Promoting energy efficiency in the utility sector through coordinated regulations and incentives
Abstract
Several recent studies have shown the realistic potential to reduce utility customers` energy use dramatically. One such effort projects reductions of thirty to fifty-five percent compared to a reference case (which already incorporates some efficiency improvements). These correspond to absolute reductions of about fifteen to twenty percent compared to current usage, even with projected growth of GDP by a factor of 2.4. Such a scenario covering all sectors of the economy can provide a seventy percent absolute reduction in US carbon dioxide emissions over the next forty years, at a net economic benefit of $2.3x10{sup 12}. In the past, the bulk of utility-sector energy savings have been obtained through state and federal efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and other equipment. In recent years, the rapid growth of utility-run incentive programs allows the prediction that they will account for an increasing share of the savings. Incentives can promote increased efficiency among utility customers, and can interact synergistically with present and future standards. Retulation of utilities themselves can encourage or undermine such programs. Finally, the problem of promoting research, development, and commercialization of new energy efficiency technologies is described in the context of changing incentives at the utility customer level. Emerging mechanismsmore »
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 243562
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9304297-
Journal ID: BAPSA6; ISSN 0003-0503; TRN: 96:002199-0059
- Resource Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal Name:
- Bulletin of the American Physical Society
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 38; Journal Issue: 2; Conference: 1993 joint meeting of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers, Washington, DC (United States), 12-15 Apr 1993; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 29 ENERGY PLANNING AND POLICY; ELECTRIC UTILITIES; ENERGY EFFICIENCY; ENERGY CONSUMPTION; CONTROL; POLLUTION REGULATIONS
Citation Formats
Goldstein, D. Promoting energy efficiency in the utility sector through coordinated regulations and incentives. United States: N. p., 1993.
Web.
Goldstein, D. Promoting energy efficiency in the utility sector through coordinated regulations and incentives. United States.
Goldstein, D. 1993.
"Promoting energy efficiency in the utility sector through coordinated regulations and incentives". United States.
@article{osti_243562,
title = {Promoting energy efficiency in the utility sector through coordinated regulations and incentives},
author = {Goldstein, D},
abstractNote = {Several recent studies have shown the realistic potential to reduce utility customers` energy use dramatically. One such effort projects reductions of thirty to fifty-five percent compared to a reference case (which already incorporates some efficiency improvements). These correspond to absolute reductions of about fifteen to twenty percent compared to current usage, even with projected growth of GDP by a factor of 2.4. Such a scenario covering all sectors of the economy can provide a seventy percent absolute reduction in US carbon dioxide emissions over the next forty years, at a net economic benefit of $2.3x10{sup 12}. In the past, the bulk of utility-sector energy savings have been obtained through state and federal efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and other equipment. In recent years, the rapid growth of utility-run incentive programs allows the prediction that they will account for an increasing share of the savings. Incentives can promote increased efficiency among utility customers, and can interact synergistically with present and future standards. Retulation of utilities themselves can encourage or undermine such programs. Finally, the problem of promoting research, development, and commercialization of new energy efficiency technologies is described in the context of changing incentives at the utility customer level. Emerging mechanisms and institutions may be able to address this problem, resulting in more effective and less costly options for energy efficiency.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/243562},
journal = {Bulletin of the American Physical Society},
number = 2,
volume = 38,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}