Energy Services Update

On June 17th, Clark Public Utilities (CPU)’s Board of Commissioners voted to take advantage of an opportunity to switch from being a BPA Slice/Block customer to a BPA Load Following customer under CPU’s current power contract with BPA. BPA is proposing to allow CPU to switch products effective October 1, 2025, and, based on BPA’s analysis, not assess any additional charges due to the product change.

The key difference between the Load Following and Slice/Block products is that BPA follows Load Following customers’ loads, net of their dedicated resources, on a monthly, daily and hourly basis while Slice/Block customers are responsible for managing their resources, including their owned resources, “Slice” of the BPA system and short-term market purchases and sales to balance loads and resources on a monthly, daily and hourly basis. Given the surplus capacity and energy available in the region, the forecasted capabilities of BPA’s Tier 1 resources, and the indication of forward wholesale market prices, CPU was comfortable with managing its capacity and peak energy needs in the mid- and short-term markets including supplementing its resource portfolio with multi-year capacity purchases. With the shut-down of thermal resources in the region, new state laws prohibiting coal generation from being delivered to load starting 2025, increasing capacity needs to manage renewable generation, the increasing occurrence of critical/edge case weather events, the significant increase in wholesale market prices over the past 3 years and the projected continuation of high wholesale market energy prices as indicated by forward market prices, CPU has shifted its strategy to managing its capacity and peak energy needs. Given the new landscape of regional wholesale capacity and energy markets, the most reliable solution for CPU is to transition to the Load Following product. This conclusion is supported by CPU’s Draft 2024 Integrated Resource Plan that was presented to the Board on July 16th and is available on CPU’s website at the following link: https://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/about-cpu/public-documents/integrated-resource-plan

Commercial Energy Efficiency Program Incentive Changes:

Have you considered replacing Lighting, HVAC equipment or controls in your building? If so, Clark Public Utilities can help support your project with energy efficiency incentives. The current incentives are as follows:

  • Commercial HVAC Measures:
  • Advanced Roof-top Unit – $250/ton
  • Advanced Roof-top Unit (lite) – $120/ton
  • Ductless Heat Pump Upgrade – $300/ton
  • Ductless Heat Pump Retrofit – $1000/ton
  • Air Source Heat Pump Upgrade – $150/ton
  • Air Source Heat Pump Retrofit – $700/ton
  • Connected Thermostat (initial install) – $150/unit
  • Variable Refrigerant Flow System – $1000/unit
  • Variable Frequency Drive on AHU – $300/hp
  • Packaged Terminal Heat Pump – $600/unit (All prescriptive incentives cap at 70% of project cost.)

Commercial Custom Incentives:
For projects that save energy but don’t meet the requirements of our prescriptive programs, Clark Public Utilities can offer custom energy efficiency incentives.

As of October 1st, 2023, custom incentives increased from $0.20/kWh of savings to $0.33/kWh, up to 70% of project costs!

If you have any questions about Commercial incentives, please feel free to contact Bill Hibbs by email at [email protected] or by phone at 360-992-3340.

Commercial Lighting Incentives
Clark Public Utilities offers cash incentives to help you implement approved energy efficient lighting measures. We recently increased some of our lighting incentives as well. Type B or C TLED lamps that work without a ballast or use an external driver will now receive a rebate of up to $8 per lamp. Type A lamps that use a ballast, still receive a $2 per lamp incentive.

As a building or business owner, you can improve lighting, reduce energy usage and lower costs with networked lighting controls. Today’s controls are easier to install and operate better than ever before, and they offer many high-performance features:

  • Quick to install, simple to use
    With Networked Lighting Controls, there’s no rewiring so installation is quick. Plus, it’s easy to set up specific lighting functions in one area or the whole building with just a few strokes on a computer, phone or tablet.
  • Enhanced features and energy savings
    Networked Lighting Controls provide the right light when and where it is needed, both indoors and out. By helping to extend the life of your lighting system and using less energy, lighting controls save money, improve your ROI and shorten your payback. Plus, additional incentives for controls may be available, helping you reduce your upfront costs.
  • Get more for your money
    Ask your contractor or contact us about adding controls to your lighting project. You’ll get the best light quality and most aggressive energy savings on the market.

Clark Public Utilities is currently offering incentives from $50 – $80 in addition to traditional incentives to incorporate Networked Lighting Controls in your lighting project. If you have questions about Networked Lighting Controls or cash incentives for lighting and controls, please contact Mike Wallace at [email protected] or by phone at 360-992-3135.

Compressed Air Savings

Compressed air is often called the “fourth utility,” after electricity, natural gas and water. For many businesses, compressed air is a vital input to their production process. However, too often, compressed air systems are highly inefficient, resulting in significant wasted energy (and cost).

Compressed air certainly isn’t free. Although “it’s only air,” compressed air is actually very expensive because only 10 to 20 percent of the electric energy input reaches the point of end-use. The remaining input energy converts to wasted heat or is lost through leakage. For example, to generate 5 CFM it takes 1 HP!

Industrial customers commit significant capital resources for compressed air systems that act as power sources for tools and equipment used for pressurizing, atomizing, agitating, and mixing applications. Optimizing compressed air systems can improve energy efficiency 20 to 50 percent, and dramatically reduce operations costs.

There are many ways that your company can reduce its compressed air costs by making the compressed air system more energy efficient. Below are several “best practices” that companies can apply to reduce their compressed air costs:

1. Detect and Repair Leaks
2. Eliminate Inappropriate and Unnecessary Uses
3. Minimize Pressure Drop
4. Reduce System Pressure
5. Size and Control Compressors to Match Loads
6. Use Efficient Part-Load Controls
7. Optimize Distribution System Operation
8. Use Outside Air Intake When Outside Air is Cooler Than Inside Air
9. Improve Routine Maintenance
10. Recover Waste Heat

For more information about these best practices, check out the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Energy Efficiency site dedicated to Compressed Air.

While new Washington State codes have changed, incentives could still be available for new and retrofit projects. Clark Public Utilities works with the BPA’s Energy Smart Industrial (ESI) representatives, and will conduct the calculations and determine potential incentives.

Smaller projects can be calculated through a Small Compressed Air Calculator which estimates air compressor energy use and the savings associated with changing to a different compressor or compressor control method. Larger projects with more horsepower usually require a custom study.

Lampson International in Kennewick, WA is one example of a successful Compressed Air System Incentive Project and it is showcased here. The facility had an older air compressor reaching end of life and worked with their utility and the BPA’s ESI program to evaluate options for replacement. The facility ended up with a new, energy efficient air compressor that is saving the company 82,181 kWh and $4,438 in energy costs per year. On top of that, the facility received a $22,406 incentive from their utility through the ESI program to offset the $35,852 project cost.

If you’re interested in making your compressed air system more energy efficient, contact your Clark Public Utilities Key Accounts Manager!

Innovative Partnership Brings Sustainable Vitality at “The VIC”

The former home of the Hewlett Packard Vancouver Division, located on 179 acres near 34th Street, just west of 192nd Avenue in Vancouver, was once a productive high-tech campus. By 2020, Hewlett Packard had moved out and occupancy had fallen to about 42% capacity. Enter New Blueprint Partners, a company specializing in the acquisition of industrial real estate, and Rabina, a family-owned real estate investment and development firm. Together, these forward-thinking companies acquired the property and developed a master plan to revitalize the site, transforming it into a center for living, working, and playing. This master plan incorporates a mix of multifamily housing, retail, light industrial, high-tech, and public space. Now known as the Vancouver Innovation Center, or “The VIC,” occupancy is nearly full. Despite the significant increase in occupancy, energy use at the site has remained essentially constant, thanks to numerous energy efficiency upgrades.

To achieve this impressive energy performance, The VIC collaborated closely with their contractors, Clark Public Utilities, and Bonneville Power Administration’s Energy Smart Industrial (ESI) program. They identified opportunities and secured incentives to help offset the costs of energy efficiency upgrades. Through a series of upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems, either completed or in process, The VIC is set to avoid additional energy consumption of about 6,700,000 kWh per year. For scale, this is equivalent to the energy consumption of just over 600 average Washington state households. You can learn more about how your business can save energy and benefit from these programs at our website: Reduce Waste In Your Business – Clark Public Utilities.

As plans move forward, The VIC will continue to lead with energy-efficient design. You can learn more about The VIC and its future plans by visiting their website at thevicwa.com.

Save the Date! November 21, 2024 – Clark Public Utilities Annual Key Accounts Forum

We are excited to announce that Clark Public Utilities will be hosting its annual Key Accounts forum in the beautiful Commons space of The VIC on November 21st, 2024. Stay tuned for more details. This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about Clark Public Utilities’ offerings to help customers improve energy efficiency. Attendees will also have the chance to network with other businesses served by Clark Public Utilities.

Aaron Frechette joins Clark Public Utilities as our Industrial Key Accounts Manager

Aaron is no stranger to working with industrial customers which makes him an excellent Industrial Key Accounts Manager. Aaron is supporting the utility’s largest industrial customers and leads all industrial energy efficiency programs. With over 23 years’ experience working at Cascade Energy, Aaron has assisted industrial customers across the country in a variety of roles as a Principal Engineer, Program Manager, Project Engineer and Project Technician. He obtained his Mechanical Engineering degree at Portland State in 2003 and became a Professional Engineer in 2007. His breadth of knowledge, customer service skills and technical expertise will all come in handy while he is providing exceptional support to his customers. Welcome, Aaron!

