The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE)
ASE is a national coalition of businesses, government organizations, and nonprofit groups that promotes the efficient use of energy in buildings and transportation. ASE is a good source for a wide breadth of information on energy-saving practices and policies

Useful Resources:

• For Consumers
• Appliance and Equipment Standards provides resources, tips, and links to standards organizations like Energy Star.
• New Light Bulbs in Plain English, a video with a unique blend of educational benefits and catchiness about compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Insulation contains resources for homeowners, builders, and program and policy makers about home insulation and energy efficiency.

• For Commercial/Industrial Customers
• Best Practices Steam provides best practice resources for industrial steam plant managers and contains links to Steaming Ahead, ASE’s industrial steam efficiency program, and the National Association of Manufacturers report Efficiency and Innovation in US Manufacturing Energy Use.
• Financing Energy Efficiency provides background information on financing energy efficiency and links to energy efficiency funds sorted by continent.
• For Policy Makers
• Executives for Energy Efficiency contains resources and reports that promote strategic motivation of energy efficiency programs in business, notably their report Motivating Business Leaders to Improve Profitability Through Energy Efficiency.

• For Utilities
• US Energy Efficiency Policy contains comparisons of proposed legislation to current regulatory models, federal energy policy updates by policy area, and the State Energy Efficiency Index - a comprehensive list of all state level energy legislation in each of the 50 states.
• Appliance Standards Awareness Project and The Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program are programs seeking to increase the effectiveness of appliance standards as a means to achieve energy savings and efficiency.
• The Lighting section contains a list of links to programs with research, information, tools, incentives, and models for efficiency in lighting

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
A prominent advocate of energy efficiency, ACEEE publishes studies, analyzes programs, recommends policies, assesses efficiency potential, and hosts conferences.

Useful Resources:

• Exemplary Programs in energy efficiency are listed, with reports and abstracts available
• Resources, links, and activities that model energy efficiency as a resource are also available.
• Technical reports on programs, technologies, markets, and policy are organized and searchable by sector, topic, and year. Free registration is required for downloading, but hard copies can also be purchased.
• An Online Guide to Consumer Home Energy Savings can be found in the Consumer Resources section alongside a Home Energy Checklist for Action.
• Summary of Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives ACEEE’s summary of 2006-2007 consumer tax credits under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
• The State Energy Efficiency Policy Database is searchable by state or by topic. Topics include appliance standards, building codes, climate policies, distributed generation, smart growth policies, tax incentives, utility policies, and vehicle policies.
• ACEEE has hundreds of peer-reviewed presentations from past conferences sorted by topic and year, many of which are available for free download. The Summer Study proceedings must be purchased.

Best Practices Benchmarking for Energy-Efficiency Programs
Conducted for the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and a consortium of California utilities, BestPractices Benchmarking for Energy-Efficiency programs is a study outlining best practices for the design, implementation, and evaluation of energy efficiency demand-side management (DSM) programs.  Analyses of exemplary programs in sectors ranging from residential and non-residential lighting to new commercial construction have been compiled into succinct reports that identify key issues and lessons learned.

Useful Resources:

• The study overview's executive summary enunciates the study’s methodology, input, and findings
• The Best Practices Self-Benchmarking Tool can be used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for improving existing and developing DSM programs.
• Citations and summaries of related research can be found in the Literature Review.
• Best practice reports by program type and profiles of exemplary programs can be found within the Program Areas section of the site.

Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP)
BCAP, a nonprofit partnership between ASE, ACEEE, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is a national clearinghouse for information on building energy codes. In addition to tracking and publishing developments in code, BCAP offers training on codes and advocates for increased efficiency standards.

Useful Resources:

• Code Basics gives an overview of building codes and why they are important to energy efficiency.
• Code Status offers specific code information that is searchable by state, featuring maps that display the status of commercial and residential codes by state.
• Energy Code Reform provides a detailed incremental model for code reform with linked examples of successful codes from a wide range of sophistications.

