The Regional Technical Forum (RTF) aligns its methodology for developing energy efficiency savings estimates with the Council. Of particular note is the use of a current practice baseline for lost opportunity measures. These are measures for which there is a limited window during which the efficiency opportunity can occur. This is typically when a new building is built (an opportunity to be more efficient than code) or when a piece of equipment dies and needs to be replaced. For these measures, the Council and RTF use a baseline that represents the current code or standard, or the average efficiency of buildings or equipment at the point of purchase, whichever is more efficient. This ensures alignment with the Council’s assumptions for its demand forecast, the point from which conservation potential is estimated.
Over the last several years, some stakeholders have questioned the methodology for current practice baselines. Questions related to areas such as the inclusion of efficiency in the market average that may have been the direct result of program activity, the impact on cost-effectiveness as market efficiency improves, and the use of these estimates to claim against the Power Plan goals. Staff drafted this paper with a goal of addressing these questions.
This is the final version of the paper. Revisit the draft version of the paper and review comments received.
