Center For Energy And Environment

Programs: Energy conservation services: combining the latest research with a "one-stop" approach, cee's programs help energy utilities to design and implement innovative, cost-effective energy efficiency programs for residential customers. Cee's commercial programs are designed to address the energy needs of minnesota businesses and multifamily building owners. The one-stop efficiency shop is a full-service energy efficiency program sponsored by xcel energy to alleviate small businesses' biggest barriers when shifting to better lighting. In the filing year savings of 13,599 kw and 72,867,628 kwh were recognized through installations of energy efficient lighting in small businesses and nonprofits throughout minnesota. In 2016, cee added rooftop unit services to the one-stop program. Hvac improvements offer new low-hanging fruit to help small businesses save money on utility bills, and tap in to new energy savings that can help minnesota stay on track to meet its efficiency goals. The utility sponsored energy savings projects are part of the conservation improvement programs mandated by minnesota law. Cee's residential programs include the home energy squad for centerpoint energy and xcel energy and several programs for minnesota energy resources. In 2016 the home energy squad (hes) program completed 2,400 home visits. "install-only" visits include general home maintenance information and the direct installation of energy-saving materials, while "enhanced" visits add diagnostic testing, water heater and heating system safety checks, and specific energy upgrade recommendations tailored to each home. Aligned with the residential energy program, cee customized its energy fit homes certification program for existing homes with a focus on energy efficiency upgrades. The program provides participating homeowners with an energy fitness score that evaluates each home's performance and efficiency in five areas. In several greater minnesota cities served by minnesota energy resources corporation (merc), cee provided workshops as an entry point for homeowners to participate in local home energy audit programs. Also for merc, cee implements a multifamily efficiency program that has served several dozen area buildings and an authorized insulation contractor program to help maintain high-quality standards for regional insulation contractors while ensuring program compliance through inspections. Cee's engineers provide technical assistance for commercial and industrial buildings with a commitment to practical solutions for complex issues. Engineers focus on everything from building automation systems to ventilation and lighting. Because efficiency is every company's lowest-cost option for energy savings, we empower owners of both new and existing buildings to better understand their energy use and improve operations and systems in practical ways. As with all of its engineering projects, cee's goal is to offer solutions for a comfortable and productive work environment by improving ventilation and indoor air quality, solving problems with building operations, and training staff for ongoing efficiency savings. Generally this is done through low cost measures that optimize existing systems.

research: cee's research team conducts technology and market assessments to identify tomorrow's best clean energy strategies. Through their efforts, the organization develops innovative technologies and specialized research to support the advancement of energy efficiency and public health. For more than three decades, cee's researchers have produced technical studies on building science, mechanical system performance, and program policy design. From homes to high-rises, our data-driven field research assesses savings and performance characteristics of specific energy approaches including building envelopes, air leakage, hvac design and retrofits, indoor air quality, and energy feedback and behavior. Cee performs field research to identify various optimization techniques and to gather data that informs the organization and allows for better program design. During the filing year, cee researchers maintained xx active projects on commercial energy recovery ventilation systems, the reduction of duct leakage in buildings, optimized operations of indoor public pool facilities, commercial roof top unit control technologies, data center efficiencies, sustainable building design, and commercial building leakage. Researchers gave 19 presentations at national conferences, and released 5 publications of research findings. In 2016, the u. S. Department of energy announced it will invest in cee's aerosol sealant research to reduce total envelope air leakage in single-family residences, expanding on cee's prior research into aerosol sealing in multifamily buildings. Many cee research projects are funded by the mn department of commerce through the card grant program.

community rehabilitation services: since the early 1980s, center for energy and environment has provided over $200 million in energy improvement loans, funded through various state and city programs as well as designated cee funds. In partnership with many cities, utilities, and minnesota housing finance agency's fix-up program, the lending center offers financing to residential property owners for rehabilitation and energy efficiency projects and to businesses for energy-related improvements. Homeowners and landlords may receive loans, often income-targeted, to make improvements to their properties. Low-interest and no-interest loan programs are also available to nonprofits and small businesses for energy efficiency improvements. Cee has also funded several residential solar projects which has helped many homeowners invest in renewable energy options for their homes. Cee also offers remodeling advisory services to assist homeowners in reviewing bids and prioritizing improvements. Within the filing year, cee's lending center originated 528 loans totaling $8. 3 million. Cee administers the residential noise mitigation program for the metropolitan airports commission. This program works to improve livability for those adversely affected by aircraft noise. The program provides noise mitigating improvements to homes located in and around the msp airport. During the filing year 139 homes entered the program.

policy and community education: cee works to advance effective clean energy policy for a healthy, low-carbon economy. The policy team is driven by a longstanding focus on community, consumer protection, and the environment, infused with a practitioner's perspective. Cee emphasizes saving energy, the lowest cost and lowest impact way to meet energy needs and reduce harmful emissions. Operative at local, state, and national levels, cee works across sectors and interest so the policies can be broadly supported throughout the state. Generally, these are high-impact, pragmatic solutions that accelerate near-term implementation, guided by long-term environmental and economic goals. Cee's mission-driven initiatives include efforts to share knowledge and information with energy community stakeholders. In print and on its website, cee offers a range of reports and resources for practitioners and experts to share best practices and novel ideas, and discover the next generation of energy solutions. Findings are disseminated to the public through technical reports, trainings, workshops, webinars, and conference presentations. During the filing year, cee hosted 206 forum attendees and 569 webinar registrants. Since the fall of 2016, cee's "efficiency works: cip in your district" tour has provided local informational opportunities for state leaders to learn about minnesota's conservation improvement program, commonly known as "cip. " at each stop, local business owners and electrical contractors talk about cip's importance in their district, and legislators visit a cip-supported project to see firsthand the jobs and savings it creates. Also in the filing year, cee co-led the third phase of the e21 initiative. E21 unites consumer advocates, regulators, environmental advocates, and others to better align utility regulations and revenues with a sustainable, low-carbon energy system. Building on a strong record of stakeholder engagement, this phase will explore new products and services for customers and new operational techniques for utilities, shrinking the gap between good ideas and implementation. Cee also manages the mn energy challenge, a program and website that empowers minnesotans to take simple steps to reduce their energy use and co2 emissions. As of the end of the filing year, the program had over 35,000 participants. Cee also promotes tolby which stands for "turn off lights behind you," an elementary school campaign to generate interest in energy efficiency by promoting a cartoon character and costumed mascot who interacts with students and promotes energy use habits. Cee is the minnesota implementer of xcel energy's partners in energy program. Communities partner with xcel energy to identify and prioritize their energy needs. Cee helps to facilitate this process and engages the communities in energy planning. So far 13 communities have committed to the 2 year energy planning platform.