The statewide Emerging Technologies (ET) program seeks to accelerate the introduction of "near market ready" energy efficiency innovations that are not widely adopted by utility customers in California. The four investor-owned utilities and the California Energy Commission (CEC) work together cooperatively to pool resources and knowledge for project selection and results dissemination.

The program consists of two main components: 1) demonstration and information transfer, and 2) participating in the Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council (ETCC). The demonstration component provides technology assessments and information to utility customers and industry, often in the form of technology demonstrations at customer facilities. The ETCC coordinates activities and information among the utilities. The ETCC also maintains a web site listing projects and top-line results in a database.

The CEC's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program funds a significant number of projects each year, some of which produce "near market ready" technologies appropriate for ET demonstrations. Each individual utility ET Program consists of activities that are coordinated with other utilities and with PIER projects, as well as activities that are unique to the utilities' service territories and customer bases.

All project efforts include working with members of the emerging technology research and design communities, energy efficiency advocates, and customer groups such as:

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI)
• American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• Consortium for Energy Efficiency
• Gas Technology Institute (GTI)
• Illumination Engineering Society (IES)
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), including the national laboratories
• Universities (especially the University of California)
• Engineering firms
• Manufacturers and their trade associations

To learn more about specific Emerging Technology projects, contact us or your local utility.