NW SEM Collaborative
The NW SEM Collaborative was founded in 2011 with the idea that the region’s utilities and energy organizations can achieve far more working together than alone. For more than a decade, the Collaborative has supported energy efficiency program administrators and accelerate the adoption of SEM in the industrial and commercial sectors.
The NW SEM Collaborative is a regional, funder-supported and volunteer-driven organization. As we continue to grow and evolve, we move forward with the following goals:
- Support SEMHub.com as the go-to resource for SEM professionals to readily find resources, information, tools and contacts.
- Empower members to drive increased savings and build resilience through wider adoption and deeper engagement.
- Work with regional leaders to influence the development of regional resource planning.
- Engage with SEM leaders across North America to share SEM design lessons and expand the impact of SEM.
2023 NW SEM Collaborative Leadership Team:
2023 Chair: Faith DeBolt, SBW Consulting
2023 Vice Chair: Kathleen Belkhayat, Energy Trust of Oregon
Kelsey Lewis, Snohomish PUD
Peter Therkelsen, Lawrence Berkley Laboratory
Jim Volkman, Strategic Energy Group
Kevin Wallace, BC Hydro
Sara York, Cascade Energy
NW SEM Fall Workshop: Next Level SEM
Oct. 19, 2023 | Portland, OR
Working Groups
Working Group participation is the beating heart of the Northwest SEM community. Working Groups welcome volunteers from all levels of experience, offering a valuable opportunity for beginners and experts alike to learn from one another and collaborate on the region’s most pressing SEM challenges, topics and trends. To get involved, simply send us an email and we will add you to any Working Group(s) you are interested in.
*NEW in 2023* Fall Workshop Planning – Suzi Asmus (NEEA), Sam Walker (Coefficient Consulting)
For 2023, we are inviting the broader NWSEMC members to help plan and deliver the next annual Workshop. Come join us to inspire your colleagues and shape this year's collaboration. Meets monthly. NEXT MEETING: October 4, 2:00-3:00 PT
Beyond the E – Karen Brooks (Strategic Energy Group), Lana Stern (AESC)
This group convenes to identify the additional benefits (engagement, customer service, non-energy specific resource conservation) that SEM brings to energy management. In 2023, this will include looking at the benefits of and opportunities to integrate Lean and DEI frameworks into SEM. Please email us to be added to the notification list. Meets every two months. NEXT MEETING: September 21, 1:00-2:00pm PT
Measurement & Verification – Holly Farah (Rouj Energy), Andee Morton (Idaho Power), Graham Goodman (Seattle City Light)
Continues to confront challenges, find opportunities and share insights on how to make M&V of SEM projects more effective, including alternative approaches, standardization, savings persistence and more. Please email us to be added to the notification list. Meets quarterly. NEXT MEETING: TBD
Emissions Reduction (GHG + SEM) – Kevin Wallace (BCHydro)
Discusses and develops strategies to integrate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies with SEM. Please email us to be added to the notification list. Meets monthly. NEXT MEETING: September 22, 10:00-11:00am PT
Evolution of SEM in the Northwest – Tina Schnell (Ask Energy, Inc.)
Assess how SEM has evolved over the last 10-15 years by analyzing program data from across the region. Please email us to be added to the notification list. NEXT MEETING: September 21, 3:00-4:00 PT
Conduit Archive Library
With the sunsetting of Conduit in September 2022, SEMHub has set-up a resource library dedicated to housing materials previously stored on Conduit to make sure the SEMHub community doesn’t lose access to the numerous resources developed across several Working Groups over the years.
2022 NW SEM Collaborative Fall Workshop Recap:
Thank you so much to all of the participants, funders and volunteers who made the Northwest SEM Collaborative Fall Workshop an inspiring, engaging, and truly collaborative in-person event. And a special thank you to our workshop sponsors, Cascade Energy, Energy 350 and CLEAResult. Workshop highlights include:
- Exciting Collaborative News: The Collaborative Leadership team announced their recommendation for the NW SEM Collaborative to join the North American Collaborative in a regional partnership model beginning in 2024.
- In-Person Collaboration and Discussion: Of the many opportunities to convene with colleagues, survey participants selected the World Café and Open Space sessions as the highlights of the day.
- Working Group Presentations: All four Working Groups shared the results of their collaborations over the past year.
- Measuring SEM Growth and Impact in the Region: The Evolution of SEM Subcommittee of the Leadership Team presented their work from the last few years to better measure and understand the ways SEM is evolving in the Northwest.
For a complete recap, including access to Fall Workshop presentations, resources and photos include, click here >>
Northwest SEM Collaborative Overview Video
Join the NW SEM Collaborative
Join us in accelerating the adoption of SEM practices.
SEMHub is brought to you by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and the following project sponsors:
