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DOE OSTI2022

A Review of Non-Regulatory Energy Efficiency Measures in the United States

Increasing energy efficiency is ubiquitous in many economies, and several mechanisms for achieving this increase, from mandatory policies to voluntary initiatives, have been proposed and implemented. In the United States, the Department of Energy, during the development of its energy conservation standard rules, evaluates the benefits from several of these mechanisms. In this report, we review how estimates of benefits from two types of voluntary energy efficiency initiatives – rebates and voluntary energy efficiency targets (VETs) – compare to the same benefits estimated for minimum energy efficiency standards (MEPS) established in the United States for residential appliances, commercial and industrial equipment, and lighting applications (referred to simply as “products” for the remainder of this report) between 2010 and 2020. Our results show that, overall, these two voluntary measures are estimated to provide, altogether, 36% of the total energy savings estimated to be provided by new efficiency standards, with a total net-present value that corresponds to 52% of the net-present value estimated for standards. When considering all energy conservation rules reviewed in this report, the energy savings a rebate program is estimated to achieve ranges from less than 1% to 86% of the savings from new standards set for the same type of product and at the same level of energy efficiency. As for VETs, the energy savings range from less than 1% to 78% of the savings from standards. Results vary widely across types of products due to (a) the relevance of the monetary incentive relative to incremental upfront costs considered for each type of product, and (b) the estimated level of market barriers associated with each type of product. While voluntary energy efficiency initiatives are not as effective as MEPS in transforming the market and raising the bar of energy efficiency for energy consuming goods in an economy, when applied in tandem with MEPS they can be powerful instruments for promoting and increasing energy efficiency in the economy.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Beyond Energy Efficiency: A clustering approach to embed demand flexibility into building energy benchmarking

The intermittency of carbon-free renewables and the demand changes associated with the widespread push for electrifying the transportation and building sectors provides an opportunity for buildings to go beyond energy efficiency and push towards providing demand flexibility to the electricity grid. The duality of energy efficiency and demand flexibility is necessary for success in a sustainable and reliable energy transition. Current building energy benchmarking models are limited in their ability to integrate concepts of demand flexibility and/or utilize granular smart meter data. Thus, current benchmarking methods are focused annual energy usage and fail to incorporate how the time of use of energy consumption impacts emissions in a quickly changing energy grid. Without a more comprehensive view of energy usage and associated real-time emissions, current benchmarking methods are unlikely to realize the full decarbonization potential of buildings. New emerging data streams provide an opportunity to develop a new generation of benchmarking energy models that embed dimensions of energy efficiency, grid interactivity, and demand flexibility into their analysis. In this paper, we propose a four-step method for embedding grid interactivity and demand flexibility into building benchmarking models that utilizes emerging building and time-series electricity data streams. We first engineer features to produce a mix-type dataset that encompasses many attributes of grid-interactive and efficient buildings, and then we apply K-medoids using Gower's Distance to produce peer-group clusters. We apply the method to a case study of 306 primary and secondary schools in southern California, USA. The results show that the method effectively clusters buildings by attributes of demand flexibility and energy efficiency. The clustering results reveal patterns in inefficient building operations and demand inflexibility at the building peer group level. In conclusion, the interpretation of clusters can serve as an integrated energy efficiency and demand flexibility benchmarking model and inform performance-specific policy targeting for buildings that go beyond traditional efficiency measures.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

The impact of energy-efficiency upgrades and other distributed energy resources on a residential neighborhood-scale electrification retrofit

