The purpose of the Conservation Applied Research and Development (CARD) Grant Program is to identify new technologies, strategies, and program approaches that utilities can implement to help achieve the annual state energy conservation goal of 1.5% as established by the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007. Results of recent projects (summarized below) could prove promising for effective utility programs.
Motivating Manufacturing Energy Efficiency
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The goal of Motivating Manufacturing Energy Efficiency, a CARD grant awarded to the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) in 2013, was to demonstrate and carry out a potential CIP program strategy that integrates energy assessments and lean manufacturing tools into MnTAP-sponsored intern projects designed to provide Minnesota manufacturers with energy efficiency recommendations and direct implementation assistance. As of May 2016, 13 of the recommendations on a wide variety of technologies have been at least partially implemented by seven manufacturers—for an implementation rate of 52%, well above the typical 30% rate for energy efficiency recommendations in MnTAP’s experience. Read more (pdf). |
Small Embedded Data Center pilot shows potential for big energy savings
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Under CARD grant funding, the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and its partners are in the process of monitoring 23 small embedded data centers (SEDCs) at 11 participant sites using one of two non-obtrusive approaches. Through their data analysis, the team is identifying operating measures and energy usage trends that reveal unique opportunities for energy savings. The preliminary results have been very promising. For example, the results from monitoring at a nonprofit site found that the energy consumption from the SEDC stays fairly constant during the entire week even though normal business hours are only Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Even considering a small amount of use required during the night and on weekends, the data indicate there is an opportunity to reduce power demand for over 70% of the work week through a variety of options. Read more. (pdf). |
Seventhwave offers three videos on high energy consumption homes in Minnesota
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With funding from a CARD grant, Seventhwave recently conducted an in-depth study of 100 high energy consumption homes in Minnesota. The goal was to help conservation program managers better understand the factors contributing to high usage, quantify the energy savings potential associated with common conservation measures, and identify program strategies that could be used to effectively target those opportunities. Seventhwave produced three videos to communicate its findings; the videos can be accessed online. The full CARD report is also available. |
