Efficiency Exchange Conference Highlights Role of Innovation, Collaboration in Energy Efficiency

Northwest connects on the latest energy efficiency programs and
strategies

TACOMA, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Bonneville Power Administration and the Northwest Energy Efficiency
Alliance, in partnership with the Northwest Power and Conservation
Council and utilities throughout the Northwest, are hosting the sixth
annual Efficiency Exchange conference.

The regionwide event focuses on promoting innovation, discussing
emerging trends and sharing new ideas on how utility energy efficiency
programs can collaborate and adapt to a rapidly changing marketplace.
This yearÔÇÖs event will be at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in
Tacoma, Washington, on May 15-16, 2018.

ÔÇ£The Pacific Northwest has long distinguished itself with a deeply
collaborative approach to energy efficiency development. Efficiency
Exchange brings that rich tradition to life. At Efficiency Exchange,
peers, experts and industry leaders jointly contribute to education,
professional development, comradery and our shared sense of purpose,ÔÇØ
says Kim Thompson, BPAÔÇÖs vice president of Energy Efficiency. ÔÇ£The
conference showcases recent accomplishments, explores common challenges
and highlights tomorrowÔÇÖs innovations. It strikes the perfect blend
between pragmatic program advice and inspiring futuristic vision.ÔÇØ

This yearÔÇÖs conference kicks off with a welcome from Mayor Victoria
Woodards of Tacoma and keynote speaker Val Jensen. As senior vice
president, Customer Operations at Commonwealth Edison, Jensen oversees
all customer support functions, including Customer Financial Operations,
Customer Care Center, Customer Field Operations, Customer Support and
Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and has responsibility for
coordinating the companyÔÇÖs utility of the future strategy.

The second day of the conference will feature Steve Brown, former chief
evangelist and futurist for Intel Corporation. Brown helps organizations
understand the major technologies that will shape the future five, 10 or
15 years from now, and determine the strategies they will need to take
full advantage of digital transformation.

The event will conclude with several targeted workshops that provide
efficiency program managers a hands-on opportunity to address issues
they encounter in their day-to-day work in the field.

ÔÇ£Efficiency Exchange is a once-a-year opportunity for the region to come
together to hear and share new insights and ideas,ÔÇØ said NEEAÔÇÖs
executive director, Susan E. Stratton. ÔÇ£This regionwide collaboration is
an important part of how our alliance addresses and plans for the future
of energy efficiency.ÔÇØ

In addition to the workshops and keynotes, energy efficiency experts
from around the Northwest will present on a range of topics, such as
green load building, electric vehicles, emerging technologies, and
driving equity and creativity in energy efficiency programs.

ÔÇ£As in past years, the Council is proud to support the Efficiency
Exchange in its efforts to advance energy efficiency as a resource,ÔÇØ
said Jim Yost, chair of the Northwest Planning and Conservation Council.
ÔÇ£As the largest event for industry professionals, it plays an important
role in helping us meet the efficiency goals of our regional power plan.ÔÇØ

Between sessions, attendees can visit the Conduit Lounge and register,
post and share information on Conduit,
an online community that facilitates collaboration and coordination
among energy efficiency professionals in the Northwest.

View the full agenda of the conference at efficiencyexchangenw.com.

About the Bonneville Power Administration

BPA is a not-for-profit federal agency that markets renewable hydropower
from federal Columbia River dams, operates three-quarters of the
high-voltage transmission lines in the Northwest and funds one of the
largest wildlife protection and restoration programs in the nation. BPA
and its partners pursue cost-effective energy savings in all sectors of
the economy, and together they have saved enough electricity through
energy efficiency projects to power four large American cities. www.bpa.gov

About the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more
than 140 utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf
of more than 13 million energy consumers. NEEA is dedicated to
accelerating both electric and gas energy efficiency, leveraging its
regional partnerships to advance the adoption of energy-efficient
products, services and practices.

Since 1997, NEEA and its partners have saved enough energy to power more
than 900,000 homes each year. As the second-largest resource in the
Northwest, energy efficiency can offset most of our new demand for
energy, saving money and keeping the Northwest a healthy and vibrant
place to live. www.neea.org

About the Northwest Power and Conservation Council

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is an agency of the four
Northwest states of Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington. Under the
Northwest Power Act of 1980, the Council develops a Northwest Power Plan
to assure the region an adequate, efficient, economical and reliable
power supply while protecting, mitigating and enhancing fish and
wildlife that have been affected by the construction and operation of
hydropower dams in the Columbia River Basin. Through the power plan the
Council sets strategies and establishes targets for energy efficiency in
the region, and through the Regional Technical Forum (rtf.nwcouncil.org)
the Council and other Forum partners work to verify that efficiency
measures implemented by utilities produce real savings.

Contacts

NEEA
Veronica Marzilli, Corporate Marketing and Communications
Manager
503-688-5442
[email protected]