Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

The Electricity Markets and Policy group conducts public-interest research and provides technical assistance to federal agencies, state and regional regulatory agencies and energy efficiency program administrators on the design, market potential, implementation strategies, analysis of enabling policies, and evaluation of ratepayer-funded and publicly-funded energy efficiency programs, as well as research on the energy service company (ESCO) industry performance and market trends.

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The majority of our energy efficiency research and technical assistance focuses on the following areas:

Utility- and public-sector energy efficiency program design and implementation,
Energy efficiency market and policy analysis and technical assistance,
Utility sector energy efficiency business models,
Evaluation, measurement and verification of energy efficiency impacts, and
ESCO industry performance and market trends.

Related Projects

Energy Efficiency as a Utility Resource

LBNL analyzes trends in utility ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs and enabling policies, and provides technical and policy support to regional authorities, regulatory commissions and energy efficiency program administrators.

Energy Services Company (ESCO) Industry and Market Trends

LBNL assesses ESCO industry performance and market trends and manages the largest database of ESCO projects in the world.

Evaluation, Measurement and Verification of Energy Efficiency Programs

LBNL provides a range of technical and policy assistance to build state-level capacity and develop new and standardized methods for evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs.

SEE Action Network, Technical and Policy Support

Electricity Markets and Policy staff provide technical and policy support for the State Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action), a state and local effort facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency working to advance policy support and markets for energy efficiency.

Technical Assistance to States on Energy Efficiency Programs

LBNL provides assistance to public utility commissions, policymakers and administrators of energy efficiency programs funded by ratepayers, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and other sources, in the development, administration, design, implementation, and evaluation of energy-efficiency programs in several different project areas.

Utility Business Models and Energy Efficiency

LBNL provides technical assistance to state public utility commissions and utilities to model and analyze the financial impacts of aggressive energy savings on utility shareholders and customers.

Related Publications

2013

Goldman, Charles A, Satchwell, Andrew, Cappers, Peter, and Hoffman, Ian M. “Utility Business Models in a Low Load Growth/High DG Future: Gazing into the Crystal Ball?”, 2013.

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Download: Presentation PPT (2.62 MB); Presentation PDF (1.27 MB)

Hoffman, Ian M, Zimring, Mark, and Schiller, Steven R. “Assessing Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs in a Low-Price Environment”, 2013.

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Download: PDF (680.98 KB)

Hoffman, Ian M, Borgeson, Merrian, and Zimring, Mark. “Implications of Cost Effectiveness Screening Practices in a Low Natural Gas Price Environment: Case Study of a Midwestern Residential Energy Upgrade Program”, 2013.

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Download: PDF (320.84 KB)

Barbose, Galen L, Goldman, Charles A, Hoffman, Ian M, and Billingsley, Megan A. The Future of Utility Customer-Funded Energy Efficiency Programs in the United States: Projected Spending and Savings to 2025, 2013.

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Download: Report PDF (759.65 KB); Briefing PDF (533.59 KB)

2012

Borgeson, Merrian. “Review of Self-direct Demand Side Management (DSM) Programs”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (896.04 KB)

Zimring, Mark, Borgeson, Merrian, Hoffman, Ian M, Goldman, Charles A, Stuart, Elizabeth, Todd, Annika, and Billingsley, Megan A. “Scaling Energy Efficiency in the Heart of the Residential Market: Increasing Middle America's Access to Capital for Energy Improvements”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (579.86 KB)

Zimring, Mark, Borgeson, Merrian, Hoffman, Ian M, Goldman, Charles A, Stuart, Elizabeth, Todd, Annika, and Billingsley, Megan A. “Boulder, Colorado's SmartRegs: Minimum Performance Standards for Residential Rental Housing”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (282.63 KB)

Zimring, Mark, Borgeson, Merrian, Hoffman, Ian M, Goldman, Charles A, Stuart, Elizabeth, Todd, Annika, and Billingsley, Megan A. “Alternative Underwriting Criteria — Using Utility Bill Payment History as a Proxy for Credit: Case Study on Clean Energy Works Oregon”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (339.74 KB)

