Key takeaways from Dan Reicher’s keynote at the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum

Dan Reicher, Executive Director of the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford University, kicked off the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum in a fireside chat with CLEAResult CEO Rich McBee. Together, they discussed the biggest challenges facing a rapidly changing utility industry . Reicher shared his thoughts on navigating new regulations, meeting changing customer expectations and developing strategies to keep utilities ahead in a fast-evolving market.

Here are highlights from their keynote conversation: 

• The “Reicher Triangle”: The core of Dan’s approach to energy efficiency centers around integrating three things: innovation, policy and finance. These areas must work together, as success depends on each being informed by the others.
• Collaboration for impact: Teams from each area should closely collaborate and share insights to create meaningful and lasting outcomes. Effective coordination across the Reicher Triangle improves decision-making and helps drive real progress in energy programs.
• Retrofitting vs. new construction: Repurposing old infrastructure, like converting coal plants into solar farms, can save both time and money. It’s often a faster and less expensive solution than building new facilities.
• Energy efficiency: Although it's one of the most effective ways to reduce energy use, efficiency measures are often underutilized. Integrating efficiency with clean energy sources like wind and solar is key.
• Emerging technologies: Keep an eye on innovations like heat pumps and solar shingles, which are starting to gain broader adoption. These technologies combine energy generation and IT, creating new opportunities for utilities.
• Federal policies: Staying informed on new legislation is crucial. Bringing new stakeholders, like indigenous communities, into these efforts can further accelerate adoption.
• Election impact: Election outcomes may not significantly alter clean energy efforts because of the sector's strong growth. Clean energy demand and job creation are expected to continue increasing regardless of political changes.

Three key takeaways

• Tackle difficult issues head on: Even long-standing, complex challenges like hydro dam debates can be addressed with persistence and the right strategies.
• Stay ahead of emerging problems: Proactively thinking about future issues and planning responses early can prevent small problems from becoming major obstacles.
• Integrate efforts for better results: Success is more likely when you align technology, policy and finance. Using the Reicher Triangle approach ensures all perspectives are considered and balanced for effective solutions.

Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.