Library
Listen to our new podcast episode where team members from ILLUME and Encolor discuss our new strategic partnership, combining each firm’s expertise to deliver enhanced and equitable benefits to the energy industry. Learn how this collaboration aims to support our clients in providing equitable solutions and outcomes for all communities.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations (REEOs) play a pivotal role in enabling energy efficiency initiatives across the United States. In this webinar, we will delve into the multifaceted work of REEOs, exploring how their work is supporting transformative policies, programs, and collective action across regional governments, businesses, and communities.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
In this whitepaper, written for ACEEE Summer Study 2024, we share promising practices around how jurisdictions can approach measuring equitable processes and outcomes in clean energy investments.
Click on the title to read the whitepaper.
This paper, written for ACEEE Summer Study 2024, will share the results of an expansive study focused on language-focused barriers and a journey analysis to better understand the experiences of LOTE and LEP customers.
Click on the title to read the whitepaper.
This paper summarizes the work the authors undertook to identify strategies and best practices to consider as part of an equitable energy code adoption and implementation process.
Click on the title to read the whitepaper.
This whitepaper, written for ACEEE Summer Study. 2024, references research done for leading utilities across the U.S. characterizing key challenges, highlighting the approaches, and course corrections pioneering programs incorporated to electrify space heating in single and multifamily customer homes.
Click on the title to read the whitepaper.
ILLUME assists clients by offering strategic planning support to identify research, program designs, and technologies that align with utility and policy goals. Our focus is on developing equitable and scalable electrification plans within energy program portfolios.
Click on the title to read the case study.
In this talk given at the National Energy Codes Conference (NECC) 2024, Bahareh van Boekhold talks about Inclusive Energy Codes: Bridging the Gap for Equity and Environment Justice.
Click on the title to read the presentation.
In this presentation—given at the Utility Energy Forum (UEF) 2024 in Cambria, California—Executive Vice President, Jes Rivas will be speaking about Building Trust and Demonstrating Value: Addressing the Human Side of the Great Deployment.
Click on the title to read the presentation.
Bahareh van Boekhold gave this presentation at NBI’s Getting to Zero Forum 2024. She presents on an equity framework for building energy codes titled Building Resilient Communities: Equitable Strategies for Heat Mitigation, Cooling Policy, and Inclusive Implementation.
Click on the title to read the presentation.
Mallika Jayaraman, and co-presenters from Elevate and Illinois Power Agency (IPA), presented Removing Barriers to Residential Solar: Illinois Solar for All at the NEUAC 2024 Conference.
Click on the title to read the presentation.
In this presentation given at the Efficiency Exchange 2024 (EFX24) Conference, Mallika talks about using human insights to enhance residential program participation and remove barriers.
Click on the title to read the presentation.
The ILLUME team led a research study to support the launch of SoCalREN’s new Food Desert Energy Efficiency Equity (FDEEE) program.
Lisa QuILLUME conducted an ethnographic research study to explore the magnitude of installation challenges for heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) in cold-climate zones. ILLUME aimed to shed light on why adoption and installation barriers…
Maass Alexandra DunnNEEA hired ILLUME Advising to pursue two concurrent studies around water heater installers. The first was intended to focus on observational research of cold climate HPWH installations in the Northwest to better understand the depth of previously established installation challenges. The second study was geared to better understand any challenges installers and plumbers in the region might face around recommending and installing HPWHs in existing single-family homes.
Click on the title to read the report.
Heat pumps are on the rise in the Northeast, with Massachusetts offering incentives for electrifying home heating and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. In this case study, ILLUME examines user and contractor experiences with heat pump integrated controls (ICs), providing insights to enhance integration with existing heating systems and heat pump adoption. Integrated controls are used to automatically switch between heat pumps and the pre-existing fossil fuel heating system to maximize comfort, efficiency, and bill savings.
Click on the title to read the case study.
Tune in to to see the Arizona Technology Council’s webinar featuring ILLUME Executive Vice President, Jes Rivas. Watch the webinar on-demand and learn more about how ILLUME is supporting clients develop robust R&D pipelines that lead to market adoption of emerging technologies and programs.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Crack the code to transform federal, state, and local policies into tangible, equitable impact during this webinar with ILLUME Directors, Dr. Alex Dunn, Pace Goodman, and Leigh Michael. Moderated by Dr. Sydney G. Roberts (SEEA).