Upcoming Trainings

Clark Public Utilities is a proud sponsor of the 2024 Building Operation Certification program technical webinar series. As a sponsor of the technical webinar series, Clark Public Utilities can offer customers complimentary registrations to the webinars and access to webinar recordings for sessions that have already been offered. The 2024 sessions are as follows:

Remaining 2024 Webinars:

  • Harnessing Waste Heat Recovery and Thermal Energy Storage for Efficiency
    September 18, 2024
    Waste heat recovery systems can substantially reduce energy consumption and utility bills for heating and cooling. Thermal energy storage can contribute to significant energy savings and load flexibility. Learn about real-world applications of waste heat recovery and thermal energy storage to explore whether these solutions are a good fit for your facility.
  • Water Efficiency Strategies for Resiliency
    October 16, 2024
    Water management strategies can reduce operating costs, energy usage, and environmental impact for buildings and municipalities. They can also improve water resiliency enabling cities to better cope with water-related stresses and mitigate impacts on key water infrastructure during storms and natural disasters. Speakers will discuss strategies to minimize water use in building and irrigation systems and share case study examples with demonstrated savings.

Recorded 2024 Webinars:

  • Exploring the Versatile Applications of Building Automation Systems (BAS)
    This webinar will cover the myriad uses of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and how this technology is transforming the landscape of building operations. From optimizing energy efficiency to ensuring occupant comfort, BAS plays a pivotal role in streamlining operations and enhancing overall building performance. Speakers will provide real-world examples showcasing how BAS can effectively schedule and control diverse building operations. Gain valuable insights into how BAS serves as a comprehensive repository of critical data, offering a wealth of information on historical building performance, environmental conditions, and occupancy trends. (Recorded Feb 21, 2024)
  • Refrigerants’ Role in the Decarbonization Movement
    Electrification efforts are driving heat pump installations and as a result the use of refrigerants is increasing. Refrigerants, which can cause climate and environmental harm, need to be optimized for cleanliness and performance to meet decarbonization goals. Speakers will discuss the EPA’s hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown and how this regulation will affect refrigeration and space conditioning practices in commercial buildings. (Recorded Mar 20, 2024)
  • Driving Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
    As more individual and fleet vehicles become all-electric, the demand for EV charging infrastructure will continue to increase. This webinar will address common challenges and considerations for building operators, managers, and owners as they look to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure at their facilities. Speakers will discuss funding opportunities, best practices, and lessons learned. (Recorded Apr 17, 2024)
  • Realizing the Benefits of Demand Flexibility, Response & Management
    This webinar will explore the relationships between demand flexibility, demand response, and demand management. Speakers will discuss strategies and technologies that enable facilities staff to determine and control when and how a building is using energy to optimize performance and lower operating costs. (Recorded May 15, 2024)

In addition to the webinars, Clark Public Utilities is also offering two $1,000.00 scholarships to individuals interested in completing a Building Operators Certification level I, level II or Fundamentals of Energy Efficient Building Operations course. Please contact your Key Accounts Manager if you are interested in attending a webinar or applying for a scholarship.

BOC graduates, students, and stakeholders are invited to join the Smart Buildings Exchange in-person BOC Credential Maintenance event. Speakers from regional utilities and the Smart Buildings Center will share the latest information on energy efficiency and Clean Buildings Performance Standard incentive programs, resources, and policy impacting building operations. This session will follow the SBX 2024 in-person event the morning of August 29th. Attendees are welcome to join both sessions. More information on the Smart Buildings Exchange can be found here: https://www.sbxconference.org/

COST: Free!
WHAT: BOC Credential Maintenance Event
DATE: August 29, 2024
TIME: 2:00pm-4:00pm
LOCATION: Smart Buildings Center, Training and Event Space, 1200 12th Avenue South Suite 110, Seattle, WA 98144

Agenda includes:

  • Presentation by Puget Sound Energy on incentive programs, with a focus on commissioning, controls, lighting, HVAC, Commercial Strategic Energy Management, Clean Buildings Accelerator, EV Charging and Solar.
  • The Smart Buildings Center staff will demo their Tool Lending Library Clean Buildings “Tool Kit,” a free resource that outlines a collection of specific tools within the library that helps facilities professionals achieve compliance with building performance standards. In this session, staff will discuss the various tools in the tool kit and demonstrate applications that can help to support compliance with the O&M Program and Energy Management Plan components of the Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Participants will come away with an understanding of various methods and strategies for measuring system performance and diagnosing potential equipment issues within their buildings.
  • Presentation by Seattle City Light on the technology of Networked Lighting Controls and their benefits, as well as showcase various NLC demonstration boards that could be leveraged by attendees for education and outreach purposes. Presentation will also include information on regional incentive programs for buildings looking to install NLCs.