BC3 Recieves Check for Saving Energy

On October 14, BC3 received a $5,100 check from Carolyn Pengidore, president and CEO of ClearChoice Energy.

The check was presented to James Hrabosky, BC3's vice president for administration and finance, and Jake Friel, BC3 controller. It is the first of four checks that BC3 will receive in the next year.

ClearChoice Energy is an independent curtailment service provider. This means that Clear Choice buys unused energy from businesses like BC3, and then resells it to the Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO).

Western PA's RTO is a company called PJM Interconnection. An RTO acts as a neutral, independent party that operates wholesale electricity markets and manages high-voltage electricity grids. PJM provides service for more than 51 million people in 13 states.

As a main user of energy in the area, BC3 participated in ClearChoice Energy's Demand Response program this summer. In the summer peak times of energy are when it is hot outside and ACs are running. The Demand Response program allows for more electricity to be available on the grid to lessen the chance of blackouts.

From an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Allegheny Energy says growing demand for power in the Mid-Atlantic region could trigger blackouts, rolling blackouts, and brownouts as early as 2011.

"We didn't want people to be without electricity," said Hrabosky. "We learned that in times of high energy demand, rolling blackouts become a real possibility. This program is designed to reduce that threat and make sure that residents in the community do not lose power to their homes."

A blackout is when a community has demand of electricity higher than the power grid has to offer. The whole system shuts down; no one gets electricity. It can be compared to a blown fuse. Afterwards, the grid needs to be analyzed and reset to work.

BC3 offered two buildings to use for the Demand Response program. The college shut down the power to the Science, Technology and Cultural Center and to the field house twice this summer. Both power outages were successful and were performed without any glitches.

"ClearChoice customers who sign up to turn off the power when asked not only reap a reward but have the added satisfaction of engaging in a sustainable practice that helps the region to meet its energy needs through conservation", said Pengidore in a POP City article.

Next year ClearChoice energy will send meter ratings for BC3 and all other Demand Response participants to see their eligibility on whether or not they can reduce use during a demand response test.

"ClearChoice Energy programs are ongoing and as long as companies want to participate they will receive rebate checks," said Pengidore.

The $20,000 BC3 will receive will help pay for the $1.033 million dollar utility bill. $445,000 of that is for electricity costs.

Another way to help save additional money and energy for the college is the concept of going to a four day work week during the summer. Some offices and support facilities would be closed on Fridays.

"The idea here would be that the entire building would be shut down, reducing air conditioning and costs to power PCs by 20%," said Hrabosky.

BC3 is using computer based systems to set back temperatures in buildings during evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. All old BC3 buildings have been fitted with new technology so energy saving lamps and lights can be utilized. Any building built within the last ten years was built with the new technology.

Other local community colleges are participating in the Demand Response program. North Hampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA also received a rebate check in October for their willingness to participate.

North Hampton also received a check for $10,798. The only exception for North Hampton was they did not need to turn power off anywhere on their campus. North Hamptons RTO PPL, already had a manageable. North Hampton did have a plan to save nearly 345 kilowatts of power if called upon.

BC3 has the opportunity next year to earn an even larger rebate if they offer more buildings to the Demand Response program.

"The more power you can turn off, the more money you make. If BC3 enrolls more buildings, they will make more money," said Pengidore.