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
This report presents findings from follow-up research conducted on integrated controls (ICs) used with ductless mini-split heat pumps (HPs). These dual-fuel coordination systems were installed through the electrification sub-offering of the Massachusetts Residential Retail Program.
Click on the title to read the report.
Rolling out dynamic pricing (or real-time pricing) rates is a challenge, but new rate designs will be increasingly necessary to address periods of grid stress during peak times. ILLUME supported Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in understanding customer openness to an RTP rate across sectors (Residential, SMB, Ag, and C&I) through qualitative research as part of a mixed-methods project.
Liz KelleyThis presentation, presented at BECC 2023, will show that despite having advantages, induction cooking has only a small share of the residential cooking market.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
This presentation, presented at BECC 2023, will focus on the role of integrated controls in enabling residential customers to adopt heat pumps to replace or displace existing fossil fuel heating systems.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
This session, presented at BECC 2023, will present best practices in dashboard-driven decision-making.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
This session will present best practices on how decision-makers at the state, agency, and utility levels can translate oftentimes opaque policy directives into tangible goals and actionable frameworks.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In this podcast ILLUME Executive Vice President, Jes Rivas, interviews Senior Consultant and fellow Engineer, Nabila Huq. You’ll learn about Nabila’s background in Chemical Engineering, Renewable Fuel Design, Biomedical Materials, Solar Research, and Inorganic and Organic Photovoltaics.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Many states, agencies, and utilities are entrusted with translating equity policies and goals into actionable strategies in their policies and programs. In this case study, ILLUME shares valuable lessons from our work and provides a guide to taking preemptive steps that lay the groundwork for transformative change.
Click on the title to read the case study.
As we celebrate our ten-year milestone, we reflect on the journey that has turned our mission into a vibrant reality alongside our clients, team, and industry partners. We invite you to explore this StoryMap, and we hope you find inspiration in our story.
Click on the title to view the StoryMap
Join us on a journey down memory lane as we celebrate ILLUME’s first decade! In our latest podcast, our amazing team shares heartfelt reflections, hilarious memories, and unforgettable moments that have shaped our journey. Tune in for stories that capture the essence of who we are and what ILLUME stands for.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Creating captivating and insightful data visualizations and designing content to support our research teams are not easy tasks. That’s why our latest podcast episode is shining the spotlight on the brilliant minds of ILLUME Designers, Dave and Dorsey.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this podcast, Anne Dougherty is joined by Cynthia Garcia, Yvette Jackson, and Vera Minot to talk about how Pride shows up in their leadership. You’ll hear personal stories of bravery, growth, and how being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community impacts change in their organizations.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this StoryMap, we share the story of KIGT – a Los Angeles-based, Black, and independently owned EVSE company. By addressing the obstacles KIGT has encountered while serving Black and Brown communities in South Los Angeles, we illuminate the necessary actions for utilities and regulators to take to ensure a just energy transition that benefits all communities. Most importantly, we center the experience of those most impacted by the environmental harms of our energy industry.
Click on the title to view the StoryMap.
In this whitepaper, we identify barriers to equitable transportation electrification (TE) and recommend TE strategies that can unlock electric vehicle (EV) access in Black and Brown Communities. We do this by drawing on an in-depth case study of the Black-owned electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) company, KIGT, and its efforts to serve communities in South Los Angeles.
Click on the title to read the whitepaper.
In this podcast, Anne Dougherty talks to Paul Francis, CEO and Co-Founder of KIGT, an EVSE manufacturing company. Paul talks about how the company started and what barriers and successes have followed.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this episode of Current, an Energy Podcast, Anne Dougherty sits down with Senior Managing Consultant, Leigh Michael, to talk about her background in the energy industry, the projects she’s passionate about, and what fills her happiness bucket.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this presentation, given by Leigh Michael at the AESP Annual 2023 Conference, Leigh talks about how utilities can design inclusive programs by including community-based organizations throughout the process in meaningful ways.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In this presentation given at the AESP 2023 Annual Conference, Lisa LeBeau Obear (ILLUME) and Terrilyn Simmons (Georgia Power), talk about how energy customers were financially impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and how they are adjusting to the “new normal” when it comes to participating in energy efficiency programs.
Click on the title the view the presentation.
In order to help federal, state, and local action plans reach their decarbonization goals, ILLUME looked into ways to promote the adoption of new technologies and all-electric home construction through market transformation programs.
Click on the title to read the case study.
Decarbonization is the cornerstone of many climate action plans, and the electrification of the residential sector presents an opportunity to reduce residential home emissions. ILLUME investigated the market actors that have the power to influence electrifying the residential sector to better understand the barriers that exist for market transformation and the intervention opportunities available.
Click on the title to read the case study.
In Episode 2 of Growing to Meet the Change, Anne speaks with each member of the Executive Team about their new roles, and what it means for the future of ILLUME and our clients.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In Episode 1 of this two-part podcast series, ILLUME Founders, Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius discuss how ILLUME is prepared to meet the changes facing the energy industry.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
An ILLUME study reveals that homeowners are nearly 20% more likely than renters to be aware of their utility’s energy efficiency programs. ILLUME’s research team recently investigated the barriers to participation that renters, landlords, and property owners face and provided solutions to expand program access to more customers.
Click on the title to read the case study.
Bahareh recently joined ILLUME and brings a depth and breadth of energy efficiency work to our Team – from architecture to buildings to government to implementation and evaluation. Listen to this podcast episode to hear more about Bahareh’s journey to ILLUME as she begins the next chapter of her career.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this webinar, presentations were shared that address a DOE-funded study by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and ILLUME Advising. As part of this webinar, Liz Kelley shared the study’s findings about how homeowners make decisions connected to home energy use and how this will inform future electrification opportunities and barriers for decarbonization across a variety of communities.
Click on the title to view the presentations.
This presentation, presented at the 2022 IEPEC conference, discusses two approaches to water heater demand response (DR); full unit replacement and after-market controllers. We present results from a pilot sponsored by a southeastern utility that tested installing brand-new Wi-Fi-enabled water heaters and conducted both winter and summer events.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
Disadvantaged communities face numerous barriers when accessing clean energy and climate adaptation services. To overcome these barriers, NYSERDA enlisted ILLUME to understand these barriers and transform them into opportunities.
Click on the title to read the case study.
In response to the goals outlined in Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), ComEd is developing initiatives for workforce development, electrification, resiliency, and the renewable energy transition – and seeks to do so in a way that equitably addresses and works to correct historic environmental injustice. ComEd enlisted ILLUME to perform a study to inform both its implementation strategy of CEJA’s goals. This report summarizes the analysis, findings, and recommendations from this study.
Click on the title to read the report.
Engaging nonparticipants can be challenging, and in some cases can seem nearly impossible. Yet doing so is increasingly important as we view energy efficiency programming from the lens of equity, working to ensure funds and services are distributed across all populations. This whitepaper will describe participation barriers uncovered across the following groups: renters, owners, property managers, and income-qualified customers and how the work is being integrated in to future planning.
Click on the title to read the whitepaper.
Drawing on statistical methods from biomedical research, ILLUME applied meta-analysis techniques to measure savings from home energy report (HER) programs to understand if HERs continue to be an effective source of energy savings for residential utility customers.
Click on the title to read the case study.
With a novel and engaging research approach, ILLUME identified strategies for an electric utility to serve a broader, more inclusive group of customers residing in the Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Latine communities.
Click on the title to read the case study.
In this paper presented at the 2022 IEPEC Conference, we describe a broad market research study completed in 2020, intended to provide a snapshot of the current state of underserved businesses in one state in the southeast.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
In this whitepaper presented at IEPEC in 2022, ILLUME shares the results from Phase 1 (of 2) for a water heater demand response (DR) pilot. During Phase 1, the pilot evaluated full-unit water heater replacements and found measurable impacts between the summer and winter demand response events. Read the paper to learn more about the impact of load shift events, customer experience, and how Phase 1 informed the design of Phase 2 which installed after-market controllers on water heaters.
Click on the title to read the whitepaper.
