Energy Futures Group (EFG) is a consulting firm that provides clients specialized expertise on energy efficiency markets, programs and policies.  It was founded in April 2010 by Chris Neme, Richard Faesy and Glenn Reed, each of whom has more than 20 years experience in the energy efficiency industry. 

We bring to our work a unique combination of technical, economic, program and policy expertise.  Our participation on the Board of Directors of Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), the Northeast HERS Alliance and the Program for the Evaluation and Analysis of Residential Lighting (PEARL); the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s (ACCA’s) national quality installation committee; and various other national efficiency forums is testament to our extensive knowledge of building science and important technical aspects efficiency measures.  We have taught short courses for the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP) and made invited conference presentations on cost-effectiveness screening of efficiency programs.  We have critically reviewed literally hundreds of gas, electric, fuel oil and multi-fuel efficiency programs; played key roles in developing a number that have won national awards for excellence; and taught short courses on efficiency program design and implementation for Affordable Comfort and AESP.  We have also helped shape a variety of policies for the promotion of energy efficiency including Ontario’s first shareholder incentive mechanism for meeting efficiency program goals, federal efficiency standards for central air conditioners, rules for participation of demand resources in the New England ISO’s Forward Capacity Market, and adoption of Energy Star standards as building codes in several Long Island Communities. 

We use our expertise to assist clients with a variety of needs:

• Program design – designs or critical reviews of others’ designs of electric, natural gas, fuel oil or multi-fuel energy efficiency programs, with an emphasis on cutting edge strategies that are necessary to achieve deep levels of participation and savings.
• Program implementation support – development of annual program goals and budgets, selection and oversight of implementation contractors, presentation of programs to key trade allies, technical trouble-shooting, and various other needs.
• Policy development – support for the development of regulatory or legislative policies addressing goals and budgets for efficiency initiatives, administrative structures for program implementation, utility shareholder incentives, cost-effectiveness tests, equipment efficiency standards and building codes.
• Building energy codes – support for the development of programs, policies and strategies that promote code adoption and maximize compliance.
• Collaborative engagements between utilities and other stakeholders – serve as technical, program and policy advisors to non-utility parties, but work closely with utilities to develop innovative approaches to efficiency initiatives.
• Savings estimation – development or critical review of assumptions or algorithms for the savings, cost, and lives of efficiency measures, often structured in the form of what are increasingly known as Technical Reference Manuals.
• Baseline studies – assessments of new construction practices, existing home conditions, HVAC sales or other markets to inform program design, development of building codes or savings potential.
• Program evaluation – planning for program evaluation needs, support in overseeing evaluators work and/or conducting process or impact evaluations themselves.
• Cost-effectiveness screening – assessments of the cost-effectiveness of all types of efficiency programs, as well as the relative merits of different cost-effectiveness tests.
• Efficiency potential studies – high level or detailed assessments of technical, economic and achievable efficiency potential, carefully calibrating analysis to local conditions.
• Expert witness testimony – develop and stand cross-examination on testimony on efficiency program proposals and/or related policy issues.

EFG is currently working with a range of clients – consumer advocates, government agencies, environmental groups, other consultants and utilities – in more than 10 states and provinces.  During the course of their careers, EFG principals have worked in more than 30 states and provinces, as well as several countries in Europe and Asia.

Read more about the Energy Futures Group principals.