The WSU Energy

Program – A national
leader and catalyst for
creating powerful
energy solutions
Jake Fey
Director
Washington State University
Extension Energy Program

April 2009
 WSU Extension Energy Program
Mission: To advance environmental and economic
well-being by providing unmatched energy
services, products, education and information
based on world-class research
 Our Technical Expertise
 Energy Engineering
 Building Sciences and Standards
 Renewable Resources
 Agricultural Energy/Bioenergy
 District Heating/Utilities and Distributed
Generation/Combined Heat & Power
 Climate Change
 Energy Supply and Consumption Data
 Program Research and Evaluation
 Our Clearinghouses

 Technical Assistance Call Centers

 Unique market niche for us
 15 years of Clearinghouse experience

We currently manage and operate

U.S. Department of Energy’s EERE Information Center
The EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse
The Western Area Power Administration Clearinghouse
 Our Clearinghouse Goals & Services
 Information delivery services
 Help accelerate the adoption of “new” technologies and practices
 Deliver credible, objective information, resources, technical and
programmatic assistance, and tools nationwide
 Core Services
 Toll-free Hotlines
 Internet Websites
 Consultations with on-call team of ~20 professional
engineers, research librarians, energy specialists,
and communications and information staff
 Comprehensive Energy Research Library
 Fact sheets, reports, case studies...
 Energy software t
 Our Clearinghouse Services
 We currently provide clearinghouses for three major funders (~$2.2 million/year)
 Our staff field over 2,000 inquires/month from both the U.S. and abroad
 We provide discovery, expert knowledge, unbiased research, consultations, resources
and assistance on efficiency and renewables topics such as
 biomass  pumping
 building design  refrigeration
 HVAC  solar and wind energy
 lighting/controls  wastewater
 motor systems  … and much more
 industrial processes
 Our customers receive information and assistance on current best practices and
emerging technologies, software and publications, R&D roadmaps and programs
 In 15 years of service we have answered over 120,000 inquiries with very high
marks for customer satisfaction
100,000 Clearinghouse Customers

 Utilities  Local, state, and federal

 Consultants government agencies
 Architects  Manufacturers
 Educators  Building owners and operators
 Inventors  Building officials
 Purchasing officials  Residential builders
 National labs  Engineers
 Researchers  Federal power marketing
administrations
 Military
 Individuals
 Sample Clearinghouse Assistance
The Energy Manager for a large pharmaceutical plant requested an energy
awareness calendar.
 During the course of the call, WSU Extension Energy Program staff
discovered that he would benefit from technical assistance on insulating
steam pipes in his manufacturing plant.
 A WSU Extension Energy Program industrial engineer provided technical
assistance and publications on energy savings for their boilers, vent
condensers, and blowdown heat exchangers; and on energy loss prevention
in steam lines.
 The WSU Extension Energy Program later received information that the
company implemented the suggested energy efficiency improvements at a
cost of $90,000, with a $30,000 first year energy savings.
 More Clearinghouse Examples

 An Extension Agent asked for more information about Energy Star

for a large development being planned in her community.
 A hotel manager requested efficiency resources to reduce use of
energy and water.
 A wastewater treatment plant wanted to know about installing micro-
turbines to generate electricity.
 A county was designing a new jail, and needed to learn more about
types of heat exchangers.
 EERE Information Center – One-Stop-Shop
 A first stop for valuable U.S. Department of Energy efficiency and
renewable energy products/services
 Experts help state and local officials, facilities staff, manufacturers
and the public answer efficiency and renewables questions
 Follow-up resources for you and your customers
 No charge to users

Contact Information
 Phone: (877) 337-3463 (6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST)
 Email: eereic@ee.doe.gov
 Web: www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter