Juno Beach, FL - Florida Power & Light Company, one of the country’s largest electric utilities, has successfully reduced its carbon emissions through effective use of energy management programs. FPL, with 4.5 million customers in Florida, is a subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc., which yesterday announced a $2.4 billion investment package to promote clean electric power from new solar energy facilities and other renewable sources, and encourage greater energy conservation.
According to Department of Energy figures, FPL was No. 1 in energy efficiency among U.S. utilities and No. 4 in managing its electricity demand. Here are some highlights of FPL’s energy management programs, which include both energy conservation and efficiency.
FPL’s energy management programs have substantially reduced power usage while meeting customers’ energy needs, thus eliminating the need to build 11 power plants and cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions that would have been produced by these fossil fuel facilities.
The company has been able to achieve these results in the face of rapid growth in its customer base and burgeoning electricity demand.
Demand Side Management, or controlling part of customers’ energy use during peak demand hours, has been a critical tool. One type of Demand Side Management, a popular voluntary plan named On Call, temporarily shuts off air conditioners, water heaters and other appliances that use large amounts of electricity during periods of highest demand. Over 740,000 FPL customers participate in On Call.
FPL has carried out more than 2.3 million home and business energy surveys designed to make electricity use more efficient. Customers can take a survey by phone, online, or request an on-site evaluation by an FPL team.
The company provides rebates to residential and business customers who install energy-efficient appliances, install insulation on windows and doors and take other steps to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. It also encourages customers to change their energy consumption habits, such as keeping thermostats at a fixed level all day.
For more information, see the FPL Group profile or go to www.fpl.com.