Presentations from...

The ACEEE National Conference on Energy Efficiency and Reliability: Lessons Learned in 2001

October 29 - 30, 2001
Radisson Hotel Berkeley Marina
Berkeley, CA

presented by:
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE),
together with the California Energy Commission, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Pacific Gas & Electric,
Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric,
the Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment, the U.S. Department of Energy,
the Energy Foundation, and the Hewlett Foundation.

ACEEE and its distinguished co-sponsors brought together over 230 policy makers, program planners, implementers and evaluators for a two-day national conference on reliability-focused energy efficiency and demand response programs. The conference was held on October 29-30, 2001 in Berkeley, California.

Background: Electric system reliability has emerged as a critically important subject for attention by regulators and policymakers. The year 2001 has seen rolling blackouts in California; droughts in the Northwest; and heat waves, price spikes and tight supplies in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. These difficulties have all combined to once again make energy - - and energy efficiency - - a priority policy issue.

In response to these challenges, a number of states and utilities have implemented special energy efficiency and demand response programs designed to help address electric system reliability concerns. ACEEE has been conducting a national review of these efforts, and organized the first national conference on reliability-focused energy efficiency to share information about what has been done, where, by whom, and with what initial results. Policymakers, program administrators, implementers and evaluators have were invited to share the "lessons learned" from the year 2001 experience and discuss implications for 2002 programs.

Focus: At this conference presentations addressed:

• The "big picture": what's been going on nationally regarding electric reliability and how energy efficiency and demand response programs are being used to improve reliability.
  
  
• The massive California effort to promote energy efficiency, including utility and state administered programs, rate incentives, and public information campaigns.
  
  
• Innovative examples of reliability-focused energy efficiency and demand response programs from a number of states across the country
  
  
• The economics of energy efficiency and demand response programs as an important part of addressing electric system reliability.
  
  
• Early results of Summer 2001 programs, including lessons learned on how to design and implement effective reliability-focused energy efficiency and demand response programs.

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