Client Name: Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance
Project Name: Building the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance
Project Description:
Working closely with GCEA’s founder/executive director since its inception in 2009 CESI staff was instrumental in GCEA’s creation and successful development. Through CESI’s guidance and technical support the GCEA concept became reality with initial funding from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Duke Energy Foundation, which was utilized to develop its board of directors, infrastructure and strategic vision.
Through this initial investment CESI supported GCEA in leveraging federal energy efficiency funding from Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati in Ohio, along with three counties and two cities in Northern Kentucky to build a program guiding residents through the energy efficiency process, providing financing to offset homeowner costs, and providing jobs for home energy professionals.
In April 2010, based on a comprehensive proposal authored by CESI and GCEA staff, GCEA was one of 25 organizations nationwide awarded a competitive “Better Buildings” grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The $17 million award supports GCEA’s work with residential customers, as well as expanding its work in the non-profit, commercial and multi-family building sectors.
CESI’s work with GCEA continues with focus on the following issues:
Providing technical support to GCEA board of directors and senior management in the development of GCEA’s long term strategic and business plans.
Providing technical support in GCEA’s development of Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) protocols for use in its program.
Through training and technical assistance support GCEA in program design, bringing to market, and conducting its Residential, Non-profit and Commercial programs to meet production goals.
Research and identify best instruments and resources to assist GCEA in developing customer related financing.
Provide technical support in the recruitment of new GCEA staff necessary to conduct program operations, as well as advice on a range of personnel performance and evaluation issues.
Provide specific support to GCEA in creating and conducting the workforce training contract with Cincinnati State Technical and Community College encompassing the audit/retrofit contractor approval process, training and certification, and Quality Control/Quality Assurance of work performed.
Carry out proposal drafting activities in response to GCEA grant and/or contract opportunities.
Relevant Expertise: Enterprise Building
