Advancing understanding of public policy issues in the utility industry through the Wisconsin Idea
Enhance your knowledge of utility issues…
|
 |
|
Balancing the demands of consumers, regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders is a daunting task for utilities, even under the best of circumstances. Add to this the ever increasing complexity of contemporary utility issues and simply keeping up with the changing landscape can become a full time job. Professional development courses and topic seminars from the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute combine the resources of the University of Wisconsin with the best in professional experience to provide an unbiased forum in which issues can be discussed, knowledge enhanced, and alternatives and possible solutions identified. A member driven institution, WPUI seeks to communicate the diversity of views that exist on current policy issues, particularly the leading-edge issues that will affect the future of those industries and the customers they serve. |
|
 |
 |
 |
DOE Site Features Case Studies Produced by WPUI
By Scott Williams - Posted on January 13, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Scott Williams
A Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored project, produced by WPUI staff, is demonstrating the benefits that evaluation can provide to energy and environmental programs. In the summer of 2009 Scott Williams, a graduate student working for WPUI, researched and produced a series of case study information briefs for the DOE entitled the “Value of Program Evaluation.”
The goal of the project was to raise the profile of program evaluation by showing the benefits to state and federal programs that have implemented evaluation recommendations. Those benefits include reduced program cost or dollars saved, increased productivity, increased product sales, and streamlined processes.
The five information briefs are now featured on the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Evaluation Resource Documents web page. You may access each of them by clicking the links below:
- Introduction to the “Value of Program Evaluation” Case Study Series (PDF 125 KB)
- “DOE Hydrogen Program Saved Nearly $30 Million by Investing in Annual In-Progress Peer Reviews” (U.S. DOE, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy) (PDF 297 KB)
- “Evaluation Helps Program Increase Sales of Energy Saving Light Bulbs Among Women” (ENERGY STAR®Products Program, Wisconsin Focus on Energy) (PDF 308 KB)
- “Evaluation Helps Pesticide Program Finish Project Four Years Sooner Than Estimated” (Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. EPA) (PDF 333 KB)
- “Evaluation Prompts ENERGY STAR Program to Replace Web Tool, Saving 90 Percent of Annual Costs” (ENERGY STAR Residential Program, U.S. EPA) (PDF 230 KB)
- “Programs Streamline Process, Add Customers More Quickly After Implementing Evaluation Recommendations” (Empower Programs, Hydro-Québec) (PDF 248 KB)
Enabling Investments in Energy Efficiency
By Corey Singletary - Posted on December 23, 2009 at 1:07 pm
A financing report that was prepared for CIEE, the CPUC and the VEIC by Merrian Fuller of Energy & Resources Group at UC Berkeley presents a study of energy efficiency programs that reduce first-cost barriers in the residential sector. From the report:
Energy efficiency has a vital role to play in addressing our daily resource needs and creating a vibrant future for our society. This paper focuses on the first-cost barriers to increased energy efficiency in residential homes. Loans and other financing options will be important to enable the efficiency improvements to meet many of the goals of the California Public Utilities Commission’s Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan. This study reviews existing, terminated, and proposed financing programs and reveals several limitations of these programs including: limited applicability of the programs to households most in need, low participation rates, difficulty assuring that savings will exceed payments, limited support for comprehensive energy retrofits, the inability of many programs to cover their costs, and issues particular to on-bill financing (OBF) programs.
A full copy of the report can be downloaded here
or from the University of California Institute for Energy and Environment
The activities of the Institute follow the "Wisconsin Idea" of applying the resources of the University to meet the need for information outside of the University's boundary. The Institute achieves its mission through the exchange, creation, integration, transfer and application of knowledge. It provides forums for discussion, dialog, and debate on public policy issues. It engages innovative programming enhanced by creative use of advanced information technologies and effective communication techniques. Furthermore, it fosters research that enriches and complements its information and education programs and services.