2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry

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Informal Sessions Description

Additional Informal Sessions may be organized on-site during the Summer Study.

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Achieving the Next Level of Energy Efficiency Savings: How to Maximize Savings by Encouraging Behavior-Based Programs and Innovation

Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez and Skip Laitner

Thursday, August 21
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

A recent study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy suggests that efforts to increase energy efficiency could potentially reduce future energy consumption by 25 to 30 percent by 2030. Achieving these potential savings will require the diffusion and adoption of a wide variety of existing technologies. However, human behavior will also play a critical role in ensuring that potential energy efficiency savings will be accomplished. Without concentrated attention to the behavioral aspects of efficiency programs, it is unlikely that maximum savings will be achieved. In other words, behavior based programs are a necessary element in enabling both technological and non-technological sources of energy savings. In addition, new innovations could open the door to as yet unanticipated savings, if the human capacity for innovation is suitably encouraged. In other words, programs geared toward catalyzing the development of new technologies could provide the possibility of amplifying future efficiency savings.

This session will explore the benefits of behavior-oriented and innovation-focused programs for maximizing and extending future efficiency gains. Discussion topics will include:

• To what extent are behavior-oriented programs being used to reduce energy consumption in both regulatory and non-regulatory environments?
• How successful have behavior-oriented programs proven to be?
• What factors have encouraged/discouraged policymakers, program administrators, and implementers to pursue energy-efficiency behaviors?
• What additional changes could be recommended to remove barriers and encourage the use of behavior-based programs?
• Which programs and policies have been most successful in promoting new technology and/or market-based innovations?

For more information, contact:

Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez
ACEEE
e-mail:kehrhardt@aceee.org

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