Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard
In June, 2008 the City of Cleveland adopted a citywide Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) to ensure that 15% of Cleveland Public Power’s energy comes from advanced or renewable sources by 2015, 20% by 2020, and 25% by 2025. The City also actively lobbied for the statewide AEPS which was passed in 2008.
United Nations Global Compact (website)
UN Global Compact Website In 2008, Mayor Jackson signed the UN Global Compact, making Cleveland the second US city to do so. Three of the compacts principles concern the environment. By becoming part of this strategic policy initiative, the City encourages the development and diffusion of environmentally-friendly technologies.
Wind Turbines in Lake Erie
In May 2010, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland travelled to Houston, Texas to announce a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation between Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation and General Electric Company. The MOU launches an effort to establish the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County as a national leader in offshore wind power and wind power manufacturing.
Energy Data Management Software
On July 21, 2010, the Board of Control authorized, pursuant to authority of Ordinance No. 456-10 passed by Cleveland City Council on May 10, 2010, a $130,000 contract with EnergyCAP, Inc. that will lead to the measurement of and management of Citywide energy use.
LED Lighting
The City of Cleveland is seeking to procure LED streetlights, LED traffic Lights, and LED florescent and incandescent replacement lights from one supplier that will spark the investment of manufacturing, research & development and customer service resulting in the creation of more than 350 jobs in the City of Cleveland. Replacing the 67,000 streetlights with LEDs will save the City of Cleveland millions of dollars in operating revenue and remove more than 25,000 tons of carbon annually.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The EECBG was officially awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to the City of Cleveland on December 4th 2009, for an amount of $4,544,400.00. The EECBG grant is helping to fund several sustainability projects both at the city’s operations and the community level, such as energy efficient building retrofits, energy data management system, implementing a program for residential retrofits, downtown recycling, climate action plan and the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Action and Resources Guide.
Advance Energy Special Improvement District (SID)
In July 2010 the City of Cleveland and the First Suburbs Consortium were awarded $100,000 to pursue the creation of an Advance Energy SID. This will enable the City of Cleveland and First suburbs to assess property for improvements related to advanced energy and energy efficient retrofits.
Greater Cleveland Energy Alliance
The City of Cleveland in Partnership with ShoreBank Enterprise received $150,000 to develop an energy Efficiency retrofit program for commercial and residential customers throughout greater Cleveland.
Waste-to-Energy Feasibility Study
The City recently launched a feasibility study looking at waste-to-energy solutions and seeking to boost the amount of waste recycled from 11 to 70%. “Waste-to-energy” refers to treatment methods that create electrical or heat energy from waste.
Biodiesel Pilot Project
The City has initiated a Biodiesel Pilot project, which will test a 20% blend of biodiesel in the fleet. Biodiesel is comprised of processed vegetable oil or animal fat. Working with Earthday Coalition, NASA, and the Ohio EPA, the City plans to promote the use of locally-grown and manufactured biofuels to reduce the use of conventional diesel fuels and harmful emissions.
Combined Heat and Power
Cleveland Public Power (CPP) is exploring Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and distributive generation as possible sources for public utilities. CHP is possible when a heat engine or power station generates electricity and heat at the same time. CPP is currently working on a variety of pilot projects in order to determine ways in which to have local generation on its system and incorporate CHP in its power portfolio.
Energy Efficiency Tips
Energy use is rising as households use more electronics, appliances, and lights. At the same time, power generation is quickly approaching its limit. The solution is not as simple as building more plants because fossil fuels are limited and becoming more expensive. More importantly, energy from fossil fuels is a major contributor to climate change. Renewable sources of power generation like wind and solar energy, though currently being introduced, do not solve the current problem. One solution for short and long-term energy cost reduction is using power more efficiently.
- If 10,000 natural gas customers insulated their attics, 50 million less tons of carbon dioxide could be released each year or 140 million lbs. Heat lost through a basement floor can be nearly 1/3 of a heating costs.
- Turning a thermostat down one degree in winter cuts heating bills about 3%, turning it up one degree in summer cuts air conditioning bills around 5%. If the temperature of each US home was 6 degrees lower in winter, the equivalent of 500,000 barrels of oil would be saved daily. A tree shading a house cuts down on electricity used for air conditioning, and can help a home stay warmer in winter
- Gaps around windows and doors of the average home equal a 3-foot square hole. Weather-stripping gaps means less leaks and energy savings. A drape can cut 1/3 of a window’s heat loss, but if insulated, can reduce it by ½. In a year, energy escaping through American windows equals all the oil that flows through th Alaska e pipeline.
- Electricity used to run a refrigerator over 15-20 years is several times the appliance’s cost. In a year, the average fridge uses power generated from nearly as much coal as it can hold, but efficient models use about a freezer-full. A refrigerator with a freezer on top or bottom uses about 20% less energy than a side-by-side. Doors should close and seal tightly. Every time a door is opened, up to 30% of the cold air escapes.
- Washing clothes on the cold setting can save up to 40% of energy costs
- Air drying dishes saves energy – over 80% of a dishwasher’s energy use is for heat
- If every US home replaced one standard bulb with a compact fluorescent, it would save the equivalent of all the energy generated by one large power plant in a year. 90% of an incandescent bulbs electricity is wasted as heat, but compact fluorescent lights provide better light, can last 12 times longer, and use about 80% less energy
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Links and Publications
Heating and Cooling Assistance Home Weatherization Assistance Program
Lights and Appliances Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Flyer
Energy Star Website
Energy Star Guide
LED Information from CPP
