The foundation of the Energy Efficiency Center (EEC) is built upon a strong collaboration between industry, government agencies, and University partners.  The EEC draws upon the expertise and technical innovation of Affiliated Researchers in business management, engineering, and design.  The EEC is organized along three research/technology thrust areas: Agriculture and Food Production, Buildings, and Transportation.

The mission of the California Biomass Collaborative (CBC) is to enhance the sustainable management and development of biomass in California. To fulfill this mission, the CBC administers a comprehensive statewide program in scientific research and innovation, technology development, demonstration, deployment, education and training. The CBC’s goal is to support and integrate the efforts of the state of California in advancing efficient, safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally sound biomass systems. Research faculty from the CBC help direct agriculture project priorities for the EEC and actively participate in demonstration programs.

The mission of the California Lighting Technology Center’s (CLTC) is to stimulate the application of energy-efficient lighting by facilitating technology development and demonstrations, and offer outreach and education activities in partnership with electric utilities, lighting manufacturers, lighting professionals and governmental agencies. The CLTC supports the buildings research field of the EEC in the area of lighting technology. Research faculty from the CLTC help direct building project priorities for the EEC and actively participate in demonstration programs.

The Center for Entrepreneurship (C4E) at the Graduate School of Management (GSM) was established in 1981 with the mission to be a leader in management research and education. To accomplish this mission, C4E brings science, engineering and business students together with faculty and experienced entrepreneurs, investors and corporate leaders in an environment that blends effective theory with hands-on participation and solution-driven innovation. The C4E supports the EEC through collaboration with the C4E's Business Development Programs, providing business development and technology transfer education for the EEC’s graduate student group of Emerging Venture Analysts.

The College of Engineering's eight departments offer eleven Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology accredited majors, the largest number in the University of California system. The college offers a unique graduate group approach that brings faculty and students from a broad spectrum of disciplines university-wide to develop more effective, real world solutions to society's most complex problems. The College of Engineering is instrumental in advancing EEC programs through collaborations with faculty assigned to the college.

The Energy Institute focuses and coordinates energy research and education on the UC Davis campus and facilitates interactions with other institutes, laboratories and programs across the nation and around the world. The breadth and depth of energy research on the campus supports the vision for building a world-class institute in energy with particular focus on sustainable energy system design. The Energy Institute will serve as home to the proposed Energy Graduate Group, providing advanced degrees in energy science, technology and policy. The Energy Institute is organized around a number of existing and proposed centers focusing on various aspects of energy.

The Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis) was founded in 1991 to become the leading university center in the country for the study of transportation/energy issues. Nearly 60 faculty researchers and 90 graduate students are affiliated with ITS-Davis. About half of the its research activity is directly related to transportation energy, including alternative fuels, vehicle fuel economy, buyer and traveler behavior and information technologies aimed at reducing travel. ITS-Davis supports the transportation research field of the EEC. Research faculty from ITS-Davis help direct transportation project priorities for the EEC and actively participate in demonstration programs.

InnovationAccess, formerly Technology Industry Alliances/UC Davis CONNECT, is part of the Office of Research. They provide services that connect research to the marketplace and are focused specifically on protecting and commercializing intellectual property and fostering entrepreneurship within the campus community. Their team is comprised of more than 20 professionals with Ph.D.s, JDs, and MBAs who have significant private sector experience and are organized into two service platforms: technology transfer services and business development services.

Facilities Management is comprised of a diverse group of professionals dedicated to preserving, maintaining and improving the physical environment that supports UC Davis as an exceptional place for learning, discovery and engagement. Facilities Management provides a broad array of professional facility services, including utility services and basic maintenance of state-funded facilities, as well as facility improvements. A key part of their mission is to reduce the use of energy on the UC Davis campus. The University upgraded to energy efficient lighting 10 years ago, reducing UC Davis’ overall electricity bill by $400,000 a year. UC Davis adopted state-of-the-art energy efficiency standards for all new buildings on campus. An audit is being done for existing structures to assess potential energy savings through retro-fits. The University began replacing old and unreliable gas-fired chillers at the central plant with energy-efficient electric chillers. They have built a new thermal energy storage plant to improve efficiencies and enhance cost effectiveness in campus cooling. Modern metering systems and utility management software is being installed to monitor individual building energy consumption. They recently launched a web-based energy usage reporting system to inform the campus community on energy usage and encourage greater energy conservation.

The Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center (PTRIC) is housed in the Department of Plant Sciences. Its mission is to reduce postharvest losses and improve the quality, safety and marketability of fresh horticultural products. The PHTRIC strives to provide relevant information to California growers, shippers, marketers, carriers, distributors, retailers, processors and consumers of fresh horticultural crops. The PHTRIC offers a two-week short course on postharvest technology of horticultural commodities, lectures, discussions and demonstrations, as well as a five-day field trip to major production areas of California. In addition, researchers are analyzing energy conservation opportunities in warehouses and cold storage in California.

The mission of the Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC) is to partner with stakeholders to identify technologies, disseminate information and implement programs that reduce cooling system electrical demand and energy consumption in the Western United States. The WCEC is engaged in a wide range of projects, from fundamental research to market analysis, including water management strategies for indirect and direct evaporative cooling, developing more efficient radiant flooring for retail, and big-box retail technology evaluations.