California Measurement Advisory Council (CALMAC)
A partnership of the four California investor-owned utilities, the California Energy Commission, and the California Public Utilities Commission, the CALMAC web site provides access to more than 700 baseline studies and evaluation reports for California-based energy efficiency and demand response programs.

Useful Resources:

• CALMAC has a Searchable Database of evaluation studies with advanced search capabilities.
• Toolkits are available with links to policies and guidelines on measuring program outcomes for evaluators of demand-response, energy-efficiency, and low-income programs. 

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS)
CBECS is an initiative of the US Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration and provides a comprehensive survey of commercial building energy consumption in the United States. Program designers and implementers can reference this data for national and regional comparisons of energy use by different building types, including schools, lodging facilities, offices, and others. The companion initiative for the residential sector is RECS.  The 2007 survey is still in development

Useful Resources:

• Formatted tables of survey results are available for download, as are public data files in text and ASCII formats.
• Energy intensity and expenditure data tables that sort data by building type are downloadable in HTML, Excel, or PDF format.
• Public Use Microdata files offer cleaned data by respondent in ASCIII format, plus variable coding and layout files.
• Special topic reports include end-use breakdowns.
• FAQs, a glossary, methodology reports, and a survey instrument provide a background and explanation of the survey.

CEE
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), a nonprofit public benefits corporation, develops initiatives for its members, over 90 North American utilities and public organizations, to promote the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products and services.

Useful Resources:

• Easily accessible and indexed presentations from past meetings are available on a range of efficiency related issues
• CEE has compiled comprehensive information mapping the scope of the Energy-Efficiency Program Industry and published their findings in their budget detail and impacts detail
• The Market Assessment and Program Evaluation Clearinghouse (MAPE) is a searchable database containing more than 400 evaluation reports and related studies on energy-efficiency demand-side management programs.
• The Market Transformation Primer provides basic education for policy makers and utility managers in market transformation concepts and practices
• Information and resources for each of the Consortium’s initiatives are available by sector: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Multifamily, Government, and Gas Programs
• Resources and guides for Energy Efficiency Program Evaluation are available, including training opportunities for program evaluators and the Consortium’s Evaluation and Research Fact Sheet
• An easily-navigated Resource Library can guide you to necessary information

Database for Energy Efficient Resources (DEER)
DEER is a useful site when looking for estimates of energy savings for energy-efficiency measures. This database is the result of a massive, publicly funded research effort sponsored by the California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission.  The DEER database is frequently unavailable from the website.

Useful Resources:

• DEER lists estimates of energy and peak-demand savings, measure costs, effective useful life, and net-to-gross factors for hundreds of technologies in residential and nonresidential applications.
• About 360 distinct energy-efficiency measures and more than 130,000 records are included in the database, which was updated and converted to an online resource in 2005.
• The supporting documents, including the DEER Website User's Guide, provide an overview of the database contents and how to search for a particular measure.

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE provides summaries and web links to incentive programs for renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as information on regulations and policies. You can use DSIRE to discover what incentives government agencies and energy utilities are offering in each state, check applicable interconnection rules, and identify partnership opportunities.

Useful Resources:

• Summaries and links for financial incentive programs such as production incentives, grants from local governments, utility rebates, and tax incentives are available.
• Regulatory information is provided on renewable portfolio standards, interconnection and net-metering rules, and building codes related to energy efficiency.
• Information on federal incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency is available.

Energy Design Resources (EDR)
EDR has a large base of free publications, software, and training on best practices for energy-efficient design in the commercial sector. EDR is a great place to point design teams and building owners who are beginning new construction projects.

Useful Resources:

• Publications are available that include guidelines for design strategies, detailed briefs on technologies and features of energy-efficient buildings, successful case studies, and newsletters.
• Free software applications that help designers to perform energy simulations, calculate return-on-investment, and create efficient skylighting strategies can be downloaded.
• Virtual workshops and information about on-site seminars are accessible.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
The EERE site is a comprehensive source for information on energy-efficiency and renewable-energy technologies. EERE is a US Department of Energy program.

