In today’s AUSenergy News Update: U.S. Court of Appeals Upholds FERC Order 1000, California needs more demand response, and Smart Ideas for Your Business program saves millions in electricity costs.

U.S. Court of Appeals Upholds FERC Order 1000

Summary: The U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Order 1000, a series of new measures that require large-scale regional planning of the nation’s electric grid. The rules allows for greater access to renewable energy. The order also requires that plans take into account state policies on carbon reduction.
AUS Comment: FERC order 1000 builds on the reforms of FERC Order 890 and corrects deficiencies with respect to transmission planning processes and cost allocation methods. Supporters of Order 1000 hail it as a potential way to incorporate clean energy solutions, and increase transparency and stakeholder involvement in the planning process.

California needs more demand response

Summary: This article states the case in favor of demand response, and urges the California Assembly to vote ‘yes’ on California Senate Bill 1414, which would direct the Public Utilities Commission and utilities to consider demand response as a partner in planning how to balance the power grid.
AUS Comment: AUS agrees with the Environmental Defense Fund in that demand response is a cleaner and more cost-effective means of improving grid reliability than costly investments in generation. We hope that the California Assembly is wise enough to vote ‘yes’ in support of SB 1414.

Smart Ideas for Your Business program saves millions in electricity costs

Summary: CenturyLink Technology Solutions and ComEd are working together on a multi-year energy efficiency project that will help the company reduce the energy use of its Chicago CH2 data center by 7.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually. The program will provide CenturyLink with financial incentives that it will use to upgrade data center CRAC units with variable frequency drives, improve cooling tower performance, and optimize data center operating temperatures and airflow management.
AUS Comment: AUS applauds CenturyLink for taking the initiative to become more energy efficient; reducing energy costs, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Customers of all sizes can take advantage of the rebates and incentives offered with Smart Ideas Program, available through ComEd. With AUS as your energy consultant, we’ll guide you and help you get the most out of your energy efficiency project.