Helping Duquesne Light Company design and implement energy efficiency programs to meet its Pennsylvania Act 129 obligations over three multi-year phases
Background
Signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell in 2008, Pennsylvania Act 129 required Duquesne Light Company, and other electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania, to develop cost effective plans that would reduce electricity consumption across their service territory by one percent by 2011 and three percent by 2013. In order to meet these requirements and as a result of a competitive bid process, Duquesne Light selected MCR to design and implement an energy efficiency and demand response plan.
Solution
MCR worked with Duquesne Light to develop an energy efficiency potential forecast and create a portfolio of 17 energy efficiency and demand-response programs serving the residential, low income, commercial, industrial and governmental customer sectors. The programs were designed and benchmarked to best practices to achieve savings in the market segments identified by the potential forecast.
Working with the regulatory and legal teams, we developed the filing and expert testimony for the Phase I plan and participated in interactions with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC or Commission). After the Commission approved the plan, we helped the client’s energy efficiency department develop operational processes and supporting systems; assisted with the solicitation, evaluation and selection of program implementation contractors; and interacted with the statewide evaluator and EM&V consultant to address evaluation, measurement and verification matters.
Results
Duquesne Light achieved energy efficiency savings at 123% of the Phase I goal. Portfolio EM&V realization rates exceeded 95% as measured by an independent evaluation contractor and confirmed by the Pennsylvania PUC Statewide Evaluator. Following achievement of this milestone in 2013, MCR continued to work with Duquesne Light to achieve its Phase II (2013-2016) plan goal and Phase III (2016-2021) plan goal.
In addition to helping Duquesne Light achieve its energy savings goals, MCR has helped our client design, develop and implement leading-edge programs for its customers, including:
- Public Agency Partnership program
- Schools Energy Pledge program
- Community Education program
- Low income multi-family passive house program
- Commercial “self-install” LED lighting program
These programs and others have established our client as an innovator in energy efficiency in Pennsylvania.