Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL)

Energy efficiency has been a top priority at Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) for the past 26 years since the first energy conservation programs were established in 1981. Today, the company is ranked #1 among utilities for its conservation programs by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) *. More than 5.2 million customers have participated in FPL’s industry-leading demand side management (DSM) programs to date, and enough energy demand reduction has been accomplished to avoid building the equivalent of 11 medium-sized power plants. In 2006 alone, the company spent just under $ 55 million on conservation programs, including incentives to assist customers in saving 83 MW. The company is intensely committed to continued strong performance in this area.

In the 1990s, when many utilities nationwide abandoned their DSM efforts, FPL continued offering conservation education and incentive programs to its customers, achieving over 915 MW through these programs. In fact, during each of the last 10 years, FPL consistently added between 80 and 140 MW of conservation through rebate programs that assisted customers with installing energy efficient measures. FPL has achieved over 2200 MW since inception of its programs. It is interesting to note that, although FPL serves only 3% of all U.S. electric customers, according to the DOE* data it has delivered 13% of the total energy conservation in the U.S. through its robust portfolio of programs.

One of the many challenges FPL has faced throughout the years is how to respond to change in federal and state energy codes. FPL strives to increase the energy efficiency targets of its programs by staying ahead of minimum energy code levels and offering cost-effective rebates and incentives to its customers. FPL is continually upgrading its programs' portfolio which incorporates best practices from both within and outside the utility industry. Several of FPL’s DSM programs are found in the National Energy Efficiency Best Practices Study, which benchmarked energy efficiency programs (www.eebestpractices.com). In fact, FPL’s Business HVAC program was commended by this website for its program strategy and goals, quality control, participation process, marketing and program evaluation.

Just last year the company filed and received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission for revisions to seven of the existing programs and for implementation of two new programs. The efficiency portfolio was updated by adding rebates for new technologies such as Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV), Demand Control Ventilation (DCV), reflective roof coatings and for using best practices such as right sizing for air conditioners and sealing plenums.

The present residential portfolio of energy conservation offerings include:

• Home Energy Surveys, includes the choice of a telephone, Internet or an energy audit at the customer’s home
• HVAC replacement, includes Straight Cool, Heat Pump replacement with the additional measures of the Sealing of the Plenums, Properly Sizing the A/C and use of an Electronic Commutated Motor(ECM) fan in the air-handler
• Duct Testing & Repair, identifies duct leaks through a duct test at the customer’s home and provides incentives for repair of these leaks
• Building Envelope, includes Ceiling Insulation, Reflective Roof & Roof Coating measures
• Low Income Program, includes Weatherization, Room A/C and A/C Maintenance measures
• BuildSmart Program, offers energy conservation in New Construction

The present business portfolio of energy conservation offerings include:

• Building Envelope, includes Ceiling Insulation, Roof Insulation, Reflective Roof Coating and Window Treatment measures
• HVAC replacement, includes DX units, Chillers, Thermal Energy Storage, ERV, DCV and use of Electronic Commutated Motor (ECM) fans
• Business Energy Evaluations, through on-site energy audits
• Lighting Program, to encourage use of energy efficient lighting
• Water Heating, includes Heat Pump Water Heating and Heat Recovery Units
• Refrigeration, to reduce the use of heating elements in refrigeration equipment