INFORMAL SESSIONS

MONDAY 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

EIA Consumption Survey Updates: CBECS Results and New Directions for RECS

Tom Leckey, U.S. Energy Information Administration, thomas.leckey@eia.gov

EIA will present details and seek stakeholder input on changes to their two surveys that measure energy demand in buildings: the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) and Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS). The session will cover three topical areas: initial results from the 2012 CBECS, early analysis of voluntary energy assessments (EAs) from over 200 CBECS buildings, and investments being made to update the RECS program. RECS staff will outline several pilot studies in progress to improve the timeliness, frequency, and accuracy of RECS. The session will close with a discussion on EIAs overall initiatives for the consumption data program, which are informed by recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT).

Intelligent Efficiency: Information Communication Technology and the Vast Opportunity for Energy Savings

Ethan Rogers, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, erogers@aceee.org, and Harvey Michaels, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, hgm@mit.edu

“Intelligent Efficiency,” the convergence of energy efficiency with information and communications technologies (ICT), is emerging as one of the most

transformational shifts to the delivery of energy efficiency ever seen. Intelligent efficiency holds the promise of substantially reducing energy use

while transforming many energy-using markets through optimization and increased energy productivity. Achieving this outcome will require

collaboration between the energy efficiency, ICT, and user communities. What innovations are emerging in this space? What are the future

possibilities to transform our energy systems through intelligence? This session will help prepare and focus the efficiency community in advance of

the first ACEEE Intelligent Efficiency Conference in November.

Drought Mitigation: What's DSM Got To Do With It?

Mark Martinez, Southern California Edison, mark.s.martinez@sce.com

As California struggles with another year of statewide drought, what role do the DSM programs play in for customers in dealing with the effects of the lack of water for both the water and agricultural sectors? How can energy conservation, efficiency, and demand response programs save water, in what sectors can the collaboration be emphasized, and why isn't there more being done to make the water-energy nexus a reality? This session will discuss how the "cylinders of excellence" (aka silos) are not just relegated to the program categories of EE, DR, DG and storage, but also exist in other utilities (like water) and how they are being collapsed to fight the drought. There is a watershed role for DSM that is being demonstrated today to mitigate the drought, and which demonstrates that in the GHG-free, renewable, and zero-net future for California that water will be an essential component of the new DSM Loading Order. Participants in this session will share their best practices of how saving energy saves water.

Discussion on City Energy Project: Advancing Efficiency in Existing Buildings across Ten Cities

Laurie Kerr, lkerr@nrdc.org, Melissa Wright, mwright@nrdc.org, Andrew Burr, andrew@imt.org, and Kimi Narita, knarita@nrdc.org, Natural Resources Defense Council and Institute for Market Transformation

The City Energy Project is a joint initiative of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Institute for Market Transformation to create healthier and more prosperous American cities by improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings. Working in partnership, the Project and ten participating cities support innovative, practical solutions that cut energy waste, boost local economies, and reduce harmful pollution. In this informal session, City Energy Project staff will explain the project and answer any questions as well as facilitate a discussion on how all groups interested in this area of work can advance the same goals together.

EM&V under the EPA 111(d) Rule

Steve Nadel, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, snadel@aceee.org

EPA released a proposal to regulate emissions from existing power plants in June, 2014. Comments on the proposal are due in October. Under the proposal states must prepare and implement plans to reduce carbon emissions per kWh generated to state-specific targets proposed by EPA. States may employ four strategies to meet the targets, one of which is end-use efficiency. The draft rule is mostly silent on how energy efficiency savings are to be evaluated and instead seeks input. A variety of issues will ultimately need to be addressed by EPA including baselines for savings determinations, appropriate methods for evaluating savings, whether any impact evaluations are required, and whether EPA will provide any guidance on a “deemed to comply” evaluation plan. This session will begin with presentations on several of the issues by leading experts on 111(d) and evaluation, and then will proceed to a facilitated discussion of many of the key issues.

Lessons Learned from Field Observations of Commercial Sector HVAC Technician Behavior and Laboratory Testing

Robert Mowris, Robert Mowris & Associates, robert@rma-energy.com, and Jarred Metoyer, DNV GL

Informal session provides lessons learned from field observations of commercial sector HVAC technician behavior and laboratory tests of single and dual-compressor packaged units with economizers. Publically available results from the study will be presented and discussed at this informal session. Observations were conducted to evaluate and improve California commercial HVAC maintenance programs. The programs provide incentives for cleaning coils, adjusting airflow, testing/repairing economizers, adjusting/installing thermostats, or installing notched v-belts on fans.

Field observations indicate a lack of information regarding how to properly diagnose faults and implement repairs to improve energy efficiency. The problem appears to be not with technicians who are working within established program and industry parameters, but more fundamental issues with lack of information on the engineering relationships between coincident faults. These issues are not addressed systematically by diagnostic procedures, tools, standards, and training currently available to energy efficiency programs. Laboratory tests were conducted to understand the impacts of observed faults. Tests indicate minimum outdoor airflow is 15% to 20% with economizer dampers closed due to leakage. Field and laboratory measurements indicate that low airflow, undercharge, restrictions, non-condensables, and unintended economizer leakage can have significant impacts on efficiency and the accuracy of fault detection diagnostic (FDD) protocols.

North American Emerging Technology Program Collaboration, Partnership, and Best Practices Opportunities

Edwin Hornquist, Southern California Edison, Edwin.hornquist@sce.com, Mangesh Basarkar, Pacific Gas & Electric, m8b5@pge.com, and Jonathan Livingston, Livingston Energy Innovations, LLC, jonathan@livingston-ei.com

*Session hosts are all affiliated with Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council.

Utility-sector emerging technology (ET) programs have played an important role in filling the energy efficiency pipeline and reducing portfolio risk for more than a decade. This session will provide an opportunity for veterans and newcomers to the ET ecosystem to discuss challenges and opportunities that they have encountered in accelerating the movement of innovations from the lab to marketplace. Since past Summer Study ET-focused informal sessions have attracted 50 or more participants, the session leaders will provide a structured, facilitated, action-oriented format for information exchange while maintaining a fun and informal spirit.

Opportunities with Heat Pump Water Heaters

Anthony Fryer, Appliance Standards Awareness Project, afryer@standardsasap.org

In this session, we will discuss the significant energy savings opportunity that heat pump water heaters represent, review current utility programs and examine NEEA's northern climate specification as a way to address cold temperature performance concerns

Accelerating Efficiency through National Technology Campaigns

Michael Deru and Michael Sheppy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Linda Sandahl, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, and Amy Jiron, U.S. Department of Energy

New or underutilized high-impact energy efficient technologies offer a wide variety of solutions for building owners to reduce energy cost, increase occupant comfort and improve overall building performance. However, owners, operators, designer and other stakeholders need information, tools and often technical assistance in order to take advantage of these new technologies. The Department of Energy has developed a series of National Campaigns to accelerate the adoption of new high-impact technologies in the marketplace. Current campaigns include parking lighting, high-efficiency RTUs, and advanced plug strips. They are considering several other campaigns for the near future.

This session will provide an overview of the three campaigns – successes, best practices, and the lessons learned. The session will explore ideas for how to make these and upcoming campaigns more impactful, how to reach a broader audience, who should be involved, and how to transition to a self-sustaining market adoption of the technologies.

Real-Time Energy Management

Philip Henderson, Natural Resources Defense Council, phenderson@nrdc.org

Several utilities operate programs to support building owners investing in continuous commissioning. The very low adoption rate of these programs is in stark contrast to the fantastic growth in the industry – leading building owners are engaging in energy management using meter analytics, and the industry is clearly growing fast on the service provider side. What is wrong with the programs? What are the challenges and opportunities to improve both adoption rates and the range and type of buildings that benefit?

My EUI is what? Why Can't I Meet My Energy Target?

Steve Selkawitz, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab: Environmental Energy Technologies Division, seselkowitz@lbl.gov

Many aspects of building energy and comfort performance remain a mystery, which is why measured performance often falls short of expectations. Lab tests rarely tell the real story and field data from buildings helps but it’s expensive, difficult to collect...and often too late. FLEXLAB (Facility for Low Energy Experiments in Buildings) is a new set of large scale, carefully instrumented outdoor testbeds, just starting operation at LBNL, that allow representative spaces from "real buildings" to be rigorously tested, with or without occupants, prior to final design and operational decisions. We describe current use and lessons learned by a contractor, a building owner, a utility and a product/systems manufacturer, and welcome new suggestions for new application to solve pressing challenges.

Maximizing Energy Efficiency Opportunity in Multifamily Housing (Show and Tell)

Janice Boman, Ecova, jboman@ecova.com and Lauren Ross, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, lross@aceee.org

This informal session aims to bring together those working to expand and maximize resources available for energy efficiency retrofits and improvements in the multifamily housing sector. These buildings often have the potential for high energy savings; yet utilities, housing providers, and other stakeholders continue to grapple with the best strategies to target this traditionally hard-to-reach sector. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussion around 1.) Program elements including best practices, technologies, and recent research in the field and 2.) Policy and partnerships: where is state policy and partnerships (buildings owners, utilities, housing agencies) facilitating multifamily energy investments and where is this lagging? The guided discussion will focus on program design approaches, success stories, applicable measures and challenges for improving and scaling-up energy efficiency in multifamily buildings.

Pursuing Zero Net Energy Like We Mean It: A Tactical Plan for Achieving ZNE Homes by 2020

Pat Eilert, Pacific Gas & Electric, ple2@pge.com,

Depending upon who you talk to, ZNE is a good idea, an aspirational goal, or California State policy with a specific due date. This session assumes this last approach; in that, all new low rise residential dwellings are required to be ZNE by 2020. We briefly cover the background and feasibility of the goal, and then focus on step by step activities or tactics to achieve the ZNE goal. This plan includes updates to regulations resulting in very efficient buildings and appliances being served by moderately sized on-site renewable energy systems (PV). Through tactical planning, we propose reorganizing energy research, energy efficiency voluntary programs, and energy policy efforts in California to achieve this goal. With ZNE as the organizing principle, what are the new activities and priorities of the utility incentive programs, the CPUC energy division, and the California Energy Commission? How might this approach be used in other states or organizations?

The Road to Hell is Paved with Good (Customer Engagement) Intentions

Phil Welker, PECI, PWelker@peci.org

We know that customer perception and engagement are key to measure adoption, but customer needs and perspectives are often afterthoughts when designing programs. If we can build longer-term relationships with customers and partners, we’ll create an opportunity to increase savings and persistence.

We look forward to a lively and wide ranging conversation about how we move from talking about customer and marketing engagement to really building it in to our program offerings. Some key items for discussion include:

How do we change the conversation and make it about what customers value (because it isn’t always money)? How do we make the offers relevant to the customer?

How do we manage the customer relationship across programs and over time? And what are the implications?

How can an ongoing relationship with customers improve program design and results? What are the key metrics?

What long term relationships do we want with contractors, retailers and manufacturers? How can utilities be better business partners?

We don’t claim to have all the answers. But we know if we can get the right people in on the discussion, together we can develop some great strategies and move beyond intention to action. Come join us!

COMNET, Improving the Consistency, Reliability, and Credibility of Building Energy Models

Charles Eley, Eley Consulting, charles@eley.com, David Goldstein, Natural Resources Defense Council, dgoldstein@nrdc.org and Mark Frankel, New Buildings Institute, mark@newbuildings.org

As we strive toward greater energy savings and ultimately ZNE buildings, our energy programs, standards and policies will need to focus more on whole building energy performance and energy modeling. Participants in this informal session will have the opportunities to discuss successes and failures in operating or participating in energy programs that rely on building energy modeling and learn how they can contribute to the COMNET effort to standardize the process.

Fuel-Switching to Electric Heat: The Next Big Residential Efficiency Measure?

