Report on Duke Energy’s Enhanced Energy Programs and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Duke Energy has announced significant enhancements to its energy efficiency and demand response programs in South Carolina, supported by the S.C. Energy Security Act. These initiatives directly contribute to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting energy affordability, sustainability, and responsible consumption for both residential and business customers.

Contribution to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The updated programs are designed to improve energy efficiency and ensure access to affordable and reliable energy, directly aligning with SDG 7. By providing financial incentives and tools for energy management, the initiatives support Target 7.3 (double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency) and Target 7.1 (ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services).

Key Program Enhancements for Residential Customers:

• Home Energy Assessments: Complimentary assessments now include the direct installation of energy-saving products such as smart power strips and caulking, promoting immediate efficiency gains.
• Rebates for Upgrades: The Smart $aver® program offers expanded rebates for efficiency upgrades, including insulation, water heaters, and smart thermostats, making sustainable technology more accessible.
• Demand Response Incentives: The Power Manager® and EnergyWise Home® programs provide increased bill credits to customers who shift energy consumption to off-peak hours, enhancing grid stability and affordability.

Contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

By encouraging a reduction in overall energy consumption, these programs support the development of sustainable communities (SDG 11) and represent a tangible effort toward climate action (SDG 13). Lower energy demand reduces the strain on infrastructure and decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation.

Key Program Enhancements for Business Customers:

1. Increased Load Curtailment Credits: The PowerShare® program has increased capacity credits from $3.50 to $5 per kW for large customers who reduce energy use during peak periods.
2. Incentive Growth: The EnergyWise Business program and other efficiency initiatives for commercial clients have seen incentive amounts increase by an average of 20%-25%, encouraging wider adoption of sustainable business practices.

Contribution to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Specific assistance programs have been expanded to address energy poverty and reduce inequalities, ensuring that the benefits of energy efficiency are accessible to low-income and vulnerable households. This directly supports SDG 1 and SDG 10 by providing a critical social safety net.

Expanded Assistance Offerings:

• Utility Bill Assistance: Customers facing financial hardship can access support from various government and nonprofit programs.
• Flexible Payment and Support: Duke Energy provides flexible payment arrangements and direct assistance through its Share the Light Fund® to help qualifying customers manage their energy costs.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s primary focus is on energy efficiency and demand response programs. These initiatives, such as the “Home Energy House Call” and “Smart $aver®” rebates, are designed to help customers “better manage their energy use and save energy and money,” directly contributing to making energy more affordable and sustainable.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article addresses this goal through its discussion of assistance programs. It explicitly mentions expanded offerings for “qualifying customers” and support for those “struggling to pay their energy bills” through initiatives like the “Share the Light Fund®,” which aims to alleviate energy poverty for vulnerable households.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This goal is connected through the promotion of modern, energy-efficient technologies and infrastructure upgrades. The article highlights rebates for “insulation, water heaters and smart thermostats,” which represent retrofitting residential infrastructure for greater resource-use efficiency.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The programs described encourage more sustainable consumption patterns. By offering incentives and “bill credits when they choose to shift their use to lower energy demand periods,” Duke Energy is promoting responsible energy consumption among both residential and business customers.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

  The article is centered on this target. Programs offering “free energy efficiency products,” “home improvement rebates” for upgrades, and increased incentives for businesses are all direct actions to improve energy efficiency. The statement that incentives have “doubled – or even tripled” reinforces this commitment.

• Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

  The affordability aspect of this target is addressed through programs that help customers save money. The “bill credits” earned through “Power Manager®” and assistance programs for low-income customers make energy services more affordable and accessible.

• Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of people living in poverty

  The article connects to this target by addressing energy poverty. The provision of assistance for utility bills through “government and nonprofit programs” and Duke Energy’s own “Share the Light Fund®” directly helps reduce the financial strain on low-income households.

• Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

  This target is reflected in the push for customers to adopt modern, efficient technologies. The incentives for “energy-efficient upgrades, including insulation, water heaters and smart thermostats” contribute to upgrading residential infrastructure for greater sustainability and resource efficiency.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to track progress, although it does not use official SDG indicator codes. These include:

• Indicators for Energy Efficiency and Consumption (Targets 7.3, 9.4, 12.2)

  • Number of participants in energy efficiency programs: The count of customers enrolled in “Home Energy House Call,” “Smart $aver®,” and “EnergyWise Business.”
  • Amount of energy saved: The reduction in energy use (kW) by large customers participating in the “PowerShare®” program.
  • Adoption of efficient technologies: The number of “smart power strips, efficient showerheads,” and “smart thermostats” installed in homes.
  • Value of incentives: The total dollar amount of “home improvement rebates” and business incentives distributed, which have increased on average by 20%-25%.

• Indicators for Affordability and Poverty Reduction (Targets 7.1, 1.2)

  • Value of financial assistance: The total amount of “bill credits” provided to customers through “Power Manager®” and “EnergyWise Home®.”
  • Number of beneficiaries of assistance programs: The number of customers who qualify for and receive assistance from the “Share the Light Fund®” and other programs for those struggling to pay bills.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: renewableenergymagazine.com