May 2019 Energy Management and Renewable Energy Newsletter

News and Updates:

Texas LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Open Enrollment Period Closing August 30, 2019
SB 1281 voted out of the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee 8-1 and Headed to the Texas Senate
My Possibilities Uses $200K Grant to Fund Solar Power for Campus
Grid Security Council Creation Bill Passed Out of Texas Senate
Texas Businesses Building More Power Supplies
Solar Energy About to Light Up Texas
DOE Announces $59 Million to Accelerate Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research
DOE Announces $47 Million for Flexible Building Technologies, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and Solid-State Lighting

Events:

Solar and Energy Efficiency Webinar: Resources to Support Local Initiatives for Low-to-Moderate Income Communities - May 7
TREIA Webinar: Meeting Texas's Energy Needs as Renewable Energy Evolves and Grows - May 7
Energy and Green Codes: Concept Thru Construction - May 14
CELC Webinar: Business Case for Street Lighting Retrofit - May 16
EPA State and Local Webinar Series: Quantifying Health Benefits of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy - May 16
North Texas BPI - May 20-23
Lunch & Learn: The Art of Implementing and Facilitating a Sustainable Energy Management - May 22
NCTCOG SECO Workshop - Energy Management for Local Governments: Legislative Requirements, Benchmarking, and Tools to Measure Energy and Water Use - May 23
2019 National Energy Codes Conference - May 28-30
Greenerbuilder South Central Regional Conference June 27

Texas LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Open Enrollment Period
Closing August 30, 2019

The Texas LoanSTAR (Saving Taxes and Resources) Revolving Loan finances energy-related, cost-reduced retrofits of facilities supported by the state, including public school districts and public colleges and universities, as well as units of local government such as counties, cities, towns, public hospital taxing districts or political subdivisions (10 Tex. Gov. Code §2305.032). The Texas LoanSTAR (Saving Taxes and Resources) revolving loan program open enrollment period is open through August 30, 2019. For more information and to access the LoanSTAR Application, visit https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/seco/funding/loanstar/.

SB 1281 voted out of the Senate Natural Resources and
Economic Development Committee 8-1 and Headed to the Texas Senate

The Texas Legislature is currently discussing changes to the administration of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Senate Bill 1281 proposes to administer the PACE program through the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) as a singular statewide program into which local governments can opt-in, rather than each local government having to go through the process of establishing their own PACE district. The intended impact is to expedite the availability of PACE programs. SECO will utilize an RFP to select a single third-party to administrator to implement the program statewide.

Senate Bill 1281 was voted out of the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee 8 – 1 and is headed to the Texas Senate. Local Governments who have been interested in establishing their own PACE programs may wish to contact their legislators to express support for this bill.

My Possibilities Uses $200K Grant to Fund Solar Power for Campus

My possibilities is a nonprofit that serves more than 400 adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in North Texas. SUN CLUB, an initiative of Green Mountain Energy awarded My Possibilities a $200,000 grant with $100,000 going towards the installation of one-third of its new 200 kW solar system. The new panels will provide 40% of the facility’s annual electricity, saving My Possibilities $25,000 per year. The remaining amount will be used to fund hydroponic sheds that provide low-energy, low-water environment in which it can grow fresh produce year-round.

Read more here

Texas Businesses Building More Power Supplies

Texas is heading into summer with a growing supply of privately-generated electricity, reflecting the surge of small-scale power generators that businesses have been installed to provide their own back-up power and make money when prices spike during extreme weather. A report by the Austin advocacy group Texas Clean Energy Coalition and the Boston consulting company Brattle Group found that back-up power supplies, including fast-starting diesel-powered and natural gas-powered micro-turbines along with solar panels, can generate about 1,300 megawatts of power in Texas, the equivalent of building nearly three utility-scale combined-cycle electric generating plants.

Solar Energy About to Light Up Texas

Until recently, wind energy has been the undisputed renewables champion in Texas, and rightly so. The state boasts almost 25,000 megawatts (MW) of installed wind, with 13,000 turbines in operation, and an additional 7,000 MW in advanced development or under construction.Wind is about to get a partner, though, as the solar industry is about to take the state by sunny storm. From a base of approximately 2,000 MW today, solar is forecast to climb to 8,200 MW by 2025. Solar’s already significant enough that ERCOT has already implemented solar forecasting.

Read full article here

DOE Announces $59 Million to Accelerate Advanced

Vehicle Technologies Research

The U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes announced up to $59 million for new and innovative advanced vehicle technologies research. Funded through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, this funding opportunity seeks projects to address priorities in advanced batteries and electric drive systems, energy efficient mobility systems, materials for more efficient powertrains, co-optimized advanced engine and fuel technologies, and alternative fuels and new mobility options.