In celebration of ILLUME’s ninth anniversary, Co-Founders, Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius, reflect on nearly a decade of work in energy in this episode of Current. They share lessons learned and hint at what’s next for ILLUME.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
This paper will build from the research and experience in three northeastern states to identify barriers to participation related to housing stock issues, as well as for landlords and renters. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to increase the program participation by landlords, property managers, and renters, as well as broader strategies to address housing stock issues.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
In this white paper presented at the ACEEE Summer Study 2022 Conference, the authors explore three case studies conducted with three utilities and organizations testing emerging commercial equipment. Read how the authors present an R&D framework that creates a parallel path to technological investigation, one that focuses understanding on the social and behavioral aspects of a technology, and identifies the interventions needed to overcome barriers introduced by them.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
In this white paper presented at the ACEEE Summer Study 2022 Conference, we share research conducted for the state of Connecticut. This study reviewed programs in place around the country, as well as within the state. Written by Alex Dunn, Liz Kelley, Riana Johnson, with co-authors Lisa Skumatz (SERA), and Bob Wirtshafter (Wirtshafter Associates), this white paper will show our findings and recommendations on how to deliver effective workforce development program improvement.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
This white paper draws on four studies conducted across the nation where the ILLUME team has conducted research in languages other than English. Read this paper, written by Dr. Liz Kelley, Kimberly Jaeger Johnson, and Silvia Milla (Salt River Project), to see ILLUME’s recommendations on how utilities and others can better serve their customers who speak languages other than English.
(Click title to read the White Paper)
In this white paper presented at the ACEEE Summer Study in Buildings 2022 Conference, Tabitha Munson and Matt Galport, along with co-writers Kojo Quaye and Carolyn Sloane (Oracle Utilities) explore energy savings from home energy reports (HERs) and the influencing factors that influence overall impact evaluation results.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
ILLUME engaged in a research study to determine the effectiveness of home energy report (HER) programs in recent years. Using meta-analysis techniques, we examined if savings varied by HER program length, vendor, or program design.
Click on the title to read the report.
In this podcast Lisa LeBeau Obear and Pace Goodman reflect on major changes in the energy industry and in our world, and how the definition of resiliency is continuously changing and is now taking on an expanded meaning. They discuss how evolving evaluation tools can help us navigate these uncertain and challenging times, while being inclusive of all customers and their needs.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this podcast, ILLUME Senior Consultant, Riana Johnson has a conversation with sociologist Dr. Erin Heinz about her research on urban planning and climate policies. She describes methods for encouraging public participation and how we must shift our metrics to measure what matters to society. She paints an optimistic picture for meeting our climate goals.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In 2021, ILLUME conducted research to help a southeastern utility understand customers’ experiences with under-subscribed solar offers and to understand how best to serve customers through renewables. Read this case study to find out what we learned.
Click on the title to read the case study.
In this episode of Current, Mike Li speaks with the Steve Cowell, President of E4TheFuture about the Infrastructure Bill, and its impact on helping the country transition to a clean energy economy. Steve starts by sharing his experience starting the Conservation Services Group, before tackling various provisions of the Infrastructure Bill and how it can help the nation meet the Administration’s climate goals.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
ILLUME was contracted by a regional utility to conduct a customer segmentation study that coupled demographic data with satisfaction and engagement behaviors across multiple programs and business functions.
Click on the title to read the case study.
In this episode of Current, Senior Managing Director of Energy Equity, Research, and Impacts, Dr. Deidre Sanders talks to Paula Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy about her role in energy efficiency and what we have done and need to continue to do to work towards a more equitable energy future.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
To reach our industry’s ambitious carbon reduction goals, technology has to work for the environment and for people. In this case study, ILLUME explores how integrated controls foster beneficial electrification and what contractors and residents need to adopt these technologies.
Click on the title to read the case study.
Listen to our most recent podcast as ILLUME Founder, Anne Dougherty talks with ILLUME Analyst, Arianna Zrzavy about Environmental Justice (EJ) and how EJ screening tools can be used to support communities and policy-makers in better serving historically disadvantaged or marginalized communities.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this episode of Current, ILLUME Founder and Co-Owner, Anne Dougherty talks with our People Champion, Yasmeen Chánes as they examine ILLUME’s value of “Taking Good Care” and ways that organizations can lead by leaning on their values.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this podcast ILLUME Vice President, Laura Schauer talks with ILLUME Founder and Co-Owner, Anne Dougherty about the importance of seeing beyond utility satisfaction metrics as we take a broader look at populations and dig deeper into customers’ individual and unique situations.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Extreme weather events nearly always result in the same outcome: power failures. When this happens, utilities can activate incident command protocols and procedures to quickly restore power. But what about those mechanisms to restore customer confidence? How do utilities stand up and restore value in a time of persistent climate shocks?
Click on the title to read the case study.
Demand response (DR) is continuing to grow in importance as a tool to guard against intermittency and as a strategy to address climate change. But, as our climate and grid challenges increase, can we scale DR meet these new demands?
