Optimized Commercial Control Technology Of Plug-loads & Lighting (OCCTOPI)

Integrating plug load and lighting controls in commercial buildings

Building Decarbonization Plug Loads

The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the San Diego campus

Recipient

La Jolla, CA

Recipient Location

38th

Senate District

77th

Assembly District

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Active

Project Status

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Project Update

During the first year of the project (April 2024–March 2025), the team established two demonstration sites, completed key data collection and hardware setup, and iteratively advanced core algorithm development for load profiling, occupancy estimation, and plug load control (PLC). Initial algorithms evolved through multiple versions, culminating in functional prototypes that successfully integrated with Home Assistant (HA) for automated energy management. Significant progress was also made on system-level features, including an efficiency score metric, BACnet data integration, ontology-based device labeling, and UI/UX design informed by a new user engagement study. By the end of the year, the project achieved a major milestone with the deployment of a custom HA Add-on, validated in the lab testbed, and prepared for system evaluation at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF).

The Issue

Plug loads are plug-in electric loads and they account for an increasingly significant percentage of building energy consumption. In 2018, plug loads accounted for twenty-seven percent (27%) of California's commercial electricity consumption. Most plug loads are left on 24/7 and lack power management features. Even if plug loads have energy savings settings, those settings often have not been set up or are disabled. Integrating plug load control with lighting systems enables advanced energy management strategies that leverage occupancy data provided by passive infrared sensors often used in lighting systems. In addition to reducing energy consumption and operating costs, this energy management can play an important role for building electrification to reduce peak loads and to stay within capacity limits.

Project Innovation

Optimized Commercial Control Technology Of Plug-loads & Lighting (OCCTOPI) is an open-source software for affordably integrating plug load and lighting controls in commercial buildings. OCCTOPI unlocks the potential of flexible plug and lighting loads by providing intelligent energy management functions such as peak load reduction and demand response programs. Occupancy sensors and smart wall switches will make the existing simple lighting system connected and enable communication with the plug load controllers. The systems will be managed using a Home Assistant (HA)-based control platform connected to the building electric meter to save energy from both systems. OCCTOPI provides greater value to the occupant experience by offering scenes and automations that complement and enhance the occupant workflow.

Project Goals

The project aims to reduce a building’s lighting and PL energy consumption by 25%., Simple payback of less than three year

Simple payback of less than three years from savings in energy and electrical load when compared to no controls.

Minimal occupant overrides to adjust unsuitable controls and no additional maintenance cost and time is required.

Project Benefits

The OCCTOPI project is designed to provide significant energy and cost-saving benefits by leveraging occupancy sensors and smart switches, these energy reductions directly translate to lower utility costs for ratepayers through decreased kilowatt-hour consumption and reduced demand charges. Beyond direct energy savings, the system is expected to increase equipment life and protection from electrical anomalies, further lowering long-term operating costs. The use of the open-source Home Assistant platform ensures the solution is affordable and avoids the high costs of proprietary vendor lock-in. Additionally, the project provides advanced management features, such as peak load reduction and demand response programs, to handle dynamic power needs.

Affordability

Annual energy savings translate to lower energy cost to ratepayers. The ability to manage their PL energy usage, allows ratepayers to strategically adjust PL consumption given time of use (TOU) rates.

Reliability

Reducing peak energy usage by PLC can help ratepayers during demand response events and CAISO Flex Alerts. Aggressively turning off PL can prevent rolling blackouts during times of grid stress. Being able to shut off a large fraction of unused PL can significantly contribute to reducing peak energy usage.