Countries have different energy policies which reflect their national issues and interests, including decarbonization, system reliability, resource diversification, technology export potential, economic costs and electricity access.
An organization’s energy policy articulates top management’s commitments and guides energy performance improvement efforts. Additionally, this document must be shared throughout its organization to all employees for review.
Energy Policy Act of 2005
Bill to provide funding for energy research, development, demonstration and commercial application activities.
Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a rebate program offering rebates to consumers for expenses associated with installation of renewable energy systems in residential dwellings or small businesses, while authorizing installation of photovoltaic system on DOE Forrestal Building in District of Columbia (Sec 207).
(Sec 209) Also encourages alternative fuel vehicle usage by mandating that federal agencies purchase these vehicles at 20% of their fleet in fiscal year 2006 and increasing that requirement to 25% through calendar years 2007 through 2011 respectively.
Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct programs of research, development, and demonstration for renewable resources – such as solar, wind, biomass, ocean (tidal and thermal), etc. Additionally, this Act directs him/her to implement grants to nonprofit institutions, state or local governments or universities for setting up an Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Center network geographically dispersed throughout the United States.
National Energy Policy
The National Energy Policy is a document which sets forth the overall vision, goals and principles for Papua New Guinea’s energy sector as well as strategies and tactics required to reach these goals. This document serves as a valuable resource for Government Agencies, energy industry participants and members of the general public alike.
Aims at creating and funding ENERCOM and National Energy Authority as well as allocating their necessary resources, while simultaneously encouraging appropriate and cost effective energy supply systems for agricultural industries, while adhering to minimum energy performance standards on electrical equipment and vehicles.
Most national energy policies prioritize economic efficiency as a central goal, so any plan to conserve energy should be evaluated against its economic viability, which measures society’s net gain from any differences between final output value and input costs such as energy required to produce it.
Energy Security Policy
Energy security is a complex concept with many interrelated dimensions and parameters that must be taken into account, which makes it challenging to measure and compare levels of energy security across countries. Furthermore, due to a lack of consensus on what defines energy security there can be challenges when formulating energy policies.
Researchers and policy makers have often focused on energy security; that is, maintaining an uninterrupted portfolio of energy supplies from multiple sources in an economy. According to traditional wisdom, greater diversity makes a country less likely to suffer disruptions of supply.
However, security of energy supply should be seen within a wider context of economic development and growth in any given country. Energy intensity plays an integral part in determining energy security – while transitioning away from fossil fuels towards renewable sources may further enhance it.
Energy Efficiency Policy
Energy efficiency policies encourage both individuals and businesses to use less energy while still meeting the same level of service or output. This may take the form of building codes mandating efficient insulation, appliance labeling schemes that showcase energy performance of products or financial incentives such as rebates and on-bill repayment plans.
Success of energy policy relies heavily on robust monitoring, verification and evaluation (M&V) frameworks that accurately capture actual energy savings. Furthermore, behavioral insights play an integral part of policy success; nudging strategies, feedback mechanisms and community programs all encourage energy-saving behaviors.
Governors are championing energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption, offset greenhouse gas emissions and conserve natural resources. They’re setting energy efficiency goals that they integrate into state plans and engaging utilities to find financing pathways – for instance on-bill repayments allow utilities to cover part of upfront costs associated with energy efficiency projects for their customers and then recover them gradually through a line item on their utility bill.