| Local Policy Description: | Miami-Dade strives to reduce energy-related GHG emissions through the promotion of energy efficiency, renewable fuels, and energy conservation measures.
Increase Efficiency of Metro-Dade Facilities/Operations
Measure 1 could reduce 145,000 tons of CO2. The CO2 reduction rate for measure 2 is unknown at this time.
1. Initiate the "Green Lights" programs and integrate with other County building retrofits for a 20% increase in efficiency.
On April 21, 1992, the Board of County Commissioners approved Metro-Dade's participation in the Green Lights program which is sponsored by EPA. Metro-Dade has agreed to install cost effective and energy-efficient lighting in 90% of their facilities within five years. Retrofits may include occupancy sensors, T-8 lamps, T-12 lamps, reflectors, and electronic ballasts. Lighting for Metro-Dade Facilities currently represents 30% of its total energy use. Because lighting retrofits are relatively inexpensive and have high savings with a short pay-back period they should be integrated with costlier retrofits that have a longer pay-back period in order to improve pay-back periods and financing options.
2. If feasible, purchase the combined cycle cogeneration plant and wheel the current excess capacity of 82,000,000 kwh/yr. to County owned facilities and promote use of cogeneration for other appropriate commercial applications.
Cogeneration produces electricity and steam which is used for heating and cooling purposes. Cogeneration can increase the efficiency of power plants by 30% and more in terms of fuel consumption per unit of usable energy, thereby improving air quality and lowering CO2 emissions. Despite these advantages, cogeneration is not widely used. There are a number of barriers which limit the marketing of this technology which include a lack of knowledge, capital, financing options, inexpensive fuel and the need for high thermal demand. Efficient application
of cogeneration requires proper sizing of the unit.
Metro-Dade operates a combined cycle cogeneration plant owned by a limited partnership which leases the equipment to the Rolls Royce Thermo Electron Joint Venture. Energy is supplied to a complex of government buildings including a county courthouse, public library, museum, art center, public transport center and several administrative buildings with electricity, chilled water for air conditioning and hot water for humidity control. To fully utilize the electrical generating capacity of the plant, the owners would need to use FPL's transmission lines to move the power to other facilities. This "third party wheeling" is not permitted under existing state regulations which are designed to protect investments already made by utilities. Metro-Dade is currently conducting an audit on the cogeneration plant to assess the economic viability of purchasing it. If Metro-Dade was to purchase the plant it would eliminate the third party and then the County government could attempt to self service wheel to its other facilities. This can legally be done but only after proving to the PSC that the self-service wheeling would not be a detriment to other ratepayers. In addition, there is ongoing litigation concerning the condition under which the plant was built which could affect the future operation and ownership of the plant.
Expand the Use of Alternative Fuels
Measure 2 could reduce 51,000 tons of CO2 if a total of 24,000 solar water heaters are installed by the year 2005. CO2 reduction rates for measures 1 & 3 are unknown at this time.
1. Investigate cost effective energy efficient HVAC systems for Metro-Dade facilities.
Metro's Department of Development and Facilities Management should investigate both electric and natural gas chillers to determine the most suitable HVAC systems for Metro-Dade's facilities. The energy savings, up-front capital investment, payback period, environmental impacts and hot water demand need to be determined.
2. Reinstate the renewable energy source exemption. (Property tax exemption for installation of solar water heaters)
Even though Florida is known as the "Sunshine State", only 1/2 of 1% of the State's energy demand is met by solar energy. Metro-Dade should advocate re-instituting the statewide property tax exemption for installing solar water heaters. Solar water heaters can save a South Florida home an estimated annual 2500 kwh.
3. Shift to photovoltaic street lighting.
Photovoltaics (PV) are solar cells that convert sunlight directly to electricity. Although the present use of PV lighting is too expensive for area-wide application, they can be used cost-effectively in some locations and are expected to be much more competitive in the next five years. An additional benefit from the use of PV's is security. In the event of a prolonged loss of electricity (e.g. hurricane), PV's can be used to light dark streets. As with each of these measures, an analysis of the life cycle cost is necessary to determine the feasibility of each application.
Promote and Expand Participation in Energy Conservation
Measure 3 could reduce CO2 emissions by 610 tons of CO2. Reduction rates for measure 1 are unknown at this time.
1. Increase public participation in FPL's Demand Side Management programs.
"Demand Side Management" (DSM) is the program used by electric utilities to facilitate reduced consumer demand when it is more cost effective than providing more supply (usually by building a new power plant). Such programs operate under rate regulations which allow utilities to offer rebate incentives for conservation/efficiency measures which exceed state energy code requirements. Because the peak daily and seasonal demands drive the need for new power plants, DSM programs tend to emphasize those measures which reduce peak loads. Under current rate regulations, utilities can only participate in DSM programs which are shown to be cost effective when compared with the direct cost of a new power plant. By the end of 1993, FPL will have spent over $600 million on DSM and deferred building approximately 800 MW in additional power plants.
FPL's residential programs include: conservation service audits; ceiling insulation; conservation window treatment; conservation water heating; high-efficiency residential HVAC systems; home energy loss prevention; thermal energy storage, conservation research and development, photovoltaic pool pump research project; new home construction project and load control (The On Call Program). Commercial and industrial programs include: business energy evaluation, business energy planning; efficient lighting; energy efficient motors; air-cooled chillers; DX HVAC systems; retrofit program for water-cooled chillers; cogeneration and small power production; general service trial project, water heating pump research project, cold air distribution system research project, heat pipe research project, hot water storage project, central chiller system research project, business custom incentive program; dehumidification research project, thermal energy storage and load management.
One side effect of delaying the construction of new power plants is that older, less efficient power plants remain in service longer than they otherwise would. Even so, the important of conservation and efficiency on the demand side warrant aggressive promotion of the program. Metro-Dade can add to FPL's efforts through public education with particular focus on the building process.
2. Adequately staff the recently established utility division within Metro-Dade's Department of Development and Facilities Management in order to investigate various rate structures that encourage and reward utilities for energy conservation.
Utility rate structures are being reviewed in many states in an effort to encourage conservation, to incorporate the long term environmental costs of various production alternatives, to consider the value of efficient and sustainable energy sources, to maintain a reliable energy system, and to keep consumer costs and utility profits reasonable. The Florida Public Service Commission is currently evaluating conservation goals as a way of addressing some of these issues. Despite energy efficiency regulations and demand-side management programs, average per capita consumption has increased in recent years, though not as much as it would have in the absence of these programs. By carefully reviewing alternative pricing and conservation approaches, Metro- Dade can effectively participate in this policy discussion which has the potential to increase efficiencies and conservation, decrease emissions, and decrease costs.
3. Promote the Energy Conservation & Assistance Program (ECAP).
Metro-Dade should work with the Small Business Development Center Network to help promote ECAP and increase public participation by 10%. The goal of this project is to: reduce the per capita energy consumption in the State of Florida; reduce a company's electric bill; and encourage the development of energy saving devices and energy management programs. The ECAP program is funded by the Florida Energy Office and is administered through the Small Business Development Center network. Metro-Dade can help by acquainting small businesses which receive County permits or approval with ECAP services.
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