Programs promoting energy efficiency for utility customers, for grid infrastructure, and wherever it else applies in the utility business is one of the truest win-win operations in the sector. Customers always strive to find ways to reduce energy use and thus bills, and utilities see increased efficiency as a cost-efficient and quick pathway to ensuring supply and demand remain in striking distance of each other without the costly headache of new generation. New technological solutions and innovative leadership continues to open new energy efficiency doors, so the Energy Efficiency Group on Energy Central seeks to keep you fully and completely informed.
EE: “the” opportunity
Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/cp/ee-opportunity
To kick off this month’s digest, Rafael shares a great reminder of how the world of energy efficiency is a key one when looking at cleaning up the energy grid. While the brute force solution is to build more zero carbon generation, an overlooked part of the toolbox is reducing the total demand required by tapping into the low hanging fruit of efficiency. And with the money it saves the customer embracing efficiency, it really is one of the purest win-win endeavors.
Solve the energy crisis by leveraging your technical employees
Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/solve-energy-crisis-leveraging-your-technical-employees
Taking that importance of energy efficiency to the next level, though, energy efficiency doesn’t just ‘happen.’ Rather, according to Norbert Vasen’s article we need to be looking to our technical employees to figure out how, where, and when to implement efficiency measures. Tapping into the expertise within enterprises will uncover the greatest opportunities for change.
New White Paper: Using Bounded Rationality and Nudge Theories to Motivate Energy Sustainability
Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/new-white-paper-using-bounded-rationality-and-nudge-theories-motivate-energy
The best way to encourage the implementation of efficiency on the side of the customer begins with showing them where the missed opportunities are. In this white paper from Jerry Jackson, he highlights the type of tools and sustainability scores that can be shared with utility customers to highlight why efficiency is an obvious choice for them. People may recognize the helpful nature of efficiency, but when the benefits are quantified for their specific situation then the drive for action greatly increases.
The Cost of Delayed Energy Saving Building Upgrades
Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/cost-delayed-energy-saving-building-upgrades%C2%A0
And lastly, I thought it appropriate to end on this reminder from Curt Monhart: efficiency measures are out there to be captured, but the top value can be utilized for them when they are embraced as soon as possible. The longer time that passes before efficiency upgrades are implemented, the more those potential savings are lost forever. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second best time is now—that old proverb applies to energy efficiency as well!
This wraps up another edition of ‘Efficient Reading.’ Check back in this spot in four weeks to see what submissions have captured the attention of our community. And if you think there are stories I’m missing—let me know in the comments, or better yet submit an article on those stories so it can be included in the next issue. Make sure you don’t miss out on these shared insights in the future.
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