The ETCC is the only organization in California that focuses on identifying and assessing technologies for utility customer programs. Formerly known as the Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council and now renamed as the Energy Transition Coordinating Council, the ETCC helps its members to facilitate collaborations to identify the next generation of technologies and solutions for utility customer programs.
California has long been a leader in energy efficiency and decarbonization for decades. To help achieve the state’s ambitious energy savings goals, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, and the California Energy Commission created the ETCC in the early 2000s. The ETCC members have since grown to include Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
ETCC members are interested in emerging and underutilized technologies including advanced lighting, water heating, space heating, and air-conditioning systems, for residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial customers. ETCC members have different project needs. The CEC’s project interests span from technology research and development through commercialization and market facilitation. The IOUs are interested in commercially available technologies that can be offered through customer programs as measures, often with an incentive.
All collaborations, partnerships, and ETCC operating costs are funded directly by the ETCC members; the ETCC does not have a budget and does not fund or conduct technology assessment projects.
Purpose and Goals
ETCC members aim to achieve the following core goals:
- Expand knowledge and capabilities of ETCC member organizations by attracting new technology ideas, solutions, methodologies, and collaboration opportunities and by aligning members’ contributions and roles in accelerating the adoption of decarbonization technologies.
- Strengthen the knowledge and capabilities of the ET community by sharing project results, methodologies, and collaboration opportunities.
- Track the adoption of key technologies; identify possible barriers and convene discussions about possible interventions.
Engagement through Collaboration
The ETCC provides a collaborative forum for its members to exchange information on opportunities and results from their emerging technologies activities. The ETCC conducts activities in three areas:
- ETCC website and outreach
- ET Summit
- ETCC webinars
The ETCC also leverages partnerships with universities and research organizations, consulting firms, professional associations, technology companies, venture capitalists, and utilities when outside expertise is needed.
ETCC Website
The ETCC website serves three primary functions:
- Serve as a repository for completed project reports from ETCC members: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
- Promote ETCC events and technology-focused events by ETCC members and to sign users up for ETCC-event email notices.
- Archive presentations and materials from the ET Summit and other outreach events.
ET Summit and ETCC Outreach
The ETCC hosts the ET Summit, shares ETCC member project findings, and provides a venue for the ET community to come together, build relationships, network, and discuss partnering opportunities. The ETCC also provides outreach designed to promote understanding of the utilities’ current technology priorities and findings.