Program Experience and Its Regulatory Implications: A Case Study of Utility Lighting Efficiency Programs

Abstract

demand-side resources.Again, this question cannot be answered without a better understanding of the quantitative and qualitative results achieved by utility programs.Finally, proposals that would provide regulatory profit incentives for utility demand-side investments magnify the need for detailed evaluations of program experience.Such evaluations could address measurement issues raised by these incentives proposals.They can also help guide future utility experimentation with improved program designs. Program surveys versus in-depth analysisProgram experience has been analyzed in two major ways: one is the compilation of program data and results in the form of comprehensive surveys or databases (EPRI 1988, IRRC 1987).Here, the NORDAX project of New England utilities (NORDAX 1988) goes a significant step further in that it develops a consistent reporting and data development protocol for a large number of programs.Comprehensive surveys have provided valuable insights into the volume and direction of utility DSM activity, but they do not provide the detailed information needed for extracting more than broad generalizations about the "lessons learned."A second, complementary category of evaluation is the in-depth analysis of individual programs.In-depth process and impact analyses are needed to reliably translate specific program features, circumstances, and histories into guidelines for future program experimentation and lessons learned.'