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
In this episode, ILLUME’s Dr. Alex Dunn and Victor Mercado talk about the Latino/Latina/Latinx experience in the workplace and share insights on what it means to show up to the workplace when your experience is different than that of those around you.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
As the need for demand mitigation increases, how can utilities and program administrators extend energy efficiency portfolios to increase demand impacts?
Click on the title to read the case study.
In this episode, ILLUME’s Jes Rivas and Amanda Maass talk about the LGBTQ experience in the workplace and share insights on what it means to show up to the workplace when your experience is different than that of those around you.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In a crowded market of new and more efficient appliances, can heat pump water heaters deliver deeper savings and expanded opportunities to leverage DR to support the grid during peak usage?
Click on the title to read the case study.
In this webinar we discuss EV adoption with emerging technology experts and members of the ILLUME team as we ask important questions around communicating the benefits of EVs, laying the groundwork for EV charging, and finding ways to partner with cities and stakeholders to meet aggressive climate goals.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
How do we define equity and understand the challenge in front of us? In this special issue, we shed light on equity considerations as we examine how our industry can ensure that historically disadvantaged communities receive equal and restorative benefits from the energy transition.
Click the title to read the playbook.
Join ILLUME’s team of researchers as we break down a) ways to understand the challenge, b) considerations for defining equity, c) ways to bring communities to the table, and d) how to effectively determine and measure who benefits from clean energy investments.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Reorienting toward equity, utilities are seeking ways to remedy disparities through income eligible (IE) offerings. Learn how we helped a Midwest utility client determine the level of energy savings necessary to reduce an income-eligible customer’s energy burden.
Click on the title to read the case study.
How can organizations create cultures that enable employees to bring their full selves to the workplace? In this podcast, we sit down with Dr. Eric Plemons and Dr. Stephanie Troutman Robbins, to help us think critically about how discussions that focus on race and gender are good for us and can help us be better colleagues, and do better work.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
What happens when we reject monolithic thinking, and listen to customers’ lived experiences to find out what matters most to them? Read more in our case study of nonparticipation in Massachusetts.
Click on the title to read the case study.
Join ILLUME Director, Dr. Liz Kelley and Senior Analyst, Emily Morris as they discuss best practices in health and energy programs to help us answer the question: How are utilities and program administrators thinking about and exploring the health and energy nexus?
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this webinar, we speak with government leaders in Arizona, Florida, and Wisconsin to examine resilience through clean energy investments, climate action plans, and climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
How can utilities capitalize on their natural edge as a known and trusted energy provider? Learn how ILLUME used an integrated research approach to uncover new revenue streams in an increasingly competitive environment.
Click on the title to read the case study.
ILLUME led research to evaluate and understand the market impact of National Grid’s EV charging incentive program in 2020.
Click on the title to read the case study.
In this special episode, Anne Dougherty interviews members of Tucson’s Commission on Climate, Energy, and Sustainability. Get an insider’s look at how community leaders are thinking through equity, energy impacts, climate adaptation plans, economic development, and restoring the balance between our natural spaces, our cities, and ourselves.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
What is in store for the energy industry in 2021? Join ILLUME Co-Founders Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius as they reflect on the lessons of 2020 while they chart ILLUME’s course for 2021.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this webinar we explore the role of distributed generation to more equitably address the threats of climate change. Join ILLUME Advising, Southern California Edison, and California-based electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) manufacturer, KIGT, as we discuss resiliency and the ways utilities and cities can better align around the needs of utility customers.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Join us as we look back at the events of 2020 and how they have inspired us to create space for listening, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships to facilitate a faster path to a just energy transition. We also reflect on what it means to be inclusive of Black, Indigenous, and marginalized communities and democratize clean energy opportunities and solutions.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Listen in as we talk mapping, redlining, and urban heat with University of Arizona Assistant Professor of Planning and Sustainable Built Environments, Dr. Ladd Keith and ILLUME Consultant, Amanda Maass.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In a year underscored by racial injustice, how will utilities, regulators, and program administrators enshrine equity into legislation and program offerings? Join as our expert panel discusses this and other important considerations.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
In this evaluation of the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program for San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) ILLUME took part in the evaluation of early feedback on the program’s goals, design, and initiation activities on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). In partnership with Itron and Verdant Associates.
Click on the title to read the report.
