Leveraging a Regional Trade Ally Network to Help Vendors and Customers Connect with Varied Utility Efficiency Programs across Multiple,Closely-Packed Service Territories

摘要

In the Pacific Northwest, many electric utilities operate incentive programs to capturerncommercial and industrial lighting efficiency. These utilities vary widely in terms of ownershiprn(public and investor owned), size (large to small), efficiency experience, geography, market mix,rnutility staffing levels/expertise and conservation goals. They also can be densely co-located, withrnup to six or more discrete utilities operating efficiency programs in a single metro area.rnThis paper will share the experience of the Bonneville Power Administration and PacificrnNorthwest utilities in using a regional Trade Ally Network to catalyze lighting efficiency withoutrncompromising the autonomy of individual utilities. Outreach to contractors, distributors andrnother "market actors" is widely accepted as key to successful energy efficiency programs at thernindividual utility level. However, in the case of multiple utilities sharing these "trade allies" in arnsmall area, utility-specific trade ally outreach can cause confusion, in addition to beingrninefficient for both utilities and contractors. At the same time, sharing a regional trade allyrnnetwork poses several challenges:rn1. What message should be targeted at contractors when programs vary?rn2. How can utilities avoid undermining each others’ programs?rn3. Is there an efficient way to help trade allies connect with efficiency program managers?rnExperience operating a Trade Ally Network for multiple utilities confirms therneffectiveness of coordinated outreach approach at the regional level as a way to increasernefficiency acquisition. At the same time, key differences compared to a single-program trade allyrnnetwork must be considered to avoid missteps.