Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide

Book excerpt: This Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide describes the common terminology, structures, and approaches used for determining (evaluating) energy and demand savings as well as avoided emissions and other non-energy benefits resulting from facility (non-transportation) energy efficiency programs that are implemented by local governments, states, utilities, private companies, and nonprofits. While this guide does not recommend specific approaches, it provides context, planning guidance, and discussion of issues that determine the most appropriate evaluation objectives and best practices approaches for different efficiency portfolios. By using standard evaluation terminology and structures and best practices approaches, evaluations can support the adoption, continuation, and expansion of effective efficiency actions. The primary audiences for this guide are energy regulators; public and private energy efficiency portfolio administrators such as utilities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies; program implementers; and evaluators looking for guidance on the following: - The evaluation process and approaches for determining program impacts - Planning evaluation efforts - Key issues associated with establishing evaluation frameworks for improving the efficacy of energy efficiency portfolios, documenting the impacts of such portfolios, and comparing demand- and supply-side resources. Introductory portions and appendices are also intended for policymakers seeking general information about efficiency program impact evaluation as well as the basic principles of process and market evaluations and cost-effectiveness analyses. Although the guide is not directly intended for expert evaluation practitioners who can rely on more detailed and specific resources that are referred to in this guide, it offers introductions to and summaries of evaluation topics that can be useful for explaining concepts and standard practices to clients, new staff, stakeholders, and others who could benefit from a refresher on principles