Title: Testing the TRC: Marketing Strategies and O&M Programs That Can Grow Cost-Effective Savings in Hard DSM Times
Abstract: The Total Resource Cost (TRC) test has come under scrutiny due to challenging regulatory requirements for efficiency: Utilities are directed to pursue aggressive goals, but some promising program concepts fail cost-benefit analysis under the TRC. Understandably, some utilities are experiencing frustration over how to achieve deeper energy savings in this context. Although the TRC may be an obstacle to some types of demand-side management (DSM) programs and pushing for needed modifications to the test (such as the inclusion of non-energy benefits) is important work, this paper contends that a great deal of cost-effective efficiency is still available under the current cost-benefit paradigm. There are many underutilized strategies and programs that can increase cost-effective efficiency savings and build a robust DSM portfolio that is economically justifiable under the TRC. Through more-effective marketing and communications, utilities can dramatically enhance participation and consequently generate more savings from existing cost-effective offerings. In other words, utilities can better advertise their wares. Furthermore, utilities can adopt or strengthen their support for proven options that go beyond “widget-based DSM”—options such as energy manager programs and Building Operator Certification. While still working toward increasing the flexibility of the TRC regime, utilities can also increase their own flexibility by adopting more sophisticated communications and innovative DSM programs to achieve their towering efficiency goals.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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