Energy and Appliance Standards for Plug Loads: Assessing Current Needs and Future Opportunities
Evaluate plug load devices to determine savings potential and inclusion in future energy codes and standards
California Energy Alliance
Recipient
Sacramento, CA
Recipient Location
8th
Senate District
6th
Assembly District
$962,883
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
This project was completed in 2024. The Plug Load Energy Testing to Inform Codes & Standards (PLETICS) project aimed to reduce plug load energy use through the development of device-level appliance standards. By understanding the market and manufacturing landscape of unregulated devices, the project sought to identify new opportunities for energy savings through codes and standards. The project examined three product categories:
Commercial Office Equipment: The project evaluated imaging devices, including printers and multifunction devices, which are not covered by mandatory energy efficiency requirements. The research identified opportunities to improve energy efficiency by aligning with ENERGY STAR 3.0 standards. The project team developed test procedures to assess energy consumption in different operational modes, revealing potential savings in low power and average energy consumption.
Residential Networking Equipment: This category includes devices like modems, routers, and integrated access devices. The project found substantial growth in this market due to increased demand for internet services. Existing voluntary agreements were assessed, and the project identified gaps in energy efficiency standards. The team developed a comprehensive test methodology to evaluate devices under various traffic conditions, providing insights into real-world energy performance.
Commercial Laboratory Equipment: The project focused on devices like autoclaves, centrifuges, incubators, and water baths, which lack mandatory energy efficiency standards. The team identified significant opportunities for energy savings through improved design and operational features. Testing procedures were developed to evaluate energy consumption under different conditions, highlighting areas for potential codes and standards development.
The PLETICS project outcomes include detailed recommendations for codes and standards improvements across the three product categories, supported by comprehensive analyses and modeling. The project has provided a robust dataset of technologies that may be considered for future adoption through codes and standards. The California Energy Commission can leverage these findings to initiate new appliance standards rulemakings by 2026. Additionally, utility incentive programs and local sustainability efforts can benefit from the project's recommendations.
The Issue
More plug load devices are being brought into and used in buildings, it is expected that the total energy use for plug loads will continue to increase. Many of these devices have no power management capabilities and are powered continuously at full output. Many of these devices are not regulated at the State or Federal level. One of the most effective ways to reduce plug load energy use is through the adoption of device-level appliance standards. In order to identify achievable energy savings opportunities, however, research must be completed to develop a market and manufacturing understanding of each unregulated device type and its range of energy use and demand.
Project Innovation
This project will evaluate the energy consumption of multiple plug load device types in various operating modes and configurations, and quantify the statewide market size and energy use in order to determine potential savings associated with their inclusion in futures energy codes and standards. Device types will be 1) Laboratory Equipment, 2) Commercial Office Equipment and 3) Residential Networking Equipment. The team will also provide an energy savings opportunity for each device category by looking at the design elements that vary across device types. The team will advocate for these energy savings opportunities as part of the codes and standards recommendations.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
The project will benefit California Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) ratepayers by providing cost-effective, energy efficiency improvements for commercial residential plug loads that can be achieved through state-level appliance regulations. The benefits include power reductions for common device types, which translates to annual energy and cost savings, and GHG reductions. In addition, the project will address the potential for inclusion of load management strategies at the device level, which can further contribute to business owner and consumer bill savings should these groups elect to participate in forthcoming real-time pricing and similar dynamic pricing utility tariffs expected as part of the Energy Commission update its load management standards.
Reliability
Reductions in energy use and improvements in load management automation, could lead to a more stable electricity grid, infrastructure resiliency and reliability.
Consumer Appeal
This project could lead to technological advancement and breakthroughs by providing cost-effective opportunities to reduce commercial and residential plug load energy use and mandate load management features in commercially available products sold in California.
Key Project Members
Josh Dean
Felix Villanueva
Subrecipients
University of California, Irvine
California State University, Northridge
California Lighting Technology Center, UC Davis
Match Partners
California Energy Alliance
