Thinking Energy: Everyone Into The Pool

Buildings account for more than 40% of U.S. national energy use. Existing, proven technology can reduce building energy use by up to 50%, producing savings that more than pay for such green retrofit projects. The deployment potential for deep energy retrofits, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, gas-fired cogeneration and microgrids, among other commercially available technologies is unprecedented. These "building clean energy" technologies can cut commercial, institutional and industrial power demand and emissions while reducing energy costs and improving the reliability of the power grid.

Independent estimates of the potential gains from a building clean energy investment strategy in the US range from more than $200 billion (ACEEE, 2012) to more than $1 trillion (McKinsey & Company, 2009). Investors and lenders are eager to foray into the retrofit sector, which offers long-term, stable returns that are appropriate for pension funds, insurance companies