During periods of hot weather we frequently hear about outdoor air quality warnings and the mention of ozone. This gaseous chemical is has both positive and significantly harmful properties.
A bit of chemistry is necessary to understand this gas. Ozone is a triatomic (consisting of three atoms) molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms in a very unstable state. It has very different properties than the more familiar O2 atom that is essential for our respiration. It’s formed when the more stable O2 is exposed to ultraviolet light or electrical discharges. These two forms of energy cause oxygen to break apart chemically and reform as an unstable gas with very high oxidizing potential. High oxidizing potential makes ozone useful as a disinfectant and has many industrial uses from cleaning clothing, uses as cleaning agents, and killing mold and bacteria in airstreams. Most public water drinking supplies are phasing out chlorine with ozone for purification, and there’s a chance your bottled water has been purified with ozone as well. This list of uses has been growing steadily and quickly due to its effectiveness and relatively low cost.
Ozone has a characteristic smell that some people identify as sweet, while others compare it to a chlorine-like odor. Many have experienced this smell after a close lightning strike. The thousands of volts of electrical discharge from a lightning bolt create this gas.
As effective as ozone can be, it can be very harmful to animal mucous and respiratory systems and damaging to plants as well. People with compromised immune systems and/or respiratory ailments are especially affected by ozone, even at lower concentrations.
Ironically, several filter manufactures produced and sold ozone generators for use inside living and work places as a panacea for air filtration. In theory, these devices could be highly effective at a relatively low cost. In reality, these produced more harm than good and were essentially banned from distribution several years ago after a major confrontation between the marketing giant, Sharper Image, and Consumer Union, the editors of Consumer Reports. This battle, along with deceptive marketing tactics, caused the 2008 bankruptcy of Shaper Image.
Much confusion arises over ozone as either beneficial or harmful in the context of outdoor air quality. While ozone is a gaseous contaminant of concern for plants and animals, it is essential in providing some shading of excessive solar rays from entering the earth’s atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect. The media regularly reports on these holes in the ozone layer and the impact on the planet. The Downeast region of Maine, including Bar Harbor and the pristine Acadia National Park, has some of the highest recorded concentrations of ozone due to pollution from southerly states piggybacking on the jet stream flow.
Ozone provides both benefits and risks to our environments. During hot weather, concentrations of ozone swell, causing concerns for respiratory health. Staying indoors, especially in an air-conditioned environment helps dramatically, as well as shifting outdoor physical activity to early mornings.
Recently, we wrote about Senator Angus King’s proposed Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013 (or “BTU Act”—see article here). While we await progress of the bill, the discussion of fuel crops—crops grown with the purpose of being used for biofuel—arises and, we think, could use some attention.
There are many benefits to using biomass including saving both money and the environment. That’s not all though; biomass has the ability to generate money, and inspire the economy by providing employment, saving consumers money (compared to prices of traditional forms of heating), and reducing foreign oil dependence. According to this article by the Kennebec Journal, 78 cents of every dollar spent on heating oils leaves the US. Wood pellets are half the cost and most, if not all, of the money stays in Maine.
Corn is used as a fuel crop in the Mid West, however, growing corn can be a nuisance and the ethanol yield isn’t always justified by the effort and resources expended (It takes 26.1 pounds of corn to make one gallon of ethanol). Corn is not a perennial crop; it requires replanting annually, and to be ready for harvest, it requires a warm temperature, rich soil (which means excessive amounts fertilizer) and regular, even watering.
When referring to fuel crops, we’re focusing on varieties of plants that Maine climate is conducive to, such as Switch Grass and Miscanthus. Both are relatively inexpensive to grow, as they are hearty, requiring minimal fertilizer. They produce a high yield and heat very efficiently. The University of Maine has already worked to convert plants to fuel, which can be read about here. Similar in climate, Canada has grown thousands of acres of fuel crops for many years. When pelletized, they are excellent fuels with virtually undetectable differences from wood pellets.
If the BTU Act passes, this could mean positive changes for Maine’s economy. It will provide a significant tax credit to acquire a biomass stove/boiler, which could be the difference for residents who have difficulties affording to heat their homes. The unintended impact on agriculture would be growing fuels for local and export usage.
