For those of you who are unaware of exactly what we do, allow me the opportunity to give a brief breakdown of demand response.  Simply put, demand response is the means for utilities to cut back on their energy load by calling upon companies like Legends Energy Group to act as a middle-man.  Our company makes the effort to recruit a stable of excellent businesses that get paid to reduce their energy usage from the grid when called upon.  The events occur historically only once or twice a year, and typically for only an hour or two on those days.  In the end, the companies we have enrolled make money based on the amount of energy they can reduce and the utilities can better handle the demand for energy on the grid.  What we do as a company is a great service for both the industrial world and the environment, which is a rare feat.

The article goes on to explain why many companies choose to not invest their time and effort into services like demand response and making investments into smart grid technology.  The statistic the article states is 68% of building owners don’t even plan to connect their buildings to automated smart grid systems in the next three to five years. The reasoning behind many property management companies’ lack of interest deals with being either unwilling or unable to disturb their tenants in addition to being unaware of the benefits to both their company and the grid.  This mindset is understandable but it is not educated.

The truth of the matter is that the demand for electricity is continuing to grow and if we continue to add more and more usage to the grid but contribute less and less to making it efficient, we’re only going to further extend the problems we are already seeing.  For one, blackouts and brownouts are a constant issue – I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve heard business executives talk about having to spend a ton of money repairing and replacing equipment that have been damaged by a blackout or brownout.  If there was a concentrated effort by many industries to spend their money improving their energy usage instead of repairing equipment, these problems would be greatly reduced.  And if you need funding to do so, why not participate in programs such as demand response and energy procurement through our company, Legends Energy Group!

To find out more about how to lower your energy costs, read this. Our energy consultants work with commercial and industrial facilities to reduce their energy usage. Click on this page or our energy procurement webpage for additional information.

Click here to get started with Demand Response.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/make-demand-response-work-35202.html

Titled ‘What Does It Take to Make Demand Response Work?,’ the article does a great job of conveying the information very plainly and directly so that anyone reading can understand the complex process that is demand response more effectively.
Demand response involves reducing the electricity used in your business when power use in the area peaks. Doing so helps conserve energy but also provides financial benefits for participating businesses. For example, your business can save money by using less energy when power costs are highest. In addition, some power companies offer incentives such as discounts to businesses that participate in demand response programs. Some programs (including Legends Energy Group) even pay customers per kilowatt of power curtailed during program hours.

OK, maybe I added the parentheses in there about Legends, but it’s true!

The article continues on to explain some simple ways to cut back on electricity such as turning off lights in unused rooms, turning off printers and computers at the end of the day, or shutting down elevators and air conditioning units in an effort to reduce demand.  The truth is that even though shutting off one light in a break room isn’t going to make a huge impact, if the 100 surrounding offices in the area do the same it’ll all start to add up very quickly.

In my opinion, the key to demand response is not necessarily the implementation of it but more the knowledge of its potential.  There are a lot of heavily-populated areas in the US that are growing pretty rapidly and the electrical grid will have no choice but to grow as well to maintain grid stability.  But when the utilities are unsuccessful in keeping up, a problem will soon exist that was not there in the past.  The end result can be very costly for businesses; especially for manufacturers who have a lot of equipment that’s sensitive to voltage fluctuation.  The equipment can often short out, resulting in either having to buy new (expensive) equipment or even worse…starting an electrical fire in the shop.

A program like demand response is designed specifically to eliminate that strain on the grid, preventing something like that from happening.  The more that we are all willing to contribute to the effort of cutting back at times, the more we all benefit.

For additional demand response information, click here. Legends Energy Group, partnered with Energy Curtailment Specialists and BidURenergy, works with industrial businesses to help reduce their energy consumption. Our company assists in procuring your energy, saving on utility bills, and becoming smart energy consumers. Read more here or visit this site.

One myth addressed in the article is about the negative health effects created by a smart meter, similar to the radio emissions released by a cell phone.  This myth has been scientifically debunked by Chris King, chief regulatory officer at eMeter.  He states, ‘radio frequency emissions from an advanced meter are one four thousandth of the emissions from a cell phone,’ Hard to argue the data presented there.

King also refutes another myth about the ability of hackers to cause damage and alter readings on smart meters, simply stating ‘they’re all secure.’

But arguably the biggest myth addressed in the article cannot be proven by scientific figures.  The myth is ‘the notion that customers will not respond, either to prices or energy usage information in an effort to trim demand.’  In other words, this is the belief that most individuals are not concerned with helping out the environment or the energy grid for whatever reason.  By having to either cut back on their energy usage or install the proper technology to regulate it, the general public becomes disinterested in the hassle.

This is simply not true.  The truth of the matter is that executives like Ahmad Faruqui, principal of the Brattle Group, say ‘there is a ‘great wall of evidence’ from 109 different utility efforts around the world showing that consumers respond to several incentives as part of demand response efforts, with more than half of those 109 reducing peak demand more than 10% and several showing peak reductions of 40% or more.’  Based on this statistic alone, people are indeed willing to make substantial reductions when they are asked to do so.

In my opinion, the real challenge isn’t that people will respond once they are educated, but rather addressing the challenge of getting the information out in the first place.  Therefore, the public has the appropriate opportunity to respond.  Simply put, the public needs to understand that this is a cause that is as noble as it is vital for the electric grid as well as the environment.  Energy is a finite resource and our need to minimize our usage is very important for the future.  With that in mind, I believe the public will respond accordingly after understanding the necessity of DR.

Demand response programs are necessary to keep the grid stable. Read more abour DR on this page and learn about our energy education workshops. Energy reduction is key to the success of the smart grid. Contact us to find our how your business can benefit.

Power Engineering magazine posted an article last week titled Challenge to Grid Stability regarding the efforts made to relieve the stress caused on the electric grid in India. The article begins by talking about how solar and wind energy have become viable and successful forms of energy in a country that is rapidly industrializing and already has well over one Billion people, nearly four times the population of the United States.

The challenge, however, deals with how ineffective solar and wind energy is at times. Simply put, wind and solar energy only create so much power at any given time. Whenever demand goes over that limit during peak hours (often during the day when it’s the warmest), there’s no way to ‘ramp up production’ so to speak other than to physically build new solar panels or windmills, which takes time, money, and resources to accomplish. Unfortunately, the end result is the same blackouts and brownouts that occur here in the US – causing a great deal of frustration and inconvenience for everyone involved.

So, what is the solution? The article focuses the attention upon the Indian government to make a concentrated effort to better implement guidelines for effective metering software as well as instill energy-conservation. The study says, ‘Governments have a key role to play in developing and implementing the legal, regulatory and market frameworks which empower customer choice and accelerate the development and deployment of cost-effective demand response. Effective government leadership would create an environment where the considerable potential of demand response could be realized to help increase power system flexibility and electricity security, eventually achieving decarbonization goals at least cost.’

Although we haven’t quite reached that same country-wide call to action in the States, the message of a necessary way to effectively manage and reduce electric usage still rings true. In the meantime we’ll take care of it ourselves at Legends Energy Group.

Click here to get started with Demand Response today! The energy consultants at Energy Curtailment Specialists and BidURenergy assist commercial and industrial businesses in saving money on their energy bills. Click here and here for more information. In addition, ECS is looking to partner with other utilities who would like to join a demand response program. Read more here for utility demand response information.

Nowadays, in many circles you’re touted as a ‘homer’ or as misguided by fellow Bills fans for the same faith.

And I get a lot of that rationale.  I can’t directly blame my generation for becoming emotionally bereft because we’ve been told ‘It’s going to be different this year!’ …for the last fifteen years.  We tried rooting for Jauron’s super-conservative play calling.  We tried getting excited for the Mike Mularkey/Tom Donahoe front office drafting first-round ‘ace’ JP Losman as the team’s new franchise QB. (ugh)  We supported Gregg Williams (at the time) for his hard-nosed demeanor and 5 am wake up calls/making players run laps during training camp.  Truthfully, they all landed us back in the same spot we were in before the turn of the millennium… in the NFL basement.  Simply put, now we have a 20-35 year old generation (myself included) that has to reflect on elementary/middle school to remember a squad that brought overwhelming local pride and an unwavering determination for success.

