6^th Rocky Mountain Utility Efficiency Exchange

Presented October 10-12, 2012 at Aspen Meadows, Aspen, Colorado

Archived Agenda from 2012

Tuesday, October 9

(optional) Commercial Lighting Retrofit Seminar
Hosted by Recharge Colorado

Wednesday, October 10

(optional) Recharge Colorado Executive Council Meeting

Lunch Buffet in Meadows Restaurant
Buffet lunch with opportunity to network

Welcoming Remarks
Jeff Rice, City of Aspen Utilities

Opening Keynote
The Power of Collaboration:
Lessons Learned from Energy Efficiency Program Implementation
Irene M. Stillings, Executive Director Emeritus California Center for Sustainable Energy
Irene M. Stillings served as Executive Director of nonprofit California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE), formerly known as the San Diego Regional Energy Office (SDREO), from September 2002 to March 2012. Irene has 40 years of experience in the energy industry during which she's held various executive positions at New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (an investor-owned utility), ConneXt, Inc ( providing software to utilities), and Navigant Consulting, Inc., (a multi-national firm). She is also the owner of imsMENTOR, a consulting firm focusing on enhancing individual and organizational effectiveness. Irene currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Marketing Executive Conference, the Policy Committee of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Board of the San Diego World Trade Center, and the Board of the San Diego Chapter of E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs).

Focus on Utility Program Portfolios
Session Co-Chairs: Jeff Rice, City of Aspen Utilities and Jackie Ducharme, Xcel Energy

Utility Program Snap Shots
Five-minute highlights of utility program activities with focus on program portfolios for 2012 and 2013, presented by the session co-chairs and other participants.

Xcel Energy Program Portfolio Overview
David Hueser, Xcel Energy

Networking and Refreshment Break

SourceGas and Excess is Out Program Collaborative Overview
Gordon Tarola, SourceGas

Black Hills Energy Portfolio Overview
Matt Daunis and Gene Mantei, Black Hills Energy

Electric Cooperatives Portfolio Overview
Ron Ebenkamp, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association with Gary Myers, Poudre Valley; Robin O'Day, San Isabel Electric; Ray Pierotti, La Plata Electric; and Craig Tate, Holy Cross Energy

Networking Reception and Poster Session
Hosted bar and hors d'oeurves among the sponsor displays and posters. Special visit from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies staff and rescued animals.

Poster sessions will include:

Commercial SSL: How to find the right product.
Andre Javier-Barry, D&R International
The DesignLights Consortium provides much needed direction in the commercial SSL world by developing specs for utilities, manufacturers and lighting designers to identify high-performing SSL products. This session will provide an overview of the DLC, the tools available to utility managers and what the future holds for the DLC.

Everybody Loves a "SmartApp": Using the Hot Technology to Promote Energy Efficiency
Ron Horstman, Kevon Storie, Gary Hoffman Western Area Power Administration
Young, tech-savvy consumer Brady Fronk investigates a few apps that can help customer save energy, and one that can help electricity professionals save time. Can these tools promote incentives and rebates? Change customers' energy use habits? Ensure equipment performs as promised? You tell us--this is new territory, and we are charting it together!

Get a Messaging Makeover and See Your Contractor Participation Soar
Tiger Adolf, Building Performance Institute
What's the secret to driving contractor engagement in program activities? You've got five minutes to find out! Explore BPI's analysis of phrases that brought results in promoting a wide variety of programs across the country. Determine how to capture the attention of your contractor audience and hold their interest all the way to click-throughs. Discover the messaging keywords that lead to higher participation in home energy programs.

Home Performance Contractor Business Models Worth Stealing
Ed Thomas, UtilityExchange.org
Examples of business models and marketing approaches by leading "Home Performance with ENERGY STAR" contractors nationwide based on a national study over 2011 DOE Century Club Award winning contractors.

