Trees help Missouri Basin Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency members have discovered "Tree Power." Sponsored by the American Public Power Association, Tree Power encourages public utilities to show their commitment to energy conservation and the environment by planting trees in their communities. The APPA program has attracted 120 participants who have planted millions of trees across the U.S. Missouri Basin became the first joint action agency to become a certified Tree Power participant. Of its 59 member utilities in Iowa, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota, 47 have participated in the program. Missouri Basin pays up to 40 cents per tree planted for each electric meter served by a participating member utility. The goal is to plant one tree for each electric meter served. Missouri Basin encourages members to plant additional trees, although it offers no monetary incentive beyond the number of meters served. Jody Peck, Missouri Basin member services representative, said since the program began in 1992, more than 88,000 trees have been planted. Most participating member utilities give trees away through schools, parks, and tree farms. Peck noted that APPA gives program participants a Golden Tree Award upon reaching the goal of one tree planted per electric meter. Through 1995, APPA had presented 39 Golden Tree Awards, with 22 going to Missouri Basin members. At least four more have met the criteria and will soon receive awards. This record illustrates the leadership role played by Missouri Basin in the Tree Power effort. Unlike many utility-sponsored tree programs, Missouri Basin does not focus on the direct energy conservation benefits of trees. Instead, Missouri Basin's Tree Power program is one component of its participation in the U.S. Department of Energy's Climate Challenge program for utilities. A joint initiative of DOE and the utility industry, Climate Challenge seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As trees grow, they capture, or sequester, carbon dioxide, the most plentiful greenhouse gas. Increasing the number of trees reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus slowing the "greenhouse effect." For more information on Missouri Basin's program, call Peck at (605) 338-4042. For information on the Climate Challenge program, call the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center at (800) 363-3732; for information on APPA's Tree Power, call Andrew Riester, (202) 467-2927. Western unveils Energy There's an exciting new tool in Western's Power Toolkit. It's the Energy Services home page on the World-Wide Web, containing lots of valuable information about Western's energy services program, products, and services. It's all here, even electronic copies of the Energy Services Bulletin. The web site contains a brief history of the program, a list of customer representatives and how to contact them, and a list of core services offered by Western's energy services program. A section on integrated resource planning will help you comply with Western's integrated resource planning guidelines. It features a copy of the Federal Register notice on Western's Energy Planning and Management Program, an Excel 5.0 spreadsheet for use in filing an annual IRP progress report, IRP and small customer plan checkists, and a list of IRP publications. There's also information on the Power Line and Power Plug services. It tells how to use these services, what they offer, and who to contact for technical assistance, peer matching, and other information services. On the Publications page, you'll have electronic access to the Energy Services Bulletin, starting with December 1995. You'll also find an index of Bulletin articles by subject codes. Perhaps you remember reading a story of particular interest, but don't recall when it appeared. You can search the index by subject matter, learn when it appeared, and look up the text in the on-line Bulletin. Additionally, you can request various energy services publications electronically. Another section lists equipment available through Western's equipment loan program. It also explains the procedures for borrowing equipment and contains a request form that makes it easy to get the equipment you need. Interested in using renewable resources? Visit the Renewable Energy page, where you'll meet Randy Manion, Western's renewable resource manager (see story, p. 9). The page also tells you how other Western customers use renewable resources and gives you a form for requesting renewable resource assistance from Western. If you want to know more about Western, its services, and other topics, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page. A few of the topics include:
You'll have access to Western's customer forum, which also is available through the Energy Ideas Clearinghouse. The forum lets Western customers ask questions directly, share information among themselves, and discuss topics relating to energy, Western, and the rapidly changing utility industry. Links to Western's regional programs take you to information specific to your region of Western's territory. Find out what special services your Customer Service Region has to offer. Is there something else you would like to see? Take a moment to tell us how we're doing. A short form asks for your input on Western's energy services programs, such as which programs you use, which you don't use, and what you value most. Your input can help us better serve your needs. So what are you waiting for? Turn on your computer and visit the Energy Services website at http://www.wapa.gov/es Trees offer relief from heat, pollution Increasing urbanization of populations worldwide is "turning up the heat"--literally. Concentrations of concrete canyons and acres of asphalt soak up summer sunshine, creating "heat islands" in our cities. Dark surfaces and buildings exposed to unrelenting sunshine act as heat storage units, collecting sunshine during the day and releasing it in the afternoon and evening. In New York City, the "heat island" effect adds as much 10 degrees F (5.5 degrees C) to the temperature compared to outlying areas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In Mexico City the difference can be as much as 18 degrees F (10 degrees C). This heat differential leads to increased consumption of energy for cooling in the summer. This, in turn, can contribute to pollution when powerplants are forced to produce more energy to meet increased demand. Scientists estimate that if 100 million urban trees were planted and rooftops and parking lots were painted light colors, energy use worldwide could be reduced by 50 billion kilowatthours (kWh) annually, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 35 million tons (31.8 million metric tons) per year. "Heat islands" result from the elimination of vegetation in urban areas, leaving buildings, sidewalks, streets, and parking lots exposed to the full force of the sun's rays. With the move toward customer involvement and competition, utilities are seeking ways to reduce peak demand and the need to purchase or produce costly peaking power while enhancing the natural and built environments. Among the most effective methods of combating heat islands is planting trees in urban areas. Trees offer many advantages. The EPA has reported that landscaping to conserve energy is more effective than "venetian blinds, plastic coatings, or heavy, reflective coating on glass." Properly placed shade trees can result in significantly lower energy bills. They protect a house from the sun's rays by shading windows and roofs and cooling soil. They also can lower energy requirements by shading air conditioning units from the sun. A study by Dr. John Parker of Florida International University found that trees and shrubs planted next to residences could decrease cooling energy requirements by up to 40 percent and reduce power demand by 3 kilowatts (kW) in the morning and 5 kW in the afternoon. In central Pennsylvania, a study found that shading a mobile home could reduce air conditioning requirements by up to 75 percent. Trees absorb CO2 and release water vapor, operating as evaporative coolers. Since CO2 contributes to the greenhouse effect, planting trees helps combat this environmental problem. Evapotranspiration requires sunlight, using solar energy that otherwise would raise temperatures. Trees transpire up to 100 gallons (379 liters) of water per day, providing moist, cool air that reduces heat in dry climates, although it does not aid in cooling in hot, humid areas. This benefit of urban tree planting is indirect, making accurate quantification difficult. A study by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory of the direct and indirect effects of trees in three urban communities (Lake Charles, LA; Sacramento; and Phoenix) concluded that direct effects account for only 10-35 percent of total cooling energy savings. The remainder comes from indirect effects. Trees also reduce noise levels, another type of "pollution" common in urban areas. Planted along a busy street, trees can reduce the sound of automobiles by up to 50 percent. They also attract birds, providing a pleasant, soothing sound for city dwellers as well as habitat for wildlife. The aesthetic benefits of trees are obvious. They help to create attractive landscaping and a bit of "country" in the city. Another advantage is less well-known. Some studies suggest that exposure to greenery has measurable psychological and physiological benefits for the city's human residents. Many communities across the country have instituted successful tree planting programs. Utilities are becoming involved in or initiating such programs as they turn to demand-side management techniques to meet future energy needs. In recognition of Arbor Day, this issue of the Energy Services Bulletin features several utilities that help their customers stay cool and save money through tree-planting programs. Arbor Day across Western's service area Although National Arbor Day is officially the last Friday in April, many states observe it on different days, based on the best time to plant trees in the area. Here are the days on which Arbor Day is celebrated in Western's service area: Arizona: Last Friday in April OPPD tree program aims to educate Omaha, Neb., Public Power District's tree planting program promotes the value of trees to the environment and informs the public about the need to avoid electrical lines when selecting tree-planting sites. Each year OPPD makes $50,000 available to various organizations for tree/shrub