31 Oct, 2009
VIDEO: Tubular Skylight + Dimmer
31 Oct, 2009
'Cave-Like' Lighting
31 Oct, 2009
What's UPI?
page down to the bottom of this page to see it.
(More)
31 Oct, 2009
PoE Plus
"squeezing the most out of your cabling" -- including:
The latest 802.3at draft 4.2 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Plus specifications from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE; www.ieee.org) offer new opportunities for cabling professionals to significantly improve networking infrastructure cost and energy efficiency. High-power PoE will help squeeze even more usefulness out of Category 5e and above cabling infrastructure while expanding PoE’s benefits to a much broader range of applications and powered devices (PDs).
Few technologies meet today’s dual goals of energy efficiency and cost management better than the latest high-power PoE technology. And with the advent of enterprise-grade PoE solutions, it can be more convenient than ever to take advantage of high-power PoE’s promise.
31 Oct, 2009
MORE POWER - Over Ethernet (?)
From Security Dealer & Integrator:
Some even speculate that it won’t stop there--that there will be a
standard that offers even more power beyond that of PoE Plus.
Increasing technological developments including card readers and door
keypads, temperature and pressure sensors that are IP equipped and
driven from a PoE connection will become more present into 2010,
according to Bob Martin, manager of Marketing and Business Development,
EtherWAN Systems, Anaheim, Calif.
and the article's conclusion/summary: PoE is a solution aimed at reducing dependency on new cable and
lowering overall installation costs while providing power over the
network. Standards and new solutions will continue to develop—what’s
certain is that integrators will be able to use them for their
customers and add value to system installs.
31 Oct, 2009
Smart Tech Contractors
-- an article on the HomeToys.com site. These are AV contractors, systems integrators, home theater specialists, and more. The article consists of advice (including 11 "tips" for homeowners about to hire such a person -- questions to ask a potential ESC) . . . and an observation that might curdle your milk:
If you are one of the unfortunate many who have hired an ESC and they
totally botched up your home or after they finished, the system was
installed poorly and you can’t get any customer support, don’t despair.
31 Oct, 2009
Demand Response - Appliances
28 Oct, 2009
Use Bathroom, Then Board Plane
But this one has to make you laugh:
A Japanese airline has launched a new initiative that calls for
passengers to use the bathroom before boarding to help reduce fuel and
carbon emissions.
The report was relayed by EnvironmentalLeader.com, a site which I generally find to be reliable.
28 Oct, 2009
Highlights from CEDIA
I read it and made a note to figure out what "sound bars" are. There's a short reference to them in the piece, but I've never previously run into that two-word description.
I'm behind the times.
(More)
28 Oct, 2009
Budd Electric Profile
Some of the stuff that follows could have been written about a lot of the ECs I've met over the years (with the details varying in some directions, of course). That's one of the things that have made the 30 years I've spent (more or less) around these people enjoyable:
Biggest career break: My first big break was having Kyle S. Budd Sr. and Mary Alice Budd as my father and mother. In 1972, I started a four-year electrical apprenticeship program. I worked for Budd Electric with my dad, as an apprentice. After about eight months, I went to work for Fairbairn Electric until 1975. The owners were Jim Fairbairn and Jack Green. Their estimator was Eddie Brinkman. I learned a great deal working with these men.
Business turning point: My father started the business in 1972 and, now at the age of 90, he still comes to the office every day. I have been in the same position since 1978. My father let me make my mistakes and I learned from them. We’ve never had a huge misunderstanding. I attribute that to his good nature. What I learned from my father is the biggest reason Budd Electric is where it is today. My son, Tyler Budd, started working with us as an electrician in 1997. He came into the office as an estimator around 2002 and that has helped a lot.
Business philosophy: Our motto is “Quality Counts.” We try to conduct business and treat customers with integrity, honesty, and to offer quality work. I believe that the only stupid question is the one that is not asked. I want my employees to be successful because their success determines the success of Budd Electric.
