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Research, Development, and Demonstration
Looking Toward the Future

See the Research Investment Plan Proceeding page (Docket #12-EPIC-01).

PIER Natural Gas Research Initiative Template. ( Word Version | PDF Version)

RD&D's Proven Benefits to Californians

See how PIER Contributes to Job Growth and Private Investment in the Green Economy

See how Energy Efficiency Research Powers The Future

  • √ California's Efficiency Standards have incorporated the results of PIER projects and saved Californians more than $1 billion.

  • √ PIER studies provided scientific evidence that significantly contributed to the passage of AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

  • √ Research based advanced power grid monitoring software has increased system reliability and prevented cascading blackouts, avoiding more than $300 million in production losses due to outages.

Public Research & Development Is Vital

California leads the nation in energy efficiency and is working to ensure that 33 percent of the state's electricity is generated from renewable resources. To keep pace with ever-growing energy demands, ensure economic growth and achieve an energy smart future it is vital for Californians to invest in public energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) efforts. Through RD&D our state is creating advanced energy markets and helping to bring new energy efficient products and technologies on line.

What Is The Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Program?

The Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program is the state's premier energy RD&D program, advancing science and technology in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, advanced electricity technologies, energy-related environmental protection, and transmission and distribution, and transportation technologies. To accomplish this, PIER enlists businesses, utilities, energy companies, public advocacy groups, and world-class scientists at California's universities and national laboratories. In the last decade PIER has invested more than $700 million to bring to market energy technologies that provide environmental and economic benefits to California's ratepayers.

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