Natural Gas Solutions for an Energy Efficient and Resilient Montgomery County

May 6, 1:45-2:45 pm

Approved for 1.0 general GBCI CE and 1.0 AIA LU

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Speakers

 

Erika Burns, Supervisor, Energy Efficiency Programs, Washington Gas

Monica Downs, Senior Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program Lead, Washington Gas

Julian Varo, Senior Sales Engineer, Washington Gas

 

Description

 

In light of recent and upcoming changes to policy, codes and standards, coupled with the challenges brought on by extreme weather events, Montgomery County residents, building owners and contractors need access to information and financial resources to improve the resiliency of their homes and businesses. With over 230,000 commercial and residential customers in the county and a track record of successful energy efficiency programs, Washington Gas will continue to support diverse and ever-changing customer needs. This presentation will educate residents, building owners, and contractors on natural gas energy efficiency programs and innovative technologies like combined heat and power (CHP) that can effectively boost resiliency and energy efficiency, increase cost savings and reduce the county’s carbon emissions.

 

Since 2015, Washington Gas has voluntarily participated in the EmPOWER Maryland initiative, offering incentives for installing energy efficient natural gas equipment and other natural gas efficiency practices. Over the past 5 years, the Washington Gas energy efficiency programs have helped approximately 30,000 residents and 300 businesses in Montgomery County, resulting in over 15 million gross lifetime therms saved. As of January 1, 2021, Washington Gas began a new program cycle, offering rebates on a broader range of high-efficiency equipment and increasing rebates throughout the commercial and residential sectors.

 

In addition, innovative technologies like CHP, also known as cogeneration, enable customers to simultaneously produce electric and thermal energy with natural gas as the single fuel source to significantly reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. This presentation will highlight how energy efficiency programs and CHP can support the needs of multifamily, commercial, industrial and institutional communities. Presenters will illustrate opportunities through detailed case studies of energy efficient gas strategies as well as microgrid and carbon capture applications specific to Montgomery County and surrounding region.

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Learning Objectives

 

1. Identify immediate, short-term, and long-term opportunities for natural gas energy efficiency in your home or business.

2. Explain combined heat and power, its applications and potential benefits.

3. Assess local natural gas technology case studies and determine if there are similar opportunities available.

4. Understand rebates and other cost savings resources available to finance natural gas resiliency improvements.

 

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