Evaluation | Incentives | Management | ENERGY STAR® | Infrared | Generators | Green Power | Plug-In Partners
 

Energy Efficiency
Reedsburg Utility Commission has a wide range of programs and services available to meet the needs of our business customers.  We have everything from ways to decrease your electric bill to power quality workshops for your employees.

Energy Efficiency
Ever wonder if your company’s electric bills are higher than they need to be?  In most businesses, there are many opportunities to save money and make the workplace more energy efficient. 

Cogeneration Evaluation Service
The Cogeneration Evaluation Service is designed to provide large retail customers with information and assistance as they evaluate cogeneration and self-generation options and proposals.  Our power supplier, Wisconsin Public Power Inc., and its members view cogeneration as simply another energy alternative available to retail customers.  It will be right for some and wrong for others.  To the extent possible, WPPI and its members would like to assist customers in making appropriate decisions regarding their energy supply option and its possible application at their facilities.

WPPI has extensive expertise with power supply issues in the Midwest.  WPPI continuously evaluates power and transmission options for their own portfolio of resources.  Through the Cogeneration Evaluation Service, WPPI's power supply expertise is made available to retail customers.

The Cogeneration Evaluation Service is available to any member retail customer who has had a cogeneration study developed and is considering cogeneration as an option at a facility location within the member's service territory.

Services available to participants include informal project review and discussion, formal proposal review and evaluation, teleconference to discuss issues and answer questions, or discussion of partnership opportunities.

For more information, contact Reedsburg Utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Efficiency Improvement Incentives
The Efficiency Improvement Incentive program is designed to help business and agricultural customers enhance the energy efficiency of their facilities and improve their bottom line in the process.

When you are planning efficiency improvement projects in your facility, Reedsburg Utility can help you determine the potential cost savings and payback, and even assist in evaluating new equipment options. If the project will reduce energy consumption and power demand during our peak periods, you may be eligible for a cash incentive.

To qualify for an incentive, customers should receive pre-approval from Reedsburg Utility prior to implementing any efficiency improvements. Many types of efficiency improvement projects are eligible. Examples include:
Lighting Efficiency Improvements:
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Energy Efficient Fluorescent Fixtures
Energy Efficient HID Fixtures
LED Exit Signs
Lighting Controls

Cooling Efficiency Improvements:
High Efficiency Air Conditioning
High Efficiency Electric Chillers
Food Service/Refrigeration Equipment

Process Efficiency Improvements:
High Efficiency Motors
Adjustable Speed Drives
Agricultural Process Efficiency Improvements:
Heat Recovery
Precoolers
High Efficiency Ventilation Fans
High Efficiency Stock Waterers

Minimum efficiency requirements and other terms and conditions apply. For more information, contact the Utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Energy Management Services

Commercial and industrial businesses have tremendous potential to realize cost savings through improving the energy efficiency of their facilities without sacrificing productivity. By conducting a comprehensive technical energy analysis of your building and reviewing your rate components, we can help you make smart decisions for your operations.

Our Energy Management Services are designed to promote the wise use of electricity by providing recommendations for energy cost savings customized for your business. We’ll analyze your energy consumption and, more importantly, recommend how to improve your facility’s usage patterns and more efficiently manage your energy costs.

And, we provide our services at no cost to your business.

An energy engineer from our power supplier, Wisconsin Public Power Inc., will inspect your facility and suggest cost-effective ways to reduce your monthly energy bill. We’ll provide an in-depth analysis of your operation’s energy use and a detailed report outlining specific recommendations and projected savings.

Working with you, we’ll break down the various components of your rate schedule to maximize your opportunities for savings. We’ll examine your demand and energy charges and your load factor, and discuss methods to reduce electrical peaks and shift usage to off-peak hours when the price of power is typically much lower.

From conducting energy audits and metering specific equipment to analyzing energy usage trends and reviewing electric rate comparisons, we’ll supply the technical assistance needed to identify valuable opportunities to cut your energy costs and enhance your profitability.

In many cases, implementing the efficiency measures can be achieved with little or no investment. For larger initiatives, we’ll review equipment options with you, provide cost estimates, supply energy-saving projections and calculate payback periods. We’ll even return to verify the actual savings following the completion of your conservation projects.

Whether you’re upgrading equipment, renovating your facility, thinking about expanding or simply looking to reduce your energy costs, give us a call. We’ll put our energy expertise to work for you to identify efficiency opportunities that will improve your bottom line.

For more information, contact the Utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

ENERGY STAR ® Transformer Incentive

Many commercial and industrial buildings require electrical transformers inside their facility to decrease the voltage received from the utility to the lower levels used by lights, computers and other indoor applications. Since these transformers are energized 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, even small improvements in efficiency can yield big energy and dollar savings.

To encourage business customers to install more energy-efficient transformers, Reedsburg Utility is offering cash incentives. Eligible equipment includes low-voltage, dry-type transformers that meet the NEMA TP-1 standard for energy efficiency and are labeled by ENERGY STAR.