Anne Dougherty talks with ILLUME’s Dr. Alex Dunn and Erin Allingham about the intersection of cognitive psychology and behavioral economics, two fields of study that can help us better understand utility customer nonparticipation and other behaviors.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In partnership with ERS and Dunsky, we share year 1 findings of National Grid’s EV Charging Station Program in MA. ILLUME led the process evaluation and longitudinal market study of changes in EV awareness and adoption in National Grid’s territory and within participating communities/workplace organizations.
Click on the title to read the report.
We take a closer look at how solar installers and contractors return to work as states reopen parts of the clean energy economy as the first wave of COVID-19 cases recedes.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
2020 is a watershed year for the energy industry to seize long-awaited opportunities to diversify board rooms, enable pathways for new leadership, and reset policies and statutory language to empower communities of color.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
ILLUME Managing Director, Lisa LeBeau Obear and Senior Research Analyst, Riana Johnson delve into a Twitter conversation at the intersection of COVID-19, HVAC systems, and indoor air quality.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Listen in as Anne Dougherty talks with Yassamin Ansari about climate and energy issues from a local perspective, as well as other important issues like clean energy jobs, transportation electrification, environmental justice, and how to engage the next generation of voters and climate activists.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Disproportionate cases of COVID-19 in Black and low-income communities have laid bare structural factors that amplify environmental disasters, public health emergencies, and climate change.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
We revisit our webinar on Energy Contractor Networks following the passing of the Moving Forward Act, enacted to bring relief after more than 600,000 clean energy jobs were lost to COVID-19.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Environmental justice has reached a tipping point in 2020 as the pandemic has disproportionately impacted people of color while the words “I can’t breathe” take new meaning in communities already left vulnerable by negative environmental impacts.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Sara Conzemius talks with Georgia Power’s Terrilyn Simmons about the utility’s efforts to promote energy efficiency, diversity, and the importance of multicultural research.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Dr. Suzanne Singer of Native Renewables, and Dr. Len Necefer, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona discuss the state of energy resources on tribal lands, the disproportionate rates of COVID-19 cases on the Navajo Reservation and renewable energy investments by tribal governments.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
ILLUME talks with energy contractors as households and business owners rethink energy efficiency retrofits and as program administrators and utilities find solutions to get programs and projects back online after COVID-19.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
More than 600,000 clean energy jobs have been lost during the pandemic. Knowing how to support energy contractor networks through these uncertain times is now more important than ever.
Click on the title to read the report.
COVID-19 has Americans rethinking how to get from point A to point B, and in the process, changing the character of our cities.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
The pandemic forced the American education system to go virtual. And now more than ever, equity is at the forefront of the conversation as the cost of high-speed internet has further widened the digital gap.
Click on the title to read the report.
ILLUME convenes voices in utilities, education, and human services to frame the conversation as utilities and program administrators explore connectivity, tech platforms, and energy services and solutions during COVID-19.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Victor Mercado talks access and equity and how to incentivize schools as they transition to clean energy with Steve Holmes, Superintendent of the second-largest district in Southern Arizona.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
ILLUME convened experts from master-planned communities, commercial real estate, and large multifamily property holding companies in the Southwest to help us think through the effects of COVID-19 on this distressed sector of the American economy.
Click on the title to read the report.
Anne Dougherty and Ben Riehle from the Apex Team at Keller Williams Southern Arizona discuss the state of property management ahead of this week’s virtual focus group with leaders of some of Arizona’s largest master-planned, multifamily, commercial, retail, and restaurant developments.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
In this virtual focus group, we listen to feedback from experts from master-planned communities, commercial real estate, and single and multifamily property management firms to help utilities and program read the tea leaves as the novel coronavirus has caused Americans to rethink where we live, work, and congregate.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
The American economy is on life-support as shelter-in-place orders and social distancing measures have devastated small businesses. What are the implications on commercial customer programs, offerings, and utility investments?
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
ILLUME Founders, Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius, talk about the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses ahead of a virtual focus group with entrepreneurs and business owners.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
ILLUME talks with small- and medium-sized business owners as they share their thinking through critical business challenges in a time of COVID-19.
Click the title to read the report.
As we continue to think through the implications of the novel coronavirus, we need to consider how to quickly adapt our evaluation frameworks to provide meaningful results.
Click on the title to read the report.