What can possibly be done to recharge a Bills brethren that has become stubbornly scorned, so entrenched in pessimism?

There’s really only one answer…

Win.

Who isn’t tired of watching everybody else play in January, February?  The team (and the city) needs to find a way to get over the hump…and it starts and ends with victories.

Winning can and will cure all ailments.  Winning will keep fans in the seats and give us a quantitative foundation to keep the team here.  Winning will ward off the naysayers and create a greater sense of unity in the area.  Winning will lure even more prized free agents and really pump up the swagger factor of our players. (..well that, and keeping Tempo in business, that place is money for free agents)

And let’s give credit where credit is due.  The current talent of the team is very enticing and they could be a playoff contender in the AFC.  Sure… there are still a couple of holes to fill and some depth to address, but the Nix/Gailey crew has done a phenomenal job of building the shrapnel they received into a competitive engine.  This is now a team that is built for intelligence, spontaneity, and muscle in the trenches rather than flash, smoke, and mirrors.

In my opinion, the muscle in the trenches has made the greatest impact.  The simple fact is despite how ineffective other players on the field can be, a team that can control the line of scrimmage will ALWAYS be viable.  With the additions of ‘it’s-a me, Mario!’ Williams, speedster Mark Anderson, and Cordy ‘Blizzard of ‘77’ Glenn, I think we’ll be a structurally sound front for years to come.

Overall, will the improvements made by the current stable of players, coaches, and staff be enough to result in more wins this season? Only time will tell – but one way or another, the fans will need to put their best foot forward and really give some of the players on this team an opportunity to become legendary in front our eyes.  If they can even go 3-3 through a tough upcoming schedule after the Browns, 2012-2013 could become a special year for the red, white, and blue.  There’s always room on the bandwagon, let’s go!

Legends Energy Group, partnered with Energy Curtailment Specialists and BidURenergy, works with industrial companies to help reduce their energy consumption. Our company offers demand response programs to commercial and industrial businesses. Click here for more information, or here if you’re a grid operator looking to get involved in demand response.

The economy has become a hot button topic for many Americans, as we all struggle to find the right answers amongst the political favoritism and skewed figures.  Such is the reason why this report could not have been released at a better time for the American public to see a realistic view of where we stand (and where we could stand in the future) as a global economic player.

The report breaks down 7 economic factors explaining how recent global developments has paved a path for US manufacturing to see signs of life in the near future; Transportation and energy costs, currency fluctuations, US market demand, labor costs, US talent, availability of capital, and the tax and regulatory climate will play a vital role in the months, years ahead.

For the sake of keeping it brief, I will only mention the most crucial factor listed in the article. One of the more definitive aspects is the rising global costs of transportation.  After an abrupt price decline three years ago, crude oil, jet fuel, and diesel have all returned to the elevated cost levels of yesteryear.  Couple that with the recent influx of affordable natural gas on this side of the pond and there is clearly a competitive advantage being established with remaining local.  Energy costs are especially hurtful for companies that produce goods costing the most to ship, such as heavy machinery.

Aside from the actual reduction of shipping costs in terms of miles, the report also indicates domestic production ‘cuts down on lead times (e.g., design changes can be implemented more quickly), reduces required inventory levels, mitigates some currency risks, and gives more control over intellectual property.’  So not only is going local becoming more cost-effective for many sectors, it’s also improving efficiency within company walls.

To find out more, read the entire PDF report from PwC on their company website here – http://www.pwc.com/us/en/industrial-products/publications/us-manufacturing-resurgence.jhtml

– or a breakdown of the report here -  http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/pwc_says_u.s._manufacturing_resurgence_may_lead_to_job_growth/#.UFHp0LF5in8.twitter

If you own a manufacturing business and want to keep driving down your energy costs, consider partnering with ECS. Learn more about our energy consulting and demand response programs by clicking here or here. Earn money, reduce costs, and help save the planet.

