ACEEE | American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Jun 9, 2015
Policies Matter: Creating a Foundation for an Energy-Efficient Utility of the Future
This paper is one in a three-part ACEEE series on utility business models for energy efficiency. The two other reports examine state-by-state experience with utility performance incentives and lost…
Policies Matter: Creating a Foundation for an Energy-Efficient Utility of the Future
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This paper is one in a three-part ACEEE series on utility business models for energy efficiency. The two other reports examine state-by-state experience with utility performance incentives and lost revenue adjustment mechanisms. This white paper updates our 2011 report about utilities’ conflicting objectives under traditional regulation—namely, to help their customers save energy and at the same time to earn profits—as well as state policy options to resolve this conflict. Here we draw together our findings regarding several regulatory tools that many states have used to encourage utility energy efficiency efforts. Our analysis shows that regulatory tools intended to affect the utility business model play a critical role in elevating the interest in efficiency within utility companies; however these tools by themselves have not been as successful as specific energy efficiency targets at driving high levels of efficiency. A comprehensive strategy—getting the business model right and setting specific efficiency targets—is most closely associated with achieving high savings. Such a strategy is essential to sustaining long-term utility interest in capturing cost-effective energy efficiency resources.
Toward Best Practices for Industrial Innovation: Lessons from the Department of Energy’s Industrial Demonstrations Program
This paper highlights a central lesson for policymakers: Industrial innovation requires alignment across government programs (grants, procurement), financing mechanisms (tax credits, loans), and institutional capacity. When these three are backed by sustained commitment from the public sector, private industry, and external stakeholders, the transition from demonstration to deployment becomes viable.
Bridging the Equity Gap for Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Utility energy efficiency programs have increased investment in low-income households, but significant gaps remain. This report examines spending and savings trends across 48 major U.S. utilities, identifies barriers to expanding low-income programs and highlights policies and program strategies that can improve energy affordability and equitable access to efficiency upgrades.
This report identifies pathways for India’s cement industry to decarbonise at a pace compatible with the national climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.
Efficiency Saves: Cutting Energy Waste Can Save $31,000 per Household
The United States faces interlocking energy challenges: rising home energy bills and gasoline prices; new demand for electricity from data centers and other loads; high greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.
Now, a new era of energy efficiency progress in our buildings, transportation, and industry is needed to meet this moment. This wide-ranging study finds a massive opportunity.
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