We've been looking at consumers' attitudes towards enrolling in electricity management programs, as reported in Accenture's "Understanding Consumer Preferences in Energy Efficiency" (http://bit.ly/9zMTSh).
Today we look at the survey's third key finding, which requires a bit of introduction.

Panelists at the CleanTech Open Panel on Energy Efficiency have suggested that there is room for improvement when it comes to making our homes and the electric grid more efficient. So what seems to be the hold up?
Problems range from ensuring that utilities have performance-based incentives to improve efficiency to identifying and convincing the decision makers responsible for energy efficiency in commercial buildings.

The “Cash for Caulkers” program, designed to reduce carbon emissions, fund  energy efficient construction, and create new jobs is likely to pass this summer.
The bill will provide both homeowners and contractors substantial rebates for energy efficient improvements they make. The bill as written consists of two rebate programs, the “Silver Star” and the “Gold Star”. The “Gold Star” offers the highest rebate of $3,000 and requires homeowners to reduce their total energy consumption by 20%.

We could debate endlessly over regulated versus unregulated energy markets.  And that debate will surely continue.  But countries with more regulated markets seem to have one attribute cornered: consumer trust.
So says the second key finding about consumer responses to energy conservation programs in Accenture's survey, "Understanding Consumer Preferences in Energy Efficiency" (http://bit.ly/9zMTSh). I introduced the survey here (http://bit.ly/drMT1K) and examined the first key finding here (http://bit.ly/am8rmy).

The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) has implemented two technology clean-energy research projects to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The projects are part of a $106 million stimulus funding program.
The DOE is also creating a “solar fuels innovation hub,” which is a research center focused exclusively on converting sunlight into liquid fuels.

A few weeks back (http://bit.ly/drMT1K), I mentioned Accenture’s comprehensive survey, “Understanding Consumer Preferences in Energy Efficiency” (http://bit.ly/9zMTSh). The survey made five key findings on consumer opinions toward electricity management programs, which I promised to examine in future posts. Here’s Accenture’s first finding:
There is a significant contradiction between consumer perceptions and their actual knowledge of energy efficiency.

Think you have the next big energy idea?
GE has launched the “Ecomagination” challenge to find new ideas in grid efficiency, renewable energy, and eco homes and buildings.  The concept behind the 10-week challenge is to invite collaboration--a great approach to combat  issues that affects us all.

Can painting your roof white save money and slow climate change?
According to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, this small stepcould mean a savings of $735 million annually in U.S. energy bills and an emissions reduction equal to removing 1.2 million cars from the road. Chu is setting the example by directing all Energy Department offices to install white roofs during new construction, and is encouraging all other federal agencies to do the same.

Governments at all levels are often pilloried for bureaucracy, so it's a beautiful thing when government permitting goes smoothly--and fast.
That would be the case for the Certificate of Public Good that arrived in today's mail for the 13 KW photovoltaic project atop our building scheduled for August installation. Our contractor, Alteris, on our behalf, submitted the application on June 14, 2010 and the CPG was signed and issued July 7, 2010. Well done, Vermont Public Service Board!

If you have time to read but one report on consumer behavior and energy efficiency this year, the recent report from Accenture should be it.
The global business consultancy surveyed more than 9,000 consumers in 17 countries in January 2010 and produced a 36-page summary of its findings, "Understanding Consumer Preferences in Energy Efficiency" (http://bit.ly/9zMTSh). It's must-reading for energy efficiency marketers at utilities and energy efficiency implementation companies.