        
 Innovative Research
SF Community Power collaborates with social scientists, including economists and policy analysts, to investigate complex resource issues, with an eye towards providing policy makers with the information they need to craft effective programs. Frequently this research takes the form of pilots, in which we implement programs in real-world settings and examine the results. In many cases our research has resulted in the adoption of new programs, particularly related to improved energy management practices among low-income households and small businesses.
Current or past research efforts include the following: Energy Efficiency in California: An Examination of the Viability of Demand Response Customers and the Effects of Peak Day PricingA 2011 UC Berkeley thesis highlighting the effect energy rates and baseline changes have on small and medium size businesses' ability to participate in energy management programs. Energy Rates and Baseline Changes Addressing Split Incentives and Other Efficiency BarriersIn collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund, SF Power has identified a number of ways to finance efficiency improvements by small businesses and low-income households. For details see our latest report, EDF Left to Our Own Devices as well as a proposal to develop a residential energy services company and associated small box retailer. Climate for CommunityWe are examining the potential to aggregate and place small-scale, community-based greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved by loe-income families and small businesses on emerging carbon markets.See Climate Change Distributed Energy Resources "Test Bed" PilotSF Community Power conducted a study examining the cost-effectiveness and benefit-costs of implementing distributed energy resources on two distribution feeder lines in San Francisco, as well as recruiting small energy users (e.g., less than 200 kilowatts) into a demand-response program. Results from the feeder line study can be seen here; findings from the examination of commercial customer participation in a demand-response program can be seen here. Trans Bay CableSF Community Power opposed the privately financed Trans Bay Cable Project, which will create an underwater power line that connects San Francisco's electric grid into power plants in the East Bay. While the $500 million project was approved, our work led to the creation of $50 million in environmental mitigation funds. Demand Response Regulatory TestimonySF Community Power participated in a series of California Public Utility Commission proceedings related to Demand Response programs, including submitting expert testimony. This work resulted in the creation of several pilot programs focusing on small businesses and low-income families. Track B Residential Dynamic Pricing PilotWe examined whether residential ratepayers would be more likely to temporarily reduce their electricity use to avoid black-outs and reduce polluting air emissions if they received education/information about the benefits of doing so. Statewide Pricing Pilot Reports: Civic Engagement SurveyWe conducted learning conversations and an associated survey of various ethnic groups in Southeast San Francisco to examine the extent to which and how they engaged in civic affairs. This work resulted in the creation of the Neighborhood Newswire. |