Useful Resources:

• Information is available on emerging building technologies and related programs, as well as technologies in geothermal; hydrogen, fuel cells & infrastructure; solar energy; wind and hydropower; industrial; and vehicle technologies.
• Each program sector includes information on implementation resources, financial tools and opportunities, technologies, and deployment.
• Energy Technology Solutions: Public-Private Partnerships Transforming Industry – an EERE report providing and overview of recently emerged, economically successful efficiency technologies for the industrial sector, including best practices, equipment specifications, and DOE resources for implementation.
• Appliance and equipment efficiency standards are posted for a range of appliances.
• A full-service Consumers Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides individuals with specific information and resources targeted at the full range end-uses and obstacle to implementation.
• Full State-by-State Breakdowns of energy related news, policy, and information.
• Technology-specific energy modeling software can be downloaded.

Energy Star Buildings Program
Commercial building owners, occupants, and operators can utilize free resources and tools provided by the Energy Star Buildings Program to manage and reduce energy consumption. Energy utility program managers can learn from these resources, build programs around the Energy Star recommendations and tools, and refer customers to the site. Energy Star is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Useful Resources:

• Building owners and utility program managers can use the Portfolio Manager software to benchmark individual building energy performance with monthly utility bill data.
• ENERGY STAR provides a platform for utilities, state agencies, and other organizations implementing energy efficiency programs to make a bigger difference in their communities.
• Guidelines for energy management, recommendations, and tools for new construction projects are available.
• Achievement recognition awards are available, including the Energy Star label for buildings and Energy Star Partner and Challenge awards.
• The Tools and Resources Library, sorted by sector, makes it easy to find the most helpful information quickly.
• Listings of service and product providers, Energy Star–labeled buildings, incentive programs, and Energy Star Challenge participant organizations and case studies are searchable.
• Procurement criteria are listed for several commercial product categories, including appliances, lighting, heating and cooling, and food service.
• The EPA offers free web conferences for networking and training.

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)
Designed as a resource for federal agencies, FEMP has extensive information on energy-efficient equipment, high-performance new construction, and operations and maintenance practices. FEMP is a program of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program.

Useful Resources:

• Product specifications and energy cost calculators for energy-efficient equipment are available.
• The site offers detailed information on operations and maintenance technologies and practices.
• Information on the Federal Utility Partnership Working Group, which aims to facilitate dialogue among utilities, Federal agencies, and energy service companies, is available.
• An interactive map of state Energy-Efficiency Funds and Demand Response Programs provides information on public purpose and utility energy efficiency programs, demand response and load management programs, distributed energy resource options, and gas energy efficiency programs available.
• Financing information and resources on Utility Energy Services Contracts and Super Energy Savings Performance Contracts encourage investment partnerships between utilities, federal agencies, and energy service companies.
• Green Pricing spreadsheet lists all utility green pricing programs by state for easy comparison of green pricing options with links to program specific information from the utilities.
• FEMP posts reports on New Efficiency Technologies, a good way to find options for new efficiency projects.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Building Technologies Department
LBNL's Building Technologies Department performs cutting-edge research on energy-saving technologies, demand-response resources, and energy modeling software. Visitors to the site can learn about the technical details of building-related energy-efficiency measures as well as upcoming research projects at the Lab.

Useful Resources:

• Studies, reports, and publications on diverse topics such as windows, lighting, and energy simulation are offered.
• Hundreds of research papers can be accessed via an advanced search tool or by browsing the web site.
• Free downloads of energy simulation software programs are available.
• Demand Response case studies and tools for program assessment and design are published.
• Contact information for LBNL researchers is provided.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Electricity Markets and Policy (EMP)
Analysis of key electricity market issues such as electric power system reliability, energy efficiency, demand response, renewable energy, and distributed energy resources are provided within the LBNL Electricity Market and Policy area. The EMP research assists stakeholders to design, deliver, and evaluate consumer programs that promote conservation.

Useful Resources:

• Publications are browsable by program area, including: Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, Renewable Energy, Distributed Energy, Regional Planning, Retail Energy Services, Energy Sector Modeling, and Clean Energy Project Analysis.
• Within the Energy Efficiency program, LBNL researchers have published the Berkeley Lab Reports Catalog, a database of energy savings and investments for 2,000 building retrofit performance contracts.
• Studies of demand-response programs and potential are regularly produced by the Demand Response research team.

