Experience and expertise

With more than a decade of direct experience with utility programs, Ecos has developed a wide-ranging set of service offerings geared specifically to the needs of utilities. We also offer the versatility to create the perfect blend of any or all of our services. 

Here are our principal service areas:

 
Emerging Technology Research
Emerging Technology Research

Ecos produces nationally recognized emerging technology and product research, developing efficiency specifications that are at the foundation of many utility programs across North America. We are recognized as a research leader in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, plug load, data centers and weatherization.

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  • Ecos designed and administers the 80 PLUS program, an effort to bring energy-efficient power supplies to desktop computers and servers. The most recent ENERGY STAR computer specifications include 80 PLUS certified power supplies. The program has saved more than 4 million kWh to date.
  • On behalf of the NRDC, the Ecos Research Solutions division performed the first-ever comprehensive study on the energy use of video game consoles. Our research at our Durango, Colo., facility found that the nation’s consoles consume an estimated 16 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. Ecos provided a comprehensive list of recommendations for users, video game console manufacturers, component suppliers and game developers for improving current and future video game consoles.
  • Ecos worked with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on a demonstration project that showed that alternative, DC-based power distribution systems can reduce the total system energy use in a data center by 5 to 7 percent compared to the most efficient alternating current (AC) systems, and by up to 28 percent compared to typical AC distribution systems.
Commercial and Industrial Program Design and Implementation
Residential Program Design and Implementation

Over the past 12 years, Ecos has designed and implemented a wide variety of successful residential energy efficiency programs, focusing on lighting, weatherization, appliances, consumer electronics, whole home analysis, HVAC, multi-family retrofit and others. Ecos has experience in trade ally network development and management as well as field staff coordination and program marketing. Our experience has delivered millions of kWh to our utility partners at very cost effective rates

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  • Ecos ENERGY STAR Residential Lighting and Appliance programs successfully work with retail, direct-install and retrofit channels to increase consumers’ awareness of these money-saving products. The groundbreaking 2000-2003 ENERGY STAR Lighting program for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance saved more than 107.2 average megawatts across five states.
  • Ecos has developed outreach, training and financial incentive programs to support builders of ENERGY STAR® new homes. Ecos partners with green building initiatives including LEED®, Earth Advantage™, Building America and Built Green. The ENERGY STAR New Homes program for Rocky Mountain Power, implemented by Ecos, has saved 9 million kWh to date.
  • From 2003 through 2005, Ecos was the program management contractor for the Energy Trust of Oregon’s residential retrofit program. The program provided heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) and weatherization incentives for single-family, multifamily and manufactured homes served by natural gas or electricity
Commercial and Industrial Program Design and Implementation

Ecos has a long history of delivering commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs. We design and implement programs in the pulp & paper, food processing, retail, restaurant, agriculture and commercial multi-family sectors. We work with measures in lighting, HVAC, pumps, motors, compressed air, refrigeration and on-site generation, among others. We have the program design, program management and engineering experience to deliver our utility partners the savings they require, on time and on budget.

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  • Ecos and PG&E worked with a large California bottling company to implement an energy efficiency project, replacing their 300-hp air compressor with a more efficient 200-hp variable-speed compressor. Ecos also conducted training for all the plant’s employees on how they can bring energy efficiency into their everyday tasks. The bottler walked away with a $100,000 incentive check, energy savings for years to come, and a new understanding of how energy use affects their bottom line.
  • Working though PG&E and the Ecos Air program, a California wastewater treatment plant upgraded their compressor/blower system and essentially halved the amount of energy used by their aeration system. This new system achieves the required pressure and flow more efficiently while reducing the need for additional cooling. The plant is saving more than 625,000 kWh and roughly $54,000 annually.
Onsite Generation Market and Feasibility Studies
On-site Generation Market and Feasibility Studies

Ecos provides due diligence and develops and manages sub-10 MW distributed-generation projects for use in process facilities. In addition, renewable-power projects such as wind and solar provide highly reliable and efficient on-site power to plant owners.

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  • Ecos assessed twelve (12) industrial and institutional customers within a Northwest utility´s service territory for the appropriateness, feasibility and efficiencies gained from distributed generation. Ecos recommendations included combined heat and power and/or renewable generation opportunities.
  • Ecos identified the opportunity and provided the engineering-level feasibility analysis of a 2.4 MW CHP unit for a national food products company. Ecos worked with the local utility, financial institutions and the company to develop a solution that yielded a positive ROI and increased efficiency and reliability.
Water Efficiency

Ecos delivers innovative programs that improve water efficiency and resource utilization. Our residential pool pump, commercial efficiency and solar hot water programs save millions of gallons of water each year.

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  • Through two Southwest-region pool pump rebate programs, Ecos has recruited a network of pool builders and pool pump manufacturers, distributors and professionals to assist homeowners with replacing inefficient single-speed pool pumps with more efficient, quieter and longer-lasting variable-speed pool pumps. Customers receive the incentive at the time of purchase and have collectively saved over 5.5 million kWh to date.
  • Ecos worked with the County of Spokane in Washington state to promote residential water efficiency measures to residents. Through the installation of high-efficiency water measures for single-family residences, apartment complexes and individual condominiums, the program sought to reduce wastewater throughout the county. The program provided county-funded incentives to end-use consumers within Spokane County who installed EPA WaterSense certified high-efficiency toilets and/or ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers.
Green Marketing

Ecos blends market analytics with tried-and-true creative approaches to garner cost-effective ROI. Our “green marketing” philosophy is closely tied to the real measures and real initiatives that utilities deploy around resource conservation. Ecos marketing delivers program branding, conducts media and outreach events, and creates program collateral to reach and educate the end user. Read more about our work on our Marketing section.

Ecos also offers a unique suite of support services.