Flexible Control Strategies for Plug Loads with Context-Aware Smart Power Outlets to Mitigate Electricity Waste and Support Demand Response
Plug load control strategies for commercial buildings.
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Recipient
Palo Alto, CA
Recipient Location
13th
Senate District
23rd
Assembly District
$1,050,020
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
The project ended on 3/31/2021. The final report was published on the CEC website. The project met the objective of demonstrating that 10-percent energy savings are achievable from plug-load energy-management systems. More limited results were demonstrated for demand savings. Technology extensions successfully developed and tested included a demand response-enabling flexible plug-load mobile application and a heat-map display designed for office environments. These applications can potentially increase further plug-load energy-management system energy and demand savings and are recommended for future pilot demonstrations.
The Issue
Consumer power consumption from electronic and miscellaneous plug loads pose large load profiles. Plug loads are not typically targeted by utility energy efficiency nor demand response programs. Consequently, plug load energy consumption and integrated plug load control strategies are not well-understood or developed. However, California's policies drive the need to better manage the growth.
Project Innovation
This agreement develops integrated plug load control strategies for different spaces within multiple types of commercial buildings. The project implements a flexible energy management system (FEMS) to monitor and/or automate switching operation of equipment plugged into outlets. The project's goal was to advance the control strategies to reduce at least 10% energy use in assigned spaces (e.g., offices, research labs) as well as common areas (e.g., break rooms, shared equipment areas), and to develop and assess demand response strategies for plug loads with 10% demand reduction. The research was conducted by first establishing a baseline period with no interventions. Next, during the treatment period, control strategies were applied to selected equipment, and the impacts of energy and demand savings were calculated.
Project Benefits
In order to reduce plug load energy use and increase the energy efficiency of buildings, load sensing plug load automation strategy was used on workstation equipment and time scheduling automation was used on shared equipment. Also, a trial of a mobile application enabling occupant designation of equipment to opt into demand response strategies during DR events was implemented.. The results of this project can potentially reduce electricity use by 10% in office buildings and 18% in laboratory buildings particularly during low-occupancy times and in user-assigned spaces, thereby achieving lower electricity costs for the ratepayer.
Affordability
The developed cost-saving plug load control strategies will clarify display designs, control settings and incorporated behavioral considerations. The identified strategies could potentially reduce electricity use by 10% from plug loads, particularly during low-occupancy times and in user-assigned spaces. This would lead to a reduction in electricity cost of commercial ratepayers.
Reliability
The developed technology will identify potential demand response strategies through coordinated operation of plug loads in an integrated building system environment. This could help support power and market systems, particularly during critical periods when the grid is stressed or prices are high.
Key Project Members
Angela Chuang
Subrecipients
San Diego Gas & Electric Company
Southern California Edison
Enmetrics Systems
Ibis Networks
SkyCentrics
Match Partners
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
San Diego Gas &
Electric Company
Enmetrics Systems
Ibis Networks
SkyCentrics
