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Talk efficiency, share best practices at CUE Exchange
That nip in the air and leaves turning to gold in Colorado's high country can mean only one thing—it is time for Rocky Mountain utilities to head up to Aspen for the Colorado Utility Efficiency (CUE) Exchange, Oct. 21 to 23. Now in its third year, the CUE Exchange brings utilities, energy organizations and trade allies together at beautiful Aspen Meadows Resort to talk about how to design and implement successful customer efficiency programs. The relaxed setting (and low, off-season price!) encourages attendees to share, question, brainstorm and connect with other professionals whose program, service or technology just might hold the key to big energy savings. The ongoing theme of the CUE Exchange is tearing down the barriers—between energy-efficiency, conservation and renewable energy programs; between residential and commercial programs; between consumers and utilities and between neighboring utilities, municipalities and state and Federal agencies. "The focus is on energy efficiency, but more importantly, on not developing programs in isolation," explained Event Director Ed Thomas. "Any time a utility can leverage another agency's efforts, or an organization partners with a utility, it spreads the message a little farther and increases the program's chances for success." The tried and true
Past Exchange participants will recognize the format. The agenda opens Wednesday, Oct. 21, with optional pre-conference workshops—one presented by Western on the new online IRP reporting system. The main event begins with a buffet lunch, followed by a keynote address from Jeffrey Ackerman of Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on the new frontiers of demand-side management (DSM). "The PUC and the Colorado Governor's Energy Office are coordinating their remarks to set the stage and then wrap up the Exchange, this year," said Thomas. The afternoon will be dedicated to examining utility program portfolios. Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy and the municipal utilities of Aspen and Fort Collins, Colo., are among the presenters. In between sessions, participants have the opportunity to highlight their pet programs during the popular five-minute "Utility Snapshots." Thursday will be dedicated to the concurrent session tracks introduced in 2008. "The morning tracks focus on commercial and residential issues, and the afternoon sessions incorporate broader issues like smart grid, project finance and green collar workforce development," said Thomas. Attendees come together again on Friday to discuss program integration, emerging technologies, program evaluation and late-breaking news before the Exchange concludes at noon. As in past years, there will be plenty of time for networking during meals, breaks and receptions. What's new?Don't get the idea that the CUE Exchange is resting on its laurels—the program advisory committee is always looking for new ways to give attendees a little more. Expanding the concurrent session tracks to a full day will open up new fronts for discussion. "Attendees told us last year that they really enjoyed the broader choice of topics that dual tracks offered," said Thomas. "When program integration is the overarching theme, there's always something more to talk about. Adding more concurrent sessions let's us cover more ground." The poster session is another new feature that promises to make the always-enjoyable Wednesday night networking reception even livelier. Thomas's first experience with a poster session at a utility exchange came at the Utility Energy Forum in Lake Tahoe last May. "It was a neat way to get more attendees involved in creating the agenda," he recalled. "Not everyone has a whole presentation's worth of information, or feels comfortable addressing a large group. The poster session is an opportunity for these people to share their ideas in a more informal way." Sponsors return, bring friendsSponsorship is another way to be a part of the CUE Exchange, and many organizations that sponsored and presented at previous exchanges will be back this year. The city of Aspen Utilities is once again hosting the event. Returning sponsors cover the industry spectrum, from government agencies like Western and non-profit organizations like Electric & Gas Industries Association to trade allies like Marathon Water Heater and, of course, utilities—investor-owned as well as public power. Green sponsor Platte River Power Authority has played active role in planning since the first CUE Exchange in 2007. This year, representatives from Platte River member-owners Longmont Power and Communications and Fort Collins Utilities will be joining their power wholesaler as presenters and session chairs. The CUE Exchange keeps growing, Thomas noted, because past sponsors, exhibitors and attendees keep inviting their members, customers and colleagues to join in the conversation. Western, for example, works closely with DOE's Industrial Technologies Program (ITP), and this year, ITP is sponsoring the Exchange. "One noticeable outcome over the last three years is a strengthening of existing partnerships," said Thomas. "Agencies that have collaborated on past projects meet up at the Exchange, start talking and find new ways to work together." Whether you are from a Colorado utility or a neighboring state, the Colorado Utility Efficiency Exchange is the place to share ideas, meet new partners and reconnect with old ones. Register online, or call Sharon Dobson at 719-205-0071 with registration questions. For sponsorship information, call Juanita McConkey at 719-641-2579. See you in Aspen!
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Previous issues
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ResourcesColorado Utility Efficiency Exchange Colorado Public Utilities Commission |
Resources (cont.)Fort Collins Municipal Utilities Electric & Gas Industries Association
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PeopleJuanita McConkeyRelated articlesEnergy Services Bulletin, October 2009
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