Chris Neme, Energy Futures Group, cneme@energyfuturesgroup.com

Most states have almost religiously endeavored to steer clear of overt efforts to promote fuel-switching through energy efficiency programs. There are a variety of reasons for this aversion, but most stem from a desire to avoid highly contentious political battles between gas and electric utilities, as well as a sense that there are much bigger “efficiency fish” to fry. In the few jurisdictions where fuel-switching has been openly considered or promoted (e.g. Vermont), it has been focused on switching away from electric heating or water heating to fossil fuel heating. The rationale has always been that it is more efficient – and less polluting – to burn gas or even fuel oil to directly produce heat than to burn such fossil fuels to produce electricity. Recent developments suggest that this conventional wisdom may no longer be accurate and that there is a need to begin more openly consider efficient electrification. To begin with, recent studies in Europe and California suggest that the electrification of a large portion of building space heating and water heating (along with de-carbonization of the grid) may be necessary to economically meet long-term climate goals. In addition, significant advancements in the development of super-efficient cold climate heat pumps may now make it appreciably more efficient to burn fossil fuel to produce electricity for space heating than to burn the same fuels to just provide heat. Increased market penetration of distributed renewables makes the case for electrification even more environmentally compelling. Though this session will briefly explore the technical issues underpinning the question of whether it is time to begin promoting efficient electrification of heating, the principal focus will be on the regulatory barriers to integrating efficient electrification into efficiency program portfolios and how they might be overcome.

INFORMAL SESSIONS

MONDAY 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Sustainable Energy for All Building Efficiency Accelerator Briefing

Lauren Gritzke, UN Foundation, lgritzke@unfoundation.org

Sustainable Energy for All is a global initiative led by the UN and the World Bank to reach ambitious efficiency, renewables, and energy access targets. It is creating new public-private energy efficiency “accelerators” that will partner with cities and states on buildings, lighting, district energy and industry. This session will focus on the Building Efficiency Accelerator, which is co-led by the UN Foundation and Johnson Controls and supports the Sustainable Energy for All objective to double the rate of global energy efficiency improvement. A global network of businesses, international organizations, and NGOs in collaboration with sub-national government leaders, will provide tools, expertise, technical capabilities and financial support to help accelerate building efficiency policy and project initiatives. This session will provide an opportunity to learn about the Building Efficiency Accelerator, ask questions and present ideas to help shape it.

The Move to Defund Efficiency Programs

Jeff Perkins, jperkins@ers-inc.com and Amanda Gasse, agasse@ers-inc.com, ERS

Moves to diminish and/or eliminate efficiency programs in Indiana and Ohio have rocked the efficiency program world. What these two legislative efforts have in common is that they were initially motivated by the largest customers lobbying to have the ability to “opt-out” of the efficiency programs. Far too many program models have not tailored their offerings to the special needs of the largest accounts and as such it is difficult to blame these customers if they contribute to programs that place heaviest emphasis on typical commercial building measures. Efficiency program supporters need to critically assess the programs they implement and identify the gaps that might be a catalyst for program defunding. The objective of this informal session is to discuss approaches for program design and implementation that engage the largest customers in such a way that rather than seeking to opt-out of efficiency program funding mechanisms, they become active participants and supporters of rate-base funded programs.

Successful Practices for Combined Natural Gas and Electric Energy Efficiency Programs

Marty Kushler, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, mgkushler@aceee.org

This session will begin with a presentation of the results of a recent ACEEE national study of integrated natural gas and electric energy efficiency programs, including profiles of noteworthy examples in 4 categories of organizational structure: single dual-fuel utility; Two single-fuel utilities coordinating services; statewide multi-utility coordination; and third party independent administrator. Attendees are invited to share their own experiences. Discussion will focus on identifying best practices and recommendations.

Applying Behavioral Strategies to Multifamily Buildings

Scott Kessler, TRC Energy Services, skessler@trcsolutions.com

The majority of behavior-based energy efficiency programs to date have targeted single family residences. While these have largely been successful, it is time for regulators and program administrators to apply behavioral strategies to buildings in new ways, both as a source of savings and as a way to drive participation in existing programs. California is already heading in this direction, having hosted a Behavioral Workshop to discuss broadening its definition of behavior programs. One sector that hasn’t received as much attention from behavioral experts is multifamily buildings. The similarity of equipment within units, availability of common areas/entrances, and means of communication through the building owner/association make this sector a good candidate for behavioral treatments. This informal session will be a roundtable brainstorming session aiming to discuss previous pilots completed in multifamily buildings as well as start a discussion about possible new ways in which behavioral strategies can be applied to this sector.

Energy Efficiency and EPA’s Section 111(d) Carbon Emissions Rule: Ideas for Improving EPA’s Proposal

Howard Geller, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, hgeller@swenergy.org

This session will focus on how energy efficiency is included in EPA’s proposed CO2 emissions standards for existing power plants, the issues related to energy efficiency that EPA has requested comment on, and ideas for improving and strengthening EPA’s proposal with respect to its treatment of energy efficiency. The session is timely given that the deadline for comments on EPA’s Section 111(d) carbon emissions proposed rule is October 16th.

Managing Trade Allies Effectively to Support Energy Efficiency Programs

Laura Giannini, lgiannini@trcsolutions.com, and Matt Christie, TRC Energy Services

If utilized and managed effectively, trade allies can be an important component of energy efficiency programs in both the residential and commercial & industrial markets. Their ability to provide building performance services and administrative support to customers plays a significant role in the success or weaknesses of a program. This session will discuss key strategies to maintain a quality, robust trade ally network, including tactics to overcome common challenges. The discussion will cover what works, discuss what doesn’t work, and utilize ideas from the group to identify and share potential solutions.

Elevator Energy and Policy Opportunities: Raising Consciousness for Action

Harvey Sachs, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, hsachs@aceee.org

Elevators account for 3% - 5% of office and similar building energy use. They warrant attention, for three reasons: (1) Newer elevator technologies and controls greatly improve performance, can save 40% of energy use, and offer a better user experience (such as reduced wait times). (2) Elevators are now regulated loads in ANSI/ASHRAE 90.1-2013, which increases focus on the opportunity. (3) To owners and architects, the elevator is the extension of the lobby, a powerful symbol of building quality. Better elevator mechanical, illumination, and control features improve perceived quality: "Machine Room-Less" (MRL) designs eliminate penthouses and their costs. Advanced gearless drive systems facilitate better control, save energy, and facilitate regeneration instead of heat dissipation. LED lighting can improve visual comfort while saving energy. We'll introduce the technologies to start the conversation on policy and program opportunities for "vertical transportation.”

