Smarter Energy Management Is Not Just For Big Business Anymore

The playing field is greatly leveling out in the energy world for small business as it relates to sophisticated ways to manage energy usage. At one time not long ago, the only folks seemingly permitted to control their energy destiny were the highly paid energy and facilities managers for huge companies. Now smaller franchises and "mom and pops" types are able to get into the game and keep a better handle on their energy expenditures. FCI is proud to announce that we have recently partnered with a huge firm (and widely recognized) to help pioneer this new opportunity. There will be more news on this soon from us, but in the meantime, get excited if you are a small business owner looking to competitively position your establishment in the green revolution. You can contact FCI Management Consultants at (562) 719-9300 or at fcimgt@fcimgt.com if you have any further inquiries.

FCI Rolls Out Rytec High Speed Doors

FCI is excited to announce that we are now offering a new product, High Speed Doors, which are made by Rytec Corporation (Rytec Doors). Rytec doors reduce the energy costs that are prevalent in industries that need to keep the interior temperatures of their facilities at a specific level, such as cold storage facilities. The California IOU's (Investor Owned Utilities) are offering significant rebates and incentives for the installation of high speed doors, some offer up to 100% of the cost. Rytec High Speed Doors are ideal for cold storage and refrigerated warehouses, automobile dealerships, car wash and truck wash, apartment, condo, and loft parking, and much more. To find out more about this awesome new product that we offer,contact FCI at (562) 719-9300.

What If You Could Buy Energy From Your Favorite Department Store?

As the economy is still trying nurse itself back to health, all types of businesses are looking for new revenue models not only to stay competitive, but to survive. A new phenomena is starting to catch fire in the energy world, starting in the UK. Marks and Spencer, a well known retail chain (similar to Macy's) has become an electricity seller. M&S Energy, which is the company's energy division has a website that almost rivals well established utility companies. M&S seems to be a fish in water as they use their marketing and customer service prowess to attract their already loyal customer base to their energy services. This idea is quite ground breaking and actually makes a lot of sense. Most customers who live in deregulated energy markets are unaware that other alternative energy providers even exists because these providers don't have the marketing dollars to penetrate established utilities' market shares. Companies like M&S are well positioned to take advantage of deregulation because of their large capital, marketing savvy, customer loyalty, and growing disdain/distrust of utility companies. We see hints of this business model forming in the US. Retail juggernauts such as Amazon.com and Costco sell solar roof panels.Who wouldn't want to buy energy from their favorite retailer anyway? Being able to pick up a brand new pair of Hugo Boss loafers and pay my energy bill in tandem sounds sort of appealing.

Demand Response:The Next Big Wave in the Energy Sector?

Demand Response (DR) seems to be a very controversial topic in energy circles, largely due to the fact that it is an emerging market in the energy sector. The purpose of DR is to reduce energy load in facilities during specified times, usually when there is a high demand for energy. DR helps to ensure that the rolling blackouts that California was famous for in the late 80's and 90's are minimized. It appears that DR, also known as Management of Demand, is starting to pick up steam as forward thinking countries such as China and England are soliciting the assistance of American Energy giants (Honeywell and Johnson Controls) to implement DR programs. Large DR firm EnerNoc has been in a wrestling match with east coast grid juggernaut PJM (one of the biggest demand response customers in the nation) over the price DR participants should receive for giving up their right to "revenue gererating" energy. There are still a lot of kinks to work out in the DR initiative but there are many credible proponents that are positioning themselves to reap the benefits should Demand Response catch on. FCI has recently partnered with Perry Software Solutions and this union will expand our capacities to serve our client base interested in pursuing Demand Response programs.

American Nuclear Energy Plans: In the Wake of Japan's Devastating Earthquake

By now, the world is well aware of the devastating earthquake that struck Japan a little less than two weeks ago. The shaking not only affected the the physical ground, but the business and political grounds tied to the energy sector as well. President Obama still plans to invest approximately $36 billion toward his Nuclear power plant initiative in addition to the $18.5 billion already earmarked by the federal government. There are currently 104 Nuclear reactors in the US that provide 20% of the country's electricity. Mr. Obama's investment would add another 4-7 nuclear reactors to the US energy chessboard. Even with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear powerplant crisis still unfolding, some Capitol Hill insiders consider it highly unlikely that government officials will walk away from the planned US nuclear reactor investments.Pro-nuclear lobbyists have tremendous political leverage in Washington and their cooperation is deemed necessary for future energy initiatives to take place.

The PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) owned nuclear power plant in Diablo Canyon may have to re-evaluate their nuclear licensing procedures due to Japan's Earthquake. Furthermore, a January PG&E report disclosed that there was a previously undiscovered volcanic fault line located 1km off shore of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, according to Renewable Energy World.Japan's powerful tremor has many states and countries rethinking their energy positions.Though Japan was the country that experienced the earthquake, the rest of the world has still been massively impacted in one way or another as well.

Weatherization-The Bread and Butter of Energy Efficiency (Delivering a Sustainable Planet #3)

FCI Managment has been positioning itself to be a leader in weatherization services for the residential sector. We are involved with several utility company weatherization programs that allow customers to receive free attic insulation, window glass replacement, and new low flow shower heads just to name a few measures. We believe that weatherization is a very important component to our program portfolio because roughly 80% of homes in the US were built before 1973 when there was no enforced energy code, such as Part 6 of Title 24. The ultimate goal of weatherization is to reduce household energy consumption while making the home safer, more comfortable, and greener for household residents in the process. Customers can begin to see savings immediately by just making a few adjustments in their behavior, so we not only seek to improve a home's features but to educate our residential clients in the process. Our team of HERS (Home Energy Rating System) raters and BPI (Building Performance Institute) professionals employ state of the art equipment, software, and methods to help residential customers achieve maximum results. We seek to assertively decrease the percentage of in-efficient homes in the state of California in our effort to Deliver a Sustainable Planet. For more information on our weatherization services and programs, visit fcimgt.com

FCI Announces NY Operations (Delivering A Sustainable Planet, Edition 2)

FCI Management is excited and proud to announce that it has extended its reach beyond California and has set up shop in the "Big Apple". FCI has joined forces with fellow energy solutions provider, Willdan Energy Services (WES) to implement Con Edison's direct install program. The Small Business Direct Install Program (SBDI) consists of an energy specialist conducting an evaluation and making a custom recommendation for a small buisness' lighting, ballasts, fixtures, HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems, and more. The purpose is for these systems to be retro-fitted with energy efficient equipment, allowing the customer to lower energy costs and increase their bottom line. For more information on this great program visit: fcimgt.com and coned.com.

The FCI Way: Delivering a Sustainable Planet (Edition 1)

All great journeys must have a starting point. There must be someone or a group of people with the courage to step out on faith and pursue something greater than themselves to leave a long, lasting, and positive impact on the world. FCI's story comprises all of the aformentioned qualities and is continuously evolving and unfolding. This particular blog will seek to chronicle how this growing company is doing its part to not only "Deliver a Sustainable Planet" but also improve the lives of all the people/stakeholders we are connected to; namely our employees, clients, partners, communities, state, country, global neighbors, future generations, and planet. Our founder, Patricia Watts, is an innovative and reselient visionary who has taken an idea and transformed it into an awesome reality for all that partake in it. It is FCI's hope that the information contained in these writings will be inspiring, informative, challenging, and solutions oriented. Look forward to seeing how FCI is progressing toward its assertive goal to deliver excellent energy consulting solutions to its various clients and ultimately preserve our planet.