Customer Energy Solutions

The constant rise of energy prices, combined with legislative changes and environmental issues has placed both electric and gas utilities in a situation in which they must ensure that energy is consumed in the most efficient and environmentally friendly manner possible. Consumer pressure for demand and energy reductions leading to lower costs for energy together with reliability issues are challenging the energy industry.

The main objective of the Customer Energy Solutions Interest Group (CESIG) is to assist energy providers, the related energy services industry, equipment manufacturers, and governments in helping consumers achieve energy and demand reduction through the development, demonstration and commercialization of customer energy solutions. The solutions that improve competitiveness and address sustainability and environmental concerns such that they can benefit society through the best overall use of energy are the focus of this group.

Through the Interest Group, Participants are able to:

• Increase sales potential
• Enhance customer retention
• Understand Consumer Energy Issues
• Encourage the efficient use of energy resources
• Support the use of Demand Response Resources
• Provide new products and energy streams
• Develop new regulations, standards and guidelines for energy efficiency and DSM applications
• Provide new technology solutions for customer problems
• Advance and promote emerging technologies or new applications of existing technologies.

Topics and Issues:

End-Use Technologies

• Equipment and Devices
• Small Scale Distributed Generation

Consumer Information

• Energy Efficient Equipment
• Product and/or Program Labelling
• Consumption Information
• Energy Use Feedback

Simple and Complex Control of Energy and Equipment Use

• Utility directed control
• Consumer voluntary control

Current Projects

• Variable Speed Drive Calculator Tool DevelopmentThe objective of this project is to build a transparent and accessible calculator that assists appropriately trained engineers and technicians in completing energy audits or verification of savings for fan/pump VSD applications. Based on logging short-term power and collecting a small number of key system measurements and characteristics, the users will be able to (1) quantify baseline usage, so that the calculator can estimate future efficient usage, or (2) quantify efficient usage, so that the avoided baseline usage can be estimated. In either case, the calculator takes the difference between baseline and efficient usage and scales it to an annual basis to estimate total energy savings. The VSD savings calculator is targeted to general-purpose fan and pump systems less than or equal to 200 hp, and suitable for a facility person, utility engineer, or consultant/service provider with appropriate technical skills.
• Efficiency Testing of Switched Reluctance and AC Permanent Magnet MotorsThe objectives of this project are to test the energy performance over the entire speed and torque range of emerging motor types that have recently become commercially available. The test procedure shall comply with national and international standards in motor efficiency measurement as CSA C390-2010, IEEE 112-2004 and IEC 60034-2-1-2007 and be related to upcoming CSA C838 in variable speed applications. Results shall permit to compare the energy potential of these emerging motor technologies with AC motor technology of equivalent size coupled with variable frequency drive (VFD), the actual workhorse in the industry.
• Low-Exergy Climate Adapted Buildings and Technologies StudyUnder conditions of tight electricity supply and sustainable environmental benefits, energy efficiency for housing can significantly improve supply system security and reliability. What's more, by implementing energy efficiency measures for new construction or remodeled houses, the energy and environmental benefits can last for decades. Indifference to words or failure to implement energy efficiency at the opportune time could represent a lost opportunity. It is therefore imperative that homeowners and stakeholders involved in new housing and remodeling is aware and informed of the appropriate technologies and solutions to achieve peak energy efficiency performance.
• Outdoor Lighting ProgramMembers of NLPIP and the LRC will identify and conduct research activities through the Advisory Board. This Advisory Board, made up of one representative from each member, the LRC Associate Director, and the NLPIP Program Director, will receive updates and provide input into research activities, priorities, and policy decisions. The Advisory Board will meet twice annually.
• Benchmarking Energy Use In P&P OperationsThis project would focus on conducting a second benchmarking study of the energy use of Canadian pulp and paper operations with the following objectives:
  
  • To develop an up-to-date energy profile for the different process areas within mills. The IEA methodology will be used to allow for potential comparisons with other pulp and paper manufacturing countries.
  
  • To quantify changes in energy use since the previous survey. The data in the previous study date from 2002 to 2004; some mills have made significant changes in their operations since then.
  
  • To collect information on water usage to create a profile of energy saving opportunities within mill water networks. This was not done during the previous benchmarking study but was later identified as being important due to the large amount of energy expelled from process areas in effluent streams.
  
  • To collect information on energy monitoring and targeting (M&T) procedures and infrastructure used in mills. The M&T scope will consist of a high level audit of energy monitoring and targeting practices and equipment at the mills.
• Field Testing of High Efficiency Air Conditioning UnitsThis project will demonstrate the potential for peak demand and energy reduction using available technology and good installation practices for central air conditioners. By facilitating the proper installation of 50 ‘high EER’ central air conditioners and compare performance with 50 control houses. To accomplish this in the high EER homes the project will:
  
  - Use high EER (energy efficiency ratio) air conditioners instead of high SEER (Seasonal Energy efficiency ratio);
  - Use enhanced installation standards to improve sizing of AC and Furnace units; and,
  - Monitor the electrical energy and demand in both the demonstration and control houses for 1 year.
• Micro-CHP in a Residential ApplicationThe project will focus on developing a micro-CHP system with Domestic Hot Water (DHW), automatic backup power, and dispatch capabilities by 2009/2010 winter season.
• Electrical Energy Reduction in Mechanical Pulping and Pulp ProcessingTo ensure the long term competitiveness of the Canadian mechanical pulping industry, the contractor has developed a 5 year, $2.0M multi-disciplinary research program with the goal of reducing electrical energy consumption in mechanical pulping by 20% through scientific discovery and the development of new technology while maintaining or improving product quality and production.
  
  Phase I concentrated on 5 strategic areas:
  1. Low consistency refining
  2. Latency removal
  3. Fibre fractionation
  4. Refiner control
  5. Novel mechanical pulping
  
  Phase II proposes to concentrated on:
  1. Medium consistency refining
  2. TMP Energy, Quality and Value simulation
  3. Advanced control and sensor development for LC refiners
  4. Pressure screen fault detection
  5. Novel Semi-mechanical pulping

Recently Completed Projects