New York State Fracking

There’s a certain scent of inevitability in the air over in Albany.

The signs are all there; the recent national boom in natural gas demand, article upon article discussing the regional job creation and economic benefits across the country, the ongoing 4 year study of health and environmental impacts by the state…yep, mark it down – NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo will lift the current moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in New York State, possibly as soon as this month.

But, the truth is the debate is far from over amongst New York citizens.

No matter how you slice it, there are two very viable sides to this story.  Governor Cuomo has a valid point about how national natural gas production is increasing steadily and will continue to flourish for a substantial period of time.  He’s right about the generation of desperately-needed jobs in a region of New York State that is plentiful in gas potential, and in work force potential.  He has overviewed the missteps of other states in regards to full disclosure of where drilling occurs, and of which chemicals are being pumped into fracking wells.  He has the chance to create a policy that requires responsibility amongst the entire industry, which could potentially set a national standard with enough groundswell.

But don’t believe for a second that lifting the state moratorium on fracking has nothing to do with big money and business interests.  To quote an article (link is at the bottom) on September 6 from the Huffington Post, ‘The New York Public Interest Research Group {have} reported that ten corporations or trade associations spent $4.5 million over the last three years lobbying in New York state on fracking.’  Furthermore, ‘Among Cuomo’s top donors in recent years are at least four corporate law firms that work on natural gas issues and have a presence in Albany.’  The message is simple; if Cuomo takes care of big business, big business has no problem funding the future campaigns of Cuomo and his posse. (…and the rumor is that Cuomo will make a Presidential bid in 2016)

Furthermore, there’s always the issue of what we truly are doing to the environment to reap the benefits of natural gas production.  Governor Cuomo states that fracking can be done in a respectable, efficient, yet calculated way that is minimally intrusive to New York City and Syracuse water reservoirs that are only miles away from proposed wells.*  But quite frankly, there are several reports that directly contradict each other in terms of ground water contamination…so it’s completely understandable to not know which voices to trust at this point.

Environmentalists say fracking is an ongoing catastrophe that’s only going to get more destructive and more intrusive with increased drilling.  Government regulators counter by saying they have better standards than ever and that the instances of ground water contamination (and earthquakes caused by fracking) are few and far between.

I can’t give you a clear cut answer as to which opinion is the right one…but I have to guess the answer lies somewhere in the middle, as it often does.  The only real option I can suggest is to become educated; keep up on recent fracking articles, on new drilling standards, on new environmental studies, and so on (like the ones we post to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn daily!).  Don’t turn a blind eye to what is happening in the world around you!  As the old adage goes – knowledge is power – and knowledgeable citizens represent the general public’s greatest voice.

* It’s worth noting that Cuomo throws in the ‘fact’ that none of the potential places approved for fracking in south-central NYS will affect New York City/Syracuse water, although 1) there’s no scientific evidence to support that claim, and 2) that statement is a direct slap in the face to any non-New York City/Syracuse resident whose watershed IS within striking distance, it minimizes the value of upstate NY citizens…besides, why would he need to mention the regions that ‘won’t be affected’ if fracking is so non-intrusive? Just my opinion…  – Read more here…

To stay on top of fracking and other current energy news, click here for our blog. Energy Curtailment Specialists and BidURenergy are energy consultants who help businesses reduce their energy consumption and operate as a greener company. Click here to learn about our demand response programs or read this for more information about our energy consulting services.

The decision will mark an end to a contentious battle amongst several local heavyweights for the prized property.  Back in July 2010, HSBC Bank began to express interest in expanding its current presence to the Webster Block for a brand new regional headquarters.  In the months that followed, however, discussions would sour between HSBC and the City of Buffalo to the point where the global bank decided to ‘globally restructure’ and completely scrap plans a year later and sell half of their local branches to First Niagara. (ouch)  Needless to say, since then relations between the two parties became challenging at best.

Fortunately, as the old saying goes – when one door closes, another is inevitably opened.  Byron Brown soon began to look forward and search for new development opportunities at the Webster Block.