We report ambitious targets for carbon emissions reductions are highlighting new challenges for electrification strategies, leading to an increased focus on building load flexibility and energy management to complement the variability inherent in renewable energy generation. Over the next decade millions of existing homes could undergo electrification retrofits, and there is an urgent need to understand the potential impacts of electrifying major residential loads such as water and space heating on community load characteristics, resident energy bills, and the utility's distribution system. Behind-the-meter distributed energy resources (DERs), including efficiency measures, photovoltaics (PV), battery storage, managed electric vehicle (EV) charging, and controls such as home energy management systems (HEMS), can significantly alter a neighborhood's load profile and provide benefits to both the residents and the grid. We present a novel approach to characterizing the impact of a hypothetical neighborhood-scale residential retrofit program on individual homes' energy use profiles, associated utility bills, and the local distribution system. We modeled a mixed-fuel community of 30 single-family homes in Denver, Colorado, and compared the effects of retrofit scenarios ranging from conventional energy-efficiency upgrades to full electrification with and without more advanced DER technologies. We analyzed which packages of DERs most reliably enable demand flexibility in response to a time-of-use (TOU) rate for this and similar neighborhoods. Our buildings-to-grid co-simulation framework includes a generic secondary distribution feeder model to capture voltage profiles, transformer loading, and other grid impacts in each case. We also calculated the carbon emissions associated with energy use in the community. The methodology developed here can be broadly applied to community-scale beneficial electrification studies in other regions, climates, utility infrastructures, and building typologies to make specific, targeted recommendations based on quantified projections of energy demand in any given community. Our findings indicate that residential electrification can be achieved without negatively impacting the monthly utility bill, and that a combination of conventional energy-efficiency measures, PV, battery, controls, and managed EV charging to maximize a community's demand flexibility is a promising strategy. Adding DERs (especially PV) as part of efficient electrification produces much bigger savings than efficient electrification without DERs. A key barrier is that upgrades require upfront costs, and modest utility bill savings result in long payback periods.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2023

Energy-recovery linacs for energy-efficient particle acceleration

Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs) are inherently energy-efficient because the RF power needed for acceleration is recovered during deceleration. Energy recovery enables extremely high-power beams which are not economically or ecologically possible using a simple Linac. The fundamental technology is not new but has taken on an increased importance in recent years. Here in this Review, I describe the positive aspects of the technology, the areas that are under active study to improve the overall efficiency, and areas that still need further R&D. The need for validation of the entire system will be explained and the active proposals described.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Techno-Economic Impact Assessments of Energy Efficiency Improvements in the Industrial Combustion Systems

Industrial energy efficiency assessments not only provide benefits to manufacturers but also generate significant economic and environmental benefits to localities, states, and the nation through indirect and induced benefits. Quantifying these benefits requires a systematic economic framework for capturing these interactions. This article employs methodologies for improving the energy efficiency of small- and medium-sized industry through their combustion systems. Combustion systems offer large opportunities to enhance energy efficiency through adopting advanced technologies and better-informed operations. The case studies presented illuminate the potential savings and impacts from implementing energy-efficient combustion recommendations and the importance of energy audits and energy efficiency in the fight against climate change. This study describes and quantifies the cascading economic and environmental impacts of implementing the industrial energy efficiency recommendations offered by an energy auditing program by participating facilities over a 10-year period. Results showed that it is expected that a total of $185 M would be saved in energy costs, and 2.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions would be avoided annually, and about 972 jobs could be created in the studied region if all the combustion recommendations would be implemented. Furthermore, the broader view afforded by the proposed study can be used to support better energy-efficient practices in manufacturing facilities, communities, and states.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2022

Nanoparticle-enabled increase of energy efficiency during laser metal additive manufacturing

The low energy efficiency of the laser metal additive manufacturing (AM) process is a potential sustainability concern for large-scale industrial production. Explicit investigation of the energy efficiency for laser melting requires the direct characterization of melt pool dimension and vapor depression, which is very difficult due to the opaque nature of the molten metal. Here we report the direct observation and quantification of effects of the TiC nanoparticles on the vapor depression and melt pool formation during laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of Al6061 by in-situ high-speed high-energy x-ray imaging. Based on the quantification results, we calculated the laser melting energy efficiency (defined here as the ratio of the energy needed to melt the material to the energy delivered by the laser beam) with and without TiC nanoparticles during LPBF of Al6061. Here the results show that adding TiC nanoparticles into Al6061 leads to a significant increase of laser melting energy efficiency (114% increase on average, 521% increase under 312 W laser power, 0.4 m/s scan speed). Systematic property measurement, simulation, and x-ray imaging studies enable us, for the first time, to identify that three mechanisms work together to enhance the laser melting energy efficiency: (1) adding TiC nanoparticles increases the absorptivity; (2) adding TiC nanoparticles decreases the thermal conductivity, and (3) adding TiC nanoparticles enables the initiation of vapor depression and multiple reflection at lower laser power (i.e., lowers the laser power threshold for keyholing). The method and mechanisms of using TiC nanoparticles to increase the laser melting energy efficiency during LPBF of Al6061 we reported here may guide the development of feedstock materials for more energy efficient laser metal AM.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Energy Efficient Data Centers

