Co-Chairs’ Introduction

The 2014 Summer Study is the 18th biennial ACEEE conference on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, and provides another opportunity for those passionate about this multi-disciplinary field to pause, immerse themselves, reflect, and set new directions. So where are we anyway? Here in the U.S. we appear to be finally pulling out of one of the longest economic recessions on record. Growing domestic production of natural gas at relatively low prices is helping a rebirth in the manufacturing sector, and enabling a shift away from more carbon-intensive fuels such as coal for electricity generation. This, as well as improved efficiency of energy use in buildings and transportation, plus declining costs of renewable power, are helping to stabilize U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

There is much to be upbeat about but challenges remain. Although not every thinking person believes man-made climate change is happening, agreement appears unanimous that relocation or major rehabilitation of communities and infrastructure would carry a hefty price tag if it were necessary. Even non-believers in climate change understand the importance of insurance in their daily lives. In this context, building energy efficiency is a relatively low-cost form of insurance.

The theme of this year’s Summer Study is “The Next Generation: Reaching for High Energy Savings.” Global overnight implementation of the highest energy savings possible from building energy efficiency may not be enough to mitigate climate change, but such a strategy would likely cost less than even a modest number of community and infrastructure relocations or major rehabs. As Co-Chairs we believe the Summer Study community is among the world’s most capable communities for figuring out how to achieve the highest energy savings possible from building energy efficiency.

Living standards — including improved comfort, lighting, food preservation, and other amenities in buildings — will rise in the developing world. This will impact energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. For example, with a population 4.3 times greater than the U.S., it is not surprising that China’s energy consumption surpassed the U.S. in 2010. Based on gross domestic product (GDP) estimates derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations, China may also be the world’s largest economy by the end of this year. India is not far behind. Climate change is a global problem and building energy efficiency must be part of a global solution. Fortunately the Summer Study community is increasingly a global community and is up for the challenge.

Achieving high energy savings will require not only building-scale but community-scale programs. This year the conference features, for the first time, a week-long parallel track entitled “Resilient, Sustainable Communities: New Urban Strategies”. At this year’s Summer Study, we’ll once again discuss state-of-the-art technology, policy, and regulatory options for increasing energy efficiency in the built environment, and celebrate those who have demonstrated key achievements in these areas. Keynote speakers will likely challenge conventional wisdom in these areas and provide new perspectives.

The Summer Study is only possible because of the tremendous efforts put forth by the panel co-leaders, the paper and poster authors, and the peer reviewers. This year we had the largest number of abstracts and final papers in the history of the Summer Study. We’d like to especially thank these volunteers for their dedication and efforts in supporting this event – their contributions are essential to the success of the Summer Study. We’d also like to thank the dedicated ACEEE staff under the leadership of Steve Nadel, in particular Rebecca Lunetta, Glee Murray, Lynn Pyle, and Mallory Werthamer. These people along with many others helped assure that all who attend the Summer Study are given every opportunity to participate, learn, and network with the very best in the energy efficiency business.

Enjoy this opportunity to interact as part of the Summer Study’s unprecedented gathering of building energy efficiency leaders among the inspiring natural beauty of Asilomar!


Patrick Hughes, Conference Co-Chair, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Sila Kiliccote, Conference Co-Chair, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory