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Quality Control Inspection Protocols
April 29, 2013
Having sound quality control (QC) mechanisms in place is critical for utilities that want to engender customers’ trust in their efficiency programs. In this report, we provide a snapshot of 10 utilities’ QC inspection protocols for residential retrofit programs.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-55 | Author: Kate Drexler
UPDATED!
2011 DSM Achievements and Expenditures
December 14, 2012 | Updated: April 9, 2013
To find out how energy-efficiency and demand-response programs performed in 2011, E Source compiled the demand-side management (DSM) goals and achievements of 40 US and Canadian utilities into a downloadable Microsoft Excel workbook.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-42 | Author: Melanie Wemple
Residential Retrofit Programs: Providing Contractors with Performance Feedback
February 21, 2013
Most utilities and program implementers rely on a network of local contractors to implement their residential retrofit or home performance programs. But how do such programs create an effective feedback loop to ensure that their contractors are doing the best job possible?
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-46 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
Fundamental Considerations for Setting Rebate Levels
An E Source Sound Bite
February 15, 2013
Crafting the appropriate incentive for a measure requires program administrators to track (and estimate the influence of) a multitude of variables. In this audio clip, we examine a few fundamental considerations for setting rebate levels.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-48 | Author: Melanie Wemple
Jumping In Midstream: Designing Effective Plug Load Programs for Retailers
February 11, 2013
Can utilities still get into the midstream plug load game to capitalize on these huge opportunities, and if so, how? After reviewing the evidence, E Source believes that opportunities still exist for utilities to launch midstream plug load programs.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-45 | Author: Kate Drexler
Improving Building Code Compliance Rates
An E Source Sound Bite
February 8, 2013
In this audio clip, we share information about code compliance rates and what some utilities are doing to improve building code compliance.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-49 | Author: Kate Drexler
Incorporating Stakeholder Input into DSM Activities
January 22, 2013
This report presents some best practices for gathering public input for utility demand-side management programs, based primarily on case studies from Avista Utilities and Xcel Energy Colorado.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-45 | Author: Rachel Reiss Buckley
DSM Analytics Find a Place in Today's Utility
An E Source Sound Bite
November 28, 2012
This three-minute audio clip describes what is driving the boom in demand-side management analytics, the functions typically covered within analytics, and which departments perform these tasks at various utilities.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-39 | Author: Rachel Buckley
Roundup of Innovative DSM and Renewable Programs
November 21, 2012
The programs featured in this report take unique and creative approaches to getting electric and gas savings and to driving customers to invest in green energy.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-44 | Author: Alexandra Behringer, Rachel Reiss Buckley, Kate Drexler, Adam Maxwell, Ti Mougne, Jonathan Nelson, Melanie Wemple
How to Determine Whether a Measure Should Be Prescriptive or Custom
An E Source Sound Bite
November 12, 2012
Not sure whether a new measure should be a part of a custom or prescriptive program? Fear not! In this three-minute audio clip, we’ll share some best practices and criteria to consider when making the decision to go prescriptive or custom.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-37 | Author: Andrea Salazar
Getting Gas (Savings) from Small Businesses
October 31, 2012
Some demand-side management programs are finding ways to tap into gas savings from hard-to-reach small business customers by designing programs that are specifically tailored to them. This report examines the experiences of seven utilities.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-36 | Author: Kate Drexler
DSM Department Organization Structures
Reorganizations Enhance the Focus on Customers
October 10, 2012
As utility demand-side management (DSM) goals and budgets have increased in recent years, many utilities have turned to E Source to understand effective ways to organize DSM departments.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-39 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
Encouraging Industrial Customers to "Opt In" to Efficiency
August 30, 2012
This report outlines a number of ways in which ratepayer-funded efficiency programs in the U.S. and Canada are responding to industrial customers’ needs by addressing some of their biggest concerns.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-43 | Author: Kate Drexler
DSM Budget Breakdown
Benchmarking DSM Budgets
June 20, 2012
This report examines how demand-side management (DSM) budgets are allocated to the major budget categories—administrative; marketing; incentives; and evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V)—as well as to customer sectors such as residential, low income, and comercial and industrial ...
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-34 | Author: Kate Drexler
How to Choose the Optimal DSM Tracking System
Results from an E Source Roundtable Discussion
May 11, 2012
In February 2012, E Source convened a roundtable web conference with representatives from Long Island Power Authority, National Grid, and Southern California Edison to learn how they selected and implemented DSM tracking systems. This report shares their strategies and lessons learned.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-40 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
Net Versus Gross Savings: Who's Doing What and Why?
April 17, 2012
Discover which states are using net versus gross savings and learn the rationale for the use of gross savings (that is, not accounting for free-ridership or spillover when reporting on program results). Recent examples illustrate trend away from using net savings for some reporting purposes.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-25 | Author: Dulcey Simpkins
Do They Qualify? Trade Ally Screening Practices
April 16, 2012
Trade allies frequently help deliver efficiency programs. See how efficiency program administrators make sure trade allies are qualified to participate.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-24 | Author: Todd Camnitz and Kim Burke
Making Low-Income Programs Cost-Effective
March 29, 2012
This report pinpoints some common factors that drive the cost-effectiveness of low-income programs and offers solutions to make them more cost-effective.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-33 | Author: Kate Drexler
Cracking the Code: Approaches to Claiming Savings from Building Codes
February 22, 2012
Rather than continue to let swelling baselines eat into their savings, some utilities are making code advancements compatible, rather than incongruent, with their demand-side management programs by establishing mechanisms to capture the incremental savings from homes and buildings built to new, more-efficient ...
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-20 | Author: Kate Drexler
Joint Programs Between Electric and Gas Utilities
The Path to Comprehensive and Sustainable Energy Savings
December 22, 2011
By cooperatively leveraging program resources, institutional experience, and respective customer bases, joint programs between electric and gas utilities can reduce delivery costs while maximizing opportunities for customer savings from a comprehensive fuel-blind approach.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-19 | Author: Jonathan Nelson
Structuring Implementation RFPs
A Guide to Maximizing Value from Contractors
December 12, 2011
As utilities ramp up efficiency programs, they often rely heavily on implementation contractors. However, many new contractors lack adequate experience and often require utility training. By strategically structuring the request for proposals, utilities can maximize value from contractors.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-18 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
Will the Rare-Earth Metals Crunch Hurt Fluorescent Lighting Programs?
November 18, 2011
What's going on with the prices for fluorescent lamps? How can we keep rising prices from bankrupting our fluorescent lighting programs?
Content type: Ask E Source | Document ID: TAS-AskES-53 | Author: Lee Hamilton
The Tao of Setting Rebate Levels
November 14, 2011
Setting rebates for energy-efficiency measures at the optimal level is as much an art as it is a science. This report outlines a set of recommended steps to help utilities determine what the right rebate level is for their measures, given their unique goals and circumstances.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-17 | Author: Kate Drexler
Justifying Initially Cost-Ineffective Energy Programs
September 26, 2011
What tactics can a utility use to justify including a program in its demand-side management portfolio that does not appear to be immediately cost-effective?
Content type: Ask E Source | Document ID: EDRP-AskES-42 | Author: Alan Seltzer
Selling Out Isn't a Good Thing: Avoiding Rebate Oversubscription
September 12, 2011
Learn from the experiences of utility and state energy office rebate programs to identify common problems with rebate oversubscription, best practices to mitigate rebate volatility, and recommendations for what to do when a program becomes unstable.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-16 | Author: Kate Drexler
2010 DSM Achievements and Expenditures
August 1, 2011
E Source has compiled the results from the 2010 annual status reports of 22 electric and natural gas utilities as well as 2 non-utility energy-efficiency program sponsors. Download the complete Excel workbook to see how your 2010 achievements and expenditures compare.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-38 | Author: Melanie Wemple, Jonathan Nelson
DSM Program Management Models
How to Choose the Right Approach
May 16, 2011
Many utilities use outside vendors to help design, implement, or market demand-side management programs. This report looks at the pros and cons of three program management models—in-house, outsourcing, or a hybrid—and outlines several factors to consider when choosing an approach.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-14 | Author: Kim Burke
What Does EISA Mean for Residential Lighting Programs?
January 13, 2011
CFLs are a vital component of utility energy-efficiency programs, contributing 25 to 50 percent of total efficiency program portfolio savings in 2010. Yet the future of utility CFL programs in the U.S. is uncertain due to the EISA provisions for phasing in more efficient lighting.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-8 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
Utilities Benefit from Municipal Energy-Efficiency Building Incentives and Codes
January 12, 2011
Utilities can assist municipalities that are developing beyond-code programs. This collaboration allows the utility to align its demand-side management targets with municipal energy-efficiency initiatives.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-9 | Author: Melanie Wemple
Utility DSM Budget and Goals
June 28, 2010 | Updated: December 6, 2010
How do your demand-side management (DSM) goals and budget compare to those of other utilities? E Source has compiled DSM goals and associated budgets for 33 electric and 17 natural gas utilities.
Content type: Focus Report | Document ID: EDRP-F-37 | Author: Melanie Wemple and Yuki Iida