Eileen Hannigan moderates a discussion on how massive shifts in energy use patterns have us rethinking everything from baselines to alternative metrics for 2020.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Anne Dougherty discusses how massive shifts in energy use patterns have us rethinking everything from baselines to alternative metrics for 2020 with ILLUME’s technical team.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
We take a closer look at metrics that connect occupant health, public health, jobs, and energy solutions at the intersection of public health and the economy.
Click on the title to read the report.
Amanda Dwelley and Anne Dougherty discuss the overlap between public health and energy, and how to support vulnerable populations as we rethink our metrics for distributive justice.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Amanda Dwelley and Anne Dougherty discuss the convergence of public health and energy, and how to support vulnerable populations with Lawrence Berkeley National Labs’ Dr. Ed Vine.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Laura Schauer and Dr. Liz Kelley discuss if and how to move research efforts forward as COVID-19 shifts American modes of interacting, working, and moving about.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
We consider if, when, and how to engage customers and constituents in research efforts through this pandemic.
Click on the title to read the report.
ILLUME proposes ideas for program design innovation as the energy industry asks “what now?” when it comes to communications, programs, and research activities in this moment of social distancing.
Click on the title to read the report.
ILLUME facilitates a forum as clients ask questions of each other, share ideas, and create the (virtual) connections we need to move successfully through this unprecedented time.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
We navigate how the energy industry responds and adapts to COVID-19 in a preview of our webinar, “Research Considerations in the Time of COVID-19.”
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.
Lisa Obear presents findings from her research with Liz Kelley and Amanda Maass exploring energy efficiency deserts in Metro Atlanta.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In their NEEA report, Alex Dunn, Liz Kelley, Shannon Kahl, Amanda Maass, and Andrew Mielcarek share their observations about the supply chain from research with Pacific Northwest HVAC and water-heating equipment contractors.
Click on the title to read the report.
At the EPIC conference in 2018, Liz Kelley and Amanda Dwelley talked about their experience helping a utility go to market with a competitive smart home offering in a regulated environment.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
The challenge of unstructured data, and why machine learning and AI needs a qualitative methodology like Topic Modeling to be more effective. Presented by Riana Johnson at BECC 2018.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In their 2018 BECC presentation, Allison T. Musvosvi and Shefije Miftari share how their research helped a client listen to their customers to create the right solution to enter the smart home space.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In her 2018 presentation at the CEE Partner Meeting, Sara Conzemius shares what customers care about – home, family, harmony, agency. Understanding what influences customers can help implementers offer programs and products that truly connect.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In their poster presentation at ACEEE Summer Study 2018, Jes Rivas and Pace Goodman discuss the pros, cons, and possible policy implications for expanding the use of consumption analysis in evaluation.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In their 2018 EEI workshop, Anne Dougherty and Allison T. Musvosvi share findings from our research on how concepts of energy, home, and community resonate across diverse customer groups.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
Our team conducted a thorough review of research addressing the research question: What happens to energy savings when HER recipients no longer receive reports or if they receive reports at a reduced cadence?
Click on the title to read the report.
In their report for SEE Action, Sara Conzemius and Alex Dunn provide guidance that can be used for estimating energy savings impacts resulting from midstream market transformation programs with specific focus on RPP.
Click on the title to read the report.
In her BECC 2017 presentation, Eileen Hannigan share an overview of her statewide potential study of the behavioral savings potential—and tactics to reach those savings—with Minnesota small and medium businesses.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
In this presentation, Pace Goodman shares how he got agreement on smart thermostat evaluation methods across more than 15 stakeholder groups and created much needed certainty in the Illinois market.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
Why do savings estimates change from one analysis to the next, even when evaluation methods are consistent? Jes Rivas and Pace Goodman attempt to answer this question in this report for IEPEC 2017.
Click on the title to read the report.
Eileen Hannigan’s white paper shares how small businesses, which may have limited capital for large investments, are good candidates for low-cost behavior change conservation.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
What is the behavioral intervention potential in Minnesota small businesses? And how do you get them to engage? Anne Dougherty, Eileen Hannigan, and Shannon Kahl answer those questions in this 2017 report.
Click on the title to read the report.
Anne Dougherty, Amanda Dwelley, and Shannon Kahl studied the attitudes and behaviors of natural gas consumers in the Pacific Northwest. They explain their findings in their 2017 report for NEEA.
Click on the title to read the report.
Energy Trust of Oregon contracted with ILLUME Advising, LLC to provide a process evaluation of their Existing Homes program. Anne Dougherty shares ILLUME’s findings in this final report.
