MIT Libraries logoDSpace@MIT

MIT
View Item 
  • DSpace@MIT Home
  • MIT Libraries
  • MIT Theses
  • Graduate Theses
  • View Item
  • DSpace@MIT Home
  • MIT Libraries
  • MIT Theses
  • Graduate Theses
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

The Greatest Generation : a new retail store model for delivering energy efficiency in Massachusetts

Author(s)
Hutchinson, Elijah Moses
Thumbnail
DownloadFull printable version (12.09Mb)
Alternative title
New retail store model for delivering energy efficiency in Massachusetts
Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning.
Advisor
Harvey Michaels.
Terms of use
M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Metadata
Show full item record
Abstract
The mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) and reduced energy consumption in the United States has proven to be a great challenge in the face of climate change. While technological innovation and renewable energy continue to evolve and scale to meet growing energy demands, energy efficiency has been identified as a key resource for achieving climate objectives in a cost-effective and timely manner. Within Massachusetts, much work has been done by regulators, utilities, community groups, businesses, and individuals to enable energy efficiency at various scales and through various frameworks. Yet, for many within the state and across the country, the ability to access efficiency gains has been limited by identified market barriers, program structures, knowledge gaps, supply-chain complexity, perceived benefit and even general apathy towards energy efficiency. As available program resources become more limited and the economy retracts, the need for innovative and sustainable program models has created a moment of opportunity to reconsider the way in which utilities deliver energy efficiency. Based on previous program evaluations, interviews, new case studies, and market information, what follows is an investigation into a proposed retail store model for energy efficiency products and services. This thesis is an investigation into the elements of retail store that could make the model viable in Massachusetts, the benefits and costs of such a model, and a review of how energy efficiency and retail stores work to encourage consumers to purchase efficiency. A proposed retail store, "The Greatest Generation", addresses many of the market transformation barriers for energy efficiency while providing a consumer-focused platform that is scalable, cost-effective for utilities, and more able to penetrate the market for energy efficiency. The development of a pilot utility-funded retail store using a third-party private operator is a viable option within Massachusetts to address climate change.
Description
Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2012.
 
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
 
Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-83).
 
Date issued
2012
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/70411
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Urban Studies and Planning.

Collections
  • Graduate Theses

Browse

All of DSpaceCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

Login

Statistics

OA StatisticsStatistics by CountryStatistics by Department
MIT Libraries
PrivacyPermissionsAccessibilityContact us
MIT
Content created by the MIT Libraries, CC BY-NC unless otherwise noted. Notify us about copyright concerns.