Opinion Dynamics

Join our staff at the 2024 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. This event will bring together professionals from around the globe to collaborate, debate and advance the technologies, practices and research necessary to equitably decarbonize the building sector in a manner that addresses the urgency of the climate crisis. Opinion Dynamics is a proud sponsor of this event. Catch our staff at the following panels: Panel 4: Commercial Buildings: Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation with leaders: Megan Campbell, Opinion Dynamics and Marta Schantz, Urban Land Institute Panel 4: Wed 8/7 Session 2: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm   When in Rome: Successful Commercial Programs at the Region Level  Commercial EM&V in Illinois with Malena Hernández Arregoitia, Opinion Dynamics Panel 8: Capturing Savings through Behavior Wed 8/7 Session 2 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Empowering Success using Behavior Frameworks Increasing Participation in Demand Response Programs – A New Customer Engagement Model with Ellen Steiner, Ph.D., Opinion Dynamics Details online at https://lnkd.in/eQk2_UG4

Join Jordan Folks this Thursday from 11-12 pm at #AESPSummerCon as he facilitates Session 7B: Residential Demand Flexibility: Transformative Strategies & Customer Experiences. This session features three utility staff sharing their trials, tribulations, and revelations regarding successful DR outreach and engagement strategies. Hear about the lessons learned transitioning from energy efficiency’s transactional messaging framework to the ongoing customer engagement approach underlying seasonal DR campaigns. Learn how to create a layered engagement strategy and unified customer journey that can be applied to all residential DR programs in a utility portfolio. And explore the importance of internal outreach and engagement needed to break down utility department silos and bring the structural change necessary to operationalize DERs to achieve demand flexibility. Check out the full agenda online at: https://lnkd.in/esc9JiuG

Curious about the full scope of benefits of EV managed charging? Join Hilary Polis next Tuesday as she participates in the EnergyHub webinar, Measuring EV Flexibility. Explore how #EVs differ from other DERs, their benefits for #utilities, and more. Discussions will also cover the unique flexibility of EV managed charging programs, strategies for evaluating the impacts of managed charging, and why measuring EV flexibility requires a new approach. Register here: https://lnkd.in/d_rnjgHX #electricVehicles #EVManagedCharging #DemandResponse

Introducing our new Energy Efficiency Evaluation Intern, Tanvi Siddhaye! Tanvi is currently pursuing a double bachelor’s degree in economics and environment, geography, and urbanization from the University of Chicago. Her academic background and previous experience have given her a solid foundation in economic analysis, market research, data science, and environmental policy. We’re looking forward to seeing what unique perspectives Tanvi brings to her work this summer as she explores the evaluation side of the energy industry. #welcometotheteam

Come network with us next week at AESP’s Spring into Decarb Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY! Opinion Dynamics is a proud sponsor of this two-day event that brings together the Northeast and Midwest chapters to take part in panel discussions on innovations in demand management, decarbonization for underserved markets, and IRA state HOMES and HEERHA implementation plans. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/g6JURfxw

Join our staff at this year’s Spring Symposium; the California Efficiency + Demand Management Council’s one-day professional education conference this Thursday. Ellen Steiner, Ph.D. will be taking part in the session Decarbonizing California: Updates and Opportunities from 1:45 – 3:00 pm. This session will cover how California has committed to decarbonize its building sector by 2045 through a wide range of policies and program activities, such as TECH Clean California, BUILD, and the Equitable Building Decarbonization program, as well as a roundup of results to date and a review of future opportunities for state and federal funding for decarbonization. View the agenda online at https://lnkd.in/gtbEsa3

Check out our latest video! Recently, Hilary Polis visited Detroit to participate in a panel on EV managed charging programs at the EnergyHub HubSummit. During her trip, she explored local landmarks, delved into the automotive industry's history, and attended talks on the future of the electric grid. Her video offers quick insights into the rapid innovations within the automotive sector, highlighting the challenges and preparations for integrating EVs into our grid. Available on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eXFiJfjZ

