Programs and Projects Archive
As a part of its mission to provide technical assistance and outreach to enhance energy efficiency in Tennessee, OEP administers a variety of programs and regularly participates in special energy-focused, multi-stakeholder projects. Although the programs and projects highlighted below are no longer active, OEP maintains data and reports for public reference and education.
Advancing Energy Efficiency in Wastewater Utilities
In 2011, a group of stakeholders representing several State, federal, and nongovernmental entities created the Tennessee Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency Partnership. This group provided no-cost technical assistance for water and wastewater facilities to identify operational strategies that could reduce energy consumption (and, often, nutrient discharge) and result in energy cost savings. OEP led the Partnership from 2016 to 2018 and continues to work with participating wastewater systems to collect energy efficiency data.
City of Bristol Energy Efficiency Assistance Program
In March 2014, TDEC provided a grant to the City of Bristol to design, develop, and deliver the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program, which provided qualifying low-to-moderate-income homeowners with a free in-home energy evaluation, a customized implementation plan by the local utility, and up to $20,000 per home in financial assistance to install recommended energy efficiency upgrades. The program’s period of performance ended in June 2016.
Stimulating Energy Investment in Tennessee
From 2014-2016, OEP and Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. provided education, outreach, and technical assistance to local governments, K-12 schools, and public housing authorities in Tennessee to drive demand for energy improvement investments. During the program’s period of performance, the project team provided education, outreach, and technical assistance to over 346 entities and drove demand for energy improvement investments of over $48 million in Tennessee.
Energy Efficiency Registry Framework
From 2016-2017, OEP worked with state energy offices across the U.S. to develop a framework for an energy efficiency registry, in cooperation with The Climate Registry, the National Association of State Energy Officials, and supporting organizations E4TheFuture and APX. The project had several goals: (1) provide a tool for compliance with federal and/or state emissions regulations and energy objectives; (2) ease the administrative costs and reporting burden of assessing energy efficiency program benefits; and (3) enhance the transparency of energy savings ownership and attribution.
City of Bristol Energy Efficiency Assistance Program photo, "Weatherization," by Dennis Schroeder, NREL. Energy Efficiency Registry Framework photo, "NEER," by The Climate Registry. All other photos courtesy of TDEC OEP staff or Pixabay.com.