The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) recently completed a report that reveals steps that can be taken to combat global warming while improving U.S. energy security.
The report, titled "The Twin Pillars of Sustainable Energy: Synergies Between Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technology and Policy," shows how the U.S. can reduce its conventional electricity generation and carbon emissions. On hot summer afternoons, efficiency can help reduce peak loads, while solar and wind systems can operate at high outputs, reducing the use of high-cost, high-emission peaking generation, ACEEE and ACORE say.
In addition, the report examines key policy areas where efficiency and renewables work well together, including resource standards for utilities, public benefits funds, climate policy, trading in clean energy credits, and utility regulatory policies. It contains case studies of both statewide programs and policies, and individual case studies at the building level, the organizations add.
