City of Pleasanton Energy Plan December Photovoltaic Panels Programmable

City of Pleasanton Energy Plan December 3, 2002 Photovoltaic Panels Programmable Thermostat “Cool Roof” Contents A. Introduction B. Policy Principles C. D. E. F. Assets, Opportunities, and Barriers Implementation Action Plan Attachments A. Introduction Energy has rarely attracted as much attention in the media or in policy circles as it has since the fall of 2000. Sharp increases in energy prices gave rise to widespread concern not only over monthly utility bills but also about potential impacts on local jobs and growth. Concern over high prices and the environmental impacts of fossil-fuel burning power plants has renewed interest in energy conservation, sustainability, local control, and predictable energy rates. Measures that help create clean, reliable, economical, and energy efficient systems of an acceptable power quality are desired. While blackouts due to power supply shortages are not anticipated to occur in 2002, energy supply shortages and cost uncertainty may occur in the future unless communities plan for their energy needs in a comprehensive, well-thought-out manner. The purpose of this plan is to guide the City toward a sustainable energy future without increasing adverse impacts to the community. Primary provisions of this plan include educating the public about energy saving techniques and programs; promoting and developing energy conservation strategies and programs; installing environmentally benign, renewable energy facilities; participating in alliances with businesses and other agencies; developing other policies, programs, and ordinances that are compatible with this plan; and reviewing local control and public-power opportunities. Included in this plan are goals and projects prepared under the direction of the City of Pleasanton’s Energy Advisory Group (EAG). The group has worked intensively since June 2001 to develop the recommendations contained in this plan. The group has prepared detailed lists of policies to guide the City and actions for the City to pursue. The group is voluntary and is comprised of Pleasanton residents, business leaders, environmentalists, and energy and industry experts. A list of EAG members is provided in Attachment A. To develop the Energy Plan, EAG took advantage of the meeting processes and strategies provided in Rocky Mountain Institute’s Community Energy Workbook.1 As recommended in this workbook, workshops were organized to discuss what energy strategies worked in other places, opportunities unique to Pleasanton, and project priorities. In short, the workbook provided EAG with the direction it needed to create an energy plan. The plan-development process also benefited from knowledgeable guest speakers who shared their ideas about distributed energy generation, renewable energy, Page 2 green building, general plan energy elements, municipal electricity districts, and community aggregation.2 Baseline Use Information To provide a baseline of current electricity and natural gas consumption in Pleasanton, gas and electricity use figures from Pacific Gas and Electric are included for the previous three years (see Attachment B). Pleasanton’s use of electricity and natural gas has decreased about seven percent in the last year when compared to the previous year. Due to conscious conservation efforts, the reductions in use were not totally at the expense of basic personal necessities or mission critical business operations. The variable demandside needs present a challenge to establish meaningful supply-side goals. However, the local efforts to provide alternative power with non-combustion type generators could have the net effect of reducing the production of greenhouse gases. B. Policy Principles A precursor in directing the City of Pleasanton’s energy future is to establish the City’s foremost energy-related principles for policy formation. The following list is by no means exhaustive, but has been selected as a means of guiding Pleasanton toward a prudent and sustainable energy future. The challenge in developing principles and policies is that, at some level, inconsistencies are inevitable. Consider the goal of balancing sound economics with ecological integrity and it is easy to see that the power supply with the lowest meter cost may not always be the most environmentally friendly source. Therefore, throughout this work the intent is to seek out the best mix of many competing interests. Enhance the general quality of life through energy strategies that will benefit the community. Promote ecologically friendly propositions that create a healthy environment. Promote good stewardship through energy conservation and efficiency practices. Support opportunities for local economic vitality. Emphasize sustainable/renewable power sources. Favor locally distributed power