February 2019 Energy and Solar Newsletter

Have you Heard About the Programs SECO Has Available?

The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) supports and administers a variety of energy and renewable energy programs that local governments can participate in to reduce cost and consumption.
SECO's Schools Energy Program provides integrated services to public school districts and community colleges and, assists education officials in creating and maintaining effective energy efficiency programs. School districts can take advantage of the many resources provided by SECO, including free energy audits and assessments.

For information about SECO's Schools Energy Program visit: comptroller.texas.gov/programs/seco/programs/schools/

CPS Energy Awarded $1.5 Mil in Demand Response Incentives to 16 Schools

Public power utility CPS Energy awarded $1.5 million in demand response incentives to 16 schools districts in San Antonio, Texas. Schools are particularly good candidates for demand response programs because their energy use peaks from mid to late afternoon and loads drop after school hours and during the summer months when demand is highest.
CPS Energy’s demand response program is part of the utility’s Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) that aims to save 771 MW by 2020 - that's the output of a large power plant!

Read the full article here.

Dallas City Council Approves Climate Action Resolution

The Dallas City Council's Quality of Life committee took a step forward on the city’s climate action plan last month. The Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS) for the city laid out a three-point resolution to advance Dallas’ environmental efforts with resolutions to include a contract with an environmental consulting service to develop a detailed climate action plan, a request to join C40 Cities, and engagement of the city with U.S. Congress to urge them to take effective national action on climate. With a 12-to-2 majority vote, the Council approved the three-point environmental initiative.

Read the full article here: www.GreenSource DFW.org

Made to Measure: New Cost Benchmarks for PV and PV with Storage

Two new reports from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) outline cost benchmarks for PV and PV-plus-storage installations. The PV-plus-storage report is NREL’s first benchmarking report on the topic and shows that co-located PV and storage systems cost less than installing the systems in separate locations. The annual PV benchmarking report shows that costs continue to decline for residential and commercial installations. This is partially because inverters now both cost less and have improved designs that can accommodate higher voltages.

Energy Department Announces Battery Recycling Prize
and Battery Recycling R&D Center

On January 17, Energy Secretary Rick Perry announced the launch of a Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize and the establishment of an associated Battery Recycling R&D Center. These efforts aim to reclaim and recycle critical materials (e.g., cobalt and lithium) from lithium-based battery technology used in consumer electronics, defense, energy storage, and transportation applications.

Read the full story here.

2019 North Texas Climate Change Symposium
February 4, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Please join us for the 2nd Annual North Texas Climate Change Symposium, hosted by the City of Dallas and the Dallas Bar Association Environmental Law Section. Learn how climate change is affecting Texans and how Climate Action Planning can address this concern. The symposium will feature a keynote address by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, an international authority on climate change.

Location: Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75201

Register here

Note: Due to high demand and limited seating, this event has started a waitlist. Wait-listed guests will be notified of their RSVP status one week prior to the symposium. This event will also be live-streaming for those who are unable to attend.

City of Irving: Home Energy Fair
February 9, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

The City of Irving is excited to be hosting its first Home Energy Fair. The purpose of the fair is to educate residents on the benefits of different energy sources for their homes and promote environmentally friendly initiatives. Topics include home energy options, alternative energy, environmental friendly vendors and more.

Event location: Former Irving Central Library Lobby, 801 W Irving Blvd, Irving , TX
FREE Admission
For more information, email easbury@cityofirving.org or call (972) 721 -2687.

ERCOT Market Summit
February 25-17, 2019

The ERCOT Market Summit 2019 will provide Renewable Energy, Utility and IPP executives with the best information on how policy developments and changing market dynamics will drive opportunities and strategic decision-making going forward.
At the Summit, you will:

Hear key policymakers’ and market participants’ perspectives on emerging issues in ERCOT, as well as potential changes in market rules and operations
Get the latest from Co-Ops, Munis, and C&I customers on what is driving their energy procurement decisions
Explore the impacts of the coming tremendous upsurge in solar capacity

SPEER's 2019 Clean Energy Exchange
April 8-9, 2019

SPEER's annual conference is now known as the Clean Energy Exchange. This year's event is to be held from April 8-9, 2019. The Keynote Speakers for this years' Clean Energy Exchange are Katharine Hayhoe, Texas Tech University; and Jeff Buttler, Speaker and Author. Attendees have the opportunity to delve deeper into topics such as utility programs, building energy codes, financing, efficiency in electric markets, demand response, and local government initiatives.

Register here

North Texas BPI
May 20-23, 2019

The North Texas BPI is an annual 4 day program offering continuing education in the areas of: Recertification for Plumbing Inspectors, Texas Accessibility, Architecture/Green Building, Code Enforcement, Electrical, Engineering, Environmental Health, Fire Prevention, International Building Code, International Energy Code, IPC/IMC/IFGC, International Residential Code, Permit Tech, Plan Review, Planning, Surveying, Residential Construction & Inspection, and ICC Courses. Special topics also include: Disaster Training & Certification and Human Trafficking.

Course and Hotel Registration for May 2019 BPI coming soon.

EarthX 2019
April 26-28, 2019 from 10 AM to 6 PM

EarthX is an international environmental nonprofit connecting a global community to create a sustainable world for all life and future generations. The enormous exposition brings people together, attracts green investment, impacts environmental policy, promotes awareness, and inspire action for a sustainable future.

Location: Fair Park, 1121 1st Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210
See the map of Fair Park in the event guide.
Dates: April 26-28 from 10 AM to 6 PM
Cost: Admission is $5, but free with registration at EarthX.org, or by downloading the mobile app from here.

Be part of the world's largest environmental experience!