Con Edison Proposes New Energy Efficiency Programs for a Cleaner, Greener New York
April 15, 2008 – Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. has filed a plan with the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) asking that a package of new energy efficiency programs be approved for implementation this summer.
“Con Edison’s proposals represent a major part of the company’s overall effort to achieve at least 500 megawatts (MW) of demand reduction by 2015,” said Rebecca Craft, Con Edison’s director of Energy Efficiency Programs. “Reaching that goal would offset the need to power the equivalent of 500,000 homes. It coincides with the state’s desire to realize a 15 percent reduction in electric consumption growth, significantly reducing carbon emissions over the same period.”
The 11 residential and commercial programs Con Edison proposes are designed to reduce demand by 378 MW and reduce energy use overall by 4.4 billion kilowatt hours (kWh). This reduction in demand will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2.3 million tons, which is the equivalent of taking 380,000 vehicles off the road, or growing 53,000 tree seedlings for 10 years.
The total estimated cost of the programs is $306 million through 2015, varying from about $10 million this year to $75 million in 2015. The funding would be drawn from funds already designated for energy efficiency programs in the company’s most recent rate plan approved by the PSC effective April 1.
Con Edison estimates an annual savings of 86 MW of demand, 1.1 billion kWh, and 27.7 million therms through four residential energy efficiency programs:
- An appliance dealer incentive program
- A residential lighting program
- A residential space heating and cooling program
- A home energy efficiency kit
The company also estimates an annual anticipated savings of 292 MW and 3.3 billion kWh through implementation of seven commercial energy efficiency programs:
- An office building program, focusing on larger office buildings
- A buyback program
- An education and healthcare program, focusing on schools and hospitals
- A hospitality and entertainment program
- A data centers program
- A freezer-case LED lighting program
- A multifamily building program
These programs were developed to build on the company’s unique customer relationships, have a sector-by-sector approach specifically geared to its service area, and are designed to reduce both peak demand and energy consumption. If approved, Con Edison will incorporate the peak demand reductions into system planning so it can defer building certain new infrastructure.
A portion of the proposed programs, over 130 MW, is for the continuation of the company’s Targeted Demand Side Management (DSM) program designed to defer capital projects for infrastructure upgrades and expansion. Permanent energy efficiency projects installed in specific neighborhoods can defer the installation of cable, transformers, and other equipment.
In the past several years, Con Edison has contracted for over 190 MW of demand reduction through its targeted programs that began in 2004. Measures to achieve these reductions will be implemented through 2012.
Con Edison has the largest underground electrical system in North America with 94,000 miles of underground cables, enough to wrap the earth 3.6 times. The company also maintains 36,000 miles of overhead cables.
Con Edison expects to spend approximately $5 billion over the next three years on its electric delivery system to maintain reliability and support the significant economic growth projected for its New York City and Westchester County service area.
EnergyNY, the company's recently announced plan to meet the future energy needs of its customers through infrastructure upgrades and energy efficiency programs, can be viewed at http://www.conEd.com/energyny. |
