APPRISE conducted survey research to support process and impact evaluations of Alliant’s commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs. The programs included Nonresidential Custom, Nonresidential Prescriptive, and Agricultural Prescriptive. The surveys were designed to support program development and improvement.

The Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), a quadrennial survey of commercial buildings and related energy consumption, is conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy. In this project, we designed sample frames for the 1995 and 1999 CBECS. We conducted frame design research activities; designed the area and list frame development (including a targeting sample of newly constructed buildings) and sampling procedures, direct final listing, screening, and sample selection activities; and supervised the sample selection of new buildings included in the survey.

The Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), a quadrennial survey of commercial buildings and related energy consumption, is conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy. In this project, we consulted with Westat on the development of new procedures for the 2003 CBECS sample frame update.

Columbia Gas implemented a portfolio of Demand Side Management (DSM) programs in 2009 for its residential and small commercial customers. The Small Business Energy Solutions program is an energy efficiency improvement rebate program for small general service commercial customers. APPRISE is conducting a process evaluation of this program to assess program performance issues and determine whether modifications to program design could result in improved performance. The evaluation research includes review of program documents, analysis of market statistics, interviews with Columbia Gas managers and staff, interviews with program implementers, and review of other ratepayer-funded programs for the same customer segment.

APPRISE is working with a team to assess the performance of thirteen residential and small business energy efficiency programs offered by the Consolidated Edison and Orange & Rockland utility companies. The evaluation will assess how each energy efficiency program is operating and make recommendations for improvements to the implementation process. Specific information gathered via program participant and non-participant surveys will include participant satisfaction, effectiveness of program marketing and delivery, barriers to participation, satisfaction with measures offered, and satisfaction with trade ally training programs.

The Federal Buildings Supplemental Survey collected building characteristics and energy data about 900 federally owned buildings for the U.S Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration as a follow-up to the 1992 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey. In this project, we supervised all aspects of the survey including sample design, facility screening, survey implementation, and survey processing. The sample for the project was selected from a database of Federal Buildings. The sampling procedures included the implementation of a multistage PPS design. The interview was a complex mail/phone/mail/phone survey, where a CATI instrument was used in the final phone contact. The survey was managed with an automated project management and sample tracking system.

As part of the Green Lights program, participants agree to submit reports on lighting upgrades so that EPA can estimate the total impact of the program. There was concern by EPA that not all lighting upgrades were being reported and that the reporting system was a burden to program participants. In this project, we conducted research to determine the satisfaction of program participants with program procedures, determine the level of underreporting, make estimates of unreported program accomplishments, and design an alternative reporting system. This research showed that the recognition received by Green Lights program participants was important for some participants. It also showed that detailed reports were overly burdensome for some partners. We developed a simplified data collection system and statistical models to estimate energy savings from the more limited data.

EPA initiated the Green Lights program to reduce pollution by accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient lighting technologies. EPA provided workshops to Green Lights participants to train them on assessing potential energy savings, finding a vendor for the lighting products, and financing the purchases. Interviews with workshop participants provided information on the value of Green Lights services to participating businesses and organizations.

The Massachusetts Large Commercial & Industrial Evaluation is a multi-client, statewide project that aims to characterize adoption of energy efficient equipment and design and assess market effects. As part of the evaluation team, APPRISE is providing advice, guidance, and expertise on the sample development, data collection, and analysis to be performed in characterization of the large commercial and industrial new construction market.

The Business Partners Program is an integration of three prior NYSERDA programs: Motors Systems, Commercial Lighting, and Building Performance and HVAC. The Business Partners program promotes the purchase and installation of energy efficient products and services by working with trade allies including building and systems contractors, distributors, vendors, designers and energy service providers. APPRISE conducted surveys of trade allies and end use customers to assess market penetration and net program savings.

APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s process evaluation of their Enhanced Commercial Industrial Performance Program (ECIPP). The ECIPP provides incentives to businesses for energy efficiency projects. APPRISE’s survey research assessed how clients learned about ECIPP, previous client experience with energy efficiency projects, previous client experience with the ECIPP, and client satisfaction with the ECIPP process.

NYSERDA’s Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation, and Protection (EMEP) Program aims to facilitate the communication of scientific and technological information regarding the environmental impacts of energy choices to inform public policy. APPRISE conducted surveys of EMEP’s policy maker, legislative, and environmental group contacts in support of the Process Evaluation. This survey research will aid EMEP in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

The Existing Facilities Program (EFP) is a consolidation of two prior NYSERDA programs -- the Peak Load Management Program (PLMP) and the Enhanced Commercial and Industrial Performance Program (ECIPP). The EFP offers prescriptive and performance-based incentives for energy-efficient upgrades to existing buildings. The EFP targets a range of customer sectors including commercial and industrial businesses, healthcare facilities, universities and colleges, state and local governments, and mission critical facilities such as data centers and communications facilities. APPRISE is conducting surveys of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and end-users that will support estimates of program savings, free ridership, and spillover effects.

NYSERDA’s Flexible Technical Assistance Program (Flex Tech) is a consolidation of what were formerly the Flex Tech, Technical Assistance, and Energy Audit Programs. Flex Tech is designed to provide customers objective and customized energy information that will facilitate the implementation of cost-saving energy-efficient measures. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s Market Characterization and Assessment, Impact, and Process evaluations of the Program. APPRISE conducted customer and contractor surveys for participating and non-participating market sectors to evaluate the program processes, assess the market climate, and establish estimates of energy savings that can be attributed to the program.

NYSERDA’s Industry and Process Efficiency Program (IPEP) provides incentives to offset the costs of projects focused on increasing productivity, increasing process efficiency, reducing waste, and reducing electricity consumption. The program focuses on key manufacturing sectors in New York. APPRISE surveyed both eligible end-use customers and technical service providers to gather information on customers’ and providers’ decision-making, awareness, and perceptions of energy efficiency opportunities.

NYSERDA’s New Construction Program provides nonresidential customers with technical assistance services and capital-cost incentives for implementing energy efficiency improvements in new construction or in substantially renovated buildings. The technical assistance provides cost-shared analysis to customers and their design teams (Architecture and Engineering firms) to identify energy efficiency opportunities for their projects. The program is designed to encourage the incorporation of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building features in the design, construction, and operation of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.

APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the New Construction Program (NCP) in 2008. This research gathered information from participating and non-participating building owners and participating and non-participating architecture and engineering firms to assess their views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation.

APPRISE conducted surveys in 2011 with nonparticipating building owners and design firms to assess awareness of NYSERDA’s program offerings and energy efficiency measures in the nonresidential new construction sector in New York State, to develop baseline data for nonresidential new construction in New York State, and to assess nonparticipant spillover effects of the New Construction Program.

NYSERDA is interested in working with Commercial Property Managers in the NYC region to identify ways to increase adoption of energy efficiency measures by building owners and building tenants in the NYC region. APPRISE conducted structured in-depth interviews with the major Commercial Building Property Managers working in the NYC region to develop a better understanding of their business models, document their current activities with respect to the delivery of energy efficiency services, and explore their interest in partnering with NYSERDA to reach out to their customers. Through this research, APPRISE was able to give NYSERDA a better understanding of the opportunities for and barriers to investment in energy efficiency measures by building owners and tenants, and the role that Property Managers could play in facilitating participation by their owners and tenants in NYSERDA programs.

NYSERDA is interested in working with Demand Response Providers in the NYC region to leverage the provider/customer relationship and increase the adoption of energy efficiency measures. APPRISE conducted structured in-depth interviews with the major Demand Response Providers working in the NYC region to develop a better understanding of their business models, document their current activities with respect to the delivery of energy efficiency services, and explore their interest in partnering with NYSERDA to reach out to their customers. Through this research, APPRISE was able to segment the Demand Response Provider market, identify those provider segments that presented NYSERDA the best access to new customers, and develop a strategy that NYSERDA could use to increase their penetration in the NYC market.

NYSERDA is interested in working with ESCOs (electric commodity suppliers) in the NYC region to leverage the ESCO/customer relationship and increase the adoption of energy efficiency measures. APPRISE conducted structured in-depth interviews with the major ESCOs working in the NYC region to develop a better understanding of their business models, document their current activities with respect to the delivery of energy efficiency services, and explore their interest in partnering with NYSERDA to reach out to their customers. Through this research, APPRISE was able to help NYSERDA segment the ESCO market and identify potential strategies for working with each market segment.

NYSERDA is conducting a review of program spillover effects generated by those not receiving incentives from NYSERDA programs. This cross-program evaluation effort will examine these effects in an attempt to quantify Net to Gross savings estimates. In support of this evaluation, APPRISE is conducting surveys of program Nonparticipants in the Commercial and Industrial sectors.

NYSERDA's Research Development (R&D) Program supports the development and commercialization of innovative energy and environmental products, technologies, and processes. In 2008, APPRISE conducted a survey of firms that reported product sales and made recoupment payments based upon their R&D recoupment contracts with NYSERDA. The purpose of the survey was to obtain information about the products for which NYSERDA provided technical expertise and funding. The survey collected information on product benefits, sales revenue, sources and magnitude of investment capital, impact of NYSERDA funding on product development and commercialization, and total development and commercialization costs. The information will be used to evaluate the impacts and value of NYSERDA funding. In 2010, APPRISE conducted surveys of integrators, vendors and site owners involved in the development of R&D program funded demonstration projects and worked on a Process evaluation of the R&D program by conducting surveys of respondents and non-respondents to R&D program solicitations.

WE Energies has implemented a set of energy efficiency programs that target different segments of the commercial and industrial market (Prescriptive, Custom, RFP, New Construction, and Multi-Family). APPRISE conducted research to determine whether WE Energies can improve program performance by enhancing program marketing or refining program tools and/or incentives. The scope of work consisted of benchmarking research to determine whether WE Energies was under performing in any market segments or energy-saving opportunities, program database analysis to document program statistics, and in-depth client and trade ally interviews to understand how well the program was working and whether there were changes in program design and/or implementation that could improve program performance.