Energy efficient data center strategies include thermal/environmental guidelines, air management, free cooling, and liquid-based cooling. A case study highlighting the data center cooling system at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Energy Systems Integration Facility illustrates many of these principles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2021

Energy Efficient Data Centers

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Immersive Industrialized Construction Environments for Energy Efficiency Construction Workforce

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is actively developing and testing Immersive Industrialized Construction Environments (IICE) for construction automation and worker-machine interaction to investigate possible solutions and increase workforce productivity. At full scope and matured functionality, IICE allows us to accelerate the development of and better explore industrialized construction approaches such as prefabrication. IICE also enables wider adoption of energy-efficient products and Industry 4.0 construction automation through worker-machine interaction pilots. Industry 4.0 and industrialized construction approaches can encourage workforce specialization in energy efficiency construction, address the lack of multi-skilled workers, and increase workforce productivity with construction automation. However, recent attempts to integrate these concepts with the industry have only been moderately successful. To address this, focusing the pedagogy on using a digital twin, its digital models, and virtual reality could make the experience of continuing education on construction automation more affordable, accessible, scalable, immersive, and safer, and could greatly improve the efficiency and robustness of the building and construction industry. IICE accurately represents the realities of construction uncertainties without having to create full scale physical prototypes of machines. In this paper, we address the following research question: How can a digital twin and its models in virtual reality enhance the learning experience and productivity of energy efficiency construction workers to gain the skills in operating Industry 4.0 components such as construction automation and handling energy-efficient products in industrialized construction factories and on-site? We introduce original research on developing IICE and present preliminary findings from time and motion pilot studies.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2024

A Tool to Incorporate Non-Energy Impacts in Energy Efficiency Investment Decision Making for Firms

Energy efficiency is a key demand-side strategy for sustainability, recently identified by the United States Department of Energy as a pillar of industrial decarbonization. The increased focus on decarbonization and the requirement for efficiency to enable electrification, another decarbonization pillar, due to the spark spread between natural gas and electricity prices, make energy efficiency increasingly relevant. Still, industries face challenges in adopting energy efficiency measures. Researchers have long found a gap in adoption of even those measures with a profitable net present value, attributed to lack of strategic value among other barriers (see for rigorous exploration and taxonomy). One solution to facilitate energy efficiency projects is the inclusion of non-energy impacts, as this has been shown to double potential deployment of such projects at system level. Energy efficiency can provide valuable benefits outside of simple operating cost reductions, from decreased pollution to enhanced productivity. The inclusion of these benefits in decision making assessments faces hurdles due to inconsistency of ancillary benefits across projects, difficulties in quantifying impacts and the need for additional measurement to quantify them. The decision-making tools to support this have been designed primarily for the European context. We begin with a stakeholder engagement process to better characterize the U.S. decision making process surrounding adoption of energy efficiency investments. Characterization of non-energy impacts has developed substantially over recent decades. Cagno et al. provided a framework for studying the applicability of these impacts to energy efficiency projects, listing 120 key performance indicators focused mainly on reductions of costs/harms. Other researchers have included impacts on the strategic and revenue side that can be merged into this framework as well. We seek a tractable set of impacts that can be included in a decision-making tool in the US, and as such are well suited to US industry, management and decision making processes. We also seek to understand how to best quantify or characterize these impacts. This work will demonstrate the results of a survey conducted among US manufacturing industry decision makers to assess the decision making landscape of stakeholders as well as the most relevant performance indicators for energy efficiency projects.

ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION,↗

DOE OSTI2020

Making Northway, Alaska Resilient and Sustainable Through Energy Efficiency and Solar Power

This project implemented energy efficiency measures and installed 6 kW solar arrays on three community buildings in Northway, Alaska, in a collaboration between the Department of Energy - Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, the Northway Village Council (NVC), the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). Northway is a small community in interior Alaska, close to the Canadian border, with high fuel and energy costs: $3.00 per gallon of diesel and $0.56 per kWh, respectively, in 2016, when the project began. The energy efficiency and solar power installation plans aligned with Northway’s long-term energy goals of increasing renewable energy and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, per the Northway Community Energy Action Plan, the Alaska Interior Regional Energy Plan, and TCC Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The project focused on three buildings: (1) the community hall (and later office) building, (2) the washeteria building, and (3) the water/sewer garage. It included multiple directions for energy efficiency measures, such as installing LED lighting upgrades, programmable thermostats, vending machine energy misers, efficient pumps, and adding glycol loops at the water/sewer plant. Since the village has a high potential for solar energy, in order to increase resilience and decrease costs, solar systems were installed on three community buildings. Later, a battery was installed in the community hall to capture solar power produced but not used during the day, and allow the flexibility to use that power during evening and night, further decreasing the reliance on grid power for that building. Electricity savings realized by the village between 2011-2012 and 2018-2019 by improving energy efficiencies in the buildings and adding solar was 23%. This is despite the community hall doubling in size during the same time period. If that is taken into consideration (by adding community hall usage into the 2011-2012 usage one additional time), the energy savings from 2011-2012 to 2018-2019 was 37%.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Consumer Benefits of Clean Energy: Energy Efficiency

Meeting national and state decarbonization goals requires a transition to clean energy technologies. Energy efficiency, demand flexibility, renewable energy and storage can reduce consumers’ electricity bills, lower total electricity system costs, and provide health and resilience benefits. Berkeley Lab developed a series of briefs that explore these consumer benefits of a clean energy transition. This brief focuses on energy efficiency benefits, and builds on prior analysis from Berkeley Lab’s Cost of Saved Energy database. We show that energy efficiency remains a low-cost energy and capacity resource; the levelized cost of saving energy for the programs included in the analysis is $\$0.02$/kilowatt-hour and the cost of saving peak demand is less $\$120$/kilowatt. Understanding the impact of the program mix, portfolio size, and duration of implementation for customer-funded energy efficiency portfolios can guide regulatory oversight of these programs, help utilities better utilize energy efficiency as a resource, and inform building energy decarbonization policies.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2023

USE OF NOVEL REFRACTORY DESIGN AND INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN IRON AND STEEL AND OTHER ENERGY INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES

This work describes a US Department of Energy funded program which unites key players to develop and deploy new technologies aimed at increasing energy efficiencies while reducing their overall energy and environmental footprint. The research brings together a vertically integrated collaborative team consisting of the end user (US Steel), material producers/suppliers (Allied Mineral Products and Reno Refractories), raw material suppliers (American Metallurgical Services, Minerals Manufacturing), and research organizations (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Energy Technology Laboratory and University of Alabama-Birmingham) with the objective of designing and producing new refractory materials. Design and production criteria are based on novel aggregates, improved particle packing, and engineered surface textures. In addition, the recycling and use of spent refractory materials has been investigated resulting in development of a novel installation technique that utilizes additive manufacturing technology and existing refractory shotcrete technology. The combination of these new technologies will improve the energy, environmental, and economic efficiencies of the steel industry while reducing the environmental footprint. The developed technology is potentially applicable to additional energy intensive industries including cement, glass, pulp and paper, and non-ferrous metals processing.

Hemrick, James↗

DOE OSTI2020

Staying cool: The development of India's pioneering energy efficiency policy for chillers

Abstract Chillers are the key energy‐consuming piece of equipment in most large space cooling systems. They can account for more than 40% of total energy consumption in any typical commercial building and in specific industrial building installations depending on the product and process. With climate change driving rapidly rising demand for commercial and industrial cooling, especially in emerging economies, energy efficiency policies for chillers are crucial to moderate future electricity demand and thereby minimize greenhouse gas emissions. However, most developing and emerging economies lack energy efficiency policies for this significant and growing cooling equipment sector. India recently announced new energy efficiency policies for chillers, projected to avoid 28 TWh of electricity consumption and 23 million tons of CO 2 emissions cumulatively through 2030. This article presents a case study of the unique challenges and solutions required to design a new energy efficiency policy for chillers in India. First, the energy consumