Finding the right mix of technologies is key to avoiding financial risks
When Life Technologies Corp. decided to green energy consumption at their Carlsbad headquarters and manufacturing facility last year, they selected fuel cell technology, one of the most advanced clean energy sources available to lower electricity costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Life Technologies installed more than a megawatt (1,000 kilowatts) of on-site electricity generation, reduced their carbon emissions by 30 percent, increased energy reliability and achieved monthly utility bill savings.
While small- or medium-sized business may not have the same scale of needs or resources as a global biotechnology giant, there are many readily available ways to cut energy use, save on utility bills and be more environmentally friendly. The key is finding a balance of energy efficiency, renewable energy and utility rate choices that align with your business goals and expected return on investment.
Unfortunately, business owners and managers often feel overwhelmed when considering energy efficiency and renewable energy projects due to the abundance of options and the pitfalls of risky decisions. That's because today's landscape of utility tariffs, incentive programs, tax credits and emerging technologies can be confusing and intimidating.
In the San Diego region, businesses can look to experts at the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) for help in navigating the process of identifying strategies for efficient and clean energy solutions. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, CCSE assists businesses in assessing the technical, operational and financial merits of energy projects.
"CCSE offers businesses, building owners and facility managers unbiased, independent information that has only the best interests of our clients in mind," said Jeremy Del Real, a CCSE energy engineer. "Our strength lies in discovering solutions that will be not only cost effective to implement, but also provide shortened project payback periods."
CCSE examines four basic technology areas to help business owners and managers evaluate and implement clean energy projects. Also listed are the available rebate programs that reduce up-front costs. In addition, for most technologies there are federal tax incentives or renewable energy tax credits.
Self-Generation
Self-generation refers to technologies that produce power on site to help offset your electrical load. It is local electricity produced where it's consumed. There is a wide range of self-generation technologies, and the one that's right for you depends on your unique load profile and energy objectives.
In San Diego, CCSE provides technical and financial assistance to businesses interested in wind, waste energy recovery, pressure reduction turbines, fuel cells, advanced energy storage and combined heat and power technologies. The Self-Generation Incentive Program offers cash incentives based on the technology installed, the fuel used and the generating system capacity that range up to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating systems capture the warmth of the sun, transfer that heat to water, and work with a conventional water heater or boiler to help it use less energy. Retirement communities, restaurants, gyms, hotels/ motels and other businesses such as commercial dishwashers and heavy duty laundries demand high volumes of heated water and can benefit greatly from installing a solar water heating system. In addition, there are solar thermal systems used for industrial processes, building space heating and cooling as well as other uses.
CCSE issues rebates for solar water heating and other solar thermal applications through the California Solar Initiative, Thermal Program that can make purchasing and installing a system considerably more affordable. And soon, commercial solar pool systems will also be eligible to receive a rebate. Depending on the system installed and the estimated energy savings, rebates for replacing natural gas systems run up to $500,000.
Solar Electric Systems
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, also known as roof-top solar, are a reliable and effective way to lower or eliminate monthly energy bills and significantly reduce a company's carbon footprint. The cost of solar PV has decreased by nearly 50 percent since 1998, with commercial systems typically costing $3-7 per watt installed, the larger the system, the lower the cost.
CCSE offers California Solar Initiative cash rebates for on-site PV for commercial, industrial and agricultural installations that vary in value depending on whether the rebate is based on expected output or on actual performance. While the rebates have declined with the cost of solar, the long-term financial value of solar PV is still very substantial.
Clean Vehicles
If your company owns one car or a fleet of vehicles, you should consider clean vehicle options that offer fuel savings and fewer tailpipe emissions. Plug-in electric vehicles, ranging from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, are particularly well-suited to commercial use because they provide lower operating and maintenance costs and can be turned off during short stops rather than idling.
As statewide administrators of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, CCSE issues cash incentives of up to $2,500 for purchasing or leasing certain zero-emission vehicles. CCSE transportation experts also are available to work with you to optimize your fleet operations with customized analyses that can help you reach statewide or industry environmental regulations.
Why CCSE?
CCSE staff offers unbiased, expert advice and guidance regarding energy management decisions that help businesses find the right solutions. These technical advice services are especially ideal for companies or institutions with large facility portfolios and a motivation to become more environmentally friendly and energy independent.
For more information, contact CCSE at www.energycenter.org/greenbusiness or call 858-244-1177 to speak to an energy
expert.
When Life Technologies Corp. decided to green energy consumption at their Carlsbad headquarters and manufacturing facility last year, they selected fuel cell technology, one of the most advanced clean energy sources available to lower electricity costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Life Technologies installed more than a megawatt (1,000 kilowatts) of on-site electricity generation, reduced their carbon emissions by 30 percent, increased energy reliability and achieved monthly utility bill savings.
While small- or medium-sized business may not have the same scale of needs or resources as a global biotechnology giant, there are many readily available ways to cut energy use, save on utility bills and be more environmentally friendly. The key is finding a balance of energy efficiency, renewable energy and utility rate choices that align with your business goals and expected return on investment.
Unfortunately, business owners and managers often feel overwhelmed when considering energy efficiency and renewable energy projects due to the abundance of options and the pitfalls of risky decisions. That's because today's landscape of utility tariffs, incentive programs, tax credits and emerging technologies can be confusing and intimidating.
In the San Diego region, businesses can look to experts at the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) for help in navigating the process of identifying strategies for efficient and clean energy solutions. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, CCSE assists businesses in assessing the technical, operational and financial merits of energy projects.
"CCSE offers businesses, building owners and facility managers unbiased, independent information that has only the best interests of our clients in mind," said Jeremy Del Real, a CCSE energy engineer. "Our strength lies in discovering solutions that will be not only cost effective to implement, but also provide shortened project payback periods."
CCSE examines four basic technology areas to help business owners and managers evaluate and implement clean energy projects. Also listed are the available rebate programs that reduce up-front costs. In addition, for most technologies there are federal tax incentives or renewable energy tax credits.
Self-Generation
Self-generation refers to technologies that produce power on site to help offset your electrical load. It is local electricity produced where it's consumed. There is a wide range of self-generation technologies, and the one that's right for you depends on your unique load profile and energy objectives.
In San Diego, CCSE provides technical and financial assistance to businesses interested in wind, waste energy recovery, pressure reduction turbines, fuel cells, advanced energy storage and combined heat and power technologies. The Self-Generation Incentive Program offers cash incentives based on the technology installed, the fuel used and the generating system capacity that range up to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating systems capture the warmth of the sun, transfer that heat to water, and work with a conventional water heater or boiler to help it use less energy. Retirement communities, restaurants, gyms, hotels/ motels and other businesses such as commercial dishwashers and heavy duty laundries demand high volumes of heated water and can benefit greatly from installing a solar water heating system. In addition, there are solar thermal systems used for industrial processes, building space heating and cooling as well as other uses.
CCSE issues rebates for solar water heating and other solar thermal applications through the California Solar Initiative, Thermal Program that can make purchasing and installing a system considerably more affordable. And soon, commercial solar pool systems will also be eligible to receive a rebate. Depending on the system installed and the estimated energy savings, rebates for replacing natural gas systems run up to $500,000.
Solar Electric Systems
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, also known as roof-top solar, are a reliable and effective way to lower or eliminate monthly energy bills and significantly reduce a company's carbon footprint. The cost of solar PV has decreased by nearly 50 percent since 1998, with commercial systems typically costing $3-7 per watt installed, the larger the system, the lower the cost.
CCSE offers California Solar Initiative cash rebates for on-site PV for commercial, industrial and agricultural installations that vary in value depending on whether the rebate is based on expected output or on actual performance. While the rebates have declined with the cost of solar, the long-term financial value of solar PV is still very substantial.
Clean Vehicles
If your company owns one car or a fleet of vehicles, you should consider clean vehicle options that offer fuel savings and fewer tailpipe emissions. Plug-in electric vehicles, ranging from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, are particularly well-suited to commercial use because they provide lower operating and maintenance costs and can be turned off during short stops rather than idling.
As statewide administrators of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, CCSE issues cash incentives of up to $2,500 for purchasing or leasing certain zero-emission vehicles. CCSE transportation experts also are available to work with you to optimize your fleet operations with customized analyses that can help you reach statewide or industry environmental regulations.
Why CCSE?
CCSE staff offers unbiased, expert advice and guidance regarding energy management decisions that help businesses find the right solutions. These technical advice services are especially ideal for companies or institutions with large facility portfolios and a motivation to become more environmentally friendly and energy independent.
For more information, contact CCSE at www.energycenter.org/greenbusiness or call 858-244-1177 to speak to an energy
expert.