CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Large industrial and commercial clients of Cleveland Utilities can now take part in TVA energy audit, something that has long been available to residential customers.
The utility has entered into pilot programs for businesses and industries that run through most of 2010.
“It’s good for the customers. They can get some money back for improvements,” said Tom Wheeler, Cleveland Utilities general manager. “And it’s part of TVA’s plan to reduce their load. They had a plan to reduce their load by 1,200 megawatts over the next five years.”
Rick Lawson, manager of administrative services at Cleveland Utilities, said industrial and commercial customers can earn incentives for being energy-efficient.
“If the industrial and commercial customers decide to participate; there’s an incentive for lighting and HVAC,” he said, “and TVA can determine how much they will be saving through this program.”
According to TVA publications, the Commercial Efficiency Advice and Incentive Pilot Program provides technical support and help so commercial customers of local electric power distributors can find ways to conserve electricity.
The program includes a complimentary initial energy assessment and on-site review. Companies can then decide if they want to do a more in-depth energy study with costs shared by TVA and the local power distributor as well as the company.
Participating facilities can include schools, hospitals, office buildings, warehouses and other large-sized buildings served by the participating distributor, Cleveland Utilities, in this case.
The second pilot program is the General Industrial Efficient Lighting and HVAC Pilot Program. It is available to industrial customers using 5,000 kilowatts or less that have the potential for energy efficiency and demand reduction.
Some local advertising on the two pilot programs will be coming soon, Mr. Lawson said.