opportunities. Support options that will reduce market volatility, stabilize rates, and increase reliability. Page 3 C. Assets, Opportunities, and Barriers In developing an action plan, energy-related assets, opportunities, and barriers in Pleasanton were explored: Assets include the technically sophisticated and highly educated local populace; local organizations; local schools; local media; local energy businesses; local builders; receptive City, State, and Federal leadership; nearby governments and agencies with experience; professional and trade schools and organizations; and the City of Pleasanton’s financial management skills. Opportunities include Pleasanton’s sunny climate; the “green building”/“smart houses” movement; interest in distributed generation, fuel cells, and photovoltaics; wind energy resources located in the Altamont Pass; government bonding capacity; regional alliances; organizations providing free/low-cost technical consulting services; grants; private financing opportunities; an educated citizenry that draws private investment; new cost models that consider externalities; and incubation programs for renewable energy projects. Barriers include those that are opposed to technological change; bureaucracy; utility and regulatory obstacles; public’s resistance to perceived cost increases; political considerations; private energy suppliers and providers; government staff; State and Federal government energy policies; regulatory and legislative uncertainties; lack of knowledge about existing programs; existing subsidies that are not aligned with local goals; and time limits on rebates. For a detailed, expanded list of assets, opportunities, and barriers see Attachment C. D. Implementation An energy action plan is proposed in section E (below). EAG recognizes that further development and planning is required before a specific action plan item can be implemented. To serve this purpose, an interim, ad-hoc Energy Committee shall be created by the City Council who will further develop plans and recommendations for implementation. Implementation plans developed by the Committee shall include a scope of work, schedule, and budget. Priorities shall be set by the Council through its priority setting/CIP process in March/June of 2003 and 2004. The Committee would have a chairperson and vice chairperson elected by the Committee, would hold advertised public meetings, and would prepare meeting minutes. City staff would be available to assist the Committee in terms of meeting logistics and coordination, preparation of meeting packets (agenda, minutes, and background reports), and professional support. The Energy Committee shall meet approximately once a month and shall work under the City Manager’s and Council’s direction for two years. After two years, the City Council shall revisit the Committee’s activities and consider extending the life of the Committee Page 4 for a time period deemed appropriate or fold the monitoring of energy activities into the work and responsibilities of the Planning Commission. The core members of the Energy Advisory Group, with the exception of Jennifer Hosterman (due to her new responsibilities as a City Council member), would be sanctioned by the City Council into the Energy Committee. In addition, each City Council member would have an opportunity to appoint one person to the Energy Committee. Many items listed in section E.2 of the action plan, “Reducing Pleasanton’s Energy Demand,” can be implemented through the regular enforcement of the Green Building Ordinance. E. Action Plan Based on the policies, assets, opportunities, and barriers, listed above, an action plan was created. The actions are in functional groupings: (1) advocacy and education; (2) reducing Pleasanton’s energy demand; (3) supporting and developing ordinances, policies, programs, and legislation; (4) developing financial possibilities; (5) creating alliances; and (6) improving Pleasanton’s energy supply. For information, an initial ranking of action items is provided in Attachment D. It is anticipated that the action plan will need periodic updating, as new information becomes available. 1. Advocacy and Education a. Develop an educational program about energy conservation, renewable energy sources, public and private energy-related programs, and rebates. Sponsor energy-related workshops and invite local builders, architects, homeowners, and business owners. Distribute educational materials to schools, library, media, and other organizations. Create educational displays when possible. b. Implement City demonstration projects using photovoltaics, energy efficiency, and other generation products. c. Compile and update basic data on the sources, uses, costs, and amounts of energy within the City and related air quality, transportation, solid waste, and environmental data. d. Evaluate ways City staff can better provide energy-related educational and technical assistance to the public. 2. Reducing Pleasanton’s Energy Demand Promote, support, and implement energy efficiency and conservation programs and measures: a. Develop plans to exceed the energy efficiency standards of the California Building Code for new and existing municipal buildings and facilities. Page 5 b. Provide guidance and assistance to applicants to make compliance with Title 24 energy requirements as effective and efficient as possible. c. Develop plans, with incentives, to exceed State energy and water efficiency standards. Consider fee adjustments or rebates for projects that exceed these standards and that incorporate green building measures that are over and above the minimum requirements. d. Modify the City’s lighting standards to discourage excessive lighting. e. Consider developing an ordinance that encourages energy efficiency upgrades and improvements in buildings upon sale. Include the real estate community and other stakeholders in the ordinance development process. f. Promote and support the City’s Tool Lending Library for energy-related tools. g. Promote energy and water conservation design features in major renovation and new development projects. h. Encourage pool covers and solar pool heating systems in place of conventional methods for heating pools in public and private facilities and consider possible incentives. i. Encourage the efficient use of water and reduce urban runoff through the use of natural drainage, drought tolerant landscaping, and efficient irrigation systems in major renovation and new development projects. Require new irrigation systems on City property to be efficient. Incorporate these strategies in the Planning and Public Works and Engineering Department policies for development review. j. Promote heat-load reduction strategies such as the use of landscaping to shade new homes and developments and street designs that maximize street tree canopies to reduce local neighborhood heat build up and associated building cooling energy needs and costs. Heat-load reduction strategies should be evaluated in conjunction with other energy-saving strategies, and should be promoted where appropriate. k. Evaluate the feasibility of using light-colored, noise-reducing paving materials in new streets and repaving projects, and revise street standards accordingly to require the use of such materials. l. Encourage the installation of energy-saving roofing materials. m. Improve the City’s vehicle fleet by replacing older vehicles with less polluting vehicles that are more energy efficient. n. Explore opportunities to reduce vehicle travel distances, the number of vehicle trips in and around Pleasanton, and reliance on the automobile. o. Explore and implement other energy conservation programs and measures that may prove beneficial to Pleasanton’s economy and environment. 3. Supporting and Developing Ordinances, Policies, Programs, and Legislation a. Develop a General Plan Energy Element that will serve as the policy document for Pleasanton’s energy strategy. The Energy Committee (see section “D. Implementation” above) will work with the general public to prepare a draft Energy Element for the City Council’s review. The Energy Element shall contain at a minimum a conservation and efficiency section, a renewable energy section, a Page 6 b. c. d. e. f. g. h. “conventional” generation section, a heat load section, and a transportation section. Adopt a Generator Facility Siting Ordinance that is consistent with the policies of Pleasanton’s Energy Plan. Support and facilitate the implementation of a Green Building Ordinance(s). Support local, State, and Federal legislation that is consistent with the policies of Pleasanton’s Energy Plan. Provide City staff support to work with the Energy Committee (see section “D. Implementation” above) and under the direction of the City Council. Pursue funding and grant applications for projects consistent with the policies of Pleasanton’s Energy Plan. Evaluate the establishment of a non-profit Community Energy Services Corporation to help implement the City’s energy programs. Research and monitor the status of State and Federal regulations, programs, and funding opportunities, and make recommendations for new programs and opportunities based on changes (e.g., direct access). Work with the community to assist with funding, grant, energy education, and other program applications. 4. Develop Financial Possibilities a. b. c. d. e. f. g. Explore public/private partnerships with local businesses, developers, and banks with the idea of creating local markets for renewable power generation, energy efficiency, and energy conservation products and services. Create or join a program that would distribute and install solar and other generation and efficiency equipment and services at a low cost. Create opportunities to purchase and distribute renewable power generation facilities, equipment, and services in bulk. Investigate third party financing possibilities for renewable energy facilities. Pursue subsidies for renewable energy projects. Consider opportunities, such as peak pricing opportunities, grants, and subsidy programs, to reduce the overall cost of electricity. Perform a feasibility study to evaluate revenue bond opportunities for energy-related projects. 5. Creating Alliances a. b. c. Participate in public-private partnerships and joint ventures that are consistent with the policies of Pleasanton’s Energy Plan and Energy Element. Appoint a City Council and/or Energy Committee liaison(s) to local, regional, state, and national energy groups or governmental agencies. Evaluate participation in other groups3 as way of creating alliances. Page 7 6. Improving Pleasanton’s Energy Supply a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. Deploy photovoltaics and renewable power generation to the maximum extent feasible. Strive to make Pleasanton more energy self-sufficient. Develop programs to build local control, where consistent with the policies of Pleasanton’s Energy Plan. Evaluate opportunities for purchasing and/or developing wind power projects in the Altamont Pass. Work with the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and others to explore joint venture opportunities for wind power. Support environmentally responsible distributed power generation. Evaluate municipal electricity utility or authority opportunities and options for Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley, keeping economic considerations in mind. The evaluation(s) should include community aggregation opportunities. Evaluate membership in power cooperatives.4 Work with local and other municipalities5 and utilities6 and evaluate partnership opportunities. F. Attachments 1. Attachment A: 2. Attachment B: 3. Attachment C: 4. Attachment D: 5. Attachment E: 1 2 List of Energy Advisory Group Members Electricity and Natural Gas Use in Pleasanton (1999-2001) Assets, Opportunities, and Barriers Initial Ranking of Action Items (by EAG Members) Glossary of Terms 3 4 5 6 Hubbard, Alice and Fong, Clay, Community Energy Workbook: A Guide to Building a Sustainable Economy, Rocky Mountain Institute, 1995, 264 Pages. Guest speakers included: (1) Harry Day and other representatives from Chevron/Texaco; (2) David Hochschild and Adam Browning with the Vote Solar Initiative; (3) Terry O’Sullivan with Energy Solutions; (4) Don Dame with the Northern California Power Agency; (5) Anthony Mazy and Daniel Berman with the California Public Utilities Commission; (6) Wendy Sommer with the Alameda County Waste Management Authority; (7) Geof Syphers with Xenergy; (8) Jeff Reyff and Richard Rodkin with Illingworth and Rodkin, (9) Robert Streich with Silicon Valley Power; (10) Joe Iannucci with Distributed Utility Associates; (11) John Toman with Pan American Resources, Inc., and (12) Paul Fenn with Local Power. An example of such group is the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection Program (http://www.iclei.org/ccp). An example of a power cooperative includes, but is not limited to, the Northern California Power Association. Examples of municipalities include, but are not limited to, Tri-Valley cities Examples of utilities include, but are not limited to, Livermore-Amador Valley Water Management Agency, Pacific Gas and Electric, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and Dublin San Ramon Services District. Page 8 ATTACHMENT A: List of Energy Advisory Group Members1 Members: 1. Adam Browning 2. Alexandra Von Meier 3. Allen Schlenger 4. Anthony Mazy 5. Bill Buecker* 6. Bob Coackley 7. Bob Cordtz 8. Bob Harris 9. Boyd Wilson 10. Brien Traynor 11. Brian Swift 12. Carl Walter* 13. Chris Foss 14. Christy Herig 15. Chuck Whitaker 16. Daniel Pellegrini 17. Dennis Scullion 18. Don Lam 19. Ed Smeloff 20. Felix Lopez 21. Fred Badal* 22. G. Patrick Stoner 23. Geof Syphers 24. Ginger Russell 25. Gordon Galvan* 26. Harry Day 27. Holly Thomas 28. Jack Hovingh * 29. Jacque Touray 30. James E. Burke 31. James Paxson* 32. Jeb Bing 33. Jeff Standley 34. Jennifer Hosterman* 35. Joe Iannucci 36. John G. O'Neill* 37. John Smyth* 38. John Toman 39. Keith Rutledge _____________________________ 1 40. Kevin Carunchio 41. Lauri D. English 42. Lee Fulton 43. Marilyn Cheney 44. Maria Hoey 45. Mark Fleming 46. Marsha Schmiegel 47. Mary Arman 48. Matt Sullivan* 49. Melissa Moy 50. Michael Theroux 51. Mike Rogers 52. Misti Bruceri 53. Peter Asmus 54. Ralph Cavanagh 55. Randy Kauffman 56. Rich McHattie 57. Richard Pereira 58. Richard Sage 59. Rick Blake 60. Rick Buckingham 61. Robert Nickeson* 62. Robin Eisenwinter (co-chair) 63. Ron Kane* 64. Ron Markham* 65. Scott Baker (co-chair) 66. Sondra Bierre* 