Program Planning and Design

Paragon has assisted clients in the development and management of new programs and improvement of existing underperforming programs. This includes benchmarking and best practices research to gain insight on programs that work well in other parts of the country. In addition to benchmarking programs, Paragon reviews available technologies, including product literature and technical publications to evaluate the best return on investment for the utility. This research is used, along with Paragon’s decades of utility industry experience, to design programs that deliver solid savings.

For additional information on program planning and design contact Joe Kelly here.

• Energy Conservation Programs

  Paragon will assess best practices and best in class program designs and use that information to design energy conservation programs that best meet your needs. Our program design takes into account program delivery and minimizing freeridership. Paragon can also perform process evaluations to improve program delivery and cost effectiveness.

• Demand Response (DR) Programs

  Paragon staff has experience in every aspect of utility demand response programs. We have performed product testing, pilot evaluation, program development, full company roll out, M&V, and process evaluations. Several of Paragon’s senior staff have designed & managed programs at utilities prior to joining Paragon. Paragon designs DR programs to operate similar to generating resource, facilitating easy integration into a utilities resource stack.

• ALCA

  Paragon is a founding member and currently facilitates the Advanced Load Control Alliance (ALCA). The ALCA is an interactive organization for utility professionals to share knowledge about load control programs, and seek insight and suggestions from colleagues at other utilities. For more information, please visit the ALCA webpage.

• State Utility Reporting Commission

  Frequently State Utility Commissions require additional information from utilities placing extra workload on utility staff. Paragon can provide economic and financial assessments of programs for submission to State Utility Commissions, expert testimony to help commission members and staff understand program issues and development of Data Request responses from IRP submissions. Paragon can serve as an extension of your staff, preparing all or part, of reports for Commission submission.

• Competitive Analysis

  Paragon recognizes that understanding the current marketplace is a key requirement for all our clients. Paragon uses an unbiased and disciplined approach to analyzing different competing technologies and companies. Our competitive analysis service is useful to utilities and utility service/product providers. Paragon customizes the analyses to fit each client and can include trend analysis and product penetration assessments, cost analyses associated with new program development, product niche analysis, or a review of customer drivers/inhibitors. Paragon is committed to helping our clients understand how they can use programs or products to improve customer satisfaction and retention.

• Program Roll-Out

  Taking a program from an R&D project or pilot to a full company program is a large undertaking. Paragon will work with your team to develop strategies, tactics, and implementation action plans for a smooth program launch. We have assisted several utilities as they considered new products or services for end-use consumers and have transitioned several clients from pilot projects to full programs. Paragon’s staff knows how to make these transitions work in the utility environment. Canned program descriptions and plans don’t work; we tailor programs to the customer’s situation, environment and needs and work with our customer’s internal or external staff to enhance the implementation of programs.

• Vendor / Product Assessment and RFPs

  Clients don’t always have the time or resources to evaluate new products or vendors. Paragon staff includes professional engineers (both mechanical and electrical) who can evaluate new technologies, design market trials, and deliver unbiased analyses back to the client. Paragon provides manufacturer profiling, R&D, demographics, and field support analysis. Our technical experts have worked with a variety of technologies and can provide in-depth product analysis, market penetration analysis, as well as analysis on utility (and consumer) impact on demand, kWh, and revenues. Paragon also assesses market potential and will help clients understand gas vs. electric applications and provide details on costs, impacts, and benefits.

• Project Management

  Effective project management is an essential element in achieving cost-effectiveness. Paragon brings a wide variety of project management skills to clients – including certified project managers. Our senior staff have all managed projects at utilities prior to (and after) joining Paragon. Our expertise includes design review, technology evaluation and selection, contractor evaluation and selection, schedule development, and implementation management. Paragon will prepare project plans for day-to-day project management as clients begin new projects. This documentation can be used later for process evaluations. Paragon’s goal is to be a seamless part of your team, filling all or part of your project management needs. Paragon provides continuity as clients roll-out new programs or experience staffing changes. We will work with your project management staff to ensure transfer of data and project management experience.