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Our unique Whole Independent System Evaluation™ (WISE™) approach is specifically tailored to address the distinctive requirements of the emerging clean energy economy and provide valuable insights for innovative program design and market engagement.
WISE™ utilizes a combination of traditional process, impact, and market transformation evaluations. However, it takes a developmental evaluation approach by generating insights from the very beginning, instead of waiting until the end. This allows for immediate feedback and optimization of outcomes throughout the implementation process. Time is of the essence, so there is no time to waste.
Principles: U.T.O.P.I.A.
The principles of WISE enable program optimization in a complex and changing landscape without delay.
Utilization-Focused: Actionable insights enable program iteration and optimized results
Timely: Concurrent monitoring facilitates course correction and progress without pause
Systems Outlook: Embeds analysis within larger ecosystem context
Complexity Perspective: Methodologies reflect interconnected dynamics of baseline and emerging conditions
Independent: Independent, implementer-agnostic third-party evaluation oriented toward outcomes and with no vested interests
Adaptive: Leading insight delivery through changing conditions
Organizing evaluation activities within the Four Pillars of WISE™ has proven effective and reflects the fact that everything is interconnected and that any change likely will have ripple effects throughout the system.
These pillars focus not only on program performance but also on identifying and tracking market transformation indicators over time, along with monitoring the evolution of technologies such as space and water heating and rapidly changing policy and regulatory developments.
Market Watch
Identify, track, and measure changes to diffusion of technology adoption, changes to barriers, and shifts in supply chain as program activities address identified barriers over time.
Program Watch
Provides fast feedback to implementer and assesses scalability potential. Focus on evaluating effectiveness of Initiative.
Technology Watch
Monitoring technology development and performance, and pricing.
Policy Watch
Document and track changes to external incentives and policy decisions at the utility, state, and federal levels.
Case Study:
Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH)
The TECH Initiative began as a $120 million (since expanded) pilot program designed to help advance the state’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality by driving the market adoption of low-emissions space- and water-heating technologies for existing single-family and multifamily residential homes.
OVERVIEW
Through a combination of market incentives, supply chain engagement, workforce development, consumer education, regional pilots, and Quick Start Grants, the initiative installs low-emissions space- and water-heating technologies in existing California homes.
Much like how funds from the Inflation Reduction Act will function, TECH incentives layer with existing utility incentives, and the program is subject to an equity requirement.
OUR WORK
Opinion Dynamics is serving as the developmental evaluator for the TECH Initiative. The overarching goals are to evaluate the TECH Initiative implementation and assess short-term and long-term market and program impacts, with a focus on testing theories and assumptions to inform future decarbonization policy. The evaluation team monitors the following four key areas: the market, the TECH Initiative, and the technology and policy landscapes.
Given the emerging markets and potential novel program strategies at play in the DOE Home Energy Rebate Programs funding, the pursuit of third-party evaluation concurrent with program design and implementation provides near real-time feedback to inform continuous improvement.
WISE incorporates all of the DOE-required components for a state-run evaluation and can be tailored to your state’s specific approach and needs for the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs.
WISE can gauge the scalability of program strategies and efficacy of policy designs so that market transformation continues upon exhaustion of Inflation Reduction Act funding.
Related Content
IRA Funding & the Energy Landscape
Available on YouTube
Watch
IRA Funding & the Energy Landscape
Available on SoundCloud
Listen
Memo
Developmental Evaluation for Supportable Results from the IRA HOMES & HEEHR Programs
Read
Let’s work together!
Contact:
Erin Kempster
Director of Decarbonization
Email:
We’re here to assist in crafting and implementing proposals, promoting informed decision-making, highlighting the interdependence and intricacy of the built environment and workforce, and reducing waste, fraud, and abuse.
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