Join our staff next week in Portland! The 49th PLMA Conference will offer real-world insights into flexible load management, DERs as grid resources, decarbonization, EV managed charging, and much more! We hope you'll join us for exceptional peer-selected sessions, plentiful networking, and important insights into the evolving energy transition. Monday May 6 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. Join Erin Kempster and Jordan Folks for the Retail Pricing Interest Group’s “Accelerating Electrification Through Rate Reform”. Rate reform is essential to accelerating electrification for a sustainable energy future. The group will delve into rate structures and their impact on electrification, as well as discuss electrification drivers and challenges and explore the relationship between electrification, utility rates, and energy costs/burdens. Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 1:30-2:30pm Join Olivia Patterson as she moderates, Playing in the Ratebox: Experts Discuss Design, Customer, and Results. SCE, Xcel, PG&E, PGE, and Opinion Dynamics discuss designing and implementing rate-based programs and pilots. Learn about dynamic rates, EV rates, electrification rates, and commercial CPP and TOU rates, plus the successes and deltas of rate deployment and customer engagement, lessons learned, and best practices. Plus, intended and unintended interactions between rate-based programs and other flexible load solutions, and recommendations on orchestrating multiple DERs to ensure smooth customer experiences. Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 5:00–6:30 p.m. Networking Reception in the Sponsor Lounge. Immediately following the conclusion of Tuesday’s General Session and the dynamic Sponsor Showcase Lightning Round, join us in the Sponsor Lounge and enjoy a beverage, some hors d’oeurvres, and a raptor encounter demonstration sponsored by Opinion Dynamics. Wednesday, May 8 | 1:30 p.m. Join Hilary Polis for the closing session! Check out the full agenda at https://lnkd.in/evKSS4e4

Press Release: Opinion Dynamics to Support Vermont in Developing a Groundbreaking Clean Heat Standard Opinion Dynamics is pleased to announce we have been selected by the Vermont Public Utility Commission to support the development of the Vermont Clean Heat Standard. As the technical consultant to the Commission, Opinion Dynamics will be responsible for developing clean heat measure characterizations and aiding the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and the Vermont Public Utility Commission in designing and implementing the standard. The Affordable Heat Act, passed in 2023, aims to reduce Vermont’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from heating fuel while simultaneously providing all Vermonters equitable access to clean heating technologies and the benefits of clean heat measures. Developing a heating fuel performance standard is a keystone of this act, and Opinion Dynamics will be contributing expertise garnered from more than a decade of partnering with clients in the development of technical resource manuals (TRMs) across the US to support the initiative. “It is our privilege to play a part in developing one of the nation’s first operational Clean Heat Standards,” said Erin Kempster, Director of Decarbonization at Opinion Dynamics. We applaud the efforts of the Vermont stakeholders who brought the state to this point and recognize that this Standard represents an example of what promises to be many similar efforts across the nation. With eight US Climate Alliance members pledging to explore such development in September 2023, we look forward to future collaboration.” An industry leader in electrification and decarbonization analysis, Opinion Dynamics has helped clients across the country develop zero-carbon solutions that benefit customers, reduce GHG emissions, and provide beneficial grid impacts. This opportunity is a testament to our exceptional level of project management and industry-leading experience developing fuel-agnostic TRMs, working closely with, and on behalf of, our clients in collaboration with key stakeholders, including regulatory advisory groups and technical expertise. We have assembled an impressive team of diverse and highly qualified research and evaluation professionals and are excited to bring this diverse skillset and team to this unprecedented effort. Media Contact: Keri Bailey, Senior Manager, Brand Strategy kbailey@opiniondynamics.com

Opinion Dynamics Welcomes Dr. Jim Stewart, Senior Director of Data Analytics Opinion Dynamics is pleased to welcome James Stewart as our Senior Director of Data Analytics. As an Energy Economist, Jim has leveraged his expertise in applied economics, econometrics and statistics, and consumer behavior to evaluate demand-side management, energy efficiency, and decarbonization programs and policies for utility and regulatory clients for nearly two decades. At Opinion Dynamics, Jim will draw on this experience to lead the technical and strategic direction of our Data Analytics team while supporting the continued growth and development of our data analytics capabilities. “Jim is an important addition to Opinion Dynamics, and we’re thrilled he’s joined our team,” said Bill Norton, the President and Chief Operations Officer of Opinion Dynamics. “Jim is a well-regarded thought leader and seasoned technical expert who will help drive the continued growth and diversification of our analytic capabilities.” “From my 15-plus years of experience in the industry, I was aware of Opinion Dynamics’ excellent reputation. I’m excited to be part of the team and look forward to working closely with Data Analytics team members to build on the team’s strengths and successes.” – Dr. Jim Stewart, Sr. Director of Data Analytics. About Opinion Dynamics – Opinion Dynamics works to advance knowledge to address emerging energy issues through sound and insightful research. We are the largest independently owned company focusing on energy efficiency, transportation electrification, beneficial electrification, and demand flexibility. Opinion Dynamics is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with offices in Northern and Southern California and Portland, Oregon, and with satellite offices throughout the country. For more information regarding who we are and what we do, please visit www.opiniondynamics.com. Media Contact: Keri Bailey Senior Manager, Brand Strategy kbailey@opiniondynamics.com