Library: Public Service Electric & Gas

In 2006 and 2007 PSE&G offered residential customers in two selected municipalities an opportunity to participate in a residential time-of-use (TOU) pilot program. The TOU rate incorporated fixed low, medium and high-cost time periods with an “extra high” cost period, called the “Critical Peak Price” (CPP) that was utilized on an as-needed basis. There were two TOU segments included in the pilot program. The first, myPower Sense, was designed to test how well customers would respond to TOU pricing and reduce demand during CPP events when given advance warning and educational information only. PSE&G used e-mail and telephone calls to notify participants the night before a CPP event. The second segment, myPower Connection, offered customers the same TOU/CPP rate and advanced warning of CPP events, but also provided customers with a free programmable thermostat that received price signals from PSE&G and could be programmed to adjust air conditioning set points in response changes in the TOU/CPP price signals. (Abstract only)

The objectives of this study cover a wide range of issues and research topics relevant to the implementation of market-based energy efficiency strategies in this era of utility competition and deregulation. The short-term objective of the Appliance and Windows programs is to increase consumer awareness, acceptance and purchase of qualified ENERGY STAR products. In the longer term, the objective is to create a self-sustaining market for energy-efficient products. Methodology included telephone surveys, in-person interviews, and site visits. Two baseline studies were completed, one for windows, and one for appliances. Both include market share information, general awareness of ENERGY STAR among consumers and producers, involvement of dealers in the ENERGY STAR program, and the manufacturing level of production. The ENERGY STAR programs face informational, behavioral, structural, price-related, and product-feature related market barriers.

The goal of this report was to assess the options for utility assistance for operations and maintenance (O&M) training. Commercial and industrial O&M personnel, contractors, association representatives, consultants and experts were all interviewed to assess the need for additional training and/or certification. Respondents assessed the importance of certification as a tool for building the demand for trained building operations personnel. Interviews covered office, school, state, and industrial building types. The study found that the most attractive target markets for near-term training include: Property management firms with performance incentives in their contract; owner-occupant large offices; school districts with limited training in the past; small industrial facilities; and, state properties where staff are internally motivated to perform good O&M. The study also found that the most attractive options to offer to customers are: support BOMassachusetts marketing of the System Maintenance Technician certification program and at the same time, offer the NEEC/NEEP Building Operator Certification Program. The report also lists non-training options.

The goal of this project was to develop and characterize a detailed list of chillers for the purpose of future program marketing. Telephone surveys were the primary means used to collect this information. This list is a "near census" of chiller tonnage as the survey gathered chiller data from 598 customers and contacted almost 2,000. Additionally, contact information was collected for many of those partially responding. A database was created to contain the results of the survey. The survey and the database characterize the chillers by size in tons, age, likely replacement schedule, and other key variables for program marketing purposes. Potential uses of the database include: direct contact of customers with older chillers to market chiller replacement program; use entire contact set for marketing other efficiency programs; and, identify whether major SICs and building types have significant older chillers and obsolete refrigerators.

This assessment was designed to assess standard market practices for equipment specification and building/facility design in new commercial construction in New Jersey to assist in the promotion of energy efficient equipment. The data presented in this report will help establish the base efficiency level for further efficiency measures to be promoted through market based energy efficiency programs offered by New Jersey utilities. This report provides baseline equipment installation practices for lighting, HVAC and building shell technologies. The determination of the commercial energy efficient construction practices was accomplished by the on-site audit of 96 newly constructed and renovation buildings. These building were classified into five building types including offices, hospitals, nursing homes, lodging, primary/secondary education, and retail. The on-site audit included detailed data collection through use of an on-site interview and encompassed on-site surveys.

This is the final report for Public Service Electric and Gas service territory assessing the market for industrial compressed air systems. Approximately $35 million is spent on compressed air in one year. Experts feel that this number can be cut significantly. Therefore, this market assessment attempts to lay a foundation to develop strategies to improve the efficiency of industrial compressed air systems in New Jersey. In order to characterize the end-user market, describe market structure and barriers, overcome those barriers, and establish a baseline, interviews were done with suppliers and customers.

This study looks to understand new construction/renovation projects in the Public Service Electric & Gas, GPU Energy, and Atlantic Electric service regions. In order to effect a market transformation in the commercial markets and comprehend the decision making processes, the types of equipment sold, and the dominant sales channels for new construction/renovation projects, the results of interviews with 20 lighting suppliers, 20 lighting contractors, 21 HVAC contractors, and 14 HVAC suppliers were examined.

This study considers new construction/renovation projects in the Public Service Electric & Gas, GPU Energy, and Atlantic Electric service regions. In order to effect a market transformation in the commercial markets and comprehend the decision making process for new construction/renovation projects, the results of interviews with 33 decision makers/designers were examined.