Active Efficiency and the Collaborative

Active Efficiency is a key enabler for creating an equitable, adaptable,
and decarbonized energy system.

As energy efficiency enters the digital age, we must coalesce around a shared vision that integrates well-established energy efficiency approaches with the capabilities of smart and connected technologies, distributed energy resources, and key decarbonization strategies. 

Active Efficiency

The past decade has witnessed a transformation of our energy system, driven by advances in IT innovation and connectivity, the prevalence of more efficient devices, and higher deployment and integration of distributed energy resources. Today, we can control not only how much energy is consumed, but when and where, offering tremendous potential to optimize energy consumption across an increasingly integrated and dynamic energy system.

This transformation creates countless opportunities. A better-optimized energy system can slash energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions, provide all consumers with better quality service while reducing costs and energy burdens, and produce a cleaner and more resilient power system.

But innovation is outpacing industry response and policy frameworks. Stakeholders have competing visions for the future, policymakers and regulatory commissions are working with lagging regulatory and incentive structures, and many consumers lack access to these new opportunities.

As energy efficiency enters the digital age, we must coalesce around a shared vision that integrates well-established energy efficiency approaches with the capabilities of smart and connected technologies, distributed energy resources, and decarbonization and environmental justice strategies.

We call this Active Efficiency.

    Active Efficiency optimizes the use of energy by integrating the benefits of traditional energy efficiency measures with the opportunities presented by digital technologies.

    The Collaborative

    To take full advantage of this critical moment, we’ve brought together the Active Efficiency Collaborative. The Active Efficiency Collaborative is a community of industry leaders, NGOS, and public sector institutions working to accelerate the equitable adoption of Active Efficiency, which integrates digital innovations, smarter and more connected systems, and distributed energy resources with traditional energy efficiency methods. The group achieves results by deepening collaboration among stakeholders, cultivating champions, and developing strategies and policies to scale up Active Efficiency at federal, state, and local levels for a cleaner and more equitable energy system.

    Active Efficiency Collaborative Vision

    A world that values Active Efficiency as a key enabler for creating an equitable, adaptable, and decarbonized energy system.

    Active Efficiency Collaborative Mission

    To accelerate the adoption of Active Efficiency principles by deepening collaboration among stakeholders, cultivating champions, and developing strategies and policies to scale up Active Efficiency.

    Join Us

    Find out how you can get involved and join the Collaborative.

    Find out more about the Active Efficiency Collaborative structure.

    Meet the Active Efficiency Steering Committee

    What is Active Efficiency?

    As energy efficiency enters the digital age, it incorporates a wider range of features, becoming more dynamic, connected, and multifaceted. These elements can be visualized by the three dimensions of a cube. 

    1. Time-dependence: from static to highly time-dependent and responsive (e.g. building envelope improvements to demand response);
    2. Integration: from component-level to multi-system integration (e.g. LEDs to building-to-grid integration);
    3. Benefits: from energy savings and economic productivity to resilience, health, and emissions reductions.

    Twenty-first century problems call for 21st century solutions. While traditional energy efficiency has been essential for keeping energy use and emissions in check for decades and will continue to be the foundational base moving forward, critical considerations such as climate, grid resilience, and equity issues call for leveraging all the tools at our disposal to maximize opportunities across the full cube.

    This is Active Efficiency. It optimizes the use of energy by integrating the benefits of traditional energy efficiency measures with the opportunities presented by digital technologies.

    Join the Active Efficiency Collaborative

    Interested in working together to accelerate the adoption of Active Efficiency? Join us!

    Our growing membership includes leaders in industry, utilities, public sector agencies, NGOs, and research institutions who are passionate about deepening collaboration among stakeholders, cultivating champions, and developing strategies and policies to scale up Active Efficiency at federal, state, and local levels.

    There are three main tiers of engagement with the Collaborative:

    Steering Committee

    $25,000 Contribution

    The Steering Committee oversees the Collaborative. Comprised of corporate executives, policymakers, and non-governmental thought leaders, the Steering Committee has the collective capacity to ignite market transformation. The Committee establishes and reviews Collaborative priorities, projects, and future avenues for engagement; guides and approves deliverables generated by the Collaborative’s Working Teams; and promotes the work of the Collaborative through a variety of platforms.

    Working Teams

    $10,000 Contribution

    The Steering Committee is supported by Active Efficiency Working Teams, which complete projects designed to advance the Collaborative’s focus areas. The Working Teams meet every four to six weeks to produce specific deliverables that promote Active Efficiency in policy, programs, and markets. Working Team focus areas are determined by the Steering Committee each year. Find out about the 2021 focus areas here.

    Partners

    In-Kind Support

    The Collaborative works with non-profit organizations and public agencies who have a mutual commitment to advancing Active Efficiency. Partner organizations receive acknowledgement and exclusive engagement opportunities in return for promoting the Collaborative’s deliverables.

    Contact us to join or find out more about the Active Efficiency Collaborative.

    JOIN THE ACTIVE EFFICIENCY COLLABORATIVE