WATT'S HAPPENING
PUBLISHED BY
THE CENTER FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Volume 1, Issue 2
May 1999 Editor: Linda Hardymon
MTSU's Center for Energy Efficiency Hosts Energy Impact 1999
The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers held their 3rd annual Tennessee Energy and
Environmental Expo on campus May 5 and 6, 1999. Many interested in up-to-date energy information concerning electric
and gas deregulation, Energy Saving Performance Contracting, and energy partnership programs for businesses and
schools attended. Guest speakers included Huston Eubank from the Rocky Mountain Institute guiding attendees "Tunneling Through the
Cost Barriers" by discussing design concepts, technical improvements, and management issues as the three pillars of
energy efficiency. Mike Fitts, architect for the State of Tennessee, focused his luncheon address on "Energy Partnering,
Where's the Trust?" and overcoming barriers and obstacles to successful partnering between federal, state, and local
governments and the private sector with the end result being energy savings.
The many sessions provided topics from caveman technology to the latest action plan for the state of Tennessee. Deregulation of electric and gas utilities from
different perspectives, guidelines for sustainable new construction, solar energy's status in Tennessee, performance
contracting, strategies for mitigating energy costs, and lighting upgrades sessions were offered. Partnership programs, such
as Green Schools Programs, EPA's Energy Star, and DOE's Rebuild America, Climate Wise and Motor Challenge
Programs, were presented in sessions as resources to help achieve improvements in energy efficiency. An EPA Energy
Star partnership recognition ceremony was also included in the welcoming ceremony.
Sponsors and exhibitors for the event include the Tennessee State Building Energy Management Program; Tennessee
Valley Authority; Duke Solutions; Nashville Gas Co.; Siemens; Viron Energy Services; Memphis Gas & Light; Barge,
Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon; Light Inc.; ORNL; South Star Energy; The Trane Company; United Cities Gas;
HEC; York International; Tennessee Gas Association; G.E. Power Systems; Industrial Heater; Woodward Marketing; Energy
Command Corp.; J.K. Sales; United Testing & Balancing; Smith & Company; American Geothermal; SLi Lighting
Solutions; United Energy Associates; Nixon Power; Comfort Control; East Tennessee Gas Pipeline; I.C. Thomasson
Associates; Wimberly Sales; James & Associates; Tennessee Dept of Environment & Conservation;
AMSI; AIA; Tennessee Solar Energy Association; Murfreesboro Electric; the MTSU Center for Energy Efficiency; and others.
Alternative fueled vehicles on display were provided by Nashville Gas Company, TVA, MTSU School of
Agribusiness/Agriscience, and MTSU Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies. Tours of the MTSU
Cogeneration Plant, TSEA's Solar Demonstration Area , the Business and Aerospace Building, and the new library were
also available for attendees.
AEE is already working on Energy Impact 2000 which should prove as successful as this year's event. Thanks to
everyone who attended and made Energy Impact 1999 a great success!
Cogen Plant Receives Engineering Award
One of only four projects state-wide to receive the 1999 Engineering Excellence Award, the MTSU Cogeneration Plant
entry was submitted by design engineers I.C. Thomasson Associates, Inc., Nashville, and was chosen out of 34 entries by
the Tennessee chapter of the American Consulting Engineers Council to receive the award. MTSU's facility was the top
winner in the field of mechanical engineering. The $1.2 million plant began operation last fall and produces electrical power
and steam through combustion of clean-burning natural gas. It currently generates 60 percent of the electricity and 75
percent of the steam consumed by the campus.
Solar Energy Demonstration Area Established at MTSU
Across the intersection where 2nd Street intersects Rutherford Boulevard, a small gray building has become the center of
attention for those interested in solar energy and solar equipment displays. The newly established Solar Energy
Demonstration Area (SEDA) was made possible through the cooperation of MTSU administration with the Tennessee
Solar Energy Association and donations from the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Engineering
Technology and Industrial Studies, Environmental Science and Technology Program, and the MTSU Center for Energy
Efficiency.
The first phase for SEDA was completed in April 1999 with emphasis on passive heating, domestic water heating, and
photovoltaics. In the planning stages now are ways to offer more commercially oriented approaches to solar energy such
as construction of a second building on the site which will utilize newly developed roofing materials designed to serve as
photovoltaic panels. According to Doug Kanitz of the Tennessee Solar Energy Association, the future of solar energy in Tennessee using
photovoltaics is very attractive. For additional information about SEDA, contact the CEE or check out the TSEA
information on the CEE website at www.mtsu.edu/~cee.
CEM Training Offered in August
The Center for Energy Efficiency is planning to offer another in-house Certified Energy Manager Seminar on campus
August 13 through 19, 1999. Past participants of the training have stated it was well worth the time and cost for preparing
them for the exam and advancing their careers. The instructors now scheduled are Steve Sain of Sain Engineering
Associates, a consulting firm specializing in energy conservation in existing facilities, and Ken Spain, a senior research
associate with the University of Alabama, Huntsville, serving as project manager for the Industrial Energy Advisory
Service involving cost effective applications of energy saving technologies.
This is an in-depth, comprehensive learning and problem-solving forum for anyone seeking a broader understanding of the
latest energy cost reduction techniques and strategies. Cost for the training and the exam is $1195. Contact the Center for
Energy Efficiency for reservation or additional information.
CEE is on the WEB
The CEE home page is available for viewing. Be sure to check in from time to time to get energy educated!
The address is (case sensitive) http://www.mtsu.edu/~cee
Contact information:
Center for Energy Efficiency
Middle Tennessee State University
Box 57
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 904-8096