Energy Markets
Renewable Energy Purchasing
The Montgomery County Department of General Services engaged Elsen Energy Consulting to conduct a renewable energy purchase for a multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional buying group. Activities included market analysis using primary and secondary data sets; valuation of environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy product types; procurement support including development of bid documents, pricing sheets and requirements for attestation and reporting; and assessment of technologies and project siting options.
Cleantech Development Report
When the Canadian Embassy was seeking information on US energy markets, it engaged Elsen Energy Consulting to perform an assessment of the renewable energy and Cleantech market in the Mid-Atlantic region. Work included analysis of technology development and R&D in several market subsectors, including wind power, solar energy, ocean energy, clean coal, carbon capture and sequestration, low-impact hydropower, biofuels and fuel cells. Elsen Energy provided an assessment of activity in major research institutions, market gap analysis, projections for growth in R&D within subsectors and general information for Canadian firms interested in partnering with US counterparts and start-ups.
Market Drivers for Energy Efficiency
As a consultant with ICF International, Ms. Elsen provided assistance to the Service and Product Provider (SPP) membership of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star® program. This included the development and implementation of a five-point marketing strategy to expand the reach of the Energy Star® program via market “push” in the form of increased business activities for the providers of energy-efficiency services and products. Activities included sector-based market research, messaging development and testing, branding and production of targeted collateral materials.
Renewable Energy Market Development
The Green Power Partnership is a federal-level voluntary program that promotes the purchase of renewable energy by public and private sector organizations. Ms. Elsen managed ICF International’s support to the EPA for the implementation of the Partnership, including program design modifications; coordination with product providers, marketing, communications and public relations; technical assistance; and tracking program data. As of December, 2007, the Green Power Partnership has over 800 members who are purchasing more than ten-million megawatt-hours of renewable-generated electricity.
Analysis of Renewable Energy Markets
Ms. Elsen researched the status of Renewable Portfolio Standard legislation and regulation in six New England states for ICF International to determine their affect on renewable energy supply development, and on the future of renewable energy certificate (REC) prices. The analysis included differences in state definitions of eligible renewable resources, percentage targets, load-serving entities affected by the standards, alternative compliance mechanisms, provisions for banking REC, and interaction between existing voluntary markets and newly established compliance requirements.
Renewable Energy Purchase Power Agreement
Ms. Elsen assisted and advised the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission in developing a long-term renewable energy purchasing strategy. Based on her prior recommendations to the Montgomery County government, the strategy resulted in a ten-year, fixed-price contract for power output of a wind facility scheduled for construction in Pennsylvania. The Commission's purchase agreement facilitated long-term financing for construction and operation of the wind facility, thereby enabling its development. In addition to environmental and air-quality benefits, the Commission anticipates electricity cost savings of $12 million over the ten-year life of the agreement.
Solar Energy – Policy, Advocacy and Market Development
As Executive Director of the Maryland-DC-Virginia chapter of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Ms. Elsen provided direction and oversight to a 501(c)(6) trade association that promoted a growing market for solar equipment in the Mid-Atlantic region. She coordinated efforts to improve the business climate for companies in the solar industry, including the development of solar legislation, codes and standards, improved financing mechanisms and heightened consumer awareness. Ms. Elsen worked with national associations to address technical and policy issues impacting the solar energy industry. She also coordinated analysis of local and national energy policy issues, factors affecting international markets for renewable technologies and regional economic development as it relates to the renewable energy industry.
Green Buildings and LEED®
Contact Elsen Energy Consulting to learn more about the firm’s services and request information.