From the Editor
At the Facilities Midwest conference in Chicago last September, Rick Lubinski, an expert on demand-response programs, opened his session by asking the following question: Why would a company pay you to not use the only thing they sell? Needless to say, interest instantly was piqued.

As energy prices continue to rise and green, energy-efficient, high-performance buildings increasingly are en vogue, demand-response programs are a great option for facility executives to reduce energy costs AND use less energy. Basically, a demand-response program is an agreement with a utility to cut energy use during peak demand periods – when it is most expensive for the utility to generate electricity. See the article below in Green Strategies for a great primer on everything you need to know about demand-response.

As always, I’m interested to hear what you think – what are the pros and cons you’ve heard regarding demand-response? What are the challenges? Please feel free to e-mail me.

Best,

Greg Zimmerman, Editor

Green Strategies
Peak Pay-off
Meeting peak demand for power can cost utilities plenty. With demand-response programs, they’ll pay you to help cap the peak by trimming power use.

In the News
Demand-Response Growing Nationwide
A September 2007 report from the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission showed that demand-response programs have grown significantly.

Green Toolkit
A Podcast on Demand-Reponse
This video podcast with Rick Lubinski, President of Think Energy Management, LLC, outlines the basics of demand-response programs. It was recorded immediately following his presentation at last year’s Facilities Midwest conference. Lubinski also is presenting at this year’s Facility Decisions CONFERENCE AND EXPO. See the link for “Sell Your Energy Savings/Cost Cutting Programs to the CFO” in the GreenTech Conference and Exposition section below.

Green Pulse
Have you considered a demand-response program for your facilities?
-Yes, we’re involved in one now.
-We’ve considered it seriously, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
-We’ve considered it, but aren’t going to do one.
-Demand-response isn’t available in our area.

Click here to answer and view results.

GreenTech Conference & Exposition
New Training on Power and Energy Issues
The Facility Decisions Conference and Expo (September 16-17, Las Vegas) offers 50 free educational sessions including many on power and energy. Learn how you can better anticipate the energy needs of tomorrow and address power supply issues today. Included are perspectives from suppliers and end-users on deregulation, alternative power sources, and technology’s role in improving efficiency.

*Building a Sustainable Energy Strategy

*Sell Your Energy Savings/Cost Cutting Programs to the CFO

*Beyond Greening: Why Optimizing Your Building is the Greening Initiative

*Go Green With Lighting

See all the conference sessions at Facility Decisions. Choose from 50 sessions and build the training that meets your needs.