Call Center Veterans
Joan Smith, Red Rocks Community College with Richard Knaub, NREL
Red Rocks Community College, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the State Energy Sector Partnership are teaming up to tackle one of the three barriers to the development of a robust home performance market identified by Vice President Biden's Middle Class Task Force. The project is designed to recruit veterans to undergo training in building science, energy efficiency, and customer service, then apply these skills at a call center that provides homeowners with clear, understandable information about making their home more comfortable and energy efficient. In addition to providing employment opportunities to veterans, this project is expected to generate more business for local home performance contractors.

Is Your Utility Ready For Alternative Fuel Vehicles?
Mike Ogburn, Clean Energy Economy for the Region
With the national conversation around deployment of CNG vehicles and plug-in vehicles, Mike will describe the preparations for and benefits of alternative fuels from the perspective of gas and electric utilities, and will mention a few of the broader benefits of alternative fuel vehicles in achieving national goals to reduce petroleum benefits. Best of all, these vehicles represent a way for utilities to use their own products to deliver services to their customers.

How Home Energy Audits Are Increasing Conversion to Action
Ann Livingston, Snugg Home
Overview of how Xcel Energy in Colorado as well as utility and government sponsored programs in 4 other states are integrating online and in-home energy audit software with the energy upgrade sales process to increase conversion rates and the number of measures implemented. Discover how software is fulfilling some of the key functions of human energy advisors to support increased adoption rates and market transformation while gathering data for program reporting.

Lean Start-up for DSM Programs
Steve Byers, EnergyLogic
Overview of program start-up principles and myths with insight on why the ability to pivot should be the core of DSM program design.

Thursday, October 11

Breakfast Buffet in Meadows Restaurant

Two concurrent Session Tracks will be presented Thursday morning and afternoon

Focus on Residential Energy Efficiency
Session Chair: Bob Langenberger, Western Area Power Administration

Focus on Commercial Energy Efficiency
Session Chair: Adam Perry, Platte River Power Authority

Utility Residential Program Snap Shots
Five-minute highlights of utility program activities presented by the session co-chairs and other participants.

Utility Commercial Program Snap Shots
Five-minute highlights of utility program activities presented by the session co-chairs and other participants.

Stimulus Funded Appliance Rebates: What Happened?
Andre Javier-Barry, D&R International
The U.S. Department of Energy sponsored the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program for all 56 states and territories. $300 million was allocated for this program which was featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America and The Wall Street Journal. But, what did this project accomplish and learn? This presentation will answer that question.

Business Lighting Programs Beyond Federal Legislation
Adam Perry, Platte River Power Authority with David Hueser, Xcel Energy
Commercial lighting programs are often the biggest source of energy savings for utility DSM programs. This session will discuss how utilities plan to achieve and maintain future energy savings from their lighting programs after Federal Legislation increase the baseline of lighting efficiency.

Contractor (and Program) Risk Management
Larry Zarker, CEO, Building Performance Institute
Discover how to keep raising the bar on your trade ally network without being accused of picking favorites or risking referring someone who you know won't get the job done…or worse. Learn how the Home Energy Professional certifications funded by DOE with NREL are building on BPI's efforts.

Commercial Building Envelope Air Leakage
Kim DeVoe, Energy Services Engineer, Fort Collins Utilites with Stu Reeve, Energy Manager, Poudre School District
Learn about commercial air and thermal barrier performance testing through case studies. Related impacts on energy use, improved comfort, and lessons learned and potential efficiency programs will be presented.

Refreshment Break

Collaboration Makes Home Performance Happen
Deacon Taylor, SolarCity with Andy Mazal, Boulder/Populus and Jackie Ducharme, Xcel Energy
Discover how two Colorado programs have been working together to help customers. As an example, Deacon's house in Lafayette was a typical 1977 Ranch with a basement. For about $10,000, he received air sealing and insulation, window treatments, appliances, new lights, and an ERV. The project was funded by Xcel HPwES and Boulder EnergySmart Rebates with a Boulder Micro Loan with about $2500 and another $130 or so in monthly payments for 3 years. The net result is a home that is comfortable and efficient. The last 12 months of utilities for the 2200 SF house was $876.56 of usage.

Tuning-Up Medium Sized Buildings Cost Effectively
Jim Zarske, Nexant and Adam Perry, Platte River Power Authority
Nexant recently collaborated with PRPA to develop a three-tiered approach to RCx. The newest tier is a hybrid of small and large building tune-ups (medium building) that PRPA has been offering the last few years. This approach was recently tested on a building in Fort Collins. This presentation will focus on the lessons learned with this project.

Advanced Green HVAC Training
Ed Hegwood, Rocky Mountain Education Center with Gary Myers, Poudre Valley REA
Demand is strong in residential and commercial, buildings to tie indoor climate systems into new "smart grid" systems. Learn how local colleges are partnering with utilities and other stakeholders to train technicians to be HVAC Energy Efficiency Systems Specialists that free the stranded energy and money that exists in buildings today. Energy efficient (green) HVAC is rapidly becoming the way of doing business and all workers at all levels of the HVAC industry need to keep up with new techniques in this new green economy. HVAC workers who do not have current certifications or understanding of the new technology and will have difficulty getting the higher incomes associated with these technologies.

Black Hills Energy – Commercial Direct Installation Lighting Program
Gene Mantei, Black Hills Energy with Matt Cinquanti, SmartWatt
The direct installation lighting program offered through Black Hills Energy targets small to medium sized businesses, up to 350 kW in size throughout the utilities service territory to help businesses become energy efficient. The program offers a free lighting energy audit that includes information on energy efficiency measures for their facility, such as permanently installed interior and exterior T8, T5 and LED lighting, occupancy sensors and controls. The audit report captures potential energy savings, installation cost, and anticipated project payback. Black Hills Energy then pays up to 60% of the project cost including installation and materials.

Oklahoma AC Tune-ups
Eric Stern, CLEAResult
Update on residential tablet audit and AC Tune program in Oklahoma with 20,000 customer audits completed in 18 months with a 90% customer action rate! Learn how the program plans to tie in SmartHours rate plans for off-peak use.

Xcel Energy Pilot Codes and Standards Support Pilot
Kenny Romero, Xcel Energy with Shaunna Mozingo, Energy Code Consultant, Colorado Code Consultants
Learn preliminary results from the pilot Xcel Energy is conducting to determine if the utility claim incremental energy savings through the support of higher code utilization. The pilot will capture partner jurisdiction code baseline data to determine the level of code knowledge and compliance, determine training needs and measure incremental energy saving achievement accomplished through the training.

Lunch Buffet and Roundtable Discussion

Focus on Technology
Session Chair: Joani Matranga, Colorado Governor's Energy Office

Focus on Collaborative Partnerships
Session Chair: Ron Horstman, Western Area Power Administration

Technology Program Snap Shots
Five-minute highlights of utility program activities presented by the session co-chairs and other participants.

Partnerships Program Snap Shots
Five-minute highlights of utility program activities presented by the session co-chairs and other participants.

Energy Navigator – Governments Using Data to Lead by Example
Mike Ogburn, Energy Engineer, CLEER and Greg Russi, Chair of Board, Garfield Clean Energy
By joining together to form Garfield Clean Energy, the state's first clean energy authority, 8 local governments in western Colorado have been able to offer programs that have created measurable increases in energy efficiency and cost savings for participating governments, businesses, and households. Working with CLEER, government partners use energy monitoring and "active energy management" to achieve low-cost/no-cost savings in public buildings.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Generation - Past, Present, and Future
Stephen Casey, Holy Cross EnergyOverview of EE and REG activities conducted by Holy Cross Energy since the inception of its WE CARE (With Efficiency, Conservation And Renewable Energy) Program in September 2004.

Data Analytics for Efficiency Program Targeted Out
Kelley Gonzales, Senior Energy Services Engineer, Fort Collins Utilities
Learn about how customer data analytics are being used to target outreach for a new efficiency initiative. The analytics are expected to more effectively market the program, drive operational efficiencies and program savings.

Trade Ally Network Development: What's the Point?
Tiger Adolf, Building Performance Institute with Jackie Ducharme, Xcel Energy, and Gary Myers, REA
Different types of trade ally networks serve different purposes. Weatherization, home performance, demand side response, bill justification, and so on, require you to communicate with your network. The more streamline your credential and Quality Assurance process, the better your results, but communicating with each group may take a different approach. Learn the criteria these utilities use to define their network, and why it makes a difference to the success of their programs.

Metered Utility Solar Thermal Incentives
Piper Foster, Amatis Controls
Increasingly, utilities incentivize residential and commercial solar water heating systems to shave peak demand or encourage renewables. Learn about the California Solar Initiative's success. Metering the production, functionality, and operations of solar thermal is an emerging best practice. Learn how metering provides for M&V goals & prompt maintenance.

Trade Ally Network Development: What's the Point? (Continued)

Refreshment Break

Thermal Energy Standard
Ben Northcutt, Colorado Geo Energy & Heat Pump Association, and Colorado Senator Gail Schwartz
Review of what this concept might mean for Colorado utilities from stakeholders who have been working on this type of legislation over the past year.

Financing in the Rockies
Moderator: Mona Newton, Aspen CORE with panelists:
Daniel Seif, Rocky Mountain Institute;
John Phelan, Fort Collins Utilities;
Adam Palmer, Energy Smart loan program;
Jeremy Epstein, Boulder County
Panel presentation with representatives from leading programs speaking candidly about the challenges and opportunities when financing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements through government and utility subsidized as well as market-priced initiatives.

Local Flavor: How Communities Can Support Utility DSM Programs
Elizabeth Babcock, Residential Energy Program Admin, CCD; Mikki Langston, Mile High Business Alliance; and Tim Hillman, ICF International
We'll discuss examples of successful community driven utility partnerships in Denver as well as suggest creative possibilities for better engagement between utilities and local communities. Examples will include how community driven data (housing stock, neighborhoods, business districts and more) can be layered with utility data to better analyze the impact and penetration of DSM programs and design better outreach opportunities. We'll also talk about fun, innovative ways to deliver utility programs in your local community.

Financing in the Rockies(continued)

Effective Research Methodology for Consumer Behavior Impact Assessment
Jordan Michel, Geavista Group
Utilities across the country are assessing the role of smart grid enabled and behavior-based programs in their DSM portfolios. AEP Texas is conducting research that encompasses both smart grid and behavior in their current evaluation of in-home energy displays. Their research is designed to assess the impact of energy displays on consumer behavior, energy consumption, and likelihood to participate in utility demand side management (DSM) programs. Discover the essential components of the research methodology that will allow AEP to identify impacts attributable to the devices. Learn best practices for any utility evaluating the role of new technologies in its portfolio.

SMPP - A Rural Utility EE Program: After 1 Year
Ravi Malhotra, iCAST; Brad Zaporski, San Miguel Power; Gordon Tarola, SourceGas
In 2011 iCAST presented the programmatic components and goals of its new San Miguel Power Association / SourceGas sponsored turn-key energy efficiency program for residential and commercial customers. First-year results have exceeded expectations. This presentation will present year-one results, lessons-learned, and plans for the future.

Adjourn

Hosted Bar Reception
Join us at Brunelleschi's, 205 So. Mill St., 970-544-4644, and bring your name badge for a hosted bar reception.

John Denver - Stories and Songs – optional
tickets must be purchased separately
Wheeler Opera House
An intimate evening of John's music and personal stories as told by members of his bands and close associates.