There are differences in every story, of course. For example, this oine says Kyle S. Budd Sr. is now 90 and started the business in 1972. That means the elder Kyle Budd started an EC business at the tender age of 53!!!(More)
28 Oct, 2009
Oregon EC Moves - New Building
Though commercial accounts remain the bread-and-butter, Lowry and his crew handle many other kinds of jobs, including residential. His workers are even trained to install computer networks in homes and businesses.
“We’re not stuck in any one thing. We’re pretty versatile,” Lowry said, noting that all his workers are certified in phone and data system installation and maintenance. They keep up on the latest in lighting and security systems as well.
A key to maintaining versatility, Lowry said, is making sure the employees are well trained. Through the years, it’s always been his policy to send his workers to school as needed.
“I try to give them all the schooling and knowledge that they need,” he said. “I’ve always believed that if you don’t know how to do a thing, you don’t try and bluff your way through it. You get the training.”
Having a close-knit, knowledgeable staff is one thing that has helped keep the company healthy. Another is a pledge to integrity, Lowry said.
“The price I tell you is the price that it is,” Lowry said. “I don’t go over, and that truth is what has made the business grow.”
28 Oct, 2009
Museum Job
The 40,000-square-foot museum is located along the banks of the
Connecticut River in Springfield, Mass. Performing the electrical
installation for the two-story facility, ECI installed more than 7,175
lighting fixtures, including 812 multicolored lights on the domed roof.
The Naismith Memorial includes a decorative spire, a small auditorium,
a level of retail space and a single-level underground parking
structure.
“Our team utilized everything from mountain climbing gear to the Internet to install the highly detailed electrical, telecommunication, audio and video systems in this unique modern museum,” ECI states. “While much of our work is hidden within the walls, our workmanship will forever remain a part of this historical endeavor, enjoyed by thousands who visit from around the globe.”
28 Oct, 2009
From Electricians To Lighting Magicians
From The Detroit News (10/22) -- serving a place where good news is at a premium:
[Ron] Harwood started Illuminating COncepts in 1981 as an electrical contracting business. Since then, it has virtually exploded into an internationally recognized lighting and 'immersion experience' development company."
and
"Part lighting experts and part magicians, the company came up with a small speaker that fitted nicely into the base of [a lighting fixture[. No one could see it, but everyone could hear the sound it produced."
I hope the link above works; I don't know of The News puts stuff behind a firewall after 14 days (as do some newspapers).
28 Oct, 2009
Things Different In Hawaii
"American Electric . . . is known for its work in industrial plants, government, and military facilities, commerciall buildings, hotels and hospitals. The 63-year-old company plans to offer homeowners some of the same services . . . "
Yes, this relatively large electrical contractor (on a Hawaii scale and, I believe, on a U.S. scale, too) is spreading its wings into RESIDENTIAL. Yes, right now, at what is probably the bottom or near-the-bottom of the market.
26 Oct, 2009
Sci Fi in the New York Times
The Collider, the Particle, and a Theory About Fate.
I would call this weird. The part which sends my head into 7-dimensional circles (think about that!) says that two NOT wild-and-crazy guys say . . . well, this is what the article says:
. . . the notion that the troubled collider is being sabotaged by its own
future. A pair of otherwise distinguished physicists have suggested
that the hypothesized Higgs boson, which physicists hope to produce
with the collider, might be so abhorrent to nature that its creation
would ripple backward through time and stop the collider before it
could make one, like a time traveler who goes back in time to kill his
grandfather.
In other words, somehow the particle that the Large Hadron Collider is supposed to produce IS being produced. And it's traveling backward in time and sabotaging the collider.
Do you understand the meaning of those words? I'm not saying they are true (how the F would I know?).
I'm just reeling from the idea that a couple of really smart guys think it could be. I had to check the calendar (to see whether it was April Fool's Day).
26 Oct, 2009
Newer Services - Smart Grid
-- this is a utility magazine story. It's a quick read, full of bullets -- and ideas -- about where the electrical power industry (and maybe the rest of us?) might be going in the years ahead. I'm not a big fan of this magazine, and yet I'm recommending the article . . . so just maybe it's worth an investment of your time.
26 Oct, 2009
Construction Forecast, 2010
The BIG numbers -- overall MHC forecast -- presented in two parts, 10/23 and 10/26 (today).
Commodity forecast (from Global Insight's John Mothersole) -- 10/22. Yes, there's stuff about COPPER in there (whadjathink?).
Housing outlook -- 10/21. If you skip one of these, skip this one (it's not as good as the others).
Construction and CREDIT and DEBT -- 10/20. If you wanna be sure to read the best of these, READ THIS ONE!!!
"Macro" economic outlook (from a Standard & Poor's economist, David Wyss) -- 10/19.
I put a lot of work into these. It's hard to sit still in a room and take notes (especially if you might not agree with 75% of the stuff said). Give some of it a scan, it might be well worth your time!
26 Oct, 2009
Existing Home Sales: NOT (no not!) UP
These recently were reported to be UP, sparking some more (BOGUS) "we're in a recovery" enthusiasm.
Existing home sales ain't up. We're not in a recovery. Be rational.
Two more things:
a. I really like the way Barry concluded his post:
I am honestly unsure of whether the folks at the NAR are dumb as lawn furniture and make these misrepresentations honestly — or whether are just another group of disgusting spin doctors, willfully peddling lies because it helps their own agenda.
Those are pretty much the only options: Idiots or full of shit. (You decide).
b. He provided a follow-up blog entry on seasonal adjustments, further explaining the problem with the idea that existing home sales were "up" (which they were NOT).
26 Oct, 2009
Construction Contracts Down 32%
But context (find the table at the bottom of this web page) is provided by the UNadjusted year-to-date numbers (9 months of 2009 vs. first 9 months of 2008):
Total construction down 32%.
Non-residential down 37%.
Non-residential down 37%.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a look-ahead indicator. The next 6 to 18 months in non-residential construction, and construction as a whole, will suck.
26 Oct, 2009
Project Backlogs Shrink
It's been under 50 for more than 18 months. The August number came in below 42.
The September figure, just out, is 43.1. BIG WHOOP!
[If you read the verbiage provided by AIA, it works out to a wordy version of "big whoop" as well]BUT -- here's the bad bad news: "Average project backlog" is now 3.9 months at the architecture firms responding. That's down 25% in the past year.
In other words: Not only is there less work looking ahead, there's less work in the bank (as you'd expect, based on 18 months of non-growth).
15 Oct, 2009
Sharp Angle On Investing
I recently came across a three-page (three web pages, so you gotta click thru and click thru again) Xie piece, Why One Bubble Deserves Another.
Mr. Xie's thesis is NOT the reason I'm calling this to your attention. There was a (long) paragraph in his piece which struck me as worth regurgitating. Yes, if you read it thru, it's obvious. But I don't recall seeing this point made so clearly (and if I've ever discussed it with anyone or heard it from someone else, I really don't recall that):
Trading gains are a form of income
redistribution. In the best scenario, smart traders buy assets ahead of others
because they see a stronger economy ahead. Such redistribution comes from giving
a bigger share of the future growth to those who are willing to take risk ahead
of others.
Past experience, however, demonstrates that most trading profits involve redistributions from many to a few in zero-sum bubbles. The trick is to get the credulous masses to join the bubble game at high prices. When the bubble bursts, even though asset prices may be the same as they were at the beginning, most people lose money to the few.
What's occurring now is another bubble that is again redistributing income from the masses to the few.
OK, now that you've read it, it seems obvious (doesn't it?). But do you think that most people invest their money with this understanding of the basics? Here's what one of the richest people in the world (he made it all himself, by investing) has said -- I wrote these words in 2007: Past experience, however, demonstrates that most trading profits involve redistributions from many to a few in zero-sum bubbles. The trick is to get the credulous masses to join the bubble game at high prices. When the bubble bursts, even though asset prices may be the same as they were at the beginning, most people lose money to the few.
What's occurring now is another bubble that is again redistributing income from the masses to the few.
George Soros
says the way to make a fortune is to identify the trend that is false, ride it
for as long as it lasts, and then jump off just before everyone else realizes
what you already know. This is a guy who reportedly made $1 billion in a single
trade (betting against the British pound); even if you hate his politics, it’s
hard to argue with his approach.
Doesn't what Soros said and what Xie wrote basically equate to the same gosh-durn thing? Doesn't it net out to: Investing is a fool's game for the average schmuck?
AND: If that's the case, are you factoring this basic understanding into the way you invest the money you're able to put aside for the future?
(More)
15 Oct, 2009
Efficiency Looks Good In Comparison!
Energy efficiency costs an average of 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. It's the cheapest "fuel" out there. The cost estimate was recently revised down (by ACEEE) from 3.0 cents/kWh. For a discussion, see Elisa Wood's brief column.
| Resource | Cost |
| Energy Efficiency | 1.6 cents/kWh to 3.3 cents/kWh |
| Pulverized coal | 7 cents/kWh to 14 cents/kWh |
| Combined cycle natural gas | 7 cents/kWh to 10 cents/kWh |
| Wind energy | 4 cents/kWh to 9 cents/kWh |
15 Oct, 2009
EVs and Fuel Economy
An article from the National Renewable Energy Lab tackles the issue:
In an effort to objectively predict on-road energy use of a PHEV, NREL
developed a method to adjust the standard test cycle results from each
mode of PHEV operation. The adjusted values are then combined into a
single fuel economy prediction.
NREL has applied this technique to its PHEV analysis for several years, but until recently has not been able to validate it against data on a large number of PHEVs operating on the road. Partnering with two other DOE laboratories provided that opportunity.
NREL has applied this technique to its PHEV analysis for several years, but until recently has not been able to validate it against data on a large number of PHEVs operating on the road. Partnering with two other DOE laboratories provided that opportunity.
15 Oct, 2009
Silent Automobiles (EVs)
Here's something I came across in the IEEE Spectrum magazine -- an issue about which I had heard at the PlugIn2009 event I attended in August: ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE TOO DAMN QUIET.
No combustion engine. No noise. That's actually a good thing, probably (less noise in our environment, right?). Except for this: Cars travel in streets. People walk across streets. Many people of a certain age are used to hearing cars approach, and then hustling to avoid being hit.
With EVs on the road, a car of significant size could "happen" upon you, and hit you, without any audible warning.
Headline on the Spectrum story: "Making Electric and Hybrid Cars Audible." It might seem strange, but it's actually important!
15 Oct, 2009
Richards & Truland
On Truland Systems: From Alan Linder, vp operations --
Linder says the company is successful because of “the depth and breadth
of our professional management systems. We are used to managing labor
in large blocks—50,000, 100,000, 200,000 manhours.”
On J.E. Richards: From Joe Richards, president
“We’re going to make money this year. In the first quarter, we did $23 million. We had a big first quarter.”
According to the article, Richards had $79.9M in 2007 sales and $109.9M in 2008.
According to the article, Richards had $79.9M in 2007 sales and $109.9M in 2008.
15 Oct, 2009
Top Electrical Contractors
This is NOT the case for the regional lists of the top subcontractors. There are several Dodge regional magazines (like ENR, published by McGraw-Hill). In the August issues of most of them, they printed local/regional lists of the top subs, including a bunch of ECs in each.
A comprehensive list of these things, with brief descriptions -- and most importantly, links -- appears in a two-part blog I wrote for TEDMAG.com.
Part One.
Part Two.
15 Oct, 2009
Proud Of EleBlog Sponsor
I've known Jack for almost 20 years. He's an unusual guy. I sat briefly with him at NECA's Seattle event; he had flown up to accept the award from Mexico's Baja peninsula, where he was working on helping people there recover from a disaster.
At one time, it was my job to supervise the selling of advertising (in Electrical Contractor) to Jack and his company. Now, he and the company are a client. The world does turn, and it spins in mysterious ways!
06 Oct, 2009
Life Safety Stuff
While the report shows that audio and video remain a top priority for
integrators, the fastest growing technology segments lies within
life-safety, communications (including nurse call) and data networking.
