FEI-FEVI 2010 EEC Report filed March 31, 2011 - FortisBC

FORTISBC ENERGY INC. AND FORTISBC ENERGY (VANCOUVER ISLAND) INC.
2010 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION ANNUAL REPORT
11 ENABLING ACTIVITIES
11.1 Introduction
Enabling Activities are activities that support the Companies’ EEC program development and
delivery. Although these activities do not have energy savings directly associated with them,
they play a very important role because they provide resources common to the support and
ultimately, the delivery, of all program area activities. Expenditures in these areas are part of the
overall overhead of EEC program delivery, and are included at the portfolio level in the overall
EEC portfolio TRC score.
In 2010, Enabling Activities fall into four major categories, including research and evaluation,
Efficiency Partners program, codes and standards, and energy management funding.
11.1.1 RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
Two general areas of activity are included: market research and program evaluation. Market
research provides invaluable background information used for planning and implementing
effective programs, and program evaluation helps to measure the effectiveness of a particular
program and/or initiative.
11.1.2 EFFICIENCY PARTNERS PROGRAM
The Companies identify efficiency partners as equipment manufacturers, service contractors,
distributors, and retailers, and recognize the influence these various industry groups have with
the end use residential and commercial customers who make energy efficiency decisions.
Providing a targeted focus through investment in these industry groups is essential in order to
consolidate and enhance existing service and supplier relationships, and through these
efficiency partners, provide a delivery pathway for all EEC programs to customers.
The EEC Decision (Order G-36-09) did not approve the discrete Trade Relations program area
funding that supports these activities as it was identified as a duplication of commercial and
residential program delivery expenditure. The expenditures in this area are part of the overall
overhead of EEC program delivery and are included in the overall EEC TRC score. The EEC
Stakeholder Group has not identified any objection to this approach.
11.1.3 CODES AND STANDARDS
Utilities play an important role in energy efficiency market transformation through support for the
development of codes and standards. Government and regulating bodies are constantly seeking
the participation and input of stakeholder groups, such as utilities, which have a unique
understanding of energy supply and customer demand cycles, as well as the ability to support
market transformation with financial incentives for efficient equipment and systems. The
province’s target levels and implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act are
SECTION 11: ENABLING ACTIVITIES Page 221