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In this newsletter:
- Meet SPEER's New Communication Coordinator
- PUCT's EEIP Meeting Recap
- Upcoming Webinars
- Energy Thought Summit: April 15-18
- SPEER's TECCC Meeting: April 18
- FAQ & Heat Pumps
- TEPRI's 2023 Community Voices in Energy Survey
- Demand Flexibility Training
- What We're Reading
- SPEER's YouTube Channel
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We're thrilled to introduce SPEER's newest team member, Fletcher Berndt! As the new face of SPEER communications, you'll be seeing a lot of him and we're excited to have him dive head-first into the world of energy efficiency, efficient building systems, distributed energy resources, and more as we improve our communities and environment together.
Welcome to the team! Meet Fletcher and learn more about the SPEER staff.
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Energy Efficiency Implementation Project Meeting Recap | |
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On February 28th, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) held its winter Energy Efficiency Implementation Project (EEIP) meeting. This allowed stakeholders the opportunity to learn about the upcoming 2025 investor-owned utility energy efficiency program changes. A big focus from our utility partners was on residential demand response program development among other alterations to the programs. The PUCT’s EM&V contractor presented on the annual technical reference manual (TRM) update which is where all deemed savings calculations are published. Interested parties are able to submit potential changes to the TRM to the PUCT and EM&V team. Lastly, Eddy Trevino, Director of the State Energy Office, indicated that Texas is planning to apply for both the Home Efficiency Rebates program and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program potentially bringing $690M to the state to increase energy efficiency technology deployment across Texas.
The full video of the EEIP meeting is available here.
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The next EMPOWERED Solutions webinars will guide you through free clean energy training and resources developed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), New Buildings Institute (NBI), Southface Energy Institute, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. From code officials to building inspectors, staying up-to-date on clean energy technologies is more important than ever.
On March 7, they’ll present Empowering Communities: Essential Training on Solar, Storage, Electric Vehicles, and Electrification. In this webinar, national clean energy experts will guide you through free clean energy training and resources focused on safety and best practices. On March 26, register for Streamlined Permitting & Inspections: Solar, Storage, EV Charging Lessons Learned. This webinar takes a deep dive into New Buildings Institute (NBI)’s work with new tools for clean energy permitting and inspection, highlighting resources and case studies.
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What’s Hot with Heat Pumps
Tuesday, March 19, at 10:30 AM CST
Join us for our next SPEER webinar focused on heat pump technology, and why it’s ideal in southern markets. Our expert presenter will discuss the evolution of the technology over the years (which has improved dramatically!), cover why an inverter runs continuously, and why that’s a good thing. We will review the cost perspective when it comes to homeowners and the life cycle of their equipment as well as any upfront costs and impacts to utility bills. Lastly, we’ll touch on important tax incentives and the direction high-performance homes are moving.
Speaker: Garrett Smith, Area Sales Manager (Central Texas), Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC
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Why Energy Codes Matter
March 26 at 10:30 AM CST
Discover through expert insights and a wealth of data the importance of energy codes in building energy-efficient homes. Learn how these codes not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also offer substantial cost savings. This informative session will guide you through the benefits, key components, and application of energy codes. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to the energy code, this webinar will arm you with essential knowledge to contribute to a healthier planet. Dive into the future of construction, where efficiency and sustainability meet.
Speaker: Jason Vandever, Director of Technical Services, NAIMA (North American Insulation Manufacturers Association)
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Empowering the Future: Austin Energy All-Stars Program for 6th Graders - Discovering Electricity, Savings, and Sustainability
April 11 at 10:00 AM CST
Join us as representatives from the Austin Independent School District present the outcomes and impact of the "All-Stars" program. Austin Energy proudly supports the All-Stars Program, a unique opportunity for teachers, students, and families to delve into the world of energy efficiency. Tailored for 6th-grade students, this program combines an in-class curriculum with a take-home kit packed with energy-efficient products. Uncover the mysteries of electricity, learn valuable ways to save energy and money, and embark on a journey toward a sustainable future. Implemented in various schools within the Austin Independent School District, this program showcases a collaborative effort to enhance the educational experience for students, contributing to a broader understanding of energy efficiency. Discover how this initiative has influenced students, enriched their understanding of energy concepts, and contributed to the broader educational goals of the district.
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Join the 11th Energy Thought Summit (ETS) in Austin, TX, from April 15-18, as we reflect on the industry’s past achievements while anticipating the limitless opportunities that lie ahead. Accompany SPEER and join industry pioneers, thought leaders and visionaries coming together to discuss shaping a future powered by clean, accessible energy sources. This year's agenda is curated around the 5 biggest trends in energy: DREAM [Decarbonization, Resilience, Equity, Analysis, and Modernization]. SPEER will be speaking on the April 17th panel: Decarbonizing Heat and Buildings: Innovative Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Electrification. Register now and come learn with us! | |
TECCC Meeting: Save the Date! | |
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SPEER aims to promote energy code compliance across TX & OK by optimizing energy efficiency, durability, and affordability. Save the date for our upcoming in-person Texas Energy Code Compliance Collaborative (TECCC) meeting on April 18th! By facilitating the collaboration, SPEER connects industry stakeholders to help develop resources and programs that encourage compliance with state and local energy codes. The quarterly This group of collaborative members meets quarterly and aids with the following efforts:
- Develop strategies to increase compliance rates & resiliency
- Provide and disseminate information to their respective industry stakeholders
- Participate in the effort to measure and verify the State’s code compliance
We will be combining TECCC with our Ambassador meeting as well, which you can learn more about here, and we invite you to consider becoming become a SPEER Energy Code Ambassador. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Austin - Round Rock: 2310 N. IH 35. Please let us know if you plan to join us for both the TECCC and Ambassador meeting: Register here!
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FAQ's on Heat Pump Technology | |
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Heat pump technology is not new, but improvements in efficiency, along with city, state, and federal climate goals have dramatically increased their deployment across the country. IREC's guide and FAQ about heat pumps contain questions most often asked about heat pumps and their role in transitioning to all-electric buildings that can be powered by clean energy. Get answers to your questions about heat pumps, such as the benefits of heat pumps, how heat pumps perform in cold climates, incentives for installation, and more. Explore This Comprehensive and Interactive Resource.
Also, head over to SPEER's heat pump page for a deeper dive into the types of heat pumps, different speeds of heat pumps, and explore if they are right for you.
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TEPRI's 2023 Community Voices in Energy Survey | |
The Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI)'s 2023 Community Voices in Energy Survey shines a light on LMI households that are faced with high energy burdens and often have to make the hard decision between paying for their energy bills or food and necessary medication as climate risks increase. This survey helps to better understand concerns around affordability, reliability, energy insecurity, clean energy, and more. | Free Online Demand Flexibility Training | |
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Through demand flexibility, we can move energy production and demand into greater alignment and reduce the need for costly infrastructure investments in transmission and central generation. It is the coordinated manipulation of energy consumption and production across grid devices on a massive scale while maintaining livability and comfort standards.
AESP is offering free, online courses that are convenient, and designed for energy efficiency leaders. Elevate your expertise with FLEX's accredited online courses and dive into topics such as water heaters, lighting, HVAC systems, and cutting-edge distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar, battery storage, and EVSE. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, FLEX FLEX's 3-course series offers flexible learning modules, and equips tomorrow's workforce with skills for grid-interactive energy technologies.
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