October 2016 Messaging from SDG&E
Get Back to Business Faster with Disaster Planning Tips and Tools
Preparation is key to getting your business back on track after a disaster. Whether the disruption is due to natural causes, such as a wildfire or earthquake, or other hazards, an emergency response plan can help your business recover faster and limit losses.
Start with an overview of the basics in this four-minute video, “Emergency Preparedness for Businesses,” at sdge.com/business/emergency. For example, you should develop a written plan, train staff, practice emergency procedures, stock emergency supplies, maintain defensible space, back up and store information securely off site, and periodically test equipment such as electric generators and smoke detectors.
Visit ready.gov/business for tools you can use to develop or improve a disaster preparedness program for your business. The business continuity planning software includes an automated disaster recovery plan tool.
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EV Charging Program is Filling up
SDG&E’s electric vehicle charging station program, Power Your Drive, will install 3,500 electric vehicle charging stations at 350 businesses, apartments, and condos. More than 330 properties have already requested to be considered for the program. It’s not too late, join the interest list today! As part of Power Your Drive, SDG&E will install, own, operate, maintain and bill for the electricity of the charging stations. At least 10% of the charging stations will be installed in disadvantaged communities.
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Realize the Power of Energy Analysis
A smart approach to energy management begins with a comprehensive energy analysis, such as SDG&E’s Comprehensive Audit Program. If your business is billed on a commercial, industrial, or agricultural Time-of-Use rate with SDG&E – this audit is a great place to start. It will provide you with valuable insights about your electric use and savings tailored to your business. The energy audit is performed by top-tier engineering talent at no cost to you. You’ll receive a report delivering findings in one concise summary that is easy to understand and act upon. The Comprehensive Audit is a detailed analysis of energy-savings opportunities specific to your business, and next steps to move forward on identified projects. Learn more at www.sdge.com/cap or email CAP@semprautilities.com​.
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Ways to Conserve Energy
The transmission system can potentially get congested on hotter than normal days when air conditioning use goes up significantly. In response, calls for energy conservation may go out. These include;
Preparation is key to getting your business back on track after a disaster. Whether the disruption is due to natural causes, such as a wildfire or earthquake, or other hazards, an emergency response plan can help your business recover faster and limit losses.
Start with an overview of the basics in this four-minute video, “Emergency Preparedness for Businesses,” at sdge.com/business/emergency. For example, you should develop a written plan, train staff, practice emergency procedures, stock emergency supplies, maintain defensible space, back up and store information securely off site, and periodically test equipment such as electric generators and smoke detectors.
Visit ready.gov/business for tools you can use to develop or improve a disaster preparedness program for your business. The business continuity planning software includes an automated disaster recovery plan tool.
EV Charging Program is Filling up
SDG&E’s electric vehicle charging station program, Power Your Drive, will install 3,500 electric vehicle charging stations at 350 businesses, apartments, and condos. More than 330 properties have already requested to be considered for the program. It’s not too late, join the interest list today! As part of Power Your Drive, SDG&E will install, own, operate, maintain and bill for the electricity of the charging stations. At least 10% of the charging stations will be installed in disadvantaged communities.
Benefits of Installing EV Charging Stations
- Be one of the first businesses in your area to install EV charging stations
- Increases property value, faster sale
- Increases employee and tenant satisfaction due to added amenities
- Supports tenant contract renewal
- EV drivers are less likely to use a house outlet to plug-in and charge on the house meter
- Demonstrates company commitment to environmental sustainability
How Do Businesses Qualify?
- Join the interest list at sdge.com/PowerYourDrive
- Offer workplace, apartment, or condo charging parking spaces; ten or more will be installed in workplaces, and five or more in apartment communities
- Complete an online form at sdge.com/PowerYourDrive
- Agree to an easement
- Agree to the participation payment (if applicable)
- Meet ADA requirements
Realize the Power of Energy Analysis
A smart approach to energy management begins with a comprehensive energy analysis, such as SDG&E’s Comprehensive Audit Program. If your business is billed on a commercial, industrial, or agricultural Time-of-Use rate with SDG&E – this audit is a great place to start. It will provide you with valuable insights about your electric use and savings tailored to your business. The energy audit is performed by top-tier engineering talent at no cost to you. You’ll receive a report delivering findings in one concise summary that is easy to understand and act upon. The Comprehensive Audit is a detailed analysis of energy-savings opportunities specific to your business, and next steps to move forward on identified projects. Learn more at www.sdge.com/cap or email CAP@semprautilities.com​.
Energy-Efficiency Tips for Your Business
According to ENERGY STAR, "The average commercial building wastes 30 percent of the energy it consumes." And up to 10 percent of overall energy use can often be curbed with little-to-no-cost changes. This means energy efficiency upgrades can yield a high return-on-investment for business owners, in addition to helping California save energy. Here are some ideas on how to save energy:
- Download SDG&E’s new Business Guide to Energy Savings or find industry-specific solutions in the Energy Guide to Savings by business type.
- Designate an "energy ambassador" to promote good energy practices for your facility. This individual should work with management to facilitate energy-saving ideas and strategies. Optimizing energy use and costs helps minimize overhead and operational costs.
- Install plug load controllers in cubicles to control multiple loads like monitors, task lights and fans. These devices use a motion sensor that’s incorporated with a plug load surge suppressor. Inactive equipment can be shut down when the cubicle is unoccupied.
To maximize savings with a laptop, put the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off. The transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop isn’t plugged into the adapter. Many people believe that equipment lasts longer if it’s never turned off. This incorrect perception carries over from the days of older mainframe computers. Consider buying a laptop for your next computer upgrade; they use much less energy than desktop computers. Using a laptop computer instead of a desk-top system can save 80 – 90% in electric costs..jpg) |
- Turning off machines when they are not in use can result in energy savings. There is a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors; they don’t. Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning monitors off is always the better energy-saving strategy.
Ways to Conserve Energy
The transmission system can potentially get congested on hotter than normal days when air conditioning use goes up significantly. In response, calls for energy conservation may go out. These include;
- Demand Response (DR) EventsSDG&E provides incentives and other benefits to business owners who are able to curtail their facility's energy use during times of peak demand. Learn more about how your business can conserve by visiting sdge.com/DR. For tips on how to conserve energy by your industry type, such as restaurants or retail, visit sdge.com/business.
- Flex AlertsFlex Alerts are voluntary calls for customers to conserve electricity when electricity demand exceeds supply. Flex Alerts are issued by the California Independent System Operator (ISO), a nonprofit, public benefit corporation that operates the grid in California. Flex alerts are posted on the ISO website, sent in emails and texts to people who sign up for notifications, and are posted to Twitter and other social media. To sign up for Flex Alerts and learn how your business can conserve its energy use, visit flexalert.org.