Project: Process Evaluations, Market Assessments, and Market Characterizations
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
In 2012, a team led by Research Into Action launched a multi-year contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop, implement, and report on process evaluations and market characterizations and assessments for the following NYSERDA programs: Original System Benefits Charge (SBC)/New York Energy $mart℠ Program; expanded and new Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) programs offered by NYSERDA through an increase in SBC collections; Green Jobs-Green New York (GJGNY) and Regional Green Gas Initiative (RGGI) programs offered by NYSERDA with funding generated by a regional cap-and-trade program using uniform quarterly auctions of emission allowances; Statutory Research and Development; and other program portfolios. The primary elements of process and market evaluations include: 1) reviewing program oversight and operations, 2) gauging customer satisfaction, 3) providing recommendations for program and process improvements and efficiency, 4) characterizing markets and specific technology areas, 5) developing program theory and logic models, 6) collecting market information as it affects customer response to programs, and 7) tracking progress indicators. In 2012, we developed evaluation plans for six programs with EPS funding, began a two-year evaluation of the Multifamily Performance Program, and created logic models for the Emerging Technology, Clean Energy Business Development Power Technology, the Advanced Codes and Standards Program, and Combined Heat and Power programs.