Given Preliminary House Approval, Omnibus Energy Bill is Senate-Bound
The omnibus energy bill confronts one of the largest problems for Maine people and our economy: energy here costs too much.
Yesterday, the Maine State House of Representatives approved the bill unanimously, after amending that it be effective immediately (rather than 90 days thereafter) once signed by Governor LePage.
Hopefully the bill advances through the Senate with the same enthusiasm. Sadly, the Governor has threatened to veto the bill, although his staff aided in its creation and even he has said that Maine electricity costs are too high. Additionally, natural gas costs are the absolute most expensive in the continental US.
According to an article by contributors to the Bangor Daily News, the omnibus energy bill aims to support the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in purchasing capacity for natural gas pipeline expansion, which, to consumers, means a handful of things. Financial assistance will be provided to low-income families, help to transition to more efficient, affordable heating systems. The bill seeks to eliminate the nearly $200 million “energy tax” consumers pay yearly, since current pipelines are inadequate and struggle to provide enough fuel to Maine during colder months.
This bill surfaces at an interesting time. Late last week, the PUC suggested an audit of Central Maine Power’s (CMP) smart meter program after their estimated savings ($25 Million over 20 years) resulted in an additional $99 Million in net costs (read full article from MPBN here).
Expenses are always expected to occur when transitioning to newer technologies, such as progressing from analog to digital meters. Although utility saves some money from remote meter reding, the most beneficial savings will occur when smart meters are paired with smart controls. Click here for more information.
At The Young Professionals of the Lewiston/Auburn Area (YPLAA) Y-Not? Challenge finale held in Lewiston last week, Dan Thayer, President of Thayer Corporation, announced that, based upon the tremendous success of the YPLAA inaugural Y-Not? competition, he is offering a $5,000.00 challenge grant for a select community-sponsored program to launch a Y-Not? competition in their community.
Who is YPLAA?
The Young Professionals of the Lewiston/Auburn Area boast 400 members, who have an active agenda, socially, and for professional growth. Sponsored by the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber in state of Maine, The Y-Not? program was the brainchild of current YPLAA leadership. The program intended to create an amusing way of catalyzing social engagement within the community.
Modeled after a treasure hunt theme, teams of 5 stormed the community over a two-week period gathering points from achieving certain specified activities, such as investing money into local businesses, sitting in on a city council meeting, and becoming educated on local non-profit organizations. Each activity only earned points for team if it was blogged about after completion.
First year success both from a participation and a civic engagement point of view exceeded all expectations. Based upon the success, and the importance of involvement to the L/A community and surrounding area, Thayer Corporation has agreed to be the prime sponsor again for 2014. To read more about the YPLAA and Y-Not? Program, click here.
Maine Senator Angus King introduces bill aimed to help businesses and homeowners across the country heat with renewable biomass (wood pellets and wood chips). This bill, co-sponsored by Senator Susan Collins, would provide up to a 30% tax credit for comprehensive biomass systems that meet the credit requirements.
This bill – known as the “Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013,” or BTU Act – is a substantial benefit for those considering alternatives to fossil fuels. To qualify for the 30% residential credit, biomass equipment must be operating at a thermal efficiency rate of at least 75% and heat either space or water. Commercial credit is divided into two tiers; The first tier, a 15% credit, is met at an efficiency level between 65% and 80%. The second tier, a 30% credit, may be obtained at an efficiency of 80% and above.
We at Thayer Corporation are excited what the passing of this bill would mean for homeowners, businesses, and the environment. As one of the leading companies in biomass design, service and installation in the Northeast, we know that this would be a huge opportunity for not only our potential clients, but our existing customers as well, since the BTU act applies to units already installed that also meet the criteria. Aside from the savings you’ve already experienced, this would be a great opportunity to reinforce your satisfaction with the choice you made regarding your heating system.
Many of us have heard about smart building controls, but there is wider spread knowledge about smart utility meters. This is especially true lately in many parts of Maine, as special interest groups have opposed the installation of smart meters, which the press has covered extensively. So what are these smart devices and what do they mean to consumers?