Zimring, Mark, Borgeson, Merrian, Hoffman, Ian M, Goldman, Charles A, Stuart, Elizabeth, Todd, Annika, and Billingsley, Megan A. “Using Credit Enhancements to Leverage Existing CDFI Capacity: Indianapolis EcoHouse Project Loan Program”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (433.27 KB)

Zimring, Mark, Borgeson, Merrian, Hoffman, Ian M, Goldman, Charles A, Stuart, Elizabeth, Todd, Annika, and Billingsley, Megan A. “Extending Efficiency Services to Underserved Households: NYSERDA's Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (391.66 KB)

Todd, Annika, Stuart, Elizabeth, Schiller, Steven R, and Goldman, Charles A. Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification (EM&V) of Residential Behavior-Based Energy Efficiency Programs: Issues and Recommendations, 2012.

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Download: Report PDF (1.57 MB); Presentation PDF (804.04 KB)

Larsen, Peter H, Goldman, Charles A, and Satchwell, Andrew. Evolution of the U.S. Energy Service Company Industry: Market Size and Project Performance from 1990-2008, 2012.

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Download: Report PDF (548.25 KB); Presentation PDF (934.31 KB)

Zimring, Mark, and Borgeson, Merrian. “Using QECBs for Street Lighting Upgrades: Lighting the Way to Lower Energy Bills in San Diego”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (325.27 KB)

Zimring, Mark, and Borgeson, Merrian. “Using QECBs for Public Building Upgrades: Reducing Energy Bills in the City of Philadelphia”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (410.42 KB)

Zimring, Mark, and Borgeson, Merrian. “Qualified Energy Conservation Bond (QECB) Update: New Guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (200.39 KB)

Zimring, Mark, and Borgeson, Merrian. “Aggregating QECB Allocations and Using QECBs to Support the Private Sector: A Case Study on Massachusetts”, 2012.

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Download: PDF (92.49 KB)

Borgeson, Merrian, Zimring, Mark, and Goldman, Charles A. The Limits of Financing for Energy Efficiency, 2012.

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Download: PDF (424.5 KB)

2011

Zimring, Mark, and Fuller, Merrian C. “NYSERDA’s Green Jobs-Green New York Program: Extending Energy Efficiency Financing To Underserved Households”. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Berkeley, 2011.

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Download: PDF (373.21 KB)

Zimring, Mark. “Austin’s Home Performance with Energy Star Program: Making a Compelling Offer to a Financial Institution Partner”. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Berkeley, 2011.

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Download: PDF (369.19 KB)

“Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing: Update on Commercial Programs”. Berkeley, 2011.

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Download: PDF (558.66 KB)

Zimring, Mark. “Using Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) to Fund a Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program: Case Study on Saint Louis County, MO”. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Berkeley, 2011.

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Download: PDF (241.35 KB)

Billingsley, Megan A, and Stuart, Elizabeth. “Contractor Sales Training: Providing the Skills Necessary to Sell Comprehensive Home Energy Upgrades”. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief. Berkeley, 2011.

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Stuart, Elizabeth. “The Value of Energy Performance and Green Attributes in Buildings: A Review of Existing Literature and Recommendations for Future Research”. Clean Energy Program Policy Brief . Clean Energy Program Policy Brief . Berkeley, 2011.

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Download: PDF (266.28 KB)

Zimring, Mark, Borgeson, Merrian, Hoffman, Ian M, Goldman, Charles A, Stuart, Elizabeth, Todd, Annika, and Billingsley, Megan A. Delivering Energy Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households. Berkeley, 2011.

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Download: Report PDF (4.97 MB); Presentation PDF (2.59 MB)

Satchwell, Andrew, Cappers, Peter, and Goldman, Charles A. “Carrots and Sticks: A Comprehensive Business Model for the Successful Achievement of Energy Efficiency Resource Standards”. ECEEE Summer Study, Giens, France, June 6-11, 2011. ECEEE Summer Study, Giens, France, June 6-11, 2011. Giens, France, 2011.

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Download: PDF (313.6 KB)