GETTING THE BEST NEGAWATTS IN AUSTIN

Austin Energy is widely seen as one of the finest community-owned public electric utilities in the U.S.

Among its many distinguished programs is the visionary Plug-in Partners national campaign to enlist fleet pre-orders for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and motivate U.S. auto makers to get busy making PHEVs to fill the orders.

In pursuit of what world renowned energy consultant Amory Lovins calls Negawatts (saved energy), Austin Energy offers the Power Saver Program, a serious rebate program that aims to get homeowners and businesses to reduce energy use with upgraded heating and cooling systems and other efficiency measures.

Bob King, head, energy efficiency consulting firm Good Company Associates: "They're a forward-thinking utility…They have a reputation for being very progressive, but they're probably more conservative than their reputation. They have to make sure the spending is justified."

When Austin Energy gives its stamp of approval it means something. So the guy who decides what does and does not get an Austin Energy designation as energy-saving has got to be a pretty dedicated guy.

Scott Jarman, engineer, Austin Energy: "I'm a steward of ratepayers' money…I want to make sure any program will reduce demand."

By effectively stewarding Austin ratepayers’ money, Jarman is also stewarding the environment.

Consider Amory Lovins’ answer to the question of what his favorite New Energy is: “The first 10 or so on my list are ways to wring far more work out of the energy that we already have much more cheaply than buying it. Typically, if we do that right in our buildings, vehicles, and factories, the capital cost will be comparable to today's or even lower…”

Lovins was also asked how he would invest $1 million in the energy sector: “Efficient use. I want to do the cheapest things first to get the most climate protection and other benefits per dollar. Buying micropower and “negawatts” instead of nuclear gives you about 2 to 11 times more carbon reduction per dollar, and you get it much faster…”

For the best negawatts, take another Lovins’ recommendation: “…whenever you buy something that uses electricity, buy it very thoughtfully. If it's a major appliance, go to aceee.org—American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy— and look up their list of the most energy-efficient appliances, get one of those…”

There is also a wealth of valuable information at Austin Energy’s Energy Efficiency/Power Saver Program page. Scott Jarman has approved everything there.

Thanks to Cindy Lou in Austin for the tip on this story.

Austin Energy was among the earliest promoters of the plug-in hybrid electric car. (click for Plug-in Partners)

Gadgets approved for Austin Energy rebate program get tough vetting; Engineer Scott Jarman decides what technologies get rebate promotion – and which don’t.
Asher Price, August 11, 2008 (Austin American-Statesman)

WHO
Scott Jarman, engineer, Austin Energy; Fred Yebra, director of demand-side management, Austin Energy (and Jarman’s boss)

WHAT
To qualify for Austin Energy’s rebate program, products must pass inspection by engineer Scott Jarman.

click for Austin Energy

WHEN
- The fastest way out of the current energy crisis: Cut consumption through efficiencies.
- 2003: A Jarman-approved energy efficient $179 vending machine that switched itself off when not being used was offered by the City of Austin for free.

WHERE
- Texas law requires utilities to invest in energy efficiency but Austin Energy’s spending is 3 times the state average.
- Jarman is currently using municipal buildings to test the performance of small-scale wind turbines, solar panels and thermal energy storage systems.
- Jarman got his engineering graduate degree at Texas A&M University.

WHY
- Austin Energy has 388,000 customers.
- The utility’s Power Saver Program is paid for through a utility bill surcharge.
- The Austin Energy rebate program has a $20 million/year budget. Approval for a rebate can have a major impact on a product’s success.
- Homeowner rebates: Up to $1,575 for air conditioning ($600 for new units), new windows ($50/unit), attic insulation, solar screens, caulking and weatherstripping. A $1,200 upgrade to insulation, ducts and air conditioning system can cost a homeowner as little as $300.
- Business rebates: Up to $6,700. Solar installation: Up to 75% of the $10,000 cost of rooftop panels, up to $2,000 for solar-water heaters.
- Jarman has far rejected light-emitting diodes as replacements for municipal building elevator light bulbs because they do neither last longer nor burn more brightly.
- Jarman has rejected applications for rebates on manual light-dimming because there is no verification process.
- Jarman rejected an air conditioner refrigerant oil additive because the science on its value at improving efficiency was inadequate.
- Jarman hears out all applicants and tests some.
- Critics contend Austin Energy rebates on solar panels have failed to attract solar panel manufacturers to Austin. Jarman says that regardless of whether solar power companies relocate to Austin, the rebates are designed to create a market for solar panels that ultimately cuts the costs of their manufacture.

click for ACEEE

QUOTES
- Jarman’s typical questions: "Is there a way to calculate savings and are they predictable? …For how long will it lead to savings? …How long will it take to reduce the peak demand and save energy?"
- Bob King, head, energy efficiency consulting firm Good Company Associates: "The easiest thing for the average customer to do is nothing…You get your energy delivered to you. It's all done with public funds and financed over thirty years. And if you don't do another thing, the lights will still come on…the rebates help the contractors close the deal. And you're making an individual contribution to help the public good."
- Chris Strand, general manager, Strand Brothers air conditioning: "The incentive program, as far as generating business and being able to sell energy efficiency upgrades, is huge…"