Garcia, R (2018) California energy policy alternatives for commercial buildings to create energy resiliency, reduce carbon emissions, and lessen dependency on electrical utilities for the future California economy. EdD thesis, Brandman University, USA.
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this Policy Delphi study was to identify and assess the energy efficiency policies for commercial buildings in California that experts believe are most important and likely to be implemented by the year 2025 to create energy resiliency, reduce carbon emissions, and lessen dependency on electrical utilities in the future California economy. Methodology: The methodology for this Policy Delphi study was descriptive, and used to forecast the future relative energy policy for energy efficiency in commercial buildings in California. Inside the theoretical framework of policy analysis, this Policy Delphi study was designed around the insights of a nominated expert panel. The sample population was 24 experts randomly drawn from a list of individuals who were nominated by one of three advisors. Individuals were nominated for their expertise with energy policy, building industry, economy, and business. The panel was asked to identify policy options, and systematically rate those options in three structured rounds, to achieve consensus on a common set of future policies. Findings: The analysis of data from the Policy Delphi expert panel’s ratings identified that 20 policy statements were considered to be of high priority in this study. Secondly, seven policy statements received consensus on high ranking of importance. Finally, only one policy statement received consensus on high rankings of importance and likelihood of implementation. Conclusions: Based on the research findings, 10 conclusions were drawn including: (a) increasing ratepayer investments in energy efficiency for clean energy distributed resources for California Integrated Resource Planning policy for utilities was unmistakably the highest priority identified in this study and (b) energy efficiency policies affecting commercial buildings in California may be difficult to implement in the near future. Recommendations: Further research is recommended in the following areas: (a) replication of this study using a different expert panel selected utilizing the same or different selection criteria and (b) analyzing data on the effectiveness of the high importance policy statements.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Ainsworth, P |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | carbon emissions; energy efficiency; policy; population; selection criteria; utilities |
| Index terms: | Delphi method, policy analysis, clean energy, energy efficiency, energy efficiency policy, carbon emission, utilities, building industry, effectiveness, selection criteria, implementation, resource planning, option, energy policy, methodology, commercial building, population |
| Subjects: | demography, tendering, research methods, contractual arrangements, public policy, climate science, construction type, policy studies, industry analysis, decision analysis, performance management, energy systems, resource management, sustainability and energy, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Construction Technology, Governance, Urban Studies, Site Management, Procurement, Sustainability, Risk Management, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here