“Smart Controls” is an all-inclusive term for controls that are differentiated from standard devices by the advanced features added to them. The characteristics of these “smart” devices vary, including mobile access, data recording, motion detection, automatically adaptable programming, etc. and then have been applied to building automation control devices, such as thermostats, like these, offered by Nest and Ecobee.
These devices are just the tip of the iceberg, and represent very few devices in the HVAC field. There are a myriad of for-the-home smart controls available for appliances, lighting systems, irrigation, security systems, etc. The novelty of an interconnected smart home has been discussed and demonstrated for many years in the residential building field, yet, only recently is implementation becoming commercialized beyond the level of research projects and “science experiment” adoption.
One common characteristic of this family of control devices is an executive degree of access and operability by the user. Wall mounted touch screens with intuitive, high-resolution graphics and even easy-to-use mobile apps give users unprecedented access to their houses. The technology is not only limited to residences, however; larger-scale commercial buildings and the components within can be fitted with smart controls as well.
So what about Smart Meters? In their simplest sense, they are electrical meters that communicate directly with utility companies, typically by radio frequency. Successfully installed and operated world wide, they reduce cost of utilities by eliminating the need for monthly visits by technicians to individual meters. These meters open the door for far more advanced features and benefits (you can learn more about smart meters by clicking here).
To understand the significance and benefits of smart meters, the electrical utility provider’s endeavor must also be understood. Matching power generation to consumption has been a challenge for many decades. Utility providers struggle with supplying adequate power during peak periods of the day and typically have to buy expensive power from generating stations during these peaks to meet the demand. These surge periods also place immense pressure on aging transmission and distribution (T&D) systems. In extreme cases, such demand causes brownouts and blackouts that are becoming increasingly common, especially in urban markets. This is an appallingly large national problem. Over the past year, utilities have imposed additional charges, called “demand charges,” to commercial and industrial accounts based upon their highest demand, creating in a sense, a demand penalty. During low demand periods the utilities have much lower costs and their T&D systems are underutilized; thus they have a significant interest in shifting electrical usage from high peak to off-peak periods.
Cue Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” because here comes the procession. In the near future, both consumers and utilities will benefit from smart meters, because they will allow utilities to provide real-time pricing to consumers. Utilities can then pass along cheaper costs for electricity off-peak and get higher fees for on-peak usage. Already most markets have some limited time-of-day rate plan, yet the periods are relatively long (4-6 hours) and the differential between on and off peak is not terribly attractive. With smart meters, consumers may be rewarded for shifting discretionary power usage by simply delaying a load of laundry, running their dishwashers, swimming pool pumps, etc., during these off-peak hours by simply setting their home smart controls to execute those commands.
As an engineer and energy efficiency practitioner, I have been amazed at how consumers have already modified their behavior, even in the absence of a direct economic benefit. Many do it due to the benefits to the environment, and to help the electric utilities. Although this discussion has focused on electric utilities, the same concerns and opportunities apply to others, such as natural gas. We expect them to follow the trend, albeit well behind.
Once direct economic benefits are available to the marketplace, expect to see rapid adoption. Thayer Corporation recently teamed up with a utility and controls manufacturer and was awarded a significant pilot project to install hundreds of smart controls in commercial buildings in central Maine. We are extraordinarily excited to be playing a part in this pioneering trend; however, until more smart meters are installed, widespread, mainstream integrated smart buildings are not a feasible option.
Additionally, for interoperability of devices, a common communication protocol (CCP) is necessary. There is wide disagreement within the industry; the big players, such as Siemens, Honeywell, AT&T, GE, etc. are deadlocked in a parochial battle to use their CCP exclusively. Can you imagine if your iPhone could only communicate to another Apple product, or if your Samsung device only worked with another by the same manufacturer? The marketplace will solve this battle eventually, but it will delay manufacturers of appliances and devices from investing in product design and manufacturing until this is resolved. Furthermore, there is conflict nationwide about which trade(s) and which professional licensures will be authorized and required to install and service these smart controls and devices; however, that’s a story for another article.
Dan Thayer, P.E., President
Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager
