DOE Technical Assistance Program June Webinar Schedule
June 09, 2011
State, city, county, and tribal energy practitioners will have the opportunity to sharpen their skills and knowledge with the Technical Assistance Program's (TAP) June webinars. These sessions will continue to explore best practices and technical information for energy experts looking to gain the latest information in the field.
Registration is now open for the June webinars, which will address a range of topics including:
- Reporting energy use data in EPA's Portfolio Manager
- Best practices for establishing a municipal fund for energy efficiency
- Policies and practices for utilizing geothermal heat pumps
- An introduction to utility energy efficiency programs and developing new partnerships
- Interior lighting efficiency for municipalities
The complete webinar schedule for this month can be found below. Webinar details may change over the month so please check the Solution Center webcasts page for the most up to date information and to register. You can also view presentations from past TAP webinars at the site. A description of each webinar and other valuable information for policymakers, program managers, and other energy experts can also be found on the TAP blog.
Don't see a webinar for a topic you're interested in? Make a comment on our blog or send an email to solutioncenter@ee.doe.gov.
Portfolio Manager Reporting and Energy Disclosure Practices
Date: June 16, 2011
Time: 1:00-2:00 EDT
Host: ICF International
Webinar Description: Public sector organizations are increasingly taking a "lead by example" approach by benchmarking their buildings' energy use and disclosing energy usage data to the public. This transparency creates accountability within an organization and also can be used to communicate results of excellence in energy management to the community. This webinar will review the energy disclosure and reporting practices of DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program grantees to provide an example on benchmarking accomplishments to others. Grantees will then learn how to move from benchmarking and managing their energy use to the next level by disclosing their energy use to the community in order to promote accountability and demonstrate leadership in energy management. Unlike previous Portfolio Manager webinars that have touched on the tool's reporting features, this webinar will go over the reporting features in more detail, including how to leverage stock reports, develop custom reports, and create reports for display to the public. This webinar will also show how New York City is using Portfolio Manager as a compliance tool for annual benchmarking disclosure.
Best Practices for Establishing Municipal Funds for Energy Efficiency Projects
Date: June 21, 2011
Time: 2:00-3:30 EDT
Host: Center for Climate Strategies and ICF International
Webinar Description: Many grantees have expressed interest in how to set up a dedicated fund for energy efficiency projects because they lack funds to make improvements to their internal facilities. This webinar will discuss the necessary steps for setting up an internal fund to pay for municipal building energy efficiency upgrades. This webinar will present a sustainable model to help manage funds for energy efficiency improvements so that they continue to have an impact over time. We will provide ideas for the potential sources of capital for the energy efficiency improvements—beyond American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds—and different ways to set up the mechanism. The presenters will discuss how to identify what projects to fund, decide how the money should be managed, and set up a system to measure and verify the energy savings. In addition, two grantees, one with pre-ARRA funding and one using ARRA-funding, will share their experiences and lessons learned.
Geothermal Heat Pumps: In Policy and Practice
Date: June 23, 2011
Time: 3:00-4:15 EDT
Host: National Renewable Energy Labs
Webinar Description: Many grantees have expressed interest in learning more about using geothermal resources as well as the differences between geothermal electricity and geothermal heat pumps (also known as ground source heat pumps). This webinar will address the intricacies of policy development surrounding both technologies. This webinar will begin with a discussion on the specific technology and context associated with ground source heat pumps and the different technologies and policies that optimize utilization of both geothermal electricity and ground source heat pumps. Grantees will also hear directly how the city of Eagan, MN used ground source heat pumps in multiple facilities to reduce their energy costs for public facilities.
Partnering with Utilities 101: Introduction to Utility Energy Efficiency Programs and Developing New Partnerships
Date: June 28, 2011
Time: 2:00-3:00 EDT
Host: Southwest Energy Efficiency Partnership and ICF International
Webinar Description: This webinar will discuss how grantees can continue their energy efficiency efforts in their communities by partnering with utilities on existing utility energy efficiency programs. The webinar will provide tools and guidance on developing effective relationships with utilities and insight into utilities' priorities that influence investment in energy efficiency programs. There will be presentations by a commercial and residential demand-side management technical expert and one or two grantees.
Interior Lighting Efficiency for Municipalities
Date: June 29, 2011
Time: 2:00-3:00 EDT
Host: Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Webinar Description: As municipalities across the nation are considering lighting upgrades as a way of improving indoor lighting quality and reducing operational energy costs, they often seek information to support their decision-making process, create successful projects, and realize high energy savings. This webinar begin by informing participants on the fundamentals of energy-efficient indoor lighting for municipal applications. The presenters will provide an overview of next-generation lighting technologies, guidelines for implementing daylight harvesting and adaptive lighting controls, and will identify online tools that can help municipalities identify energy savings opportunities. Participants will learn how to judge if the technology fits the space, how to complete integrated design, and how to effectively use lighting controls, day lighting techniques, and occupancy sensors.