Integrators are diversifying their work in order to meet market
demands.
More integrators were focused on a single application or technology whereas now integrators have to increase the number of applications and markets to purse a successful business venture. In addition, integrators were able to base their reputation mostly on AV applications, today, that reputation is based primarily on life-safety applications.
More integrators were focused on a single application or technology whereas now integrators have to increase the number of applications and markets to purse a successful business venture. In addition, integrators were able to base their reputation mostly on AV applications, today, that reputation is based primarily on life-safety applications.
06 Oct, 2009
Wacky Jobsite Stories
There are a number of truly astounding stories on the 2 web pages that piece occupies. Here's my favorite, from Long Island, N.Y. --
While installing a Crestron system in a client’s new home, I was asked
to test a TV that wasn’t working in a different part of the house. As I
was led to that room by the house manager, he told me to be very quiet
while in the room because the client’s dog was having a psychic reading
in there.
I was told that the dog was not acting like himself for the past few weeks, so the client felt it may be the new surroundings and there may have been another dog living in the house previously.
They were trying to channel the old dog’s spirit by having the new dog speak to him through a psychic. Here is a visual for you: picture a woman in a robe standing with the new dog’s paws in her hands and she is making the dog howl to try and channel the spirits of the old dog.
I had to leave because I thought I was on a hidden camera.
06 Oct, 2009
Contractors & The Collapse
I thought AMM was a great publication. I haven't seen it since the 1980s, so I don't know if it has sustained that quality. But I recently came across an article from AMM monthly (August issue) -- "Contractors are caught in the aftershock of the collapse."
It's about Electrical Contractors. I looked online, and you can get the first few lines (and then a chance to pay to see the rest).
NOT aiming to violate copyright laws here, let me give you what I can give you:
From Dan O'Brien, president, Current Electrical Construction (Portland, Ore): "I think there is still some pent-up demand out there, but until money starts flowing again, we will have some serious issues." O'Brien said stuff that was in the planning stages got canceled.
From Terry Cole, president, Hamer Electric (Longview, Mich.): "There are businesses that want ot build but can't because they can't get credit."
From Thomas Anderson, EVP at Bergelectric (Escondido, Calif.): "We are finishing up some projects that were begun or planned before 2007, but we are seeing very few new projects being started up, and a numbger of projects that have already begun [are] now being canceled."
Add Cole: "There used to be four to six bids for each job. Now we see 14 to 20."
Actually, I've heard a lot of that. I recently heard about an EC who went to pick up bid documents and, upon finding out he was #60 (the 60th EC to pick up docs for this project), left them where they were.
06 Oct, 2009
Confined Space & Static
Yes, I know, the headline is riveting. As noted, I'm ignorant about the subject, but I think I could provide a better headline:
HOW TO GET THE STATIC OUT
[confined space entry air procedures]
...OK, that's not great, either, but I did it in 22 seconds. Someone at EL&P needs to realize that great words (and even great pictures) need a great topper!!!
The article actually is BETTER, with photos and step-by-step "do it right the first time" instructions on Conductive Saddle Vent Set-Up.
06 Oct, 2009
VIDEO: Microgrids
06 Oct, 2009
Bye-Bye, Granite?
