13^th Rocky Mountain Utility Exchange Agenda

Workshop 1
Residential Customer Engagement Tactics

1:00 - 3:00 pm

Fresh Tactics For Connecting With Residential Customers

How can ice cream and hand-held fans engage customers and influence their buying decisions? It takes a village of bold initiatives and great vendor partners to meet the challenge of growing a stagnant rebate product by 20% in a single cooling season. Advanced analytics helped target customers, who received a personalized invitation to special weekend customer events at their neighborhood retail stores, where they found instant rebates available. Trade partners could get instant rebates through a new mid-stream offering as well. Behind the scenes, key retail associates were thoroughly trained, and then effectiveness was measured through a secret shopper.

We’ll also explore a program on instant rebates that was recently deployed in Massachusetts with Lowe's and 8 utilities. The technology performed flawlessly in the field and increased program participation by 166%. Based off of recent case studies and reports, we will be presenting on the importance of utility incentives evolving to innovative technology to increase customer engagement and participation. Come learn how these comprehensive campaigns performed their goals to get customers to bite (buy) before their ice cream melted.

2.00 BPI CEUs

Ann Kirkpatrick Xcel Energy	Steve Mannhard Uplight
Lisa Pucelik Slipstream	Michael Levinson Group 14 Engineering
Phil Scarbro EFI

Workshop 2
Combining Healthy Homes with Energy Efficiency

1:00 - 3:00 pm

Reaching for the Holy Grail: Improved Health Outcomes from Residential Energy Efficiency Upgrades

This interactive workshop will demonstrate how energy reduction does more than reduce kilowatts, it also makes the indoor environment healthier. Air sealing incentives that reduce air leakage also reduces contaminate pathways, asthma triggers, pest entry points and, improves comfort. But we usually promote our efficiency programs with messaging around the energy savings they will see, which may not be the case if a comprehensive project is not done, and may not be the trigger for a customer to take action.

Utilities have primarily focused on increasing efficiency program participation and energy savings to meet DSM goals. The “non-energy benefits” from efficiency upgrades are not typically given much weight in program design or allowed in cost-benefit tests. Can we turn that paradigm around by also including the health and safety benefits for customers in program design, and understand that energy efficiency upgrades are the implementation tool.

The “Holy Grail” is a vision of the future where the medical community, insurers, government agencies, utility programs, community health workers, and contractors collaborate to create healthier home environments that lead to enhanced health and quality of life for occupants.

What does this future look like? How do we get there? What are the key outcomes that we need to achieve?

This workshop will feature activities to allow participants to prioritize what measures make a home healthier and more comfortable. We will review what facts are known from the studies of home interventions to improve occupant health. In addition, we will identify the barrier with implementation and what must happen to overcome these barriers.

We have three key takeaways for this workshop session:

1. For each participant to leave with a clear idea of what collaborations are needed to make a positive difference in health and efficiency outcomes.
2. Make a commitment to participate in bringing about these collaborations.
3. Bring what you’ve learned back to your Utility for future program design discussions.

Resources

• A Collaborative Pilot to Improve Quality of Life for Asthma and COPD Patients
• 8 Steps to a Healthier Home
• Energy-Plus-Health Playbook

2.00 BPI CEUs

Kim DeVoe Fort Collins Utilities	Judy Olsen Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Larry Zarker Building Performance Institute	Joe Medosch Hayward Score

Workshop 3
A Review of Holy Cross Energy's Recent Activities

3:00 - 5:00 pm

This briefing will cover several areas of interest to the region, covering recent developments at Holy Cross Energy. These developments include:

1. Status update on HCE's 70/70/30 transition to high renewable content in its power supply.
2. New rate structure for retail customers.
3. New utility programs including support for beneficial electrification.

With advances in technology and changes in energy markets, utilities now have the opportunity to bring on new cleaner energy resources at costs comparable to our existing supply. This will allow Holy Cross Energy to meet its clean energy goals at no additional cost while maintaining the reliable and safe service our members have come to expect and we believe this model can be duplicated elsewhere. We are also building new member energy efficiency, demand response and beneficial electrification programs that can be adopted by other utilities trying to reach similar goals.

2.00 BPI CEUs

Steve Beuning Holy Cross Energy

Jenna Weatherred Holy Cross Energy

Workshop 4
Electrification of Transportation Workshop

3:00 - 5:00 pm

This workshop is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of electric vehicle programs, policies, and technologies to enhance utility understanding and involvement in supporting EV load growth, customer engagement, and EV grid services in the context of the state of Colorado. The session will begin with perspectives from two different utilities, including Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA), a small rural cooperative, and Xcel Energy, a large vertically integrated utility.