plant-ing projects. The projects must beautify public areas, promote conservation, or educate the public about trees. Since its beginning in 1990, the program has funded the planting of nearly 80,000 trees. In 1995 more than 3,100 trees and shrubs were planted throughout southeastern Nebraska. A new park in the town of Blair received 130 new trees in a project sponsored by the Blair Optimist Club. Another project resulted in the planting of 36 trees and shrubs in the playground and parking areas at the Louisville Public School. OPPD also granted the Ashland/Greenwood Public School funds to purchase 35 trees and shrubs. Project funding ranges from $50 to $5,000 and applicants must meet certain criteria, including educational value and community benefit. To request tree planting funds an organization must submit an application form to OPPD's Forestry Department. Preliminary approval is based on the application and the organization's planting plan. Final approval is granted when the organization meets the criteria and OPPD completes a site inspection. (For more information, call Jay Kramolisch at (402) 636-3738, or OPPD's Forestry Department at (402) 552-5664.) Energy Advisor answers customer questions Omaha Public Power District's customer information program fosters efficient use of energy. The district serves a 5,000-square-mile (12,950-square-kilometer) area in the eastern part of the state. Since OPPD's first year of operation in 1947, its number of customers has tripled. As it grew OPPD wanted to ensure that its customers understood the value of using energy efficiently and the ways in which OPPD could help them. In 1984, when there were more options and conservation became a national concern, the district began the "Energy Advisor" program, an information hotline staffed by employees. Customers can obtain information on topics from A to Z, including heating and cooling equipment, electric appliance efficiency ratings, and weatherization, according to OPPD Spokeswoman Delores Jacobberger. OPPD maintains a directory of more than 90 topics for use by employees who staff the telephones between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each working day. The district receives 60-70 calls per week on the Energy Advisor line. Two phone lines are dedicated to the Energy Advisor program: a local number and a toll-free hotline for customers outside the metro Omaha area. After 4:30 p.m., a recorder takes messages, which are answered the next day. The questions vary greatly, and vary from season to season, Jacobberger said. Questions in the winter focus on replacing heating and cooling equipment. In the summer they deal with use of air conditioning. Throughout the year, there are many questions about the operating costs of appliances. OPPD, which provides only electric power, also receives questions about gas furnaces, said Jacobberger. Western customers and their end-users across Western's 15-state territory have the same opportunity to get answers by calling the Power Line (1-800-POWRLN, 1-800-769-3756), which provides a wide range of energy information and technical assistance from demand-side, supply-side, and renewable resources to industry restructuring and competition. SMUD program plants trees to save energy The Sacramento Municipal Utility District's $20 million Shade Tree Program is the largest urban-scale project of its kind in the nation designed to reduce customer energy consumption. SMUD plans to plant 500,000 trees over a 15-year period and realize capacity savings of more than 50 megawatts (MW). To date, more than 230,000 trees have been planted. The program began in 1990. In 1995, the U.S. Department of Energy recognized SMUD with its Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Award. SMUD is the fifth-largest publicly owned utility in the nation, providing electric power to 480,303 customers within a 900-square-mile (233,110-hectare) area. During 1995, the utility sold 8.45 million megawatthours of electricity and on July 1, 1996, recorded a peak demand of 2,321 MW. benefits grow over time SMUD sees planting shade trees as a unique demand-side management program that differs from most load reduction programs, which produce immediate peak savings, then decline over time. As the shade trees grow they produce gradual reductions in load. Planting shade trees also helps offset increased needs from customer growth and lost generation from the Rancho Seca nuclear powerplant. The plant closed in 1990, according to Energy Services Representative Ginger Salmon, who directs the Shade Tree Program. Rather than adding new generation, SMUD is meeting the area's growing energy needs through alternative and renewable power resources and implementation of an ambitious energy efficiency program. To date, the utility has spent about $11 million on the Shade Tree Program. collaborative effort SMUD markets the program to all residential customers. The utility collaborates with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, a nonprofit, community-based urban forest program, to actually plant the trees. Although the program is available to all SMUD customers, marketing emphasis recently shifted to increase planting in low-tree-density areas. "When these newly planted trees mature over 30 years, they will save us an estimated $30-40 million in avoided energy supply costs," said Salmon. "These `air conditioners with leaves' will reduce home cooling energy costs by up to 40 percent during the hot months." From trees planted since 1990, the utility has saved more than 1,000 kilowatthours and close to .3 MW in capacity. The utility captured cooling energy savings of approximately 20 billion Btu in 1995. SMUD saves $1.20 for every program dollar expended. increased property values U.S. Forest Service researchers simulated tree shading of Sacramento buildings and found a benefit-to-cost effectiveness ratio of 2 to 1, Salmon said. This study also showed that mature trees increase a property's value by 15 percent or more. Planting 500,000 trees would increase Sacramento property values by an estimated $1 billion. An unexpected benefit of the program is job creation and economic development in the Sacramento area. It employs 35 full-time permanent professionals and semi-skilled workers. An internship program has launched four youths on career tracks in the field of urban forestry. Salmon explained the program also produces substantial environmental benefits by eliminating the need for additional pollution-emitting powerplants. The trees filter particulates from the air and absorb the hydrocarbons that contribute to global warming. Trees also keep water in the ground, preventing erosion and stormwater drain-off. "The shade tree program uniquely fosters community spirit through community plantings and other neighborhood planting events and activities," Salmon concluded. (For more information, call Salmon at (916) 732-6117.) Program builds community spirit The Sacramento Municipal Utility District's (SMUD) Shade Tree Program serves as a model of urban forestry management for communities with quality of life and environmental concerns. long-term investment "Planting trees is a long-term investment in the community that produces energy savings, good air quality, and pleasing aesthetics," said SMUD Shade Tree Program Manager Ginger Salmon. The program also represents an effective public-private partnership between a public utility and a community-based nonprofit organization. The program is publicized through radio and television media, community fairs, exhibits, and a speakers bureau. The utility also works with local elementary schools to foster tree care skills at an early age. increased public awareness Planting trees increases public awareness of the utility's summer peak load problems and ways to mitigate the effects of heat. Customers also benefit by understanding how orientation of houses and shading windows and walls increases comfort and saves energy. Moreover, the program reinforces the value of a sustainable environment and the benefits of an urban forest for current and future generations. taking action for the future "Customers become active participants in a program that benefits the community for many years in the future," Salmon said. SMUD's program also has fostered significant research of the urban forest. The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, U.S. Forest Service, University of California, San Jose State University, and the University of Washington are discussing the national policy and research implications of SMUD's Shade Tree Program. (For more information, call Salmon at (916) 732-6117.) Western helps CSTRR promote The Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources, a nonprofit corporation designed to advance the commercialization of solar technologies, hopes to turn grid-connected solar energy into big business in southern Nevada. The corporation plans to use several solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies in the Solar Enterprise Zone established at the Nevada Test Site. In one effort to accomplish its task, CSTRR has brought together four departments of the Federal government to develop strategies for promoting use of solar and other renewable resources to displace fossil-fuel energy at Federal and other facilities. Participating agencies include the General Services Administration, the Department of Defense, the Department of Interior, and the Department of Energy. customers already on board CSTRR already has signed up customers for a total commitment of more than 70 megawatts (MW) of electricity. They include:
As Western's Renewable Resourcess manager, Randy Manion will facilitate the development of a Westernwide program to advance renewable energy technologies and power marketing mechanisms for customer use. Through a collaborative effort with each of Western's four Customer Service Regions and the Colorado River Storage Project Customer Service Center, he will identify opportunities to advance renewable resources. Western will promote the voluntary use of renewable energy to its firm power customers. Manion said Western will collect information on leading-edge customer green pricing programs for delivery to specific customers whose operations provide a favorable environment for similar programs. marketing services essential Western also will support the program in another way. "Solar resources are worth little without adequate power marketing services, such as firm and nonfirm transmission wheeling, resource integration, scheduling entity services, load following, load