Strategic Initiatives for a Cleaner Energy Future

Ivon Louis-Letang, Energy Manager at Eversource Energy, is an energy efficiency, project management and engineering expert. Over the course of his decadeslong career, he has played a pivotal role in helping numerous organizations transition to cleaner energy alternatives across various sectors. Louis-Letang’s journey highlights his commitment to technological advancements and adapting to market shifts in the realm of energy efficiency

Navigating through the Journey of Energy Efficiency

My professional career began with a strong foundation in mechanical and operational fields. After earning my engineering degree, I joined the U.S. Navy as a shipboard engineer, maintaining equipment, managing ship movements, operating turbines, HVAC units and auxiliary systems. The knowledge gained led to a role as Chief Engineer in the U.S. Coast Guard. The responsibilities included overseeing the operation of chillers, modernizing critical energy systems and maintaining mechanical equipment at military facilities.

Building on my extensive experience in the U.S. Coast Guard, I led various building modernization projects that involved installing coaching units and upgrading management systems from pneumatic to electric. I also implemented numerous energy improvement technologies and managed large chillers, including absorption, screw and centrifugal types. Later, at Universal Studios, I contributed to large-scale projects that involved executing energy efficiency measures in commercial hotels.

Taking up a new position at Hanscom as the Base Energy Manager entailed converting the base’s energy systems from oil to gas and implementing significant lighting modifications. Now at Eversource Energy, I advise retail, hospital and biopharmaceutical customers on energy efficiency. My responsibilities include recommending sustainable solutions and offering incentives for initiatives that lower power grid demand. All these involvements and experiences shape my understanding of energy consumption and help me align with broader environmental goals for the future.

Emerging Trends and Technological Initiatives

We are witnessing a transition towards cleaner refrigerants in the field of energy efficiency. We started to incentivize the adoption of carbon-free refrigerants, which aligns with upcoming regulatory changes intended to reduce the environmental impact of refrigeration systems. Additionally, using insulated jackets can save significant energy since most fermenters lack insulation. Sponsoring these new insulated models can greatly enhance energy efficiency.

Heat pumps represent a remarkable technological advancement in improving energy efficiency. Unlike conventional fossil fuel-based systems, heat pumps offer a cleaner alternative by utilizing electricity for both heating and cooling. Considering this, Eversource Energy is actively promoting heat pumps as part of our comprehensive strategy to reduce reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuelbased alternatives. This futuristic approach aids clients in transitioning to more sustainable practices before these variations become requirements.

Our foresight to habituate continuous innovation in energy efficiency has led us in path of technological exploration. For instance, our company is exploring magnetic refrigeration and stratification fans, which promises striking energy savings by improving the efficiency of heating and cooling systems in commercial buildings. These forwardthinking solutions will possibly drive the next wave of energy efficiency.

We have an ongoing program that sponsors energy-efficient cooking equipment and other energy-saving technologies. Eversource Energy conducts energy efficiency studies for biotech centers and large facilities, focusing on solutions like sash hoods and reducing outside air intake with monitoring equipment. Our dedicated MTAC division reviews new technologies from vendors and customers. We evaluate innovations like water source refrigeration with desiccants, and if promising, the company encourages adoption by offering incentives to customers and promoting efficient and advanced solutions in the market.

Barriers to Break in Energy Efficiency

Incentives play a major role in the energy efficiency sector by reducing solution costs, cutting emissions, fostering innovative energy solutions and upholding economic growth. However, constantly evolving market standards present challenges in retaining effective incentives. For instance, co-generation technology that once benefited from strong incentives can become less attractive as industry standards shift and state programs change. Incentives can also diminish when a technology converts into a basic benchmark. For example, LED lighting is now a standard requirement in constructional retrofits, shifting the focus to newer technologies like advanced lighting controls.

Another significant concern is the difficulty of obtaining funds for technological upgrades. Rapid advancements in technology often out-phase previous systems and leave them ineffective by the time clients secure a budget for the upgrade. This makes it challenging for providers to allocate incentives, as the industry prioritizes the current and efficient models. This issue is predominantly evident among clients who seek upgrades in the HVAC sector. These scenarios stress the importance of clients and service providers staying current with industry trends to secure a firm budget and incentivize rightful solutions. Overcoming these challenges will help the industry in navigating optimal energy efficiency systems for the future.

Crafting the New Course of Energy Efficiency

Today, the growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions is leading to a clear trend towards electrifying systems traditionally relying on fossil fuels. We are providing great incentives to encourage a lot of EVs, heat pumps and EV charging. However, this transition needs infrastructure to support widespread electrification, particularly in terms of generating and distributing clean electricity, which is still catching up with the demand. There will be a need for ongoing investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind to ensure that the move towards electrification truly results in lower carbon emissions.

Powerful Insights for the Next Generation

Continuous learning and adaptability are key in the everchanging energy efficiency market. Listen to people, customers and vendors to analyze products that save energy. Be patient and also seek out new information and technologies. It is vital to explore new products, understand their energy-saving features and attend conventions to stay flexible in the industry. Read extensively, explore global innovations and listen to industry insights. Understanding how new technologies contribute to energy savings helps build different perspectives and make informed decisions.