GCEA strives to take a leadership position on EVs as the first cooperative utility in the state of Colorado to install a public EV charging station and offer an EV loaner program. They will share some challenges and opportunities with installing and operating EV stations, managing EV range, EV outreach strategies and more.

Xcel Energy will share the latest about EV initiatives including lessons learned from providing EV services to fast chargers, businesses, and homes. In addition, we will share the latest developments with the Commercial–EV Rate proposal, Extension Policy, and new program ideas for 2019 and beyond.

The workshop will continue with insights from the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), including information about Governor Polis's Executive Order from January 2019 for widespread electrification of the transportation sector and what it means for utilities. They will present program and policy updates including implementation of EV DC fast charging corridors grant program, Charge Ahead Colorado, CDOT's electric bus funding, the ZEV program, and updates to VW Beneficiary Mitigation Plan.

The workshop will conclude with an update from FleetCarma, including technologies and programs that are being used in the industry for managing EV load growth to ensure it is a benefit rather than a cost to the electricity system, utilities, and their customers.

This workshop intends to be interactive as we will seek input, ideas, and questions from participants to help formulate the results of our report out session on Thursday at this year’s RMUE conference.

Survey: If you plan to attend this workshop, please take a short 3-minute survey to help us plan: www.surveymonkey.com/r/13thRMUE-EVworkshop

Zach Owens Colorado Energy Office	Christian Willis Colorado Energy Office
Alantha Garrison Gunnison County Electric Association	Eric Van Orden Xcel Energy
Eric Mallia FleetCarma

Track A – Gas

Co-Chair Alan Stoinski Cheyenne Fuel, Light and Power

Co-Chair Ann Kirkpatrick Xcel Energy

Stepping on the Gas with C&I Thermostats
Chad Wallis, CenterPoint Energy with Jeana Swedenburg, Cadmus

In recent years, Wi-Fi and smart thermostats have swept the residential DSM world, but what can this technology offer to the commercial and industrial sector? Vectren, a natural gas utility in Ohio, realized significant savings after introducing a new rebate offering for Wi-Fi thermostats to its commercial and industrial customers. This presentation will review verified natural gas savings from the program's first two years of operation and highlight lessons learned from introducing a familiar technology to a new sector. The presentation will also compare Vectren's program performance to other "early adopters" that are on the front lines of proving Wi-Fi and smart thermostat technology can work in commercial and industrial settings.

The Future of Gas DSM Programs; Highlights From the 2020-2022 Colorado Gas Efficiency Plans
Moderator: Katie Parkinson, Apex Analytics
Presenters: Rob Leivo, Atmos Energy; Michelle Beaudoin, Xcel Energy; Penne Fugate, Atmos Energy; Caroline Medlock, Colorado Natural Gas; and Jim Dillon, Black Hills Energy

This panel be comprised of the regulated Colorado natural gas providers. Presenters will share short (5 minute) highlights from their 2020-2022 DSM plans and discuss programmatic challenges and successes they are encountering. The panel participants will share how natural gas programs are evolving and what opportunities still remain in this sector.

Protecting and Growing Gas Programs—A Brainstorming Session
Moderators: Ann Kirkpatrick, Xcel Energy and Alan Stoinski,Cheyenne Fuel, Light and Power

Meeting Dth (decatherms) program goals is trickier and trickier these days. This session is a participant rich format. We'll identify the top challenges for each market segment, and break into smaller groups to share ideas and brainstorm new ones, then report out to the larger group.

Track B – Electric

Co-Chair Gary Myers Tri-State Generation and Transmission

Co-Chair Chris Michalowski Mountain Parks Electric

Case Study—Energy Savings from Dark Sky Lighting in a Townhome Neighborhood
Gary Schroeder, Fort Collins Utilities

Saddlebrook Townhomes, a community of 117 townhomes in Fort Collins, CO, replaced overly-bright porch lights on every residence and glaring post-top lights with dark-sky-friendly LED fixtures. In addition to realizing substantial energy savings, residents are experiencing a friendlier night-time environment as well as greater safety and security. The project was a collaboration between the neighborhood and Fort Collins Neighborhood Services, Utilities, and Police as well as Colorado State University and the National Park Service. To celebrate the project, the community recently hosted a star gazing night through the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society using their large telescopes to view constellations that were invisible before the retrofit. Before and after photos with lighting metrics and lessons learned will be shared.

1.50 BPI CEUs

Heat Pump Technology and Storage
Gary Myers, Tri-State Generation & Transmission; Jon Beyer, Tri-State Generation & Transmission; and Kristin May, Xcel Energy

Hidden Battery—The Evolution of Heat Pump Water Heaters
Electric water heaters are the invisible battery in a customer's home. In order to help customers save energy and money on their bills, we're incentivizing heat pump water heaters, which can save over 50% of a customer's hot water energy use, on average. And in order to lead the clean energy transition, we are creating a load shifting program with those water heaters. Thus, this program meets two of Xcel Energy's primary goals: keep customer bills low, and lead the clean energy future.

Low Temperature Heat Pumps—Another Great Option for Utilities
This presentation will walk you through the collaborative pilot program successfully implemented in 2018 and early 2019. It's another opportunity that keeps the industry at the vanguard of newer HVAC technology ideas and customer-facing energy saving efforts. Gary and Don will, based on first-hand knowledge, outline the many program steps—from site and contractor selection to program general costs, timing, data collection and interpretation, etc. Both Don and Gary welcome a lively discussion and will stand ready to talk ""nuts and bolts,"" as you desire. This program has captured real time data, that brings the project full-circle with data results you will want to see!

1.50 BPI CEUs

Track C – Data Analytics

Co-Chair Bryce Brady Platte River Power Authority

Co-Chair Chuck Finleon Longmont Power & Communications

Software Implementation: The Good, The Bad, The Reality
Sarah Stanton Johnson, Platte River Power Authority; and Luke Klasinski, Nexant

Considering moving to a software management platform? This session will offer perspectives from both the utility project lead and software engineer on the software implementation for a residential energy efficiency program. We will cover the good, the bad, and the realities of time involved designing the program, how existing program processes changed, launch, and interactions with the program now.

1.75 BPI CEUs

A Collaborative Specification to Solve Energy Efficiency Data Needs and Bring Connected Devices Into Programs
Amy Jiron, U.S. Department of Energy with Greg Barker, Energy Solutions

Connected devices have the potential to solve energy efficiency programs' greatest needs, such as enabling measure development, allowing accurate measurement and verification, and enabling simple data-based program designs. However, this requires a clear approach and data specifications that clearly align with manufacturer capabilities and utilities' needs. With U.S. DOE funding, Energy Solutions and NREL piloted the development of a common specification for connected device data with engagement from utilities nationwide to understand their data needs for creation and approval of rooftop HVAC Advanced Retrofit Controls measures. Five HVAC technology manufacturers provided data samples from their connected controls and specification input, and the team crafted a common specification consistent with data standardization terminology. Utilities can leverage the resulting consensus-based specification to collect uniform data to create or update their program measures.

0.50 BPI CEUs

Maximizing the Value of an Rf Network Investment Using Intelligent Line Sensors
Josh Snoddy, Holy Cross Energy with Steve Kenny, Landis+Gyr

Utilities have been investing heavily in deploying network infrastructure to support communications for electric, water, and gas AMI. These multi-purpose networks can be easily leveraged to provide additional value to the utility and ultimately the energy consumer. Landis+Gyr has partnered with Holy Cross Energy to integrate S610 intelligent line sensors onto the existing AMI network infrastructure. During outage situations, these line sensors provide precise information that is used to send crews directly to fault locations, resulting in lower O&M costs for Holy Cross and faster restoration times for the consumer.

Track D – Change Management for Customer-centric Programs

Co-Chair Alantha Garrison Gunnison County Electric Association

Co-Chair Gabriel Caunt Colorado Springs Utility

Customer-centric M&V
Jeff Perkins, ERS

There is wide agreement across the industry that measurement & verification (M&V) must transition to something new. Talk of change is everywhere, yet all versions of M&V still (as always) leave the customers out of the equation. When it comes to EM&V, customers are treated like specimens, there only to hypothesize a counter factual. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the exploding Internet of Things (IoT) is allowing building owners to understand their facility like never before. We should now be engaging customers with building data at a high resolution for every efficiency retrofit completed. The data gathered could serve evaluation, implementation, and yes, even to make the whole effort more customer-centric.

0.50 BPI CEUs

Focusing on the Customer In A Big Way; Enterprise Wide Customer Experience Training
Heather Hemphill, Xcel Energy with Jackie Ducharme, Xcel Energy

As customers are exposed to more and more great experiences, their expectations continue to rise for all of their service providers. And with new entrants into the utility industry every day, deepening customer relationships is more important than ever. Xcel Energy's Customer Experience Training effort is aimed at helping employees see how they can best interact with customers and improve relationships so they will remain Xcel Energy customers in the future. This in person training launched in April 2018 and will take several years to complete as it is enterprise wide, but transforming the customer experience will be a journey, and this training is just one way Xcel Energy is committed to success.