67. Stan Erickson 68. Stan Kataoka* 69. Steven R. Torres 70. Sue Wiltz 71. Sunil Sinha 72. Ted Pope 73. Terry O'Sullivan 74. Thomas D. O’Connor 75. Vasuki Narayan 76. Vaughn Wolffe* 77. Wendy Sommer 78. William I. Toman 79. Woody Clark This is the EAG e-mail distribution list as of August 2002. * indicates “Core” membership status as of September 2002 ATTACHMENT B: Electricity and Natural Gas Use in Pleasanton 1999 - 2001 1999 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 he W he hg G W G W G W G W hg G to ta l he W hg Page 1 2000 2001 Energy in Giga Watt hours (GWh) bu s G to ta l res = residential uses bus = all other non-residential uses Chart and Conversions Provided by Carl Walter, 1 therm equals 29.3 kWh bu s re s re s ATTACHMENT C: Assets, Opportunities, & Barriers ASSETS People and Organizations Energy Advisory Group (Keep Eye on Goal) Pleasanton Population—Technically Sophisticated Pleasanton Population—Affluent (High Median Income) Pleasanton Population—Highly Educated Pleasanton Population—High Level of Community Involvement Pleasanton Population—Many Technical and Scientific People Newspapers: Pleasanton Weekly, Independent Cable Television (CTV) PG&E—Energy Center Chevron Texaco Rocky Mountain Institute City of Pleasanton: Web Site Research Facilities Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Sandia National Laboratory (Livermore) Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Local Energy Businesses Local Colleges and Schools Public Education by Private Organizations Professional Organizations, Trade Organizations Willing Participants: Businesses, Residents, Government Some Businesses Want to Be Involved Some Builders Willing to Build Renewables Some Builders Willing to Build Energy Efficient Buildings “Energy Crises” Stimulated Action Local Issues Raised Awareness Tri-Valley Regional Focus Is Manageable Government Receptive Leadership (City Council, State) City Council Asked for Public EAG City Staff City Departments Distributing Information Fairgrounds (PV Demonstration Project) Lawrence Berkeley Lab (Energy Efficiency) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Sandia National Laboratory (Livermore) Federal and State Investments in Research Other Cities Experiences (San Francisco, Berkeley, Santa Monica, Los Angeles) Santa Clara—Good Example of a Municipal Utility Financing Locally-Based Banks May Be Interested in Investing City of Pleasanton: Coffers Full City of Pleasanton: No City Debt City of Pleasanton: Good Financial Management City of Pleasanton: Good Tax Base from Private Industry, Business Parks Some Projects/Investments Have an Investment Payback Return Page 1 OPPORTUNITIES People and Organizations Business Parks: PV and Distributed Generation Resource, Interest Organizations Offering Free Assistance (Example: Local Government Commission) Energy and Green Building Organizations and Ratings Business Opportunities Sun and Wind Availability Existing Windmills, Possible Expansion Smart Houses Government EAG Policy/Strategy Recommendations Generating Siting Ordinance (In Progress) City Green Building Ordinance (In Progress) City Facilities: Demonstration Sites City and School Facilities: Convert to Conserve City Dissemination of Information Developer Incentives (Examples: Density and Floor Area Ration Bonuses) City Staff Regional Alliances: Cities, Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Economic Development Alliance for Business (EDAB) Regional Clearing House for Projects—Information and Web Site Partnership with Private Providers, Suppliers Partnership with Other Governmental Organizations Government Financing and Assistance Programs California Rebates Bonds Technical Consulting Services Program for Bulk Purchases, Contracts, Solar Panels, Insulation, Etc. Financing Utilities California Energy Commission (CEC) California Power Authority Financing Programs, Subsidies, and Grants California Rebates U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Government Bonds Non-Profit Organization (Grants) Foundations (Grants) Private Financing Public/Private Partnerships Third Party/ESCO’s Cost Models That Consider Externalities (Example: CPUC Model) Revenue Bonds for Renewable Energy Projects and Energy Efficiency Projects “Incubation Programs” for Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Businesses Low Cost of Financing Transportation Hub and Educated Citizenry Draws Private Investment Page 2 BARRIERS People and Organizations Not In My Back Yard (NIMBYs) Luddites (People Who Are Opposed to Technological Change, Anti-Change) Resistance to Change Fear Affluent Are Tolerant of Waste Bureaucracy Utility/Regulatory Obstacles Developers Resistant to Cost Increases Private Energy Suppliers and Providers Political Considerations Government Federal Government Energy Policy (Example: Enron Plan) City Staff City and Regional Legal