Friday, October 12

Breakfast Buffet in Meadows Restaurant

Focus on Program Integration
Session Co-Chairs: Gretchen Stanford, City of Loveland and Gordon Tarola, SourceGas

Utility Program Snap Shots
Five-minute highlights of utility program activities with a focus on Program Integration

Closing Keynote: Sustainability & the Utility's Role for the Future
Josh Radoff, YR&G
Sustainability is always much deeper and broader that we expect. Our day to day work usually focuses on one or two aspects of this complex network of topics (peak reduction anyone?), but it's important to step back and reflect on how everything is connected together and where we're actually trying to arrive. This talk will focus on the trends that are shaping and shaking up this still nascent industry, and how utilities can play a role in this this pivotal transition.

Josh is co-founder and Principal of YR&G, a 23-person consulting firm in Denver, New York, and Chicago. YR&G provides technical and strategic sustainability services for projects and clients around the US and internationally. Josh has a background in sustainable energy engineering and works at the intersection of the energy, sustainability strategy, and green building fields.

Regulatory Staff Snapshots
Jeff Ackerman, Colorado Public Utility Regulatory Commission
Insight from state regulatory staff in Colorado.

Recharge Colorado-Enhancing CO Energy Efficiency
Jeffrey Nathanson, Recharge Colorado and Gretchen Stanford, City of Loveland
Update on the new Recharge Colorado, an energy and water efficiency asset for Colorado utilities. Recharge promotes an enhanced marketplace for energy and water efficiency, the energy-water nexus, and renewable energy projects.

Worst Practices: Don't Try This With Your Utility Program
Ed Thomas, UtilityExchange.org and Tiger Adolf, Building Performance Institute
Review of lessons learned from some of the worst program practices among utility- and government sponsored energy efficiency and renewable energy programs worldwide. Learn what not to do when designing and implementing your programs by discovering the unintended results of others.

Late Breaking News
This session held in reserve for presentation on an emerging issue.

Closing Remarks
Jeff Rice, City of Aspen Utilities

Conference Adjourns

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Archived Sponsors from 2012

Host Sponsors
	CITY OF ASPEN UTILITIES City of Aspen Utilities provides reliable and economic electric service to approximately 2,371 residential, commercial, hotel, and condominium service connects. All service is within Aspen City limits. www.aspenpitkin.com
	HOLY CROSS ENERGY COOPERATIVE Holy Cross Energy Cooperative is a cooperative corporation with more than 43,000 member-owners served by 165 employees.It is proud to provide energy and services to major ski resorts located in the Aspen and Vail areas as well as farms,ranches and friendly rural communities that provide people and resources for the tourist and outdoor recreation industries. www.holycross.com
Green Level Sponsors
	BPI The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) is a recognized global leader, supporting the development of a highly professional building performance industry through individual and organizational credentialing and a rigorous quality assurance program. BPI works with building performance industry stakeholders to ensure that the professional bar for excellence in building performance contracting is established and maintained by creating and regularly updating technical requirements through an open, transparent, consensus-based development process. www.bpi.org
	EGIA Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA) is a non-profit organization that serves a nationwide network of over 12,800 energy partner contractors and 3,000 installation contractors, regional distributors, product manufacturers and other trade allies delivering energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to millions of homes and businesses. EGIA also delivers services on behalf of electric, gas, water utilities and government, including financing, rebate program administration and rebate processing; contractor network management, training and certification; and sales channel development and support. EGIA has facilitated the financing of over 80,000 residential and business projects valued in excess of $1 billion, and has administered over $450 million in rebate payments. www.egia.org
	XCEL ENERGY Xcel Energy is a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company and offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers. Xcel Energy operates Windsource®, the nation's largest voluntary wind energy program in terms of customers. www.xcelenergy.com
	PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY Platte River Power Authority generates and delivers reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible electricity to its owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Loveland, Colorado, where it is distributed by each municipal utility to residents and businesses. www.prpa.org Fort Collins Utilities is a municipally owned, multi-service provider of water, wastewater, electric and stormwater services to the City of Fort Collins. We recognize the economic, social and environmental impacts of our operation and are committed to minimizing our negative impacts and enhancing our positive impacts on the community and environment. The City of Longmont Power & Communications department is a community-owned, non-profit electric and telecommunications utility that builds, maintains and operates the electric distribution system for about 36,000 customers. Loveland Water and Power Loveland Water and Power's mission is to add value serving the community's utility needs for today and tomorrow by providing quality customer service, providing reliable service, planning for the future, being environmentally sensitive, offering safe and secure utilities at competitive rates and being fiscally responsible.
	RECHARGE COLORADO Recharge Colorado (Recharge) is an energy, water, and resource efficiency asset for regional and national stakeholders. As an efficiency utility, Recharge promotes a robust, coherent marketplace for energy and water efficiency, the energy-water nexus, and renewable energy projects in Colorado. Through Recharge's web portal Coloradoans are connected to tools, programs and information that help them use energy and water more efficiently in their homes and businesses. Consumers can simply search by zip code to identify local contractors, rebates and incentives specific to their location. The incentive finder results include utility, government, and manufacturer rebates, tax breaks, and any other available resources. Recharge provides rebate program design and administration to utility and government partners as part of its services. Recharge's rebates have standard program requirements and simple application processes to reduce confusion and make it easy for consumers, businesses, and contractors to receive a rebate. Recharge continues to pursue the development of additional programs that enhance the broader implementation of energy and water efficiency programs throughout Colorado. www.rechargecolorado.org
	WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION Western Area Power Administration's Energy Services Program helps our utility customers plan for a greener, more efficient future through greater energy-efficiency, renewable energy options, new technologies and industry best practices. Services include an equipment loan program, technical assistance, and a full menu of publications available both on-line and in printed version. www.wapa.gov
Gold Level Sponsors
	BLACK HILLS ENERGY Black Hills Energy is a diversified energy company with a tradition of exemplary service and a vision to be the energy partner of choice - is based in Rapid City, S.D., with corporate offices in Golden, CO., and Omaha, NE. The company serves 759,000 utility customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The company's non-regulated businesses generate wholesale electricity, produce natural gas, oil and coal, and market energy. We partner to produce results that improve life with energy. www.blackhillsenergy.com
	CLEARESULT CLEAResult harnesses the world’s most innovative thinking in energy management to design and deliver energy optimization solutions for electric, gas and water utility companies as well as residential, institutional, commercial and industrial organizations. Our team of 800+ energy professionals offers expertise in every area necessary to ensure program success, including program design, implementation & evaluation, customer service, marketing, and engineering. We focus this wealth of experience on four key areas: Load Management Renewables Energy Efficiency Planning & Evaluation We power significant, sustainable change for our clients by providing holistic organizational strategies for efficient energy use. While the types of programs we design and implement vary widely, each is centered on providing end-use customers with the education and technical tools they need to maximize the value of energy.www.clearesult.com
	COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION Colorado Rural Electric Association is the statewide trade association representing Colorado's electric cooperatives. CREA's membership is composed of 20 of the state's electric distribution cooperative associations and one generation and transmission cooperative. www.crea.coop
	THE LEARNING SOURCE The Learning Source is a real-time learning campus, it takes on the dual role of helping to increase the energy-efficiency literacy of Lakewood commercial building owners and others interested in the benefits and savings associated with going "green." www.coloradoliteracy.org
	RED ROCKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE Red Rocks Community College Rocky Mountain Education Center As the continuing education department of Red Rocks Community College our mission is not just OSHA training. RMEC offers training in many other areas. OSHA training is how the Rocky Mountain Education Center has earned their high quality reputation. We are a leader in many areas of certification training. www.rmecosha.com
	RESOURCE ACTION PROGRAMS Resource Action Programs offers a family of community conservation programs designed to increase residential resource efficiency and community awareness. The proven and effective design generates immediate savings in home energy and water use while providing maximum return on investment. www.resourceaction.com