High-Rise Apartment Electricity Consumption Discussion

Jiaying (Tracy) Xu, BC Hydro, tracy.xu@bchydro.com

Since 2011 BC Hydro has had an increased interest in High-rise (over 4 floors) apartment buildings. In a study by RDH Building Engineers it was discovered that High-rise apartments; when the suites’ electricity is added to common areas’ electricity and natural gas consumption, are the least efficient buildings in our service territory. This Informal Session is aimed at sharing knowledge amongst the interested utilities, agencies and consultants. Anyone with contributions are welcome to provide handouts, and/or short presentations.

The Next Frontier: Challenges with Evaluating SEM Programs

Jennifer Barnes, TRC Energy Solutions, jbarnes@trcsolutions.com and Dan Rubado, Energy Trust of Oregon, dan.rubado@energytrust.org

While behavioral programs for residential customers have taken center stage in recent years, behavioral programs for commercial and industrial customers have made impressive advances as well. Utility customers that participate in strategic energy management programs (SEM) can realize substantial savings from operations and maintenance measures. SEM programs are becoming true resource acquisition tools and are making more significant energy savings contributions to program portfolios. However, those savings can be difficult to measure and verify and pose a new set of challenges to program evaluators. This informal session will open a dialogue on the complexities of evaluating and measuring savings impacts from SEM programs.

Working Together: How Utility Collaboration Can Amplify and Accelerate Emerging Technology Initiatives

My Ton, mton@clasponline.org and Christopher Wold, cwold@clasponline.org, CLASP

CLASP will present findings from a recent survey of U.S. and international emerging technologies, as well as host a broader discussion on how utilities can work together in order amplify and accelerate emerging technology initiatives. CLASP has utilized its knowledge about the energy performance of appliances and related systems, gained through its network of international experts, in order to identify several new emerging technologies and evaluate both their potential for energy savings and their readiness for market introduction. The discussion portion will incorporate insights from CLASP’s past successes convening and guiding large multi-stakeholder collaborative programs; including CLASP’s role as the technical lead for the Super-Efficient Dryer Initiative (SEDI) and the operating agent for both the Super-Efficient Appliance Deployment initiative (SEAD) and the Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP). Discussion topics will include identifying appropriate methodologies for assessing energy savings and performance, coordinating laboratory and field testing, and aggregating and analyzing data collected by multiple stakeholders.

Future Buildings A Century from Today

Nora Wang, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, nora.wang@pnnl.gov

As we enter a new era where self-accelerating technology is catalyzing radical changes in many fields, it is critical to understand how these technologies can be integrated in buildings and help balance the economic, environmental, and societal needs of the current and future generations. Whether we achieve a more sustainable built environment depends not just on technologies themselves, but on how effectively we envision the future and integrate these technologies in a balanced way that generates economic, social, and environmental value. This session is to share your vision of future buildings a century from today. We will discuss the potential for groundbreaking technologies and trends that could revolutionize the built environment. We will explore unknown or underdeveloped areas that must be understood to achieve our vision. The topics will include but are not limited to the following areas:

Buildings are self-aware and continuously anticipate and react to changes in weather, time of day, and occupant needs to optimize energy and water use and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Buildings will transact with the power grid, local power sources, and other buildings to provide grid and building services to the benefit of building owners, grid operators, and the entire community.

Buildings will monitor the health and productivity of occupants and actively support better living. In summary, buildings will no longer be passive objects that consume resources but rather active participants engaged in the energy system and our community.

Beyond Direct Install – Adventures in the SMB Market

Jeremy Litow, PECI, jlitow@peci.org

The facts are clear:

Small commercial buildings represent 47% of energy consumption in all non-mall commercial buildings

There’s a lot of cost effective energy efficiency opportunities in these buildings – estimates range from 27-59% of current energy use

But utility programs struggle to address this market in a holistic way

In this informal session, we want to discuss how to move beyond simple lighting programs to other approaches that will allow us to realize more savings in these buildings. We will come with specific ideas around three topics: behavior, new technology, and comprehensive measure packages. We hope you will bring your ideas to the table as well.

Contractually Requiring Energy Performance in New Construction: How to Ask For and Expect High Performance

Shanti Pless, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, shanti.pless@nrel.gov

NREL experienced a significant increase in employees and facilities on our 327-acre main campus in Golden, Colorado over the past five years. To support this growth, researchers developed and demonstrated an acquisition method that successfully integrates energy-efficiency requirements into the design-build contracts for new buildings. We piloted this energy-performance-based design-build process with our first new construction project, a large office building, in 2008. We have since replicated and evolved the process for an office-building expansion, a smart grid research laboratory with a supercomputer, a parking structure, a site-security building, and a cafeteria. Each project incorporated unique and measureable energy performance requirements in the design-build contracts resulting in the use of aggressive efficiency strategies with typical construction budgets. We have found that when energy efficiency is a core requirement, defined at the beginning of a project, owners can now expect facility energy performance to meet design expectation. NREL successfully completed the new construction projects in 2013 and have documented relevant best practices in training materials and a how-to guide so that other owners and owner’s representatives can learn from our experience and replicate market viable, world-class energy performance in the built environment. In this session, we will engage participants in discussing how to scale this method over a range of building types, ownership models, and delivery methods.

Introducing…a New ZNE Tool!

Derek Jones, Pacific Gas & Electric Compnay, drjf@pge.com

We will introduce and demo the Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Scenario Analysis Tool (SAT), show where it fits into the suite of ZNE tools, and brainstorm future applications and potential users of the tool as it is updated.

The SAT uses data from extensive parametric EnergyPlus runs to quickly and easily evaluate the interactive impacts of building efficiency design decisions in a user-friendly manner. It was developed by Arup as a part of the Investor Owned Utility (IOU) funded research project on “The Technical Feasibility of Zero Net Energy Buildings in California,” completed in December 2012. This began as a standalone tool used to produce the report, but it is now being expanded into a web-based version accessible to the public. The tool specifically focuses on the level of analysis that is used for making policy decisions, using standard research prototypes and policy metrics such as Time Dependent Valuation (TDV) and lifecycle cost analysis. For example, it has already been used to inform ZNE EUI targets for buildings in various California climate zones, and to support Title 24 reach code targets in the California Bay Area.