National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPEE)
Publications on the Resources Page of this web site provide a broad and accessible overview of the goals, design, and implementation of energy efficiency programs in the US.  NAPEE is a partnership of utilities, regulators, and corporations providing policy recommendations and business strategies to achieve greater energy efficiency.

Useful Resources:

• Utilities can use major reports, including the original National Action Plan report, to set goals, create programs, and design rates.
• How-to guides on estimating energy-efficiency potential and measuring energy savings impacts are available.
• Utilities can give NAPEE’s fact sheets and outreach tools on energy efficiency to their customers.
• The web site has a searchable clean energy resources database of documents related to NAPEE recommendations.
• A benefits calculator demonstrates the business case for energy efficiency.
• Opportunities are offered for collaboration and networking within business sectors and regions.

New Buildings Institute (NBI)
Promoting improved energy performance in commercial new construction, NBI staff conducts research on technologies and building performance for utilities and governmental organizations. The NBI web site is a gathering point for inspiration and dialogue on technical topics for the energy-efficiency, building design, and construction communities.

Useful Resources:

• A comprehensive listing of building performance studies is provided.
• Results are posted from field test research of mechanical heating and cooling systems.
• An advanced design guideline series is available for several technologies, including variable air ventilation, absorption chillers, and Advanced Lighting.
• Capturing the Carbon Cap – an informational poster on energy efficiency program considerations for reducing GHGs.
• A consolidated page listing all NBI research makes it easy to find newly released studies and information.
• Available for purchase, the Core Performance Guide is a step-by-step, prescriptive guide to energy-efficiency measures for new small and medium buildings.

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Library Page
As a pioneer in demand-side management (DSM), RMI's online library houses a wealth of information and forward-looking ideas on energy efficiency, energy policy, and technologies aimed at improving local, national, and global efficiency, mitigating climate change, and improving energy security.

Useful Resources:

• Presentations, articles, and reports on efficiency, building end-use and performance, sustainable business practices, climate change, green communities, and energy security as well as non-electric issues in sustainability
• Library archives contain documents from the early days of RMI and DSM.
• Home Energy Briefs are practical guides for homeowners to save energy. (Free registration to the web site is required for download.)
• Newsletters on RMI's energy-saving activities and success stories are available for download.
• Resources and consulting services about sustainable practices are available for energy suppliers and large end-users, architects and building developers, and public officials.

• Informative primers on Fuel Cells and Hydrogen provide a basic background for these emerging technologies and markets.

Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP)
A coalition of public interest nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in the energy efficiency field, TIAP is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies.

Useful Resources:

• Special sections for Consumers, Businesses, and Builders & Manufacturers.
• Information for Program Implementers provides specific resources for utility, state, and local efficiency programs, including the ACEEE report The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 and its Implications for Energy Efficiency Program Efforts.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The green building rating systems developed by the USGBC are intended to make sustainable design of residential and commercial buildings accessible. The USGBC oversees the development and evolution of the rating systems through an interactive public process and acts as a third-party verifier of green construction projects. Utilities can participate as members and interact with sustainability-focused architects and builders through local chapters.

Useful Resources:

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems are published for an array of building types.  The proposed changes for LEED v3 are also available for public scrutiny and comment.
• The NBI study performance of green buildings in the LEED program quantifies the achieved efficiency of LEED projects and provides analysis of the program based on the results
• Studies on building performance evaluation include pilot testing of a post-occupancy survey instrument and a major study on the performance of green buildings in the LEED program.
• Searchable databases of LEED projects, LEED Accredited Professionals, and USGBC members are profiled.
• LEED Reference Documents are available, including calculation methods, building code-LEED point interpolations, and errata.
• Published rating system reference guides for project implementation and professional accreditation are available for purchase.
• Users can click the Resources tab to view Green Building research and publications, presentations, and public-policy recommendations
• Conferences, educational webcasts, and online video presentations from past events are posted.