Energy Efficiency: the Ugly Duckling of the Energy Sector
This week is a big one for energy wonks in Southern California. Today, Governor Schwarzenegger convenes his second annual summit on climate change in Los Angeles at which leaders from around the world will come together and collaborate on efforts to further the fight against climate change and to help build momentum to climate talks in Copenhagen this December. Here in San Diego, the California Center for Sustainable Energy is organizing events for their 5th annual solar energy week which kicks off California’s Solar Energy month. The center and its sponsors are offering a conference and commercial and residential solar energy tours to put solar energy in the spotlight (see a summary of the commercial tour later on our blog from our staff member Kirby).
Climate change and renewable energy are sexy topics that have been garnering a lot of press attention in recent months. Less visible sometimes but just as important is the related topic of energy efficiency, sort of the “ugly duckling” of the energy world. Energy efficiency includes activities such as retrofitting buildings to be more energy efficient, home energy audits, installing or repairing HVAC systems, and energy efficient building design and construction
Recently, the California Community Colleges Centers of Excellence published a short but useful report entitled Energy Efficiency Occupations in the San Diego-Imperial Region, projecting future job growth in the energy efficiency sector in our area. Energy efficiency is one of the most cost effective tools in our toolbox to meet our future energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Yet it sometimes gets overlooked as we debate the intricacies of a carbon cap and trade system or become fascinated with the latest renewable or alternative fuel.
It turns out though, that energy efficiency is not only cost effective, but it also can have a significant impact on our local economy in the immediate future. The Centers of Excellence at the California Community Colleges identified eight high growth occupations in the energy efficiency sector, and based on a recent survey, calculated that over the next 12-36 months, some of the occupations will grow by as much as 53%! Employers who responded to the survey indicate difficulty in hiring for these occupations, especially home energy auditors and raters. To its credit, the community college system, through its Economic and Workforce Development Program, is assessing the needs and interests of employers seeking to employ and is trying to match community college curriculum with those needs.
When there is so much debate about climate change and renewable energy, there seems to be little to disagree with in the realm of energy efficiency: it saves energy, has the potential to save consumers and businesses money on their electric bills, reduces harmful emissions, and creates jobs…now.