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Utilities Call on DOE to Strengthen Energy-Saving Transformer Standards

Eight major utility companies are supporting strong, new national energy efficiency standards for electric distribution transformers. In a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, the companies (PNM Resources, Exelon, Public Service Electric and Gas, Pacific Gas and Electric, Baltimore Gas and Electric, New York Power Authority, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and Snohomish Public Utility District #1) urged the Department to substantially strengthen the agency’s proposal for transformer minimum-efficiency standards. More than 40 million distribution transformers located on utility poles and cement pads across the United States serve the crucial function of reducing electricity voltage to the levels needed to power homes and businesses. In August, DOE proposed a weak standard that falls substantially short of the levels the agency’s own study shows would maximize economic savings. The agency is accepting comments through October 18th and will name the final standard next year. Because all power travels through one or more transformers, even slight improvements in efficiency can yield huge savings. According to the DOE study, the standard supported by the companies would save 459 billion kilowatt-hours (about 50% more than the DOE proposal) and net $11.1 billion in savings (about $1.7 billion more than the DOE proposal) over 28 […]

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ZAP Forms China Joint Venture for Electric Cars

ZAP (NYSE Arca: ZP), Zero Air Pollution, announced it has signed an agreement to form a joint venture with China auto manufacturer Shandong Jindalu Vehicle Company Ltd. The joint venture involves designing and manufacturing of a new generation of low cost advanced transportation vehicles that run efficiently on gas, electricity, ethanol and other advanced technologies and fuels. ZAP has established an office in Dezhou, China, to facilitate the joint venture. “Our work with ZAP’s various micro-cars like the cost effective electric XEBRA has shown that new approaches to transportation are possible,” said Gary Starr, Chairman of ZAP. “Although many companies talk about doing things for the environment, we are proud to be part of a joint venture in which both parties are dedicated toward bringing vehicles to the market that can bring not only good returns to our shareholders, but the planet as well,” said Mr. Lu, President of Shandong Jindalu. Website: http://www.zapworld.com     

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ENER Appointments Two Board of Directors

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) (Nasdaq: ENER) announced the appointments of two new independent directors to its Board of Directors, Pasquale Pistorio, the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of STMicroelectronics, and George A. Schreiber, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of SEMCO Energy, Inc. With these additions, ECD Ovonics Board of Directors now has eight members, six of whom are independent directors. Pasquale Pistorio, 70, after a long and successful career with Motorola (1967-1980), returned to Italy in 1980 to take the helm as President and CEO of SGS Microelectronica (which merged with France’s Thomson Semiconducteurs in 1987 and is now STMicroelectronics). Under his leadership, STMicroelectronics became one of the top companies in the semiconductor industry. Upon his retirement in March 2005, he was named honorary chairman of STMicroelectronics. Schreiber, 58, joined SEMCO Energy, a natural gas distribution company serving markets in Michigan and Alaska, as its President and CEO in March 2004. From September 1999 to March 2004, he was the Chairman, Global Energy Group, at Credit Suisse First Boston, New York, in charge of the firm’s energy, utility and power businesses. Schreiber received an MBA from Arizona State University in 1971 and was inducted in the […]

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