06 Oct, 2009
VIDEO: Smart Grids (PG&E)
05 Oct, 2009
'Birth/Death Follies'
05 Oct, 2009
EC Employment
Series Id: CEU2023821006 | |||||||||||||
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 664.4 | 662.9 | 665.1 | 671.3 | 684.2 | 706.3 | 724.0 | 730.2 | 729.6 | 732.4 | 733.7 | 734.4 | 703.2 |
| 2000 | 722.3 | 719.3 | 727.3 | 738.0 | 747.3 | 764.2 | 777.1 | 783.9 | 784.1 | 778.9 | 781.2 | 776.7 | 758.4 |
| 2001 | 758.3 | 749.0 | 755.3 | 759.2 | 769.7 | 774.0 | 781.1 | 774.3 | 762.2 | 755.9 | 739.4 | 734.4 | 759.4 |
| 2002 | 709.7 | 701.0 | 697.4 | 693.9 | 699.0 | 709.4 | 714.6 | 713.8 | 704.3 | 688.8 | 685.1 | 677.2 | 699.5 |
| 2003 | 655.2 | 645.7 | 641.3 | 645.6 | 652.0 | 670.0 | 679.7 | 681.5 | 678.6 | 675.4 | 665.3 | 659.8 | 662.5 |
| 2004 | 637.7 | 629.0 | 634.5 | 641.9 | 650.1 | 664.4 | 674.1 | 668.7 | 661.3 | 669.7 | 672.0 | 667.0 | 655.9 |
| 2005 | 649.1 | 641.3 | 648.5 | 653.9 | 660.1 | 673.6 | 683.7 | 686.5 | 683.3 | 691.0 | 693.7 | 688.9 | 671.1 |
| 2006 | 677.7 | 682.8 | 687.6 | 691.8 | 696.4 | 710.5 | 722.2 | 728.7 | 726.6 | 723.8 | 718.7 | 720.5 | 707.3 |
| 2007 | 708.1 | 701.3 | 705.7 | 716.2 | 727.2 | 742.5 | 752.6 | 747.4 | 747.2 | 749.7 | 741.7 | 740.5 | 731.7 |
| 2008 | 722.9 | 715.6 | 716.0 | 717.4 | 721.6 | 729.0 | 740.2 | 741.8 | 733.3 | 731.0 | 714.4 | 701.5 | 723.7 |
| 2009 | 668.2 | 647.2 | 636.3 | 633.5 | 635.3 | 639.3 | 644.8 | 636.3(P) | |||||
What's above is the Employment numbers among "production workers" (field people) in Electrical Contracting for the past 10+ years. The latest number -- the (p) means preliminary, subject to revision -- is 636,300. That August number is down 14.22% from one year ago.
My analysis of BLS data tells me that "production workers" in the EC business are foremen, journeymen electricians, apprentices, and helpers.
Note that BLS is always one month behind in "niche industry" analysis. It just reported the September national employment sitch AND data for August here for the EC biz. That's the way it has been.
(More)
05 Oct, 2009
Construction Employment
Further: Thus far (thru 9 months) in 2009, every month has seen the Construction number BENEATH 5 million. The last time that happened was 1998.
05 Oct, 2009
National Unemployment Sitch
a. Economists have continually gotten big issues WRONG. Who could give any credence to a minor number (one month's zig or zag either way?)
b. The diff between 180K and 265K in an economy with 154M people in the civilian labor force is NADA, nothing, zilch, zippo. It doesn't actually pass "the smell test" as a miss. It's not worth tracking or reporting, is it?
c. What WAS worth reporting is the U-6 unemployment rate, which tracks with how these numbers were reported in years gone by (like, say, 1931). It was 16.1% on a not-seasonally-adjusted basis, down from 16.5% in August. But it was 17.0% on a seasonally adjusted basis, up from 16.8% in August (SA) and 16.3% in July (SA). Now, let's focus on what that means:
Labor force = 154,006,000. U-6 unemployment rate = 17% seasonally adjusted. That's 26 million people who are counted as unemployed, "discouraged" and not looking for work, or working part-time when they really want full-time work.
d. Another item in the report was the "adder" from the Birth/Death model. According to BLS, the vast mass of humans in the U.S. created 34,000 jobs via the start-up of new businesses in September -- business BLS admits it cannot track. That's up from 18,000 jobs hypothetically created in 9/08. I am having trouble with the concept that more start-up business were created this year than last, and with the idea that these are real jobs. Fortunately, the number is low (as opposed to May-June-July-Aug, in which four months the BLS actually ADDED more 555,000 jobs to our national total with this hypothetical numbers-crunching.
SUMMARY: Forget the top-line number and what was or was not estimated. We might have had 26 million people representing SLACK in our workforce in September. And the real numbers might be a lot worse, based on that Birth/Death nonsense.
04 Oct, 2009
Hubbell On Smart Grid
NORD: "Part of the question is, how do you define what is contemplated by The Smart Grid? There isn't a uniform answer.
