Energy Efficiency is the Next 'Big' Thing

Yesterday, I attended the "All Roads to Copenhagen are Paved Energy Efficiency" policy summit hosted by Alliance to Save Energy. Speaker after speaker were chanting the energy efficiency mantra 'it is the fastest, cheapest and most rewarded..' There's no question about that mantra. Efficiency should be the first in line. Then everything else 'renewable, clean, alternative.'

I had my surreal moment when Cathy Zoi speaks. Her email has been a constant presence in my box, when she headed the Alliance for Climate Protection. It's just too surreal to finally see her in person, there.

From observation, this summit clearly shows that big businesses get it. They know that they haven't scratched the surface yet. There's so much potential to be made in this energy efficiency market, from residential to commercial. The majority, however, that is the public - is not there yet. There's a big hole in this movement. A big challenge. For example, in homes, little things here-and-there improvements can help owners not only to reduce their utility bills, but also give them the feel good feelin' on the environment. This is the area where 'proactive' education can fill the gap, not only to educate the professionals, but also the end-users.

Frances Beinecke, president of NRDC says 'that China has a national energy policy, we don't.' Furthermore, she said "that in the US we talk about it but haven't worked into policy yet. The opportunity is so big." In comparison, Mr. Suresh Prabu, the Union Minister of Power from India says that 'India has energy efficiency law to achieve a 23 percent savings over total that will benefit Indian economy.' 

So India and China have their national policies for energy efficiency in place, while US still struggling to establish one!

The other thing that is big is: the smart meter market. We've got the big players like Google, Microsoft in it and I think the big telco, AT&T, might also be in the game.

Some memorable quotes from yesterday's line up:

Secretary Ken Salazar, US Dept. of Interior

"Wind energy can supply 20% of electricity by 2030, which will create 4 million jobs in the process."

"Wind projects: 800MW will be online by 2010. Enough to power 240,000 homes."

"We must diversify, we must choose new energy future."

"Denmark, Spain, China, are leading the way, it's time for the US to lead the way; invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency in businesses and homes, carbon capture sequestration, new level of playing field is to put price on carbon."

Jim Rogers, President & CEO, Duke Energy

"Universal access to energy efficiency for rich and poor, small to big businesses."

Tom King, President, National Grid USA

"Three core: 1) US must play key role in Copenhagen, 2) energy efficiency, the core of energy policy should include climate change, 3) positioning utility industry."

"UK, EU and the world are waiting to see how we show up in Copenhagen. They view us as key player. We must show up in that leadership."

David Parker, CEO, American Gas Association

"30 utilities in 19 states serving 20 million are operating under decoupling."

Cathy Zoi, Asst. Sec. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US DOE

"Vast potential in energy efficiency. The dream is every homeowner get upgrade in energy efficiency; value is the best marketing mind on how to sell effectively retrofit, the periodic home retrofit."

"Retrofit ramp up program: part of the recovery act there's $400 million block grant for between 4 to 8 projects at scale, massive work for 100 thousands homes neighborhoods by neighborhoods, provide high leveraging and smart marketing that makes all owners say, 'Yes, to the offer!' This is value offering with no upfront cost to customers and create sustainable business."

I think there is a request for information on the website. 

Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives, Google

"Energy efficiency is the low hanging fruit."

"E.T (energy technology) meets I.T (information tech) is real time access to their energy data using Google Power Meter."

"Using real-time data gives 5-15% savings."

Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council

"When environment goes, so goes human being. Environment is a context of people of the planet."

"By necessity, energy efficiency competes with alternative energy; it will reduce cost of climate change; it is the fastest, cheapest way."

This is the best (from Frances Beinecke):

"We need to get the message out: the savings!"

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