Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated by Spies

From the Wall Street Journal:

So sense I was defending the utilities in the recent media fronts on how unsafe their networks are I though it only fair to relay this article that you may have seen reported on CNN today as well.

Many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by U.S. intelligence agencies, officials said. Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet.

Authorities investigating the intrusions have found software tools left behind that could be used to destroy infrastructure components, the senior intelligence official said. He added, "If we go to war with them, they will try to turn them on." 

I would still like to know if the affected utilities were standards compliant or not…

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Nathan Shetterley (nathan.shetterley@gmail.com)
EVO New Media Director

Groundbreaking Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project at Empire State Building

From PR Newswire:

With an initial estimated project cost of $20 million, additional savings and redirection of expenditures originally planned in the building's upgrade program, and additional alternative spending in tenant installations, the Empire State Building will save $4.4 million in annual energy savings costs, reduce its energy consumption by close to 40%, repay its net extra cost in about three years, and cut its overall carbon output through eight key initiatives, including:
1. Window Light Retrofit: Refurbishment of approximately 6,500 thermopane glass windows, using existing glass and sashes to create triple-glazed insulated panels with new components that dramatically reduce both summer heat load and winter heat loss.
2. Radiator Insulation Retrofit: Added insulation behind radiators to reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building perimeter.
3. Tenant Lighting, Daylighting and Plug Upgrades: Introduction of improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and plug load occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to reduce electricity costs and cooling loads.
4. Air Handler Replacements: Replacement of air handling units with variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy efficiency in operation while improving comfort for individual tenants.
5. Chiller Plant Retrofit: Reuse of existing chiller shells while removing and replacing "guts" to improve chiller efficiency and controllability, including the introduction of variable frequency drives.
6. Whole-Building Control System Upgrade: Upgrade of existing building control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide more detailed sub-metering information.
7. Ventilation Control Upgrade: Introduction of demand control ventilation in occupied spaces to improve air quality and reduce energy required to condition outside air.
8. Tenant Energy Management Systems: Introduction of individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow more efficient management of power usage.

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Nathan Shetterley (nathan.shetterley@gmail.com)
EVO Director of New Media

del.icio.us Tags: Energy Efficiency,Retrofit

House Bills Targets 20% Cut in GHG by 2020

From cnnmoney.com:

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- U.S. House lawmakers are targeting a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 in a draft climate bill unveiled Tuesday that promises to raise energy costs for the country, but leaves many of the most important details for later negotiations.
Waxman's draft includes:
- A new source performance standard for coal-fired power plants that cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2015 and 65% by 2020
- Renewable electricity standard from 6% by 2012 up to 25% by 2025
- An energy efficiency standard, up to 15% in electricity savings and 20% in natural gas savings by 2020.
- A low-carbon fuel standard designed to drive development of electric vehicles and biofuels
- A required $10 billion utility charge to fund carbon dioxide sequestration projects
- A mandate for a 30% increase in building efficiency for new buildings by 2012 and a 50% increase by 2016

It’s a great first step, but it looks like the likelihood of getting it passed in the Senate later this year are not that great.  Plus the measurement technique has not really been talked about, and the exchange of credits and who can could possibly have a free ride is still up in the air.

--Nathan Shetterley
EVO Director of New Media