The US energy service company (ESCO) industry is set to grow from a $4.9 billion market in 2013 to almost $8.3 billion in 2020, according to a new report by Navigant Research. The growth comes after a slowdown in business for the energy performance contractors, Navigant says. “Over the past two years, ESCOs have found it difficult to attract … [Read more...]
What We Heard You Say…Best and Worst Quotes about Energy Efficiency
October 4, 2013 By
Thought we'd share some interesting things we heard and read in our recent reporting on energy efficiency. Best Material for Jerry. "Energy efficiency is kind of like the Seinfeld show: It’s about nothing! It’s about the refrigerator that cools beer the same, but uses one-quarter the energy. Who knew? There’s a bias in the energy world to think of … [Read more...]
What Recession? Big Energy Efficiency Service Companies Skipped It. Now Poised to Double Revenues
September 26, 2013 By
Energy efficiency’s largest players grew, even as the economy lagged in recent years. And they show no signs of slowing down, says a new report distributed by the National Association of Energy Service Companies. Revenue growth averaged nine percent annually from 2009 to 2011 for large energy efficiency service companies, or ESCOs, according to … [Read more...]
Huge Residential Demand Response Market; Opower Wants to Crack It On The Cheap
September 23, 2013 By
Only about five percent of residential customers now take part in residential demand response programs that could yield huge savings. For example, a report by the Brattle Group says that if utilities could help customers lower their usage by five percent during the top “peak” 80 to 100 hours over the course of the year, it would result in $3 … [Read more...]
How to Get Utilities to Take Risks In Energy Efficiency Innovation?
August 15, 2013 By
Energy Efficiency Innovation: How to Encourage Utilities to Embrace It? What's needed in order for utilities to take more risks and adopt new technologies and services in energy efficiency? What are the benefits of those energy efficiency technologies and services to utilities and consumers? Lisa Cohn of EnergyEfficiencyMarkets.com interviews … [Read more...]
Quick Surge of Power, Fast Market Growth in Ultracapacitors
August 12, 2013 By
The ultracapacitor market is growing 30 to 40 percent annually, says Mark McGough, CEO of Loxus, a manufacturer of ultracapacitors. The "ultracaps" provide quick surges of power and don't need to be replaced as often as batteries. They're found in windmills, solar systems and conventional cars to boost efficiency – to name just a few applications. … [Read more...]
More States Leading Utilities to Energy Efficiency–And Controversy Over Funding Them
August 9, 2013 By
More state regulators are backing energy efficiency, and the amount of money flowing into state-mandated utility budgets is growing. What’s more, we’re seeing more states adopt three mechanisms ensuring utilities recover the costs of the programs, says a new report from the Institute for Electric Efficiency (IEE). But with the cost-recovery … [Read more...]