shaping, loss compensation, and reactive power, among others," Manion said. "Western will work with customers interested in CSTRR power to identify needed services, making solar power a viable option." Southern Nevada has a number of advantages that make it an excellent site for solar development. The close proximity to Hoover Dam means the area has a large concentration of transmission lines that carry power to California, Arizona, and other areas. This existing infrastructure should help reduce costs. CSTRR hopes eventually to develop 1,000 MW of solar energy throughout the Solar Enterprise Zone. It moved toward its goal in November by awarding contracts to two solar developers. Energy Unlimited, Inc., was awarded a 20 MW solar/wind project at Table Mountain near Las Vegas, NV. Amoco-Enron was awarded a 10 MW solar project at the Nevada Test Site. These projects were selected from 14 proposals submitted by a wide array of candidates. A CSTRR Project Review Committee evaluated the proposals for market acceptance, financial strengths, potential for commercialization, environmental benefits, local economic benefits, participation opportunities for CSTRR, and export potential. nrel to aid cstrr In October, CSTRR signed an agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., calling for NREL to give CSTRR access to its facilities to test renewable energy technologies, help identify and develop markets for the electricity generated by the facility, support creation and production of public information materials, and help advance the project's mission. Additionally, Western has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CSTRR. An October conference in Las Vegas gave CSTRR an opportunity to show Federal facilities, electric utilities, and military installations how they could benefit by purchasing power from CSTRR. Its theme was "Maximizing Solar Resources: Challenges and Opportunities." Speakers from local corporations, economic development agencies, state and Federal agencies, solar development firms, and DOE told the 100 attendees about the benefits of solar technology in general and CSTRR in particular. Besides providing clean, renewable energy, CSTRR will focus on creating jobs for an area hit by cuts in defense spending. The potential for economic development through production of clean, renewable energy is one of the forces driving this project. For more information, call Manion at (602) 352-2655. Manion named renewable resources manager Randolph T. Manion has been selected as Western's Renewable Resourcess manager. The newly created position reflects Western's commitment to explore and promote use of other renewable resources throughout its 15-state region. Working with Western's Customer Service Regions, Manion will develop a program to advance renewable energy technologies and power marketing mechanisms for customer use. Manion brings a B.A. in public administration and 18 years of energy-related experience to this position. He served Western's Desert Southwest Customer Service Region as energy services manager from 1991-1993 and as director of power marketing and contracts from 1994-1996. His previous work experience includes conservation projects with Portland General Electric, Oregon Department of Energy, Cascade Natural Gas, Grays Harbor Public Utility District, and Imperial Irrigation District. He also served as manager of energy auditing for the Hood River Conservation Project, jointly sponsored by Bonneville Power Administration and PacifiCorp. With more than 4,000 hours of technical training in energy efficiency, solar energy design and production, and other renewable resources, Manion brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position. For more information, call Manion at (602) 352-2655. Energy professionals missing Rob Penney of the Energy Ideas Clearinghouse at the Washington State University Energy Program believes energy professionals are missing the boat on energy saving ideas if they're not on the Internet. Penney, EIC lead engineer, presented the advantages of Internet use at the Edison Electric Institute National Accounts Workshop in September 1996. "Staying current with the rapidly changing energy industry is a healthy challenge and professional requirement, and using the Internet will help you maintain an edge," said Penney. an effective tool He believes that energy professionals without an Internet address on their business cards will be viewed as behind the times, like people in the early `80s who still used slide rules. "The Internet is no `mere' toy or `neat' fad," said Penney. Properly used, it can serve as a tool to help you perform more effectively and improve operations. Energy professionals can use the Internet to talk with peers around the country. They can share up-to-the-minute information about developments in the energy world. The types of information and services available through the Internet include:
Penney explained that the Internet was originally designed for government researchers and computer junkies. Until about four years ago, it offered little energy-related information. "To find anything, you had to take a class and have a great deal of patience," Penney said. New, easy-to-use tools have quickly made the Internet more accessible. With the advent of the World Wide Web, Web browsers, and search engines, users have access to tens of thousands of information resources around the world. Accessing most resources involves no more than double clicking on their name. The EIC, cofunded by the Department of Energy, Western, Bonneville Power Administration, and others, maintains its own Web site. EIC serves as a central repository for information relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy. It's on the World Wide Web at http://www.energyideas.org//. no intimidation Penney points out that if you're new to the Net, you may feel intimidated; but, you're not alone. He quipped that the majority of people on the Net are "DWC," which in Web lingo translates to "driving without a clue." In reality, it's not as difficult as it may seem and there are many sources of help available. There are several types of information resources on the Internet. One of the best resources is the World Wide Web, a system designed to organize resource information. Based on Hypertext, it allows the user to follow highlighted text to information on different topics and to different Web sites. Bulletin boards, another type of Internet resource, began as a medium for posting and reading short announcements. They evolved into vast, interconnected libraries without walls, offering data and information resources only a simple connection away. Newsgroups are international discussion areas where people exchange messages about various topics. They are found on the Internet server, "Usenet." Listservs, like newsgroups, are an electronic forum where users discuss a particular subject. Listservs are accessed through e-mail. To visit the EIC Web page, set your browser to http://www.energyideas.org//. To visit Western's new Energy Services home page, go to http://www.wapa.gov/es. (For more information, call Penney at (360) 956-2214.) Western helicopters available While Western's customers routinely borrow infrared camera equipment to locate electrical system trouble spots, a customer recently asked for a camera for a much different purpose. A single-engine aircraft crashed in a rugged area of eastern Montana with two ranchers aboard, both members of McCone Electric Cooperative in Circle, Mont. The aircraft had been missing for five days. On Dec. 10, 1996, Rick Kinzell of Valley Electric Cooperative in Glasgow, Mont., contacted Western Energy Services Representative Gregg Mackell in Golden, Colo., to ask if he could use the Agema 110 infrared camera he was borrowing for a search and rescue effort. He hoped to use the infrared camera to detect heat from the downed aircraft or its occupants. helicopter requested Two days later Mackell checked with Kinzell to see if the aircraft had been found. Kinzell said the search continued, but was slowed by the large search area. He asked whether one of Western's helicopters was available to join the search. Unfamiliar with Western's aviation policies, Mackell contacted Aviation Safety Officer Bob Galloway. At the time, Western's seven-passenger Bell 206 L-3 Long Ranger, based in Fort Collins, Colo., was on transmission line patrol in the Havre, Mont., area. Galloway was preparing to send the Long Ranger to join the search when the downed aircraft was found. The entire search effort was hampered by heavy snow covering the aircraft, which was painted white. Although both men died on impact, had they survived the crash searchers believed the length of the search and extremely cold temperatures would have made long-term survival unlikely. helicopters available As a result of this incident, Mackell, Kinzell, and Galloway agreed Western's customers should be made aware of the availability of helicopters and hand-held infrared cameras for search missions. "Given the large and mostly remote territory Western serves, this surely will not be the last search and rescue effort," said Mackell. Western currently has six helicopters. Used primarily for transmission line patrol and passenger transport, they also aid in transmission line marker ball installation, equipment lifting, and fire-fighting support. An infrared camera is permanently mounted on the Bell 412 based in Montrose, Colo., and an Inframetric infrared camera is used on Western's Bell 2068-III Jet Rangers and Bell 2066-3 Long Rangers. Western also has a portable nose-mounted infrared camera for the other aircraft. Besides the Bell 412 and a Bell 2066-3 in Montrose, helicopters are based at Huron, S.D., Phoenix, Ariz., and Fort Collins, Colo. However, considering that the primary mission of Western's helicopters is in support of maintenance activities in the field, a Western helicopter may be the closest available aircraft no matter where it is needed. To request use of a helicopter for search and rescue or other purposes, telephone the Chief Program Officer, Western Area Power Administration, (303) 275-1630, or fax (303) 275-1717. (For information about infrared camera use in searches, call Rich Burnkrant at 720-962-7420. For information on Western's aviation services, call Galloway at (303) 275-1668.) Equipment available The following equipment is available through Western's Equipment Loan Program: Infrared Cameras Call Rich Burnkrant at 720-962-7420 for more information.
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