Chiller Plant Optimization – Not a Black Box – Should it Be Its Own Incentive Category?

Mark Gallagher, Armstrong Fluid Technology, mgallagher@armstrongfluidtechnology.com

There is a wide perception that Chiller Plant Optimization is black box that delivers an undetermined amount of savings. While some utilities accept chiller plant optimization under custom rebate programs, this is often lumped under one or more classifications such as controls, variable speed drives, chiller replacements, custom engineering or some other category. The essence of chiller plant optimization is a combination of piping design, conversion of equipment to variable speed all tied together with an integrated control strategy to manage the components in harmony rather than in isolation. The session intends to demystify the approach to chiller plant optimization and explore the merits of treating this as a standard alone category.

Chiller plant optimization produces a range of savings that invariably is greater than the sum of the individual parts. A separate category would recognize the distinct aspects of a holistic approach in one of the largest electricity consuming end-uses in commercial buildings.

INFORMAL SESSIONS

TUESDAY 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Europe Energy Efficiency Targets for 2020 and 2030: the Role of National Energy Efficiency Action Plans

Paolo Bertoldi, European Commission, paolo.bertoldi@ec.europa.eu

The European Union (EU) adopted the target to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020 compared to a BaU scenario created in 2007 as part of

its climate and energy strategy. The energy saving target complements the CO2 emission target (-20% in 2020) and the renewable energies target

(20% of final energy consumption by 2020). However there are not binding energy saving targets for EU Member States (MSs), as is the case for the

renewable energy target, due to the complexity of defining them (e.g. apportioning the EU target to individual MSs, based on possible criteria such

as energy efficiency potential, economic capabilities, etc.). MSs have to set their own indicative targets. The best way to ensure that MSs contribute

to the achievement of the EU target is a careful monitoring of the energy savings achieved by MSs each year as well as the evaluation of the policies

they implement. MSs have to present a National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) every three years (2008, 2011 and 2014). The session will

discuss the importance of NEEAPs and how to set up possible binding targets for MSs. Finally the on-going discussion on the 2030 energy efficiency

targets will be presented and discussed. The European experience with energy saving targets, NEEAPs, evaluation of energy savings due to policies

is a useful and interesting experience for policy makers and policy analysts from non-European countries.

Driving Demand for Residential Scores at the Federal, State, and Local Level

Joan Glickman, U.S. Department of Energy, joan.glickman@ee.doe.gov

Many efficiency advocates believe that energy ratings or scores can drive demand for efficiency in the residential sector. While ratings have certainly

penetrated the new homes market due to builder initiative and incentive programs, getting existing homes scored is still a challenge.

Most homeowners and homebuyers are not even aware that a home’s energy efficiency can be scored, let alone that the score might affect home

value. And, given that scores are meant to help compare different homes, the value of having a home scored in a particular market is not as apparent

until that market begins to have a large volume of scored homes. So, it’s a bit of a conundrum: how do you get people to ask for something they

don’t know about? And, how do you get scoring started in a community given that its value is somewhat dependent on market penetration?

The good news is that state and local disclosure policies; enhanced fields on local multiple listing services; and greater education of market players

are all playing an important role in driving demand for scores. Unfortunately, these developments are not widespread and therefore only driving

demand in a few pockets around the country.

This informal session will focus on what we can do to get to a tipping point of homes scored. Learn how financial incentives tied to scoring systems

and data tracking mechanisms under development can help encourage greater use of ratings and scoring systems at point of sale. And, come offer

your ideas for what can be done at the federal, state, and local level to more quickly increase the volume of scored homes.

How Can Regional Energy Programs or Networks Play a Role in Scaling Up EE

Christine Vance, The Energy Coalition, cvance@energycoalition.org

Many states are calling for ambitious greenhouse gas reductions with an aim toward both scaling up EE and attaining deeper energy savings in buildings as key strategies. This session explores the role that regional organizations, networks, programs or collaboratives can play in significantly scaling up EE in ways that best serve all stakeholders and the greater good. Several questions will be explored such as: What is required to scale up and attain deeper retrofits across the pubic and commercial building sectors? What barriers must be overcome to achieve deeper savings at scale and deploy more advanced solutions in the field? What does it take to perform deeper retrofits in commercial buildings? What is the role that regional organizations and/or networks can play in bringing together, coordinating and capitalizing on the expertise of the entire industry for greater collective impact? How can more regional cooperative or aggregated procurement solutions be employed (as an alternative to conventional, independent procurement processes) to help resource-challenged customers gain efficiency and cost savings by aggregating volume, securing best pricing, and reducing administrative overhead? How can regional programs and organizations best serve the end user/customer, the EE service providers, the utilities, the entire industry, and the greater good? What are the key characteristics of these kinds of organizations and/or programs to be most effective and offer more viable solutions and improved outcomes that can benefit all stakeholders?

Off-the-Shelf Integrated Solutions That Perform as Expected – What Will It Take?

Cindy Regnier, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, cmregnier@lbl.gov

In order to achieve deep low energy savings in new and existing buildings cost effectively, integrated solutions must be considered. At present however these solutions reside within the expertise of a relatively small set of design professionals and are not readily accessible, in particular to the majority of small and medium commercial buildings. In addition, sometimes the best intended designs don’t perform as desired. How can we shift from a siloed manufacturing and technology delivery system to allow all buildings easy access to integrated and optimized technology that provides the expected savings persistently? What are the technical and market barriers to achieving DIY plug and play integrated solutions? What motivators can be leveraged in the market to spur activity in this area?

Exploring the Value of an Evaluator Certification

Michael Li, U.S. Department of Energy, Michael.li@ee.doe.gov,

As investments in energy efficiency grow, there is a growing desire to know how much energy is being saved and if the results are reliable. At the same time, many policymakers and program administrators do not have the technical knowledge (not to mention time) to read evaluation reports. There have been suggestions over the years that having an evaluator certification would benefit the industry, and give stakeholders more confidence in the reports produced. Certification might also help ensure that new evaluators have a basic level of knowledge in the different disciplines often used in an evaluation. This session will provide a venue for people to discuss the value of a certification, the forms it might take, the purpose and the appropriate role certification should play in the context of energy efficiency.

