Investments in Energy Efficiency

GWP has a strong commitment to conserving fossil fuels for future generations as evidenced by significant investments in energy efficiency and energy conservation programs. Each kilowatt-hour saved reduces our planet’s consumption of fossil fuels.

In 2004, the California Public Utilities Commission set a new energy saving target of 1% of total annual load starting in 2007 and continuing through 2013 with an eye toward restoring California's leadership role in energy efficiency. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the programs in the best states at the time were delivering annual savings ranging from about 0.1% to 0.8% of load. In FY 2005-2006 GWP energy savings reached 0.77% of our five year average load, ranking us among the best in the country, and in line with the new targets set for California.

GWP is currently working with the Rocky Mountain Institute to inventory the energy efficiency assets available to GWP in Glendale with a eye toward setting annual energy efficiency goals for the coming years.

Since 1999, GWP has been embarked on an aggressive plan to develop and implement a wide array of energy savings programs for all customer classes. Many of our programs are the envy of many other municipal utilities with three of them receiving coveted California Municipal Utility Association awards for innovation in energy efficiency program development. Some program highlights include:

  Ranked 4th in total energy efficiency savings among 39
     California publicly-owned utilities in FY 2005-06.
  $2,903,160 invested in energy efficiency programs FY 2005-06.
  Over $20,000,000 invested since January, 2000.
  Incremental demand reductions of 2,282 kW in FY 2005-06.
  Incremental coincident peak demand reductions of
     1,500 kW in FY 2005-06.
  Incremental energy savings of 8,463 MWh in FY 2005-06, enough
     to power 1,100 single family homes for a year.
  Incremental energy savings as a percent of GWP’s retail
     sales was 0.77% in FY 2005-06.
  Estimated cumulative demand reductions since January, 2000
     of over 12,000 kW.
  Estimated cumulative energy savings since January, 2000 of
     over 48,000 MWh, enough to power 6,200 single family homes
     for a year.

Many of our customers ask us how they can be more involved in helping save our environment and what they can do to reduce green house gas emissions. GWP offers plenty of programs for our customers to take advantage of and do their part to help conserve energy and water. Active energy efficiency programs for our customers include:


  Low-Income Customer DSM Programs

Cool Care provides long-term electric bill discounts for low-income customers by encouraging the replacement and recycling of old, energy inefficient refrigerators. The program has replaced and recycled 1,911 refrigerators with new ENERGY STAR models since July, 2003. Cumulative annual demand and energy savings for replacements to date are estimated at 103 kW and 1,322 MWh, respectively.

Smart Home Peak Hogs is GWP’s California Municipal Utility Association (CMUA) award winning program that reduces peak demand while providing bill relief for primarily low-income customers by encouraging the replacement of energy inefficient HVAC units in apartments. Building owners can receive up to 50 % back on the installation of a new A/C unit.  Since July, 2003, this program has replaced 1,297 tons of energy inefficient Peak Hogs in Glendale apartments. Cumulative annual demand and energy savings for these replacements are estimated at 366 kW and 808 MWh, respectively.

 General Residential DSM Programs

Smart Home Energy and Water Saving Surveys reduces customer energy consumption through comprehensive in-home energy and water saving surveys, education, and direct measures installations. Installed energy saving measures include compact fluorescent lights, hot water heater wraps, and blower door tests. Since July, 2001, this program has provided over 6,415 audits and energy education sessions, installed over 14,667 compact fluorescent lights, 2,571 water heater blankets, and conducted 2,461 blower door tests. These installations are producing estimated cumulative annual demand and energy savings of 1,397 kW and 4,517 MWh, respectively.

Smart Home Energy and Water Savings Rebates provides rebates to promote the early retirement of approved energy and water saving appliances and devices. Over 19,100 rebates have been processed since July, 2001. This program is producing estimated cumulative demand and energy savings of 2,331 kW and 4,375 MWh, respectively.

Solar Solutions provides up to $4.00 per watt for installed systems sized 30 KWdc or less, and the equivalent of up to $3.55 for larger systems that meet program guidelines. Actual incentives on the larger systems will be paid on a per kWh basis for electricity production over the first five years of system operation. Systems installed on affordable housing projects will be eligible for even higher incentives. These incentives will remain in effect until December 2008, and by law are required to decline at a rate of 7.0% a year.

LivingWise® provides funding to support participation in the LivingWise® energy and water conservation program at Glendale’s public and private schools. LivingWise® provides ten hours of intensive energy education, as well as installation of energy saving devices, including compact florescent light bulbs. Over 7,500 students have participated in this program since July, 2001. This program is producing cumulative annual demand and energy savings reaching 393 kW and 2,221 MWh, respectively.

Tree Power provides up to three free trees and arborist services to ensure that the trees are planted correctly. When properly sited and cared for, a healthy, mature shade tree helps provide shade that cools the home and helps reduce air conditioning use. Approximately 700 trees have been planted since July, 2004. These trees are expected to produce cumulative annual demand and energy savings of 40 kW and 291 MWh, respectively.

  Small Business DSM Programs

Smart Business Energy Saving Upgrades is GWP’s CMUA award winning program that provides small business customers with comprehensive no-cost energy surveys, customized written reports, energy education, and directly installs as much as $1,000 worth of cost-effective energy conservation measures. Over 1,800 energy audits and over 1,360 retrofits have been completed since July, 2001. Cumulative annual demand and energy savings from the installed measures are expected to reach 687 kW and 3,251 MWh, respectively.

Small Business Peak Hogs Program reduced peak demand while providing bill relief for small business customers by encouraging the replacement of energy inefficient HVAC units.  Property owners and small business owners can receive up to 50% back on the installation of a new HVAC unit.  since July 2006, this program has replaced 60 tons of energy inefficient Peak Hogs in small businesses.  Cumulative annual demand and energy savings for these replacements are estimated at 72 kW and 108 mWh, respectively.

  Large Business DSM Programs

Business Energy Solutions (BES) provides incentives to complete pre-approved project costs for retrofit projects, 100% of the above Title 24 remodeling and/or new construction investments, or $0.06 per kWh saved over the life of the installed measures. Audit incentives are limited to ten cents a square foot. Cumulative demand and energy savings of 3,244 kW and 18,197 MWh, respectively, have been realized.

 

 

Last modified: Thursday, April 03, 2008 2:16:44 PM