Read full announcement here

DOE Announces $47 Million for Flexible Building Technologies, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and Solid-State Lighting

The U.S. Department of Energy announced the Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) 2019 Funding Opportunity (FOA) for up to $47 million for innovative technologies to make energy more affordable. DOE’s Building Technologies Office (BTO) designed the 2019 BENEFIT FOA to increase energy productivity – both within and beyond a building’s walls – by supporting the R&D and performance verification of flexible and energy-efficient technologies for residential and commercial buildings across three topic areas.

Read full announcement here

Solar and Energy Efficiency Webinar: Resources to Support Local Initiatives for Low-to-Moderate Income Communities
May 7, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM CDT

Low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities face unique challenges when it comes to accessing energy efficiency solutions and solar energy. However, this is slowly changing as policymakers nationwide are developing policies and programs to increase energy efficiency and solar resources for these communities. This webinar will serve as an educational resource for local governments interested in better understanding market barriers and expanding solar and energy efficiency deployment in low to moderate income communities. Participants will be able to explore and visualize data developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) focused on how rooftop solar on LMI housing represents an opportunity to help modernize the U.S electric grid and advance energy affordability in low income communities.

This webinar provides a foundation for local governments interested in pursuing SolSmart criteria:

MDF-7b: Provide local incentives for solar PV to low-to-moderate income (LMI) households, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), and/or nonprofit organizations that provide community services.

CE-12b: Encourage low-to-moderate income (LMI) participation in third party-provided community solar program through program design and/or financing support options.

Register Here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8951006911881179905

TREIA Webinar: Meeting Texas's Energy Needs as Renewable Energy Evolves and Grows
May 7, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CDT

Please join Husch Blackwell and the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Alliance (TREIA) for a webinar series focused on topics that affect the Texas renewable energy industry.

The first installment of the 2019 series will be an overview of the current status and future of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC). Presenters from Husch Blackwell and OnPeak Power will discuss commercial application and roles of the solar investment tax credit and wind production tax credit in financing and project development. In addition, they will cover the expected future of wind and solar development as credits are reduced or expired, the current legal status of wind and solar credits, and the legal eligibility for these credits.

Register here: https://tikit.huschblackwell.com/REACTION/Home/RSForm?RSID=YrpKnMKGqIQYLdsZ_p7SY4MLpR8JUvY10nYSLfefDRfFHpZSJa0QCY98UeDXbxTZI-AtQ90advGV_Xa028MOIg

AIA Dallas Workshop: Energy and Green Codes - Concept Thru Construction
May 14, 2019

Architects, MEP engineers, general contractors, and interior designers are under constant pressure to ensure commercial buildings and first-time tenant finish-outs utilize high-efficiency measures to reduce energy use to comply with energy and green construction codes. This workshop will provide professionals with a sound understanding of energy and green building codes and how they directly impact architectural and interior projects. It will offer a historical overview of the purpose, development, and practical application of the energy and green construction codes for your projects. Our industry-leading panel of experts and local building officials will demonstrate how to perform and evaluate a lighting, a mechanical, and an envelope COMcheck, along with providing a list of Do’s and Don’ts for permitting a commercial project, concluding with an interactive panel discussion. A case study's architect will share how Revit was used to run early building performance analysis.

Presenters: Gerald Kettler, Christina Riggs, Michael Lackey, Mike Brown, Chris Davis, and Jose Montoya.

Location: 325 N. St. Paul Street, Suite 150, Dallas, TX 75201

Building Officials receive discount if booked with a discount code by May 12, 2019. Contact Carolyn Horner, NCTCOG at chorner@nctcog.org to receive the discount code.

Register Here

CELC Webinar: Business Case for Street Lighting Retrofit
May 16, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT

Many cities in Texas and Oklahoma are converting their street lights to LED and connecting them with smart controls. Smart LED street lights provide a safer environment for drivers and pedestrians and the energy and maintenance savings are compelling. Whether those savings translate into savings on your bill, however, depends on many factors. We will discuss LED street lighting, smart lighting controls, assessing favorable utility tariffs, multi-utility networks, and the finer points of monetizing LED conversion savings. We will also cover a case study of the successful streetlighting conversion in Wichita Falls, TX.

Speakers: Fritz Feiten, National Director, Smart City Solutions at Ameresco and
Vince Drieling, Director of Business Development, Ameresco

Register Here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LI-2ff7pSLep3-9jwKhzhw

CELC webinars are intended to extend the conversation about public sector energy management best practices through education, training, and discussion. Webinars are open to anyone interested in public energy management in Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond.

Have questions or idea for future webinars? Contact Cassidy Ellis, Local Government Program Manager, SPEER, cities@eepartnership.org.

EPA State and Local Webinar Series: Quantifying Health Benefits of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
May 16, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM CDT

Join this webinar, the second in a series, devoted to quantifying the outdoor air quality-related health benefits of state-level energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. After a brief overview on the types of methods and resources analysts can use to quantify and monetize these benefits, you'll hear from three analysts who used a range of basic to sophisticated methods to quantify the health benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy policies, programs, or technologies. For more on this topic, read EPA's guide to Quantifying the Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Register here

North Texas Building Professionals Institute
May 20-23, 2019 - Irving, TX

The North Texas BPI is an annual 4 day program offering continuing education in the areas of: Re-certification for Plumbing Inspectors, International Plumbing & Mechanical Code, Texas Accessibility, Architecture/Green Building, Code Enforcement, Electrical, Engineering, Environmental Health, Fire Prevention, International Building Code, Energy Code, International Residential Code, Permit Tech, Plan Review, Planning, Residential Construction & Inspection, and Special Topics on Human Trafficking, SIPS, Containers for Commercial Applications, and Building Code. NEW Test Preparation courses for Certified Building Officials, Residential Electrical, Commercial Plans, and Permit Technician. Plus ICC Certification Exam Testing.

Hotel Info: Hyatt Place, 5455 Green Park Drive, Irving, TX, 75038

Register here

Lunch & Learn: Art of Implementing & Facilitating a Sustainable Energy Management Program
May 22, 2019

In collaboration with Tom Tolan, vice president of engineering for TEIR REIT’s commercial property management division, and the Dallas 2030 District presents a Lunch & Learn: The Art of Implementing and Facilitating a Sustainable Energy Management Program.

Tom will speak about the process he utilizes to ensure a complete and recurring “organic” cycle in regards to implementing and facilitating energy management he calls (CCOC) Conscientious and Continuous Operational Changes. By implementing and facilitating a CCOC program and process, it will:

- Produce positive financial results
- Identify cost avoidance opportunities
- Lower overall operating and capital expenses
- Limit liability and exposure
- Improve occupant comfort
- Increase the assets value
- Form a behavioral engaging environment that is collaborative

Attendees will take away how to identify and analyze energy conservation and cost avoidance opportunities and to differentiate items as no-cost, low-cost, r & m, capital and/or cost avoidance. We will discuss how to develop and implement monthly operational calls and site visits as well as implement and monitor utility tracking and cost avoidance site specific spreadsheets.

Location: CBRE, 2100 Ross Ave. Second Floor, Dallas, TX 75201
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-of-implementing-facilitating-a-sustainable-energy-management-program-tickets-59662854203

NCTCOG SECO Workshop - Energy Management for Local Governments: Legislative Requirements, Benchmarking, and Tools to Measure Energy and Water Use
May 23, 2019

Public entities in North Central Texas spend large portions of their budgets on power for city facilities and services. The power generation needs associated with this energy use also impacts air quality at a regional level. Good management of these assets is critical to finding opportunities to reduce energy and water expenses, as well as associated air quality impacts. In addition to it making good financial sense, many local governments are required by state statute to report energy consumption to the Texas State Energy Conservation Office annually. Benchmarking and energy reporting tools can streamline efforts for filing this report. This workshop will provide information for local governments on the following topics:

Senate Bill 898 reporting requirements for cities, counties, state agencies, and institutes of higher education
Benchmarking and the value of understanding your facilities’ energy and water use
Energy Star Building Portfolio Manager - a free online tool to use in your energy management program
Free energy audits and other resources offered by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office

This workshop is appropriate for energy managers, facility managers, personnel that manage electric contracts, and/or collect or report energy and water usage data.

Location: 600 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas - Centerpoint 3, 4th Floor Training Room

Register here: https://www.nctcog.org/envir/events (Space is limited to 45 people)

2019 National Energy Codes Conference
May 28-30, 2019

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program is pleased to announce the 2019 National Energy Codes Conference!
This year's event will be in the sunny and mile-high city of Denver, Colorado. Join DOE Building Energy Codes Program for three days of informative sessions, interactive discussions, and educational opportunities. The National Energy Codes Conference is the only national event dedicated solely to building energy codes, providing attendees with a great opportunity to network with peers, engage with leading experts, and learn about the latest innovative technologies and solutions in the building sector.

Location: Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, CO

Event registration and hotel lodging are now available. Register today here.

Save the Date: Greenerbuilder South Central Regional Conference
June 27, 2019

Inspiring speakers, substantive education, Women in Green, USGBC TX Leadership Awards, and networking galore!

This annual event unites individuals around the world, including architects, engineers and contractors, who are working hard in their local communities to raise the quality of life for all every day. Greenerbuilder shares the stories of leadership from businesses, the public sector, and building industry professionals who are making a measurable impact every day in the South Central region.

Location: Austin Central Library in Austin, TX
Registration coming soon!