Can’t Live With Them; Can’t Live Without Them: Working with National Accounts

Peter Turnbull, Pacific Gas & Electric, pwt1@pge.com and Diane Levin, Ecova, dlevin@ecova.com

National accounts have tremendous energy saving opportunities. On the other hand, working with them is a challenge. They work to a national agenda which leads to problems with free ridership, management of pre- and post-inspections, and paperwork. Come discuss your successes and challenges with national accounts. Let’s see how we can tap into more energy savings.

What do Analytics, EM&V and Beer Have in Common? Smart Program Design and You

Leo Carrillo, Pacific Gas & Electric, Indy Ratnathicam, Firstfuel, Doug Mahone, TRC Energy Services, and Carmen Best, California Public Utilities Commission

Innovative technology platforms and smart data analytics are transforming energy efficiency program designs and EM&V across the country. Program screening and delivery are adapting to utilize real-time data, identify new operational savings opportunities and shift EM&V paradigms to accommodate the future of efficiency. Join us for a thought provoking discussion with the utility, regulator, program implementer, and software provider on how analytics-enabled energy is helping to cost-effectively scale energy savings and drive massive customer engagement. Real-world examples will be shared.

Why is the CPUC So Fussy about Getting the Savings Right?

Dina Mackin, California Public Utilities Commission, dina.mackin@cpuc.ca.gov

The process for establishing energy savings in California has been known for its controversy: savings estimates have been substantially reduced due to research that found them to be overestimated. The accuracy of energy savings is important to the CPUC because they are used in the generation procurement planning process: energy efficiency is forecasted to reduce load growth by up to 50% by 2022. The CPUC must be able to demonstrate to the California Independent System Operator that these savings are reliable. In this session, we will discuss why and how the CPUC forecasts energy efficiency as a procurement resource, and explore what we do and do not know about the future of energy efficiency.

Transformative Energy Planning: Scenarios and Incremental Screening

David Hill, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, dhill@veic.org

Screening energy efficiency or renewable energy investments and opportunities incrementally against the costs and benefits embodied in existing energy infrastructure is a common practice, and one that has a valuable role in portfolio planning and program management. It has limited use, and potential for misuse, as a frame for envisioning and evaluating possible energy future scenarios. As we look forward, to the coming decades when the United States will invest and spend hundreds of billions of dollars on energy infrastructure and energy supply – there is a growing need for an enhanced understanding of this distinction, and for an increase in scenario based energy planning that enables holistic and transparent comparison of potential futures. This informal session will discuss topology and comparative structure for incremental versus scenario based energy planning. Too often regulators, policy leaders, businesses and consumers are not fully aware of fundamental differences between approaches being used to help frame energy investment options. The choices around the analytic frame and approach have fundamental impacts on the policy, public discourse, and economic decision making landscape. The choices, how they are framed and how they are compared – all often derive from the choice of analytic tool. The session will engage participants and seek to generate and document insights into strategies to increase the use of scenario planning to examine transformational energy futures.

What Do We Want? Multifamily Labeling! When Do We Want It? Now!

Shelley Beaulieu, TRC Energy Services, sbeaulieu@trcsolutions.com

Providing consumers and property owners with the information that they need to make informed renting and purchasing decisions is key to achieving true market-driven energy efficiency. Over the past several years, there have been countless discussions and a handful of pilots addressing labeling of buildings. Let’s build upon these pilots and move toward a national effort to develop a universal label for multifamily buildings. Join us to discuss initiatives underway, any experiences you personally have with labeling buildings, and how we, as industry leaders, can make this a reality. Come help us to take the first steps to developing a national multifamily energy label.

Energy Efficiency Financing: How Do We Know It Works?

Chris Kramer, Energy Futures Group, ckramer@energyfuturesgroup.com, Philippe Dunsky, Dunsky Energy Consulting, and Jennifer Mitchell-Jackson, Opinion Dynamics

As policymakers view the gap between program goals and program budgets, they often turn to private capital financing strategies to bridge the divide. Yet how do we know whether financing is actually able to shoulder such a heavy burden? In this informal session, we will discuss ways of evaluating energy efficiency financing programs to determine whether they are capable of meeting their intended objectives. Key questions will include: 1) What are the objectives of energy efficiency financing programs? 2) What are the metrics that might tell us whether those objectives are being met? 3) What is the timeframe over which those metrics should be tracked? The session will also touch on different frameworks for evaluating energy efficiency financing (e.g., utility vs. non-utility and market transformation vs. resource acquisition). This is very much a “hot topic” that remains unsettled in the industry, so audience participation will be strongly encouraged!

Equity in Energy Efficiency

Sean Murphy, National Grid, sean.murphy2@nationalgrid.com

With a systems benefit charge as a primary funding mechanism, some customers will subsidize others’ benefits from energy efficiency programs. Increased efficiency budgets have thus elicited concerns that the costs to non-beneficiaries are too onerous. This reaction raises the question of what constitutes equity in energy efficiency program design. In this session, I will not prescribe a definition of equity, but I will instead seek to offer different ways of understanding what equity could mean in the context of energy efficiency. I will introduce considerations of low-income customers and how energy system and societal benefits accrue to all customers as a result of efficiency. I will also prompt discussion on how the importance of equity can depend on the public policy intent of efficiency programs (eg. cost mitigation, resource acquisition, carbon reduction). The goal will be to spur attendees to offer their own perspectives and questions on equity so that a difficult but important issue can be openly discussed.

Building a Market for Super-Efficient Clothes Dryers

Rebecca Foster, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, rfoster@veic.org

Members of the Super-Efficient Dryer Initiative (SEDI), including VEIC, CLASP, NEEA, NRDC and Ecova invite ACEEE attendees to a discussion of recently completed evaluations, ongoing research, and the much anticipated 2014 market introduction of super-efficient clothes dryers. This will also be an opportunity to engage on a broader Call to Action on clothes dryers to address the largest remaining appliance savings opportunity in the residential sector. Please feel free to contact us in advance for providing some “summer reading” to come ready to engage in this session.

Accelerate Energy Saving Opportunities in Building Pumping Systems through Targeted Prescriptive Incentives

Brent Ross, Armstrong Fluid Technology, bross@armstrongfluidtechnology.com

Unlike industrial processes, Buildings contain very standard arrangements for pumping in their HVAC and Plumbing systems. It is well documented and proven that modern arrangements and practices save large easily define able amounts of energy over traditional practice. In spite of the standardization within buildings many utility programs incent modern arrangements and practices only after customized and expensive engineering calculations and site energy logging activities. In addition they often incent components such as the use of Variable speed drives or high efficiency motors which achieve only a small portion of the available energy savings. The host would welcome the opportunity to discuss the large define able energy savings available, quick calculations that determine the energy saved and possible prescriptive programs which would encourage the savings of vast amounts of energy in our buildings.

Commercial Energy End Use: Analysis of National Prototype Commercial Buildings after Implementation of ASHRAE

Standard 90.1-2013 Plus Brainstorming for the Next Code Cycle

Reid Hart, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, reid.hart@pnnl.gov

PNNL analyzed the results of the progress indicator for ASHRAE standard 90.1 to determine projected end use costs for 16 prototype commercial buildings. The end costs for new buildings that comply with 90.1-2013 and the improvement since 90.1-2004 are reviewed, along with a description of the national prototypes PNNL uses for the EnergyPlus analysis. A brief presentation will be followed by brainstorming of possible improvements for the next cycle of commercial codes.

Improving Outcomes from Appliance Awards Programs

Nicole Kearney, CLASP, nkearney@clasponline.org

An international program awarding high-quality, energy-efficient appliances can have many impacts: manufacturers can set themselves apart with a global mark of efficiency; new technology categories demonstrate higher levels of efficiency that are achievable today. In addition, there is an opportunity for an international award to guide consumers and purchasers who want to purchase the most energy-efficient products. The purpose of this informal session is to discuss barriers and, especially, opportunities for implementing incentives and procurement programs for a winner-takes-all international award competition run by the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) Initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial.

Redesigning the Chinese Menu: How to Design the Most Strategic Portfolio of Efficiency Offerings

Matt Tidwell, Bonneville Power Administration, mttidwell@bpa.gov

Life is like a box of chocolates and energy efficiency portfolios are like Chinese menus: there’s a lot to choose from. This session will begin with the assumption that any given portfolio of energy efficiency offerings (be it from a wholesale or retail utility) can be managed to maximize the value of energy savings achieved. The question is how. How should portfolio managers consider first year costs, levelized costs, timing and seasonality of savings, capacity benefits, customer requests etc. when designing their offerings to retail utilities or end-use consumers?

INFORMAL SESSIONS

THURSDAY 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Let's Play: Using Games to Motivate Action (Here at Asilomar and Back Home Too)

Kathy Kuntz, kkuntz@coolchoices.com and Raj Shukla, rshukla@coolchoices.com, Cool Choices

During this year's Summer Study attendees will have the opportunity to play Cool Choices, an online engagement game that motivates sustainable practices. Participating in a game during the conference gives Summer Study attendees an opportunity to experience first-hand the behavioral theories behind games and gamification. In this session Cool Choices staff will talk briefly about the theory behind the Cool Choices game and games more generally. Most of the session, though, will be discussion--beginning with attendee observations about their own experiences playing Cool Choices and then evolving to broader ideas about how attendees can integrate gamification concepts into their efficiency efforts.

Green Carrots – Utility Incentive Programs and the IT Industry

Cindy Strecker, cstrecker@peci.org and Jeremy Litow, jlitow@peci.org, PECI

Are utility incentives making data centers any greener? Can incentive programs be adapted to achieve better results? Let’s discuss these important questions and others, while we share out the results of The Green Grid’s market research on the influence of utility incentives on the IT industry. With the explosion of data center construction and ever-higher power densities, many electric utilities have turned their attention to influencing the data center and information technology markets with targeted energy incentives and outreach programs. The Green Grid first conducted market research into this area in 2013 and followed up with a second round survey in February-March of 2014. Survey respondents included a mix of data center owners and operators, vendors who serve the IT sector, as well as utility energy efficiency program representatives and implementers. IT incentives are still a small portion of utility incentive programs but they are growing in importance and number. Understanding this key market is critical to controlling IT energy usage in the future.

Cost-Effectiveness Testing for the Twenty-first Century: The Resource Value Framework

Robin LeBaron, Home Performance Coalition, robin.lebaron@nhpci.org, Steve Cowell, Conservation Services Group, steve.cowell@csgrp.com and Tim Woolf, Synapse Energy Economics, twoolf@synapse-energy.com

For more than two decades, the energy efficiency industry has been debating how demand-side programs should be screened for cost-effectiveness. This informal session will focus on the Resource Value Framework (RVF), a new approach to cost-effectiveness testing that seeks to introduce fresh ideas into the debate. Among other innovations, the RVF identifies the “public interest” as the key goal in cost-effectiveness testing, encourages taking public policy considerations into account, and emphasizes the importance of symmetry between costs and benefits. Questions to be discussed include how to promote adoption of the RVF across the country, development of a new Standard Practice Manual, the potential for identifying a distinct “public interest” test as one approach within the RVF, and the applicability of the RVF for supply- as well as demand-side resources. At a time when states and commissions are beginning to recognize that energy efficiency could be an important resource for complying with 111(d) regulations, the RVF offers an approach that allows rigorous screening to support demand-side programs that deliver real benefits.

It Takes 20 to Tango; Reducing Barriers to ZNE Production Homes

Matthew Christie, TRC Energy Services, mchristie@trcsolutions.com and Conrad Asper, Pacific Gas & Electric, c2a9@pge.com,

Aggressive ZNE construction goals will only be met with the dedicated and combined effort of all parties involved: builders, energy consultants, utilities, trades, architects, installers, raters and product manufacturers will all need to come together with a coordinative effort that is unprecedented in energy efficiency programs. No longer are simple builder incentives enough to move the dial. Instead, builders will need the collective help of all to move away from comfortable common practices towards ZNE production homes. Join us to discuss how utility efficiency programs can assist in this transition.

Residential End-Use Metering Projects – 2014 Update

Dennis Nelson, dennis.nelson@bchydro.com, and Jiaying (Tracy) Xu, BC Hydro

At each of the last three Summer Sessions BC Hydro has hosted an Informal Session dealing with Residential End-use Metering. This brings together the interested electric utilities, the research teams from BC Hydro and Ecotope (NEEA), and the consulting community (KEMA), to discuss progress, and now in 2014, real findings. Ecotope and BC Hydro both present papers on end-use metering research findings, in Panel 9, Tuesday morning at 8:30.

Access to EE Program Data Online: A Tour of the California Energy Efficiency Statistics Website

Amy Reardon, California Public Utilities Commission- Energy Division, amy.reardon@cpuc.ca.gov,

In 2014, the CPUC Energy Division launched a new website for EM&V resources, including a Data Portal to graphically show EE program tracking data. In this informal session, Energy Division staff will provide a virtual tour of the site to show the many ways these data can be viewed, how to access clean data downloads, and numerous other data resources found on the site. Staff invites data users to provide critical feedback as we move into Phase 2 of the site’s development. Link to site: http://eestats.cpuc.ca.gov/.

Energy Design Assistance Project Tracker (EDAPT): A Web-Based Tool for Utility Design Assistance Program Management

Jennifer Elling, Jennifer.a.elling@xcelenergy.com, Larry Brackney, Andrew Parker and Nick Long, Xcel Energy

Want to save significant administrative program costs while getting deeper energy savings for free? Come learn about a new web-based tool—offered for free from DOE—and how it helped Xcel Energy, a regulated utility, deal with the cost-effectiveness challenges of its design assistance program. The tool tracks and manages project workflow and provides automated quality-control functionality to help all users of the system (building owners, consultants, and utility staff). DOE is presently seeking utilities with an interest in adopting the web service.

Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating the Pioneering US-China Research and Technology Development Partnership for Very Low Energy Buildings

Kevin Mo, Energy Foundation China and Nan Zhou, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

The U.S. and China will increase their combined share of global building energy use from 36% in 2010 to 45% by 2030, with growth mainly coming from China. Both countries are working together utilizing extensive capabilities in energy efficient buildings, advanced technologies, and low-energy building design to achieve widespread adoption of very low energy buildings that could avoid 100 MtCO2 each year by 2025.

To test, commercialize, demonstrate, and deploy innovative technologies with the significant real-world impact, over 15 bilateral joint projects comprised of leading scientific, policy, and industry experts are integrating occupant behavioral impacts into simulation models, developing and demonstrating new patented roofing and insulation materials, advancing cloud based tools for microgrids, and delivering technological breakthroughs in heat pumps and lighting systems. Come learn about early achievements ranging from commercially valuable patents and technologies, licenses, tools and software, and policy and code recommendations across whole building design and operation, building envelope and equipment, and renewable energy optimization.

Come exchange ideas about private-public R&D collaboration including solutions to aligning complex scientific and governmental agendas, creating compelling and meaningful industry involvement, and technical oversight. Multi-country technology development and innovation collaborations will also benefit from learning about this platform.

The Program Path to Zero: Utility models for Zero Net Energy Commercial Programs

Cathy Higgins, New Buildings Institute, higgins@newbuildings.org

Zero Net Energy moves beyond traditional ‘percent-better-than’ programs to an absolute outcome. The measured energy use of ZNE office buildings, for example, averages in the mid-20 kBtu/sf/yr before renewable generation. Come hear about a few leading utility efforts to pilot ZNE programs and share your experiences, issues and ideas to move utility programs and the next generation of buildings to ZNE.

Energy Research and Social Science in Organizations

Susan Mazur-Stommen, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, smazur@aceee.org and Kathryn Janda, Environmental Change Institute, katy.jana@ouce.ox.ac.uk

This informal session introduces the new Elsevier journal, Energy Research and Social Science (ERSS) and develops a call for papers in a special issue on organizational behavior. In ERSS’s first special issue, Moezzi and Janda (2013) note “The prototypical energy user evoked when speculating on "behavior change" is a person in the home. The actions targeted are how devices are used in the home, which overlooks indirect energy consumption and transportation, as well as energy consumption outside the home. When people go out their front door, they travel away from home to interact with organizations and institutions and use different kinds of commercial buildings in various ways as employees, owners, or customers. Some even plan, design, or construct buildings and other energy-using devices and systems. The focus on direct residential consumption misses the energy associated with livelihoods and largely ignores the human and social aspects of organizations.” The editors of the special issue of ERSS want to broaden the focus of social dimensions of energy research beyond behavior in homes. To help develop this call, in this informal session, we would like to know what nifty things ACEEE participants are doing in the non-residential sphere, e.g., looking at professional practices, commercial buildings of all kinds, and industrial settings.

Beyond the Clean Power Plan: The Impact of GHG Target on the EE/RE Market Programs

Philippe Dunsky, Dunsky Energy Consulting, philippe@dunsky.ca

With the recent establishment of the Obama administration’s Green Power Plan, GHG reductions targets are back in the forefront of the energy debate. After power plants, what are the next opportunities for broad GHG reductions (bio-fuels, transportation etc.)? GHG targets have long driven energy efficiency and renewable energy policies and markets; how will the industry evolve to meet the next opportunities. Moreover, as the deadline for ambitious State and municipal GHG reductions target draws near, are we getting anywhere near reaching these targets, and if not, what impact will the failure to meet them have on the future of EE/RE policies and markets?

Tackling Commercial Lighting in the Pacific Northwest with a New Program Model

Andre Javier-Barry, D&R International, ajavierbarry@drintl.com

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) are experimenting with a new program model – market shift – to support this market. This program works extensively with electrical distributors – providing them incentives to increase the share of low-wattage T8's while using sales-data to track product sales of efficient and non-efficient products on a monthly basis. Hear an update on the progress of this project and join the discussion about how it works.

Building Energy Code Synergy and Networking

Bing Liu, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, bing.liu@pnnl.gov

There are 17 papers on building codes scattered across panels 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8 at this ACEEE summer study. Let’s get together and talk about possibilities for networking and synergy across building energy code improvement efforts for the next cycle of commercial and residential codes. This will also continue the brainstorming of code improvements from the commercial end use informal session on Tuesday.