Clean Energy Ministerial

Two Clean Energy Ministerial Initiatives Launch Online Portals That Provide Vital Clean Energy Policy and Appliance Efficiency Resources

1 May 2011

Two Clean Energy Ministerial Initiatives launched online portals last month to connect clean energy policy makers and practitioners with essential technical and policy resources. The Clean Energy Solutions Center launched cleanenergysolutions.org, an online clearinghouse that provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources on best practices in clean energy policy. The Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) initiative launched superefficient.org, an online hub that connects experts and policymakers with technical resources, news related to appliance and equipment efficiency policies, and each other. Together, these online resources will provide information and tailored solutions to help policy makers and private industry design and implement effective clean energy policies and programs, leading to accelerated market transformation and improved appliance standards worldwide.

Cleanenergysolutions.org: Providing Clean Energy Policy Resources

The Clean Energy Solutions Center’s cleanenergysolutions.org website serves as a first-stop clearinghouse of information and tools to support the design and adoption of clean energy policies and programs. Rather than duplicating existing clean energy resources, the Clean Energy Solutions Center leverages the resources of Clean Energy Ministerial initiatives and other international organizations, tailoring information and tools to support key priorities identified by Solutions Center participants.

The website shares policy best practices, data, and analysis tools, as well as online training (through webinars and training videos), "live" expert assistance, and peer-to-peer learning. Together, these resources can help countries identify solutions to their clean energy policy needs and foster international collaboration on policy innovations.

Superefficient.org: Providing Technical Resources Related to Appliance Efficiency

SEAD’s superefficient.org is a hub for appliance efficiency practitioners, providing news and technical resources related to appliance and equipment efficiency policies. The heart of the site is a series of comprehensive resource summaries related to six product categories: commercial refrigeration, computers, distribution transformers, motors, network standby, solid-state lighting, and televisions. The site also features an "ask-an-expert" feature that allows policy makers to submit questions to appliance efficiency experts and review a library of experts’ responses to previously submitted questions.

By early 2012, the site will expand to include more details on SEAD's international super-efficiency awards, additional toolkits and technical analyses, and social networking features.

About the Clean Energy Solutions Center

The Clean Energy Solutions Center provides a trusted first stop for clean energy policy makers. By acting as a clearinghouse for high-quality clean energy policy and deployment information and providing remote expert assistance, peer forums, and training, the Solutions Center connects a broad network of country technical experts and policy makers through a virtual platform. The Solutions Center is designed to be flexible and to grow and evolve according to the needs of its users.

About the Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment Initiative

Participants in the Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) initiative work together in voluntary activities to "raise the efficiency ceiling" by pulling super-efficient products into the market through measures such as incentives, procurement, and awards; "raise the efficiency floor" by bolstering regional efficiency standards and labels; and "strengthen the foundations" of efficiency programs through coordinated technical analysis. SEAD participants have launched international technical and policy collaborations focused on six product categories—commercial refrigeration, computers, distribution transformers, solid-state lighting, motors, and televisions—and one energy-use mode: network standby.