Expertise

Built Environment

 

We’re advancing the transformation of buildings and the electrical grid with energy-efficient and distributed energy resources

CSE’s work in sustainable energy helps modernize the human-made structures that make up and define the world we live in. We design and administer programs that integrate distributed energy resource technologies and upgrade building performance so that our built environment is transformed into a decarbonized, grid-interactive environment.

Built Environment
 
Execution with national impact
 

Our work falls into three broad areas: Program Administration, Advisory Services and Demonstration and Validation.

Program Administration

We support renewable energy, distributed generation and demand reduction with strategies and programs that help everyone from consumers and local communities to community choice aggregators, utilities and statewide agencies reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

CSE is a key partner on a team of clean energy and affordable housing nonprofits selected by the California Public Utilities Commission to administer an up to $1 billion program to install 300 megawatts of solar electric panels on multifamily affordable housing over the next ten years. Learn More

Hannah Keenan

“CSE has a long history of implementing large-scale consumer programs, giving us a deep understanding of the many aspects required for success from program design and stakeholder engagement to secure processing and ongoing evaluation.”

Hannah Keenan
Senior Manager, SOMAH

Advisory Services

CSE incorporates holistic approaches to help clients on all levels identify and achieve long-term goals related to energy-efficient systems, on-site generation, energy storage, microgrids and sustainable technologies.

Through managing the Department of Energy’s CHP TAP in Western states, CSE provides engineering assistance to commercial, industrial and government facility owners and managers with sustainable and resilient technologies that support energy security. Learn More

Carol Denning

“CSE educates policymakers, stakeholders, and prospective end-users about technologies that improve energy efficiency, reliability and resiliency. We also provide technical assistance to colleges and universities, commercial and industrial entities, and state and local governments to evaluate and implement those technologies”

Carol Denning
Director, Energy Resilience & Reliability

Demonstration and Validation

Before you can go big or go fast, you need to make sure you will get the results you want. CSE engineers and program managers work closely with you and technology providers to test and verify energy efficiency, microgrid and other technologies. The goal: a blueprint for future resilience, reliability, and greenhouse gas reduction.

CSE tested and verified the integration of energy efficiency, solar photovoltaic systems and other demand-side resources to convert three public libraries to near zero net energy (ZNE) buildings. Learn more

Christopher Vogel

"Our team investigated benefits and barriers to integrating demand-side management technologies in municipal buildings – not just how the technologies performed but also the viability of financing and demand response revenue models."

Christopher Vogel
Senior Engineer, Distributed Energy Resources

Recent Thought Leadership - Built Enviro