released fact sheets describing the success and economic value of seven federally funded energy and fuel efficiency programs. The fact sheets cover the programs listed below: - U.S. DOE’s appliance standards program sets minimum efficiency levels for about 60 consumer and commercial products. It saves the average family almost $500 each year in energy and water bills.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) vehicle emissions program sets emissions requirements and fuel economy labels for cars and trucks. If allowed to take effect, the 2017–2025 emissions standards will help Americans save $370 billion in fuel consumption costs through 2030.
- The U.S. DOE Building Energy Codes Program helps states and local governments develop and implement energy codes for homes and commercial buildings. It saves new homeowners $260 in energy bills each year on average.
- The ENERGY STAR® program labels efficient products and runs efficiency programs for homes, commercial buildings, and industry. It saves as much electricity as 30 million homes use in a year.
- U.S. DOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) train college students to help small and medium-sized manufacturing plants save energy. They have assisted more than 18,000 plants. For Tennessee businesses interested in benefiting from this program, click here to learn how Tennessee Tech’s 3-Star Industrial Assessment Center can conduct no-cost, on-site energy efficiency assessments and end-user energy education.
- U.S. DOE’s State Energy Program (SEP) helps state governments advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy security. Continued investments in SEP could save as much as $7 billion through 2040. TDEC OEP houses the Tennessee State Energy Office (SEO), funded by SEP to champion energy advancement across the state, which, in turn, strengthens energy resiliency, sustains environmental well-being, and stimulates economic development. As a part of its programming, TDEC OEP runs energy education camps to train K-12 educators how to teach the science of energy and energy conservation. These camps were highlighted in ACEEE’s SEP fact sheet, and you can read more about the camps here.
- The U.S. DOE Weatherization Assistance Program (with added funding from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) makes energy efficiency improvements to the homes of low-income families. The families save an average of $4,200 in lifetime utility bills.
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| Saving Energy, Saving Lives: The Health Impacts of Avoiding Power Plant Pollution with Energy Efficiency
Pollution from power plants harms public health, contributing to heart attacks, respiratory conditions, asthma attacks, and premature death. Energy efficiency can benefit health by reducing power plant pollution. This report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates the health and environmental benefits that would come from a nationwide 15% reduction in annual electric consumption. Results are presented nationally, for states, and for the 50 largest U.S. cities. ACEEE also describes some ways this reduction could be achieved and identifies which efficiency programs and policies may help maximize associated public health benefits. Click here to view an ACEEE webinar about the report.
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| The Advanced Energy Design Guide: a New Achieving Zero Energy Series
This guide series aims to provide a cost-effective approach to achieving advanced levels of energy savings. The four series guides will offer contractors and designers the tools needed for achieving Zero Energy, including recommendations for practical products and off-the-shelf technology accessible to any budget. Zero Energy is defined as a building that, on an annual basis, draws from outside resources equal or less energy than it provides using on-site renewable energy sources. The first publication in the series outlines Zero Energy strategies for K-12 school buildings, covering administrative and office space, classrooms, hallways, restrooms, gymnasiums and multipurpose rooms, libraries, and food preparation and dining areas. The Achieving Zero Energy Series is being developed through the collaboration of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), with support from U.S. DOE. Free download copies of the guides will be available soon on the ASHRAE website.
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| Report: Solar in the Southeast
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) recently released the Solar in the Southeast 2017 Annual Report. This report highlights solar data trends in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The analysis is based on a “watts per customer” metric, which looks at the amount of installed solar for each utility relative to the total number of customers served, providing an unbiased standard by which utilities’ and states’ solar performance can be compared. The report documents current solar progress and trends at both utility and state levels, as well as identifies policies and practices to drive continued solar growth in the Southeast.
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| NREL Provides Technical Assistance for States on Energy Policymaking
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) houses two programs that offer energy efficiency and renewable energy knowledge for state and local government decision makers. The Solar Technical Assistance Team (STAT) Network provides direct technical assistance to state and local governments on matters that require solar market expertise to either answer a time-sensitive question or to provide expert testimony on policy best practices. The STAT Network also provides information on solar technologies, resources, and the role that state and local governments play in supporting the solar development to achieve their economic, environmental, and/or energy security goals. These can be found on the STAT Network blog, Policy Basics pages, and in past STAT Webinars. For more information about the program, see the STAT fact sheet, explore STAT’s interactive project map, and sign up for the NREL State and Local email list. Email any questions to stat@nrel.gov. NREL also hosts an Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance Team, which is a network of experts who provide timely, unbiased expertise to policymakers and regulators about energy efficiency programs and policies. Requests for technical assistance must be submitted by state officials, including state legislative or regulatory bodies and their staff members. Download the technical assistance team application form here, and contact stat@nrel.gov with any questions.
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| Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool
U.S. DOE’s Better Building’s Clean Energy for Low Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) was launched in 2016 to help state and local partners across the nation meet their goals for increasing uptake of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in low and moderate income communities. As part of the Accelerator, U.S. DOE created the LEAD tool to assist partners with understanding their LMI community characteristics. This can be utilized for low income and moderate income energy policy and program planning. The LEAD tool provides interactive state, county, and city level worksheets with graphs and data, including number of households at different income levels and numbers of homeowners versus renters. It provides a data breakout based on fuel type, building type, and construction year. It also provides data on average monthly energy expenditures and energy burden, or percentage of income spent on energy. Click here to access the LEAD tool.
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| Energy Efficiency Toolkit for Data Centers
The new Energy Efficiency Toolkit for Data Centers provides user guidance for those leveraging Center of Expertise (CoE) tools in order to achieve energy efficiency in data centers. CoE tools can be used sequentially to move from a basic understanding of how energy is used in data centers to identifying opportunities and implementing best practices for energy use and efficiency. Tools include an Energy Assessment Process Manual, Data Center Profiling Tools, Energy Assessment Worksheet, Air Management Tools, Power Chain Tools, Master List of Efficiency Actions, and Energy Assessment Report Template. Click here to access the toolkit and learn more about each of the energy efficiency resources.
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| U.S. DOE Launches OSTI.GOV to Aid in Energy Research
U.S. DOE’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) has redesigned its homepage, OSTI.GOV, so that it now serves as the search tool for all of U.S. DOE’s research and development records. The search tool feature of OSTI.GOV, formerly called SciTech Connect, makes available over 70 years of research results from U.S. DOE and its predecessor agencies, including journal articles and related metadata, technical reports, scientific research datasets and collections, scientific software, conference and workshop papers, books and theses, patents, and multimedia.
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