All-Time Classic EE Measures | August Spotify
“Humor me” I said. “If you had to choose your favorite, all-time classic EE measure what would it be?”
The responses ranged from the old school behavior changes to very specific controls and a range of everything in between. There’s a persistent affection for building envelope measures, which makes sense with the crowd we run with. While I do love all forms of insulation, especially in Climate Zone 13, I have to say trees.
The point is, in a time where too many claim energy efficiency is dead we continue to have certain measures that stand the test of time. Not because they’re currently available in a rebate catalog, but because we know they make a significant impact. And that’s because energy efficiency is still the most cost-effective form of energy and remains king in the California loading order. Even as we move to focus on decarbonization and electrification I return to what was so eloquently hammered home on our PODEE inaugural HappEE Hour, “Electrification is energy efficiency!” We can expand our reach, but we can never let go of energy efficiency.
The problem we’re running into is there’s plenty of measures, but very few are actually viable measures. When we look at the landscape of measures that can perform well under the current cost effectiveness test—the Total Resource Cost (TRC) test—we have limited options that align to market demand. But that doesn’t mean these aren’t good measures that still have opportunity across the sectors, throughout the State—just that energy efficiency programs have limited ability to promote them. We’ve come to a point as an industry we have to ask, “Is TRC still the right test?” and overwhelmingly the answer is no. It’s possible it never really was. When we use a test that includes additional participant costs but fails to account for any of the benefits that participating customers get from the action, we miss the mark. If we want to ensure that energy efficiency does what it is supposed to do, we need to reconsider our options. We know Total System Benefit (TSB) has entered the chat to replace net first year kWh, kW and Therms, but we’re conveniently ignoring that the Program Administrator Cost (PAC) test is a one-to-one substitution option to TRC. The PAC test is pretty direct and in its most simplistic form measures program administration/implementation costs over program benefit. In theory, every dollar invested should generate one or more dollars of benefit. And while this change won’t bring back all the measures we love due to other regulatory constraints, it would be a meaningful move in the right direction.
Cost effectiveness tests are always harder on rural spaces and when we consider rural spaces (and at the SJVCEO we always consider rural spaces) the TRC and Societal Cost Test (SCT) are particularly harsh in their output. Rural participants typically pay more for the installations which negatively impacts TRC. Whether because contractors must bear the burden of higher cost to mobilize or shoulder higher costs of products in rural spaces, the costs go up with no additional participant benefit added. Our rural communities will always be harder to serve, but we can show their value to the system better than we have been. Whether it be through legislation or through the regulatory process, the time has come to adjust the way in which California measures cost effectiveness in energy efficiency programming.
We have access to solutions to bring valuable and viable measures back into the mix. We have implementers eager to install them. And we have stakeholders ready to protect the position of energy efficiency so that it’s able to remain king in the loading order, if not the queen of our hearts.
When I reached out across my texts, I loved the responses that came in—incredibly quickly I might add—proving that 1) I keep good company and 2) there’s plenty of options that we can offer today that we offered 12 years ago, because energy efficiency never dies! (*we’ll just call those LED outliers nostalgic 😉)
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE, ALL-TIME CLASSIC EE MEASURE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
“Exterior lighting for real…but pre-rinse spray valves because they suck and never leave the conversation.”
“RCx” (retro commissioning)
“Fluorescent to LED swap outs”
“Low E windows”
“Conserve. It’s the original.”
“Building Envelope for life my friend!”
“T-12 to T-8”
“Insulation. Simple fix, huge difference.”
“Smart thermostat or exterior lighting”
“Aeration for WWTPs”
“Pipe insulation, miles and miles of pipe insulation”
Courtney’s Picks:
Favorite Classic EE Measure: Trees
I like my measures like I like my music—timeless, offering multiple benefits, and compelling to the core. Classical compositions can soothe the soul and inspire action in one piece—Rhapsody in Blue is a perfect example. They can stir your deepest emotions and drag you though the myriad of feelings innate to the human experience, like the Beethoven selections. Or they can ease your heart, provide shelter from the realities of life, and put us in a place of hope, like the Einaudi piece. I’d argue that any amount of time spent in nature, whether in a forest or your own yard, can also bring about all these experiences.
Rhapsody in Blue, George Gershwin
Sonata No. 14 in C#m (Moonlight Sonata), Depeche Mode
Experience, Ludovico Einaudi
Fur Elise, Vince Guaraldi Trio
Sam’s Picks:
Favorite Classic EE Measure: Vending Misers
Classical music typically does not make it on to my rotation of playlists, but I do enjoy the peaceful sounds of the genre. The sounds of the piano or violin with the void of vocals is something that soothes my wondering mind. I hope this playlist allows you to take a moment to take a deep breath.
On the Nature of Daylight, Max Richter
Nocturne No. 1, Frederic Chopin
The Carnival of the Animals, R. 125, Camille Saint-Saens, YoY o Ma
Lagoon of Forgotten Dreams, Julian Fueyo
Kelsey’s Picks:
Favorite Classic EE Measure: Occupancy Sensors
I was initially nervous that I would not have enough content for this playlist! And then I remembered that classical music is often the pinnacle of classic movies (and I felt much better!). Classical tunes may not be something that I jump to, but these four are some of my absolute favorites.
Bella’s Lullaby, Carter Burwell, Maksym Rzeminski
Angel of Music, Laclede Quartet
Across the Stars (Love Theme from Star Wars Episode II), John Williams, London Symphony Orchestra
Tennessee, Hans Zimmer
Rochelle’s Picks:
Favorite Classic EE Measure: Steam Traps
A welcome departure from my normal music rotation, sometimes you just have to switch gears and enjoy the pure artistry of classical music. Here are some selections from my personal playlist that I enjoy when the mood strikes.
Fantasie Negre, Florence Price & Helen Walker-Hill
Violin Concerto in A Major, Op. 5 No. 2 III. Rondeau, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Solace, Scott Joplin
Scenes from an Imaginary Ballet, A.L. Youmans & Samuel Coleridge
Jordan’s Picks:
Favorite Classic EE Measure: Insulation
Thanks, SJVCEO for including me yet again! Two of these pieces, on multiple occasions, I have danced ballet with my daughter in our living room while they play on vinyl. The other two appeal to my flair for the dramatic. All are meaningful to me in many ways but so, so, so different in feel and effect. Much like all of the many EE measures out there!
1812 Overture, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Lacrimosa, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Carmina Burana: O Fortuna, Carl Orff
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act II: No. 14a, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky