Sears, Roebuck and Co. selected Enova Energy as a partner in a "regional energy alliance." Enova Energy, an Enova Corp. subsidiary, will design and install a technical learning center at Sears' Tucson, AZ department store. The company also will provide energy services at other Sears stores in several western states. The learning center will be one of a nationwide system of energy-efficient stores used as models and for the testing and training of facility operations equipment. All of the store's services will be aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing costs. Enova Energy is one of eight energy service companies Sears selected from hundreds across the country. Sears has $35 billion in annual revenues and 1,100 stores nationwide.
Cenerprise, Inc., an energy services subsidiary of Northern States Power, will "partner" with Energy Solutions International (ESI), an energy management firm. With ESI at its side, Cenerprise expands into the Southeast and the West Coast, bringing in lighting, HVAC, building automation and monitoring products and services. Through the partnership, Cenerprise companies will employ 400 employees in 25 offices nationwide.