Emerging Energy Technology in EE & DR Programs | GDS Associates

Excerpt from TransActions Energy Efficiency (EE) & Demand Response (DR)
Every day we learn about emerging Energy Efficiency (EE) & Demand Response (DR) technologies that will help us use energy more efficiently. Here are three examples of emerging technologies that will change our energy consumption patterns in the future:

• Smart Appliances now exist that can either shift their time of operation or curtail their operation temporarily upon request from an electric utility. This reduction in power use can lead to power grid benefits manifested as savings in wholesale power production costs.
• High Technology Windows – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is conducting a project to develop a cost-effective, high-performance residential window that maximizes net useful solar gain in heating mode and minimizes solar gain in cooling mode. Fully automated operation that optimizes energy savings is provided by an intelligent, networkable sensor/microprocessor package that is easily installed and calibrated. Control algorithms are being developed for this high technology window that focuses on maximum energy savings while keeping occupants experience in mind.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) – Oak Ridge National Laboratory is developing a carbon dioxide (CO2) heat pump water heater (HPWH) that meets ENERGY STAR® standards for HPWHs at an installed cost that will enable widespread acceptance in the U.S. residential market. CO2 has low global warming potential when compared to other refrigerants, has zero ozone depletion potential, is very inexpensive, and is not flammable.

These three examples give an insight into the excitement and the challenge of helping our clients effectively evaluate and integrate emerging technologies into EEDR program planning.
GDS Associates publishes TransActions, a quarterly newsletter with articles of professional interest in the energy engineering field written by our associates and managers. Read the entire TransAction Energy Efficiency (EE) & Demand Response (DR) program best practices and methods article.