The secret surplus beats power crisis

`The secret surplus' beats power crisis

Mar 23 - Dominion Post

CALIFORNIANS have proven power savings and energy efficiency can beat an electricity crisis, says the man who ran California's savings campaign.

Wally McGuire, an ex-lawyer, drew on many years in political jobs to successfully harness public goodwill for a campaign that saved California's 34 million people from further power blackouts.

Mr McGuire, who designed the campaign, calls the savings during the 2000 and 2001 power crisis "the secret surplus" that people did not realise they had.

The crucial issue was the shortage of electricity for peak demand. People managed to slice 14 per cent off peak demand -- "enough throughout the summer to avoid blackouts," he said.

"We had no choice but to cut power. What it did prove is that you could. People responded, including business, agriculture and individuals, to an amazing degree.

"What we learned in a crisis was just how much we could draw down on conservation," said Mr McGuire, who is in New Zealand to talk to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

The same approach could work in New Zealand, he said.

California's measures for saving power included a prohibition on outside and decorative lighting. Households were educated and encouraged to shift the use of main appliances till after peak evening demand had passed.

Hundreds of businesses agreed to turn off 25 per cent of their lighting and turn down air conditioning to save power. Farmers and processors were persuaded to shift water pump use to off-peak hours.

California power savings from January to June 2001 were worth about US$600 million (NZ$915 million), he said.

The commitment of the state government to funding the campaign to the tune of about US$50 million a year -- and continuing it for two years -- was critical.

Two years later, a small charge on consumers' bills pays for an energy savings programme that costs about US$14 million a year. The programme comprises an education campaign and the promotion of energy efficiency, including working with manufacturers and retailers of home appliances to market energy efficient appliances.

The education campaign had turned crisis savings into permanent savings and had seen a big rise in the purchase of more energy efficient home appliances.

Mr McGuire still runs the programme through his business, The Efficiency Partnership.

California was now committed to meeting 100 per cent of future energy demands through renewable sources such as solar and wind power, and through conservation measures.