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The Total Cost and Measured Performance of Utility-Sponsored Energy Efficiency Programs

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Listed:
  • Joseph Eto
  • Edward Vine
  • Leslie Shown
  • Richard Sonnenblick
  • Chris Payne

Abstract

By examining the actual performance of conservation or demand-side management (DSM) programs for ten utilities, Joskow and Marron (1992) have made an important contribution to policy discussions about the wisdom of relying on utilities to improve customer energy efficiency. We use Joskow and Marrons method to analyze twenty utility commercial lighting programs and, like Joskow and Marron, find wide variations in industry reporting practices and savings evaluation methods. We extend the method by systematically accounting for several of the most important sources of variation and comment on how they influence total program costs. Our accounting also allows us to relate remaining program cost variations to the program sizes and the electric supply costs avoided by the programs. We draw qualified, yet affirmative, conclusions regarding the cost effectiveness of the programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Eto & Edward Vine & Leslie Shown & Richard Sonnenblick & Chris Payne, 1996. "The Total Cost and Measured Performance of Utility-Sponsored Energy Efficiency Programs," The Energy Journal, , vol. 17(1), pages 31-51, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:enejou:v:17:y:1996:i:1:p:31-51
    DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol17-No1-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paul L. Joskow & Donald B. Marron, 1992. "What Does a Negawatt Really Cost? Evidence from Utility Conservation Programs," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 4), pages 41-74.
    2. Edward Kahn, 1995. "Regulation by Simulation: The Role of Production Cost Models in Electricity Planning and Pricing," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 43(3), pages 388-398, June.
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