"Certainly, there is agreement amonst all parties that it has -- the grid is wearing and has reliability issues and, sometimes, just fixing the reliability gets contemplated in The Smart Grid. All the way to the point of "smart" being more of the intelligence leading to some of the industry initiatives like smart metering and more homeowner management and end-user management.
"We survived for a long time without that. Certainly, there is a potential that can exist there. But there's a lot of demands on the industry for investments. So it's a question of where they are going to put those demands and where they are going to put the resources and what impetus there is to do one versus the other. And I think that is part of the uncertainty that currently exists from energy policy and where that might lead. That's the potential that could accelerate it.
"At the same time, we have been talking about big investments and acceleration for a number of years. And the only thing that we caution is that every investment that has any big numbers associated with it is a long-term investment. So it is going to be more ratable and so we tend to think of that as embedded in the normal 3%, 4% growth on an annual basis. It is just the composition of that investment in that growth."
04 Oct, 2009
Top 25 Smart Grid Utilities
04 Oct, 2009
Grid Stuff
"The North American Electric Reliablity CounciL (NAERC) reported that 2008 saw a 14% increase in transmission mileage over the prior year. However, more transmission is needed to maintain both power system reliability and to integrated renewable generation sources."
EleBlog note: The first time I read that, I thought it said that the amount of miles on the national grid had increased 14% in 2008. That's NOT what it says! It says the amount of miles built in 2008 was 114% of the number of miles built in 2007.
"The U.S. utility industry will have to invest between $1.5 trillion adn $2T between 2010 and 2030 to main current levels of relability . . . according to a recent report . . . [including] $80B for the nation's transmission and distribution systems . . . [and] $85B for advanced metering infrastructure and energy efficiency demand response programs.
EleBlog note: It's not clear from John's words here whether that $2 trillion (or $1.5 trillion) includes major expenses for installation of The Smart Grid and its components, or not. I looked for the thing -- it's a Brattle Group report that dates to 11/08 (see news item here). Key paragraph from a news item on the BG report -- NOTE: This is NOT from the Colson/Quanta presentation!!!
In the base case scenario, which does not account for new climate
policies, the total investment needs are projected to reach US $1.5
trillion. Implementation of a federal carbon policy would increase the
capital cost and change the mix of new generation capacity. A model of
one scenario with carbon controls would require an increase in total
capital spending to $2 trillion.
I tried to find the report on the Brattle website, but all I could find (for free) is this two-page 11/08 release (PDF). However, following thru on a link there, it looks as if one can download the full report -- at no charge -- here.One more thing from Colson's presentation:
"Between 2000 and 2006, $37.8B of transmnission CapEx spending occurred, and according to an EEI survey of its members, another $37B is expected . . . from 2007 to 2010.
And while rebuilding the transmission grid, utilities must not only make up for the lack of past spending on the grid and lack of maintenance, but also build for future increases in demand.
And while rebuilding the transmission grid, utilities must not only make up for the lack of past spending on the grid and lack of maintenance, but also build for future increases in demand.
Colson's remarks come in the context of him recommending investments in his company's stock. I'm not going to tackle that (although John Colson is one of the most honorable people I've met in 33 years of doing business-to-business journalism!!!). But clearly, the nation needs to make major investments in the grid . . . for what John is talking about above (rebuilding . . . lack of past spending . . . lack of maintenance . . . future increases in demand) but for the Smart Grid -- and also for the Extra High Voltage lines that Secretary Chu spoke about at GridWeek.
Wow!
Note that you can listen to Colson's presentation from the JPM conference at the Quanta site.
(More)
04 Oct, 2009
GE + The Smart Grid
04 Oct, 2009
The Smart Grid
1. I posted 3 daily blogs and one summary blog on the thing on TEDMAG.com.
DAY ONE = I only covered the keynote speech by Energy Secretary Stephen Chu.
DAY TWO = various items, including what's going on in Austin (Texas) and California.
DAY THREE = the dogs won't eat the dog food; who's on which side of the meter?
FINALE = various thoughts; various links of use; energy storage.
02 Oct, 2009
Healthcare Design & Construction
In June, he talked about "healthcare design + construction: Trends, innovations, opportunities." POSTED HERE, it weighs in at 5,850 words. I'm not kidding.
In his initial remarks, after outlining 10 items "on the minds" of hospital CEOs, Cassidy goes on to:
So, that’s the “milieu” of today’s hospital. You’re working with CEOs, hospital executives, and health systems boards that have an overwhelming list of EXCRUCIATINGLY COMPLEX PROBLEMS AND PRIORITIES.
Have you noticed that I’ve said VIRTUALLY NOTHING about “buildings”?
You – hospital designers and your Building Teams – are way down on the CEO totem pole of priorities.
• Hospital CEOs may do 1 major project per career move (every 5-10 yr)
„« May be their first and only building project
„« Each one poses a new set of problems
„« Always a new learning experience, every single time.
• Remember, too, that they are not in the “building business” – they’re in the HEALTHCARE business.
• Thus, your project actually represents A THREAT to them, a potential
disaster – cost overruns, delays, design or construction shortcomings,
worker or visitor injury, etc.
I don't challenge these assumptions.
However, there is a place for a long piece that makes someone think -- in depth, with perspective -- on a particular topic. If healthcare construction is important to you, you're going to want to click on that link above and read Cassidy's remarks. Posting stuff like this is a fine example of how the Web can supplement a print publication, instead of supplanting it.
02 Oct, 2009
Lighting Regs from DoE
02 Oct, 2009
Offsite Backups -- From Stan Shook
Hard drives, which, in a serious fire or
flood or tornado (for you mid-westerners) or earthquake can be
irreparably damaged. And that TAPE BACK-UP you have... well, maybe
someone remembered to take it home or put it into the fire safe, but it
might not have everything from every employee's computer on it.
Speaking of the TAPE BACKUP... when was the last time you and your office managers sat down and really discussed what was being backed up and what should be? What sort of back-up plan/system does your company actually have and how well is it enforced? (what about your own personal files at home?)
Speaking of the TAPE BACKUP... when was the last time you and your office managers sat down and really discussed what was being backed up and what should be? What sort of back-up plan/system does your company actually have and how well is it enforced? (what about your own personal files at home?)
02 Oct, 2009
More Data Center Construction?
According to the new Global Data Center Survey commissioned by
CommScope, with contributing sponsors Brocade, Eaton and Intel, almost a
third (32%) of all organizations surveyed worldwide are planning or
building new data centers, while more than four out of five (83%)
existing data centers continue to receive investment for infrastructure
and technology projects.
In the backdrop of the current economic environment, almost two thirds (65%) of respondents were required to demonstrate a specific return on the investment before their data center projects were approved.
More than 730 IT professionals from 54 countries with responsibility for their organizations’ data centers responded to the Global Data Center Survey questions on trends in data center equipment, design and future development.
02 Oct, 2009
Data Center $$$ Plans
Compared with last summer, data center budget growth screeched to a
halt this year.
In 2008, 30% of IT shops said they were increasing budget 5% to 10%,
and 26% said they planned to increase budget more than 10%. Less than
15% of respondents were decreasing budget at all.
This year, most respondents said their budgets were flat, and 31% are decreasing spending. In fact, 14% are cutting budgets by more than 10%. SearchDataCenter.com advisory board member Robert Rosen, the CIO of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, wasn't surprised by the results.
"IT budgets lag [behind the overall economy] a little bit since they tend to commit to things that have to finish," Rosen said. "It's the new project starts that get canceled; hence the budget decrease now."
This year, most respondents said their budgets were flat, and 31% are decreasing spending. In fact, 14% are cutting budgets by more than 10%. SearchDataCenter.com advisory board member Robert Rosen, the CIO of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, wasn't surprised by the results.
"IT budgets lag [behind the overall economy] a little bit since they tend to commit to things that have to finish," Rosen said. "It's the new project starts that get canceled; hence the budget decrease now."