Purchasing transformers that are ENERGY STAR-compliant is an easy way to ensure that your transformers are energy-efficient and will save you money over the life of the transformer.

To qualify for an incentive, customers should receive pre-approval from Reedsburg Utility prior to purchasing or installing an ENERGY STAR transformer.

For more information and a pre-approval application, contact the Utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Power Quality

Power Quality Service

Sophisticated motors, drives and other electrical devices in today’s workplace require a high level of power stability. When dealing with sensitive, high-tech equipment, even the slightest disruption in electrical service can result in costly production delays.

If your operations suffer from unpredictable power disturbances that result in downtime, lost data, equipment damage or other adverse outcomes, we can help.

Our Power Quality service will:

Identify electrical problems at your facility
Determine the causes
Recommend cost-effective solutions

When motors stall, circuit breakers trip, lights flicker or computers lock up, it could be signaling a power quality issue within your facility.

Many power-related operating problems originate from the customer’s side of the meter. Most minor issues can be solved quickly and simply. Others more subtle in nature may require more in-depth analysis. Whatever the case, our community-owned utility is here to assist.

If you are experiencing an energy-related problem, give us a call. We’ll meet with you to gather the facts and discuss your concerns. An energy engineer from our power supplier, Wisconsin Public Power Inc., will use the best technology available to identify the problem. We’ll inspect your facility inside and out, monitor your equipment and conduct readings to help pinpoint the source.

We’ll develop a plan to collect the data needed to improve the electrical performance of your operations. Using sophisticated monitoring equipment, our power quality specialist will analyze the data and discuss various approaches to solving your power quality issue.

In circumstances where you may be experiencing problems as a result of disturbances on our system, we’ll keep you informed as we work to quickly remedy the situation.

When the problem is rooted within your facility, we will assist your staff or electrical contractor in devising a plan to correct the matter. Or, if you need help identifying someone to do the work, we can even provide a list of qualified experts in the area.

Even if you are not currently experiencing power quality problems but would simply like more information on power quality issues for planning purposes, consider giving us a call. We have useful information available at no cost to you, as well as other resources that you may wish to use or purchase.

For more information, contact the Utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Infrared Testing

Reedsburg Utility provides this low cost and efficient inspection service which locates electrical faults and mechanical problems due to overheating prior to failures and emergency repairs.

Power Factor Correction Services

Power factor correction services help utilities reduce lagging power factor penalties, lower line losses and increase system capability.

Backup Generator Programs

Do you have a need for a backup generator to protect your operations against an occasional interruption of power? Or, have you already invested in a standby generator to ensure a continuous power supply to your facility during an electrical outage?

Whether you are in need of an onsite generator or already have one, our Backup Generator Programs deliver cost-effective solutions to your electric reliability needs. Through our power supplier, Wisconsin Public Power Inc., we offer programs that will either eliminate the risks of owning a backup generator or pay you monthly for the right to call on your generator when the demand for electricity peaks.

WPPI-Owned Generator: An Opportunity for Premium Reliability

While the reliability of electric service is typically better than 99.9 percent, a single power outage lasting just a few minutes can cause costly disruptions to your production and operation schedules. One option we can offer helps you maintain control of your business during electric service interruptions with very little risk or investment.

Facilities with standby service needs of 500 kilowatts (kW) or greater can benefit from having a backup generator connected right at their location. Minimizing your financial risk, WPPI will install, own, operate and service the generator, which will automatically start within 20 seconds after a utility service outage is detected.

During periods of peak electrical demand or when energy prices spike, WPPI may occasionally call on the unit as a generating resource. Because of this, WPPI shares in paying the cost of the generator, making your fixed monthly payments more economical.

Customer-Owned Generator: Earn a Return on Your Investment

A second option allows you to capture enhanced electric reliability and operational savings from your own backup generator. If you already have a generator protecting your facility against unexpected power outages, we can help you earn a return on your investment.

While providing an added level of security to your business, standby generators sit idle the overwhelming majority of the time. Now you can take advantage of that down time to offset the cost of owning the unit.

An Untapped Power Resource

WPPI will make monthly payments to customers with generators 500 kW or larger who agree to make their backup unit available as a generating resource during periods of peak power demand.

Participants must be able to bring their interconnected or standby generator online within 30 minutes notice and will be compensated for the fuel needed to power the unit when called into service by WPPI.

For more information, contact the Utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Environmental Services

We offer services to help businesses recycle and dispose of hazardous and potentially hazardous materials in a safe, environmentally responsible way. 

Green Power for Business
Pace Participates in "Green Power for Business"...
Good for the Environment, Good for Your Business

There’s a simple, new way to make the environment your business – Green Power for Business from your local, community-owned utility company – Reedsburg Utility.

Through Green Power for Business, you can support the use of electricity generated by renewable resources such as wind, waste gases and moving water.

Renewable energy, commonly known as “green power,” is environmentally friendly because it comes from clean, green resources. Best of all, renewable resources replenish themselves naturally, leading to significant reductions in waste and emissions and improved air quality.

There is no special equipment to install, and you choose the amount of green power your organization will buy.

As a Green Power for Business participant, you can:
Demonstrate concern for the environment
Enhance your organization’s image
Show you are a good neighbor
Boost employee morale and recruitment
Distinguish your business from competitors

It’s easy to get started! Call us at 524-4381 for more information.

Lamp/Ballast Recycling

Reedsburg Utility provides competitive, efficient and safe recycling and/or disposal of hazardous and potentially hazardous waste lamps, light bulbs, capacitors, computers and other PCB ballast components in an EPA approved facility.

Industrial Services

Looking for a way to finance a project?  Need to locate and mark underground facilities?  Would your employees benefit from utility-related workshops?  We have those services, along with many others that can help our industrial customers grow.

Technical Workshops

Technical workshops are developed to provide customers with up-to-date information on power quality issues, efficient motors and other electric industry issues and technologies.  Customers receive low-cost or no-cost professional training, and in some cases may receive continuing education credits.
For more information, contact the utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Weed Spraying

Reedsburg Utility provides effective, cost saving, season-long weed control on designated areas (i.e., substations, parking areas etc.).

Rubber Goods Testing & Replacement

These services insure the safety of staff and meet national, state and utility safety standards for the inspection and testing of electrical protective equipment.

Substation Maintenance & Repair Field Services

These services prevent costly repairs, reduce transformer downtime, reduce outages, avoid emergency repairs and extend transformer life.

Transformer Oil Testing

Reedsburg Utility offers a competitive and efficient method of testing transformer oils for PCB content, combustible gas, oil quality, moisture content, power factor, DBPC oxidation inhibitor, wear metals and viscosity to improve reliability and transformer life expectancy.

Pricing Options

Could your business reduce electrical consumption on short notice, for a few hours per year, with very little effect on operational costs?  Would you like to be compensated for doing so?      

Interruptible Load Credits

Managing the demand for electricity when temperatures soar is critical to maintaining a reliable and affordable power supply. Large power customers who have the ability to shift energy usage and turn off equipment for brief stretches of time can reduce their monthly power costs while helping to ensure electric reliability during peak demand periods.

Our Interruptible Load Credits provide participating businesses with a financial incentive to reduce the strain on the electric system when the demand and price for power surges. By shedding load upon request during high-demand periods, customers can save money on their energy bill while allowing utilities to reduce peaks and control their costs.

The Interruptible Load Credits are available to commercial and industrial customers with an average peak monthly demand of at least 1,000 kilowatts (kW) who have the ability to shed a minimum of 500 kW of electrical load when notified.

Participants contract directly with our power supplier, Wisconsin Public Power Inc. Flexible contracts are available for either 5 or 10 years and are customized to fit individual customer needs.

In exchange for reducing energy consumption during periods of extreme demand for power, participants receive a payment each month from WPPI. Monthly program payments are guaranteed regardless of whether or not participants are actually called upon to reduce their energy use.

During peak usage times, typically occurring in the hottest days of the summer, interruptions will be limited to no more than 40 hours per month and 300 hours per year. WPPI will contact program participants at least 55 minutes prior to the need to cut energy usage and will provide an estimate of the interruption duration. When the interruption has ended, WPPI will notify participants so normal operations can be resumed.

Call us for more details on this energy management program designed to enhance system wide electric reliability by rewarding large power customers for significantly reducing energy consumption when the demand for power peaks.

For more information, contact the utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Market-Based Pricing: Curtailable Option

During the summer of 1998, daily and hourly wholesale electric prices hit record highs that were exponentially above previous highs.  The price spikes drew the attention of many, including some large commercial and industrial customers who indicated that they would be willing to curtail their consumption of firm electric service if compensated at such levels.  WPPI’s Market-Based Pricing: Curtailable Option was designed in response to this expressed customer interest and was the first offering of its type in Wisconsin.

The Market-Based Pricing: Curtailable Option provides retail customers with the option (but not the obligation) of curtailing firm usage during high price conditions for a payment tied to the market price of energy at the time the customer curtails load.

This curtailable option is designed to produce demand elasticity, which should dampen price spikes and protect customers that must have an uninterrupted supply of power.

The Market-Based Pricing: Curtailable Option is available to any customer who meets the following eligibility criteria.

The sum of the monthly peak demands during the last complete calendar year must be greater than 60,000 kW.

The Participant must have 2000 kW or greater of firm load that they are able to curtail during emergency situations.

For more information, contact the utility at 524-4381 or by email ruc@rucls.net

Customer Newsletters

To help you learn more about utility issues, how to save energy in your business and other general industry information, Reedsburg Utility produces and mails the Local Circuit newsletter to your business twice a year.  We also use this newsletter to tell you about local community news and events. 

We hope you find this publication to be interesting and informative.  Click on the link below to read the latest newsletter for the season. To view past issues, please click on the newsletter archive links.

http://www.wppisys.org/newsroom/

NOTE: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.

Plug-In Partners
"Plug-In Partners," is a national grassroots initiative to demonstrate that a market demand exists for flexible-fuel Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).  Want to learn more? Visit: www.pluginpartners.org