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A review of 14 leading energy efficiency program administrators demonstrates that high levels of energy savings are not only achievable but also sustainable. Despite substantial challenges that may limit savings opportunities in traditional areas, energy savings have increased from year to year. Average net energy savings levels have doubled for the administrators in this sample, from 0.9% in 2008 to 1.8% in 2014. Utility-sector energy efficiency programs have grown substantially in the past decade. According to the most recent ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, electric-efficiency program investments have increased from approximately $1.5 billion in 2006 to over $5.9 billion in 2014. As savings levels have increased, national leaders in program administration have emerged. In this paper we review annual program performance for 14 leading energy efficiency program administrators. We sought diversity in the selection of program administrators and included administrators of varying service-territory size and geographic location. Among the 14 program administrators we reviewed, none achieved electricity savings of 1.5% of retail electric sales in 2009. By 2014, 8 of the 14 were achieving savings higher than 1.5%, with 4 of the 8 saving more than 2%. The data also show that high savings are sustainable over time. We find that as savings rise, levelized costs of energy efficiency remain relatively flat. This paper also seeks to identify the drivers of high savings. State or local policy requirements to meet specific energy-efficient savings goals guide all program administrators in this study. The design of the targets and goals vary, but these policies are critical in driving high levels of savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An examination of the dynamics of the South Australian market finds that decarbonization-related policy objectives for the South Australian electricity system are unachievable with continued reliance upon an energy-only market. To avoid extreme pricing volatility and possible security of supply issues, it is vital that Australia urgently review its energy market frameworks to ensure they are better integrated with climate change policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors estimate price-responsiveness of the residential customers with increasing residential PV penetration and project future electricity sales to the residential sector considering various future PV penetration scenarios. This projection is potentially useful for utilities in their resource planning and ratemaking processes as they formally incorporate the expected reduction in residential electricity demand due to increased penetration of distributed generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key elements of EPA's Clean Power Plan rely on forecasted electricity sales from the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS), but NEMS has consistently over-projected electricity sales. An analysis of the model's bias as applied by EPA raises concerns about the stringency of the proposed emissions targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]