HP-Flex: Next Generation Heat Pump Load Flexibility
Develop and test an open-source building energy management system, called HP-Flex, that controls heat pump (HP) settings in small/medium commercial (SMC) buildings to provide load flexibility (LF)—shape, shift, shed, and/or shimmy—while meeting
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Recipient
Berkeley, CA
Recipient Location
9th
Senate District
14th
Assembly District
$2,067,371
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
The HP-Flex software platform was successfully tested in the FLEXLAB testing facility at LBNL and is now installed and running at 6 field demonstration sites. Performance data from these sites show promising results such as the ability to shift the load, respond to grid signals and reduce utility bills. Technology transfer activities, including curriculum development for HVAC technicians, is underway with a train the trainer format workshop scheduled for early June 2026.
The Issue
Small and medium-sized commercial buildings (SMC) have great potential for optimal load flexibility (LF) because most of these buildings in California have similar space conditioning configurations that use multiple packaged heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units with relatively simple controls. While approaches exist for optimal control of SMC HVAC for energy efficiency and simple demand response (DR), there is no control solution for this market segment that offers reliable and low-cost LF capability for optimal load shift, shed, shape, and shimmy, while maximizing occupant comfort. The lack of advanced control prevents these buildings from effectively participating in grid-service programs.
Project Innovation
This project develops and tests an open-source building energy management system, called HP-Flex, that controls heat pump (HP) settings in small and medium-sized commercial (SMC) buildings to provide load flexibility (LF); shape, shift, shed, and/or shimmy while meeting occupant needs and minimizing operating cost. The system includes new optimization software and equipment interfaces that together optimize HP operation, while being extensible to manage additional equipment such as refrigeration, water heaters, electrochemical and thermal storage. HP-Flex's standardized, modular design aims to make it easier to configure than existing systems, thus enabling a more cost-effective and reliable control for SMC applications.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
HP-Flex delivers significant benefits by unlocking load flexibility in small to medium commercial buildings. The project expects a 20% reduction in peak demand and a 22% reduction in energy costs for the SMC sector. By integrating various equipment types like space conditioning and water heaters into a single platform, building owners can optimize operations while supporting grid reliability.
Affordability
HP-Flex offers greater benefits to building owners and the grid by allowing the integration of several types of building equipment (e.g., HP space conditioning, HP water heaters, thermal storage), unlocking the flexibility in heat pump loads, optimizing equipment operation, and lowering deployment costs.
Reliability
Expected peak demand reduction of approximately 20% and 22% energy cost reduction for the SMC sector.
Key Project Members
Marco Pritoni
Donghun Kim
Armando Casillas
Lazlo S Paul
Sang woo Ham
Dmitry Bratslavsky
Subrecipients
The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the Berkeley Campus
Western Cooling Efficiency Center - UC Davis
County of Los Angeles
Quantum Energy Services & Technologies, Inc. (DBA: QuEST)
MelRok, LLC
BlocPower LLC
Bakersfield College
Match Partners
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
