Utility energy efficiency programs around the country have had challenges engaging Small Business / Small Portfolio (SBSP) audiences with high potential for energy efficiency improvements. There are many significant research questions related to program design. How do distributors/suppliers encourage energy efficient technology as the default choice and shift the perception of cost versus value? How can utilities incentivize distributors/suppliers to drive sales?

Argonne’s Commercial Upstream Incentive Program (CUIP) attempts to answer these questions by developing innovative programs that incentivize business-to-business distributors and suppliers to effectively spur energy efficiency improvements in the commercial building sector.