Speeding ahead to today, the city (and the public) has been presented with two new different development plans with very different philosophies.  Notable local real-estate mogul Carl Paladino’s group is presenting a mixed-use development facility that includes a 140-room hotel, over 40 high-end apartments, office space, and retail opportunities.  Perhaps the most important factor in Paladino’s plan is the fact it’s approximately half the cost of their competitor’s plan, being the Buffalo Sabres.  Compared to Paladino’s svelte $64 million project, Terry Pegula and Co. have constructed a plan that involves building two new ice rinks, additional athletic facilities, a 200-room hotel, and additional retail opportunities at the whopping cost of $123 million.

The upcoming decision between Paladino and the Sabres could very well go down as a summation of the past and present mindsets of the city.  There has been a long-standing influx of inactivity and selling ourselves short as a city for a long time and in my eyes the Paladino plan is exactly that.  Apartments? Office Space? There are always other developments coming down the pipeline for apartments nearby and there’s also a half vacant HSBC tower sitting right down the road from where they want to build more office space – do we really need more of the same type of development?

The Sabres plan, albeit much more costly, is a message to outsiders that Buffalo is serious about its growth along the waterfront.  The two new ice rinks could serve multiple purposes; 1) the potential for the city to host reputable hockey/winter events and be able to put a roof over visitors’ heads without having to drive to Cheektowaga, 2) the development of another Division I hockey program in the region from either Canisius College or the University at Buffalo, (that’s mostly speculative, I know) or generally 3) the creation of a ‘hockey hub’ as I’ll call it.  By the Sabres physically expanding their outreach, the concept of ‘Hockey Heaven’ is optimized – the overall experience of heading downtown is heightened.  We’ve already begun to have a taste of the ‘Hockey Heaven’ concept with the creation of Alumni Plaza on the side of the FNC, why not make a statement and believe in a project that will really bring in visitors and legitimize a Pegula legacy at the foot of Washington Street?

Legends Energy Group, partnered with Energy Curtailment Specialists and BidURenergy, works with commercial businesses to reduce their energy usage, go green, and help protect the environment. Our company assists in energy consultation, lighting upgrades, and industrial energy management. Read more now or visit this page. For additional demand response information, click this link.

Buffalo Sabres camp

Buffalo Sabres Rookie Development Camp wrapped up this week with a flurry of interesting tidbits for the Sabres faithful to ponder heading into training camp. Will any the camp invites get a pro contract? Jamie Wise’s hat trick in the Blue/Gold scrimmage Thursday and the gritty, no-holds-barred play of Frederick Roy this week have made that decision tougher for Darcy Regier. Furthermore, will Regier be able to swing a move or two before the season starts to make way for the newest crop of hopefuls? When will he address re-signing restricted free agents Patrick Kaleta and Tyler Ennis? And how will the Sabres intend on using their rookie centers, Grigorenko and Girgensons? Only time will tell for certain.

Speaking of Girgensons, I’m very pleased he has decided to forego his college stint in Vermont to give the pro club a shot. It’s clear after hearing from the Sabres’ powers that be that he is physically NHL-ready… not to mention he pulled off a pretty nifty Ennis-like goal at practice this week which you can see in the first 5 seconds of the YouTube video here. The center position currently looks as follows… Ennis/Hodgson/Grigorenko?/Ott? (Sabres say he’s a winger)/McCormick up the middle. Safe to say at the moment there is a void in proven commodities at First Niagara Center and Zemgus could very well get his shot in Buffalo and stay here like Tyler Myers in ’09-’10 But I have to side with history here and believe that the 18 year old will need some seasoning in Rochester this season before he gets the big call up…he’s still just a kid. But who knows –– I’d be very happy with being completely wrong…if capable he would be a very scrappy third-line center on a team that needs toughness up the middle.

