Efficient energy use consulting in the Bay Area for implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006

Providing sufficient clean energy while meeting tough environmental\ud standards for the growing population of California is a challenge for both private and\ud public sectors. Past California Energy Commission programs promoted energy efficiency\ud through improved appliance and building standards. The California Global Warming\ud Solutions Act of 2006 is a relatively new bill to further California???s goal of reducing\ud energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels.\ud This project summarizes the work performed during an internship with\ud Strategic Energy Innovations. Techniques were undertaken to assist in the climate action\ud plan formation of four cities in the Bay Area. An office analysis was performed to\ud investigate how existing energy-use conditions can be improved. Experience was also gained developing energy efficiency training for the 2011 AmeriCorps Climate Corps.\ud Energy monitoring software programs were utilized and evaluated. Still an\ud emerging tool set with limited choices and unfriendly interfaces, it is likely that as cloud\ud computing expands and matures, energy monitoring software will become more user\ud friendly.\ud The overall goal in California, to focus on effective and efficient energy use to\ud meet our state???s increasing energy demand, requires sound policy as well as continued\ud efforts to educate the public and elected officials. To solve energy needs, a broad venue\ud of training, conservation, improved energy efficiency technologies and an expansion of\ud conventional and alternative energy sources is required. Basic research, applied research\ud and collaborative partnerships, as described in this paper, will play an increasing role in\ud addressing future energy, conservation, and environmental needs.CSU, Chic