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Accelerating the Adoption of Energy Efficient Business and Consumer Electronics

Panel: Strategies for Appliances, Lighting, Electronics, and Miscellaneous End–Uses

Authors:
Wayne Krill, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
David Canny, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Steve Bassill, QDI Strategies, Inc.
Mike Lukasiewicz, MX–Roads, Inc.

Abstract

For over 30 years, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has been instrumental in bringing energy efficiency programs to energy customers in California. As part of this effort, PG&E's Emerging Technologies (ET) Program commissioned a study in 2005 to evaluate the opportunity to save energy among business and consumer electronics. This study identified significant savings opportunities-hundreds of gigawatt-hours of energy and tens of megawatts in demand-that could be achieved. However, the study recognized that capturing savings in electronics is an exceptional challenge due to the large diversity of products, efficiency levels, consumers, and market channels. Further, the relatively small energy savings achievable for each device demands significant market penetration for a cost-effective energy efficiency program. Emerging Technologies undertook an important next step in August 2007, partnering with QDI Strategies and MX Roads to develop effective program strategies. These strategies are now being evaluated in a 2008 California pilot program that provides upstream incentives to original equipment manufacturers and retailers. The scope of the program will be broadened in 2009 with additional elements such as Internet marketing and consumer education. This paper describes market research behind the program strategies and the activities being undertaken to implement the program. In February 2008, efficient electronics were included in the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (Draft) for 2009-2020, insuring the long-term focus on this area.

Paper

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