This week also saw the announcement of Alumni Plaza – a transformation of simple brick and mortar outside the FNC into a long overdue tribute for the sacred history of the Buffalo Sabres and the famed French Connection line. A bronze statue will immortalize Perreault, Robert, and Martin outside the Center while plaques will also be on display showcasing the over 400 former Sabre players along the pillars. Sabres President Ted Black believes the new plaza will serve as ‘a proper tribute to all the great players who have made this franchise what it is today, while also serving as an inspiration to future Sabres fans and players that will keep us a strong and successful team for years to come.

As I mentioned, the concept of really incorporating the history of the franchise has been long overdue and is often never fully understood by the youngest members of Sabre nation. I give all the credit to Terry Pegula and his staff for making a concentrated effort to instill the camaraderie, character, and passion of yesteryear that every proud fan looks for from their franchise. As they say in the movie Remember the Titans, “attitude reflects leadership,” and Pegula’s efforts in the past year and a half have only reinforced the steel beams of the fan base – keep it up Terry!

Legends Energy Group, partnered with BidURenergy, works with industrial companies to help reduce their energy consumption. Our energy consulting website details all of our energy services including obtaining the lowest rates, demand response, and industrial energy assistance. Read more here or click on this page.

It’s easy to give Bills rookie third-rounder TJ Graham some flak for not having his deal signed until the beginning of rookie camp earlier this week, but it appears that negotiations were really more of a formality. Bear in mind that he signed the contract this week to guarantee he wouldn’t miss any reps with his teammates…and that his holdout had no bearing on his ability to practice with the team up until this point. To quote Graham, “I didn’t feel like I was waiting (to sign)…I’ve been participating in all of the other activities before so… I had to sign in order to come work out today and I really wanted to work out so I did what I had to do.” When asked if not having a deal caused any uneasiness the past few months, he nonchalantly responded, “eh, not really.” All signs point to him being ready for training camp – whether he wins the number two job behind Stevie Johnson is a totally different question.

Somebody who does deserve some flak is former Bills WR Josh Reed, who mouthed off to an LSU blog this week about his time in Buffalo. Shame on you for bashing the team that supported your career (and re-signed you at one point) for 7 seasons – I won’t drop to his level and personally criticize his performance here as a career slot receiver because that would be the easy way out…but really the only former Bill named Reed whose opinions I’m concerned about is Andre.

Q: What was life in the NFL like?

A: “It might be different in other cities but you know, Buffalo is in Western New York. It, really as far as the layout, the landscape and the area was kind of like the South, in New York. It’s not anything like the city. It’s real laid back in the country, but the people are horrible. As far as getting in trouble in Buffalo or socially, there’s nothing to do. You go to practice and go home. In eight years we never made the playoffs and didn’t have much success, so the fans are brutal. They sit here and say they have the best fans and have the best food. No. Coming from Louisiana where you have great weather, you can go outside 90 percent of the time. The people here are just friendly; you don’t even have to know somebody. If you say, ’Hello,’ they’re going to say, ‘Hello,’ back; they may even start up a conversation. Up there, you say, ‘Hello,’ they’re like, ‘What do you mean, hello?’ It’s just like if they’re so miserable up here, then move.”

The Bills have decided to uphold the old NFL blackout policy where 100% of tickets must be sold within 72 hours of game time. A new, revamped policy for the league was set in place this season where as few as 85% of seats could be sold to lift a blackout, but Bills CEO Russ Brandon sees this as a complicated business decision to keep attendance elevated. He states, “”We are a volume-based business, and for us to be successful, we need to keep our ticket prices low and sell a greater number of tickets.” Truthfully, only one of the 6 Bills games that were blacked out would have been televised under the new system anyway…but it’s safe to say the issue itself is a very complicated one at best. I would recommend reading the article posted Friday in the Buffalo News for a little more in-depth analysis on both sides of the story.

Energy Curtailment Specialists and BidURenergy, partners of Legends Energy Group, are energy consultants who help businesses reduce their energy consumption and operate as a greener company. ECS, in business for 12 years, is one of the largest demand response providers in the nation. Read more about our services here. BidURenergy, a premier energy consulting firm, helps industrial companies obtain the lowest energy rates. Click here, or enroll in one of our energy education workshops now.