0.50 BPI CEUs

Goldilocks and the Three Clean Energy Options
Eric Van Orden Xcel Energy

Utilities and governments are increasingly offering multiple clean energy options to different customer segments such that the customer feels like theirs is "just right". This presentation will include some of the key features of clean energy programs such as location, commitment, cost, and technology while sharing the challenge of packaging the perfect balance of each to meet many different customer's needs, from homeowners, renters, small businesses, large businesses and more. Additionally, as programs get more complex while also going beyond the early adopters, there is a need to engage with customers in a simple and convenient way. Examples like Xcel Energy's Online Renewable Advisor tool will be shared to give attendees ideas on how to best serve and advise their constituents.Full disclosure: This presentation will include more than three options. But, the Goldilocks theme stays the same. Some customer's might want it "hot," others "cold".

0.50 BPI CEUs

Workshop 5 – Resiliency

8:30 - 10:30 am

Preparing for the Next Fire: Energy Resilience in Aspen and the Upper Roaring Fork Valley

Aspen and the Upper Roaring Fork Valley are at risk from threats that could disable electricity transmission. In Summer 2018, the community was keenly aware of this risk, as the Lake Christine Fire came within minutes of severing a key transmission line. To identify appropriate and scalable solutions and to prepare for the next fire, Holy Cross Energy (HCE) partnered with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to investigate and enable community-driven resilience solutions. During Winter and Spring 2019, RMI engaged stakeholders in the Upper Roaring Fork Valley through a series of stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and workshops to explore: What are critical loads in the Upper Roaring Fork Valley? How will these functions be impacted by a major disruption? What can be done to maintain service to these loads in case of a major disruption? This workshop will explore findings of the work, as well as the community-engaged process which led to the solutions.

Bryan Hannegan CEO, Holy Cross Energy	Kevin Brehm Rocky Mountain Institute
Ashley Perl City of Aspen	Mona Newton CORE

Workshop 6 – Low Income

8:30 - 10:30 am

Solar; Low Income Access to Local Renewables

Piceance Creek Solar Farm; Low Income Access to Local Renewable Energy. The PCS is a 4 MW solar farm located in the Piceance Creek area. PCS blocs of power are available to WREA's membership for a guaranteed monthly solar production credit which is applied to monthly bills. In addition, WREA has collaborated with Northwest Colorado Council of Governments to utilize grant money (collected from a Rio Blanco County environmental fine) to prepay for blocs of solar production power to be applied to low income housing tenants who reside at the Meeker Housing Authority rental units. It is an excellent collaboration providing increased member access to efficient and cost effective, local renewable energy. Housing authority tenants will receive guaranteed production credits applied to their electric bills.

Trina Zagar-Brown White River Electric Association

Uncovering the Value of Retro-Commissioning for Low Income Communities

Low income communities offer unique opportunities for retro-commissioning (RCx) DSM offerings, at a time when market rate RCx programs are becoming less cost effective. Nonprofit facilities and multifamily buildings that house an 80% or less AMI population typically have minimal maintenance resources and equipment is often not operating per design intent. This combination yields significant opportunities for RCx measures with quick paybacks. With Group 14 Engineering as the RCx vendor, Xcel Energy and Energy Outreach Colorado experimented with RCx outreach and program implementation innovations at two sites. This session will showcase program innovations and offer two 2019 case studies around what works and what doesn't for low income retro-commissioning DSM. The session will also highlight program design elements that can increase measure implementation rate and reduce RCx study costs.

2.00 BPI CEUs

Ann Cruz Xcel Energy	Brooke Pike Energy Outreach Colorado
Michael Levinson Group14 Engineering

Workshop 7 – Window Attachments

10:30 - 12:30 pm

Saving Automatically with Smart Window Attachments

The session will educate attendees about the utility program potential of automated window attachments, share results from research and field studies, and explain the new rating and certification program for window attachment products. Katie Cort of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will discuss energy savings research on automated window shades and the potential for window attachments to integrate with other smart technologies, including smart thermostats and lighting controls. Erika Burns of the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) will give an overview of the organization, explain the residential and commercial rating and certification programs, and provide examples of how utilities can use AERC ratings in their programs. Stacy Lambright of Hunter Douglas will highlight the non-energy benefits that automated window shades bring and how utilities can encourage adoption of automated window attachments by highlighting those benefits with customers.

2.00 BPI CEUs

Erika Burns Attachments Energy Rating Council	Katherine Cort Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Stacy Lambright Hunter Douglas