Customer Advanced Technologies

SMUD's Customer Advanced Technologies (CAT) is a research and development program designed to encourage customers to use and evaluate new or underutilized technologies.

Unlike many R & D programs, research is accomplished through implementing real-world demonstration projects (instead of laboratory testing). CAT provides funding for customers in exchange for a two-year monitoring agreement.

Completed demonstration projects include lighting technologies, light emitting diodes (LEDs), building envelopes, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and a wide variety of other technologies. To learn more about the program, click here.

Reports describing the results for many of these projects are available. To download the reports, please click on the links provided below. All files require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print. For a free software download, click here.

Please note that SMUD does not endorse specific products or manufacturers. The information, statements, representations, graphs and data presented in these reports are provided by SMUD as a public service. Mention of any particular product or manufacturer should not be construed as an implied endorsement.

Quarterly newsletter

CAT produces a free electronic newsletter that is published and distributed via e-mail on a quarterly basis. The newsletter describes current research efforts and includes a calendar of scheduled technology workshops. If you wish to be added to the distribution list, please send your request to dbisbee@smud.org.

Lighting technologies

Since lighting comprises approximately 20 percent of all electrical energy use in California, development of new energy-efficient technologies is important for our energy future. The evaluations presented below demonstrate the pioneering spirit of SMUD's customer-owners.

Available reports (click on links to download reports)

Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) seem to be almost everywhere. They are used as indicator lights for video equipment, battery chargers, telephones, digital cameras, clocks, appliances, electronic toys and many other applications. If you've driven anywhere lately, you've probably noticed a growing number of LED traffic signals, exterior signs and cars with LED brake lights. During the past couple of years, SMUD customers have completed several innovative projects.

Available reports (click on links to download reports)

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Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)

It takes a lot of energy to heat and cool our homes and businesses. SMUD is well-known for its innovation and pioneering spirit, particularly in the area of energy-efficiency. SMUD customers have installed geothermal heat pumps, evaporative condensed air conditioners, indirect/direct evaporative cooling (IDEC) systems and other ultra-high efficiency cooling techniques.

Available reports (click on links to download reports)

Building envelopes

SMUD is currently working with local builders to construct homes made from insulated concrete forms (ICF) and structural insulated panels (SIPs). Some of these homes will be showcased in technology evaluation in 2006. In the meantime, please visit these links to learn more about these exciting technologies:

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF):

• Insulated Concrete Form Association
• Portland Cement Association
• Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

• Structural Insulated Panel Association

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Other technologies

SMUD customers have participated in demonstration projects for a wide variety of technologies including non-chemical water treatment systems, voltage regulation devices, solar powered lighting systems and solar powered pond circulators.

Available reports (click on links to download reports):  

• Professional Wet Cleaning full report
• Professional Wet Cleaning tech brief
• Intelli-Hood: Demand Ventilation System
• CoolTrol: Refrigeration Management System
• Pulse-Power Water Treatment for Cooling Towers
• MCI Water Treatment Study
• Catalytic Water Conditioners
• The Electrical Harmonizer
• Solar Powered Lighting Systems
• SolarBee
• MicroPlanet: Enterprise voltage regulation

Additional resources

• Frequently asked questions

To participate

If you're interested in participating in SMUD's Customer Advanced Technologies Program or have questions regarding completed projects, please call (916) 732-6409 or send an e-mail to dbisbee@smud.org.

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Featured technology

Intelli-Hood®

Lurking in commercial kitchens are some voracious beasts. Each year they gobble up vast amounts of energy and profits. According to the American Gas Association, they waste more than $2 billion of energy each year in the U.S. food service industry. What are they? Commercial ventilation systems! During the second half of 2007, SMUD worked closely with its customers to test Melink Corportation's Intelli-Hood® system. The resulting energy savings were impressive.

Click here to Download the Technology Brief

Archived CAT newsletters

2010

• June 4
• Mar. 12 
• Feb. 2 

2009

• Dec. 30 
• Sept. 2 
• March 10

2008

• Jan. 22
• July 25
• Dec. 29

2007

• Aug. 17
• July 13
• Feb. 21

2006

• Jan. 13
• March 17
• June 26

2005

• March 18
• May 26
• July 1
• Nov. 4
• Dec. 14

2004

• Feb. 17
• Aug. 31
• Oct. 5

2003

• April 22
• June 13
• July 15
• Nov. 10