Issues and Bureaucratic Maze Regulatory/Legislative Barriers and Uncertainties Cycle Time, Inability to Respond to Opportunities Political Considerations Limiting Introduction of New Technology Sensitivity to Economic Downturn Financing Lack of Knowledge about Existing Programs “True Cost” of Energy Is Not Considered (Externalities) Risk (Real or Perceived) Lack of Financial Sophistication Existing Subsidies Are Not Aligned with EAG Goals Subsidies Are Not High Enough Time Limit on Rebates Page 3 ATTACHMENT D: Initial Ranking of Action Items (by EAG Members) Project Scorecard Survey Address High Barriers Is Fair: Acceptable Energy Benefit for Better Will Not Environ Savings Local Total Practices Burden Impacts Potential EconomyReliability Score Yes No 83 81 79 74 80 72 73 73 73 69 67 75 74 87 79 61 68 72 76 63 71 67 63 61 63 67 86 82 85 82 81 75 89 77 78 82 74 71 70 82 82 82 83 74 70 80 72 74 71 69 72 69 74 73 75 73 67 72 70 70 68 66 70 64 65 49 60 50 44 38 45 48 41 48 40 43 39 40 627 602 569 561 549 544 540 533 529 523 516 514 502 13 11 13 14 9 11 13 7 12 10 10 10 8 1 0 0 0 2 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 3 Easy to Implement EDUCATION INITIATIVES (AWARENESS) CONSERVATION PROGRAM GREEN BUILDING ORDINANCE INVESTIGATE EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR CITY RESEARCH & MONITOR PROGRAMS CITY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT MAX PV DEPLOYMENT CREATE CITY ENERGY OFFICE AGGREGATE PURCHASE OF SOLAR EQUIP & SERVICES INVESTIGATE RENEWABLES BUYDOWN FUNDING/GRANT APPLICATIONS ENERGY ELEMENT OF GENERAL PLAN CITY ENERGY DEPARTMENT / ENERGY MANAGER PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TECH TRANSFER PLEASANTON SELF SUFFICIENT Cost Effective 81 76 70 67 68 66 60 58 65 68 68 68 57 Maybe 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 4 1 2 2 2 3 85 69 67 70 69 68 57 71 56 64 64 62 60 58 52 65 54 71 73 63 65 68 76 71 72 63 65 41 38 500 495 9 11 2 1 1 2 Page 1 Easy to Implement PROPOSE/ INVESTIGATE BULK PURCHASE OPPORTUNITIES JOINT VENTURE INVESTIGATIVE 3rd PARTY FINANCING CITY COUNCIL LIAISON TO REGIONAL/STATE ALLIANCE WIND POWER IN ALTAMONT PASS ENERGY COMMISSION PURSUE SUBSIDIES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT POWER COOP (N.C.P.A.) RECO / SECO AGGREGATE CUSTOMERS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION (CESC) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE JOINT ENERGY COOPERATION (NCPA) COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY DISTRIBUTE GENERATION OPPORTUNITIES PEAK PRICING OF ELECTRICITY REVENUE BONDS MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT MUNICIPAL UTILITY m:scott/energy/reports/Project Scorecard.xls Cost Effective Address High Barriers Is Fair: Acceptable Energy Benefit for Better Will Not Environ Savings Local Total Practices Burden Impacts Potential EconomyReliability Score Yes No Maybe 52 56 57 65 47 61 59 63 64 62 56 56 71 63 63 67 73 69 62 65 61 63 64 64 73 65 75 68 74 70 68 69 68 59 70 65 68 62 65 63 67 61 42 50 40 42 38 38 495 493 493 489 489 484 11 10 7 7 11 4 2 0 2 2 3 3 0 3 5 4 0 5 54 57 54 47 57 58 52 46 50 49 43 35 37 57 61 59 61 57 53 58 59 55 54 59 55 50 65 68 64 66 66 63 66 62 62 61 55 58 58 60 61 53 62 60 60 60 62 59 50 54 55 51 71 69 71 69 69 67 65 68 58 65 65 60 57 68 66 69 65 63 63 58 62 59 69 61 61 56 65 57 63 65 57 57 57 57 62 52 60 62 62 38 38 35 32 32 34 36 34 40 34 35 40 38 478 477 468 467 461 455 452 450 445 434 432 426 409 10 6 7 6 4 6 7 6 8 5 6 8 6 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 4 4 3 3 3 4 1 4 3 4 5 1 4 3 2 6 5 4 4 Page 2 ATTACHMENT E: Glossary of Terms1 AGGREGATOR An entity responsible for planning, scheduling, accounting, billing, and settlement for energy deliveries from the aggregator’s portfolio of sellers and/or buyers. Aggregators seek to bring together customers or generators so they can buy or sell power in bulk, making a profit on the transaction. CONSERVATION Steps taken to cause less energy to be used than would otherwise be the case. These steps may involve improved efficiency, avoidance of waste, and reduced consumption. COOL ROOF A roof with a light-colored roof coating. Cool roofs are commonly used in climates that use air conditioning because dark colors absorb heat and light colors reflect heat. Roofs have intense solar heat gain (energy) because of their relatively flat exposure to the sun. COOPERATIVE A business entity similar to a corporation, except that ownership is vested in members rather than stockholders, and benefits are typically in the form of products and services. Many rural and remote areas of the country are served by electric cooperatives formed to provide power to communities not served or under-served by utilities. DEMAND The desire to possess a commodity or make use of a service, combined with the ability to purchase it. Demand is the amount of a commodity or service people are ready to buy for a given price. DIRECT ACCESS The ability of a retail customer to purchase commodity electricity directly from the wholesale market rather than through a local distribution utility. DISTRIBUTED GENERATION A distributed generation system involves small amounts of generation for the purpose of meeting local loads and/or displacing the need to build (or upgrade) local distribution lines. ELECTRICITY A property of the basic particles of matter. A form of energy having magnetic, radiant and chemical effects. Electric current is created by a flow of charged particles (electrons). Page 1 ENERGY The capacity for doing work. Forms of energy include: thermal, mechanical, electrical and chemical. Energy may be transformed from one to another. ENERGY EFFICIENCY Using less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently—doing the same with less. FOSSIL FUELS Oil, coal, natural gas or their by-products. Fuel that was formed in the earth in prehistoric times from remains of living cell organisms. FUEL A material that is consumed, giving up its molecularly-stored energy which is then used for other purposes, such as to do work (e.g., run a machine). A substance that can be used to produce heat. FUEL CELL A device or an electrochemical engine with no moving parts that converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly into electricity. The principal components of a fuel cell are catalytically activated electrodes for the fuel (anode) and the oxidant (cathode) and an electrolyte to conduct ions between the two electrodes, thus producing electricity. GAS Gaseous fuel (usually natural gas) that is burned to produce heat energy. GENERATION The act of producing electricity by changing other forms of energy—such as fossil fuel or renewable energy. GREENHOUSE GASES Substances that can adversely effect human health and the environment when they accumulate in the atmosphere and trap radiant energy; they include sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. HEATING LOAD The rate at which heat must be added to a space in order to maintain the desired temperature within the space. MUNICIPAL UTILITY A provider of utility services owned and operated by a municipal government. Page 2 NATURAL GAS A dry, combustible mix of methane and hydrocarbons used in heating, lighting, and other utility services. PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) Pertaining to the production of electricity from light. RATE The unit charge or charges made to customers for providing a utility service. REGULATION A rule or law established by the government that sets procedures that a utility must follow. In electricity, regulation has been used to set rates, determine where and when power facilities are built, set which utility companies serve a given area, and other functions. RELIABILITY The provision of adequate and dependable generation, transmission, and distribution service. Reliable means knowing that there will always be power (when you flip on the switch).2 RENEWABLES Renewables are sustainable energy sources that cause relatively few environmental impacts and pose a low risk to human health. Renewables are sources that constantly renew themselves or that are regarded as practically inexhaustible. Renewables include, but are not limited to, technologies such as photovoltaic and wind power. SOLAR ENERGY Power produced by technology that collects heat and/or light radiated from the sun. Two common forms of solar energy are photovoltaic panels, which are semiconductors that directly generate electricity, and solar thermal plants, which use the sun to create steam to turn a turbine. SUPPLY The amount of a commodity available for meeting a demand or for purchase at a given price. SUSTAINABLE Sustainable means meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.3 Page 3 WIND ENERGY Electricity produced when wind power is captured by turbines and converted into electricity. 1 With the exception of the words “reliability” and “sustainable”, the glossary definitions are from the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (see http://www.crest.org), the California Energy Commission (see http://www.energy.ca.gov/glossary), the Department of Energy (see http://www.pnl.gov/techguide/32.pdf), and the American Heritage Dictionary (see http://www.education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entries) . A few definitions have been edited for grammatical reasons and to make them more consistent with Pleasanton’s Draft Energy Plan. 2 The first sentence describing the term “reliability” is from the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology. The second sentence is from Pleasanton’s Energy Advisory Group. 3 The definition of “sustainable” is from the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (see http://www.unido.org). Page 4