What we did
The Interruption Cost Estimate (ICE) Calculator, developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in collaboration with Nexant, Inc., and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE), is a groundbreaking tool designed to quantify the economic impact of power interruptions. Molly Duggan Creative Technology Agency partnered with Berkeley Lab to elevate the visibility and impact of the ICE Calculator through strategic storytelling and engaging media.
To amplify the tool’s impact and reach, Berkeley Lab partnered with the team at Molly Duggan to craft an engaging and accessible commercial. The campaign was designed to educate audiences on how the ICE Calculator can:
- Quantify the economic costs of power interruptions.
- Evaluate the benefits of grid reliability improvements.
- Prioritize investments in infrastructure and resilience initiatives.
By highlighting the tool’s ability to inform policy decisions, guide regional energy planning, and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the project helps advance critical conversations around energy resilience and sustainability.
What We Did
Campaign Strategy: Created an educational video campaign to translate technical insights into accessible narratives for policymakers, utilities, and regional planners.
Storytelling Expertise: Highlighted the tool’s ability to inform energy reliability investments and resilience planning.
Engaging Content: Produced a video that underscored the financial and societal importance of prioritizing energy resilience through data-driven decisions.
Outcome-Driven Results: Fostered collaboration among key stakeholders and enhanced decision-making on energy resilience investments.
Why It Matters
Power interruptions cost billions annually, disproportionately impacting local economies, critical infrastructure, and communities. The ICE Calculator bridges technical innovation and actionable policy by equipping stakeholders with the data needed to address these challenges. Our work amplified the tool’s message to engage broader audiences and foster collaboration among utilities, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Outcomes
The campaign successfully raised awareness of the ICE Calculator’s potential, supporting Berkeley Lab’s mission to drive energy resilience initiatives. The storytelling approach helped strengthen dialogue on infrastructure funding and energy resilience, contributing to more informed decision-making at local and national levels.
Future Applications
This project exemplifies the power of storytelling in translating complex data into actionable solutions. The same approach could inspire broader collaborations, such as showcasing microgrid or fuel cell projects, aligning with Bloom Energy’s innovations and the Bay Area Council’s resilience goals. Through strategic storytelling, these initiatives can further engage stakeholders and foster meaningful connections in the clean energy sector.
About Berkeley Lab
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is a renowned research institution dedicated to advancing science and technology to address the world’s most pressing challenges. With a legacy of innovation in energy, environment, and computing, Berkeley Lab leads groundbreaking initiatives to enhance energy resilience, efficiency, and sustainability. The Interruption Cost Estimate (ICE) Calculator exemplifies the Lab’s commitment to creating tools and technologies that empower policymakers, utilities, and communities to make data-driven decisions for a more reliable and sustainable energy future.