Click on the title to read the report.
In her 2016 BECC presentation, Amanda Dwelley discusses our work journey mapping 11 of Consumers Energy’s residential programs. By identifying and prioritizing improvements, she shares the ways the process optimizes delivery.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
Sara Conzemius, Anne Dougherty, and Danielle Marquis of SmartWatt describe how up-front investment in market research and segmentation can improve outcomes in small business direct install programs.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
In this overview by Mallika Jayaraman, she summarizes the potential energy savings of energy kits.
Click on the title to read the report.
Co-authored by Sara Conzemius and Shannon Kahl. The fifth market progress evaluation of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (NEEA) Ductless Heat Pump Initiative assesses the Initiative’s progress in meeting its market transformation goals.
Click on the title to read the report.
Co-authored by Eileen Hannigan and presented at the 2015 IEPEC conference.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
Sara Conzemius provides an update on the Ductless Heat Pump Initiative for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Click on the title to read the report.
This report, led by Anne Dougherty, provide guidance for Minnesota in behavioral program design, implementation, and evaluation.
Click on the title to read the report.
In this webinar by Anne Dougherty and Wayne State University, you’ll learn how to connect energy consumption to real-time emissions impacts through LEEM.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.
Anne Dougherty speaks on getting clear on your research goals in this video recording from the 2015 Efficiency Exchange conference in Portland.
Click on the title to view the presentaiton.
This presentation, Sara Conzemius’ keynote from the AESP 25th National Conference, addresses the industry’s disruption and the changes ahead.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
Sara Conzemius led this report for NEEA on ductless heat pump message testing.
Click on the title to read the report.
Laura Schauer explores the future of EM&V in her presentation at the 2015 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
This white paper by Sara Conzemius and Allison Carlson looks at kit savings and potential.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
A white paper by Sara Conzemius exploring the potential savings and programmatic uses of tier 1 advanced powerstrips.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius’ white paper from the 2014 IEPEC conference in Berlin proves the need to go further than just assessing energy impacts of behavioral programs.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
A white paper by Anne Dougherty and Michael Goldman on how we can explore alternative evaluation and planning approaches to diminish or remove disincentive to cross-promote programs.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
Anne Dougherty’s presentation summarizes results and recommendations from water-energy nexus message testing research she led in California.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
This brief provides findings and key takeaways from consumer message testing on the water/energy nexus in Spanish and Mandarin led by Anne Dougherty.
Click on the title to read the report.
Anne Dougherty and Eileen Hannigan provide an impact evaluation of Accelerated Innovations’ (AI) MyMeter program.
Click on the title to read the report.
This presentation by Anne Dougherty explores whether behavior program are a reliable resource.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
Laura Schauer presented on financial incentives and their impact on evaluation practices in the 2013 ACEEE Summer Study.
Click on the title to view the presentation.
Co-authored by Anne Dougherty, this white paper on feedback program was presented at IEPEC in Chicago in 2013.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
This white paper was co-authored by Anne Dougherty and presented at IEPEC in Chicago in 2013. It examines two statistical models to estimate savings in opt-in behavioral programs.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
This paper, co-authored by Anne Dougherty, identifies behavior change intervention options for California programs and the intervention strategies that can make them successful.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
Eileen Hannigan co-authored a report comparing Wisconsin weatherization programs for the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Building Technologies Program.
Click on the title to read the report.
This white paper, which details the primary barriers to leveraging experimental design in evaluation, is co-authored by Anne Dougherty and was presented at the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
This white paper on estimating behavior change impacts, was co-authored by Anne Dougherty and Amanda Dwelley and presented at IEPEC in Boston in 2011.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
In this white paper, Sara Conzemius and Laura Schauer describe a pilot that overcame barriers to comprehensive residential retrofits using incentives, a turnkey offering, and an energy advocate.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
This white paper on market lift was co-authored by Eileen Hannigan and Rick Winch and presented at the 2010 ACEEE Summer Study.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
This white paper, co-authored by Eileen Hannigan and presented at the 2010 ACEEE Summer Study proves how promotional tactics encouraged commercial lighting in the Focus on Energy Program.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
This white paper on ethnography was co-authored by Anne Dougherty and presented at the 2010 ACEEE Summer Study.
Click on the title to read the white paper.
Laura Schauer co-authored this white paper summarizing the results of a longitudinal study of Wisconsin’s low income programs.
Click on the title to read the white paper.