On October 15-16, NASEO co-hosted a first of its kind event to convene the energy efficiency and smart grid communities with the Association for Demand Response and Smart Grid and the National Home Performance Council. The Summit, held in Washington, D.C., addressed the challenges and opportunities to integrating smart grid and energy efficiency among utilities, state and federal agencies, technology companies, performance contractors, service companies, and other stakeholders. Much of the discussion focused on ways to break down the barriers of siloed energy efficiency, demand response, and smart grid policies and programs to fully realize the grid resiliency benefits offered by these technologies. The interaction of wholesale and retail energy markets, consumer behavior, and green building design were a few of the topics considered by panelists and discussed by participants.
David Terry, NASEO Executive Director, moderated a state, local, and private sector panel on efficiency program barriers to including demand response and smart grid elements. Julia Friedman, NASEO Program Director, led NASEO’s engagement in developing the agenda and marketing the event. Mark Sylvia, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources commissioner and NASEO Executive Committee member, and David St. Jean of the Maryland Energy Administration, provided participants with the state energy office perspective surrounding the integration of smart grid and energy efficiency through policies and state operated programs. Additional NASEO Affiliate members represented on the agenda included the Advanced Energy, Building Performance Institute, Conservation Services Group, EnerNOC, Maryland Energy Administration, U.S. Green Buildings Council, and Vermont Energy Investment Corporation.