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The changing utility industry and opportunities to improve energy efficiency: Insights from the U.S., Germany and Australia
Panel: 1. Foundations of future energy policy
This is a peer-reviewed paper.
Authors:
Steven M. Nadel, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), USA
Stefan Thomas, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Germany
Chris Dunstan, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Dagmar Kiyar, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Germany
Abstract
The electric utility sector in Australia, Germany and the U.S. are all going through major changes driven by declining sales, increasing use of distributed energy sources and policy responses to global climate change. This paper discusses efforts in each of these countries to reform their electric industries, address climate change and promote energy efficiency. Going forward, we see a role for government, utilities and private market energy efficiency efforts in all three countries, although the emphasis will vary by country and will evolve over time. Where all three parties can work together with a common vision, reform efforts are likely to be more successful and more sustained. In all three countries the future is uncertain. In the face of this uncertainty, energy efficiency supporters need to keep abreast of these changes, and find more flexible and nimble policy strategies for energy efficiency to prosper, as the future is likely to unfold in unexpected ways.
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Panels of
1. Foundations of future energy policy
2. Energy efficiency policies – how do we get it right?
4. Mobility, transport, and smart and sustainable cities
5. Energy use in buildings: projects, technologies and innovation
6. Policies and programmes towards a zero-energy building stock
7. Appliances, product policy and the ICT supply chain
8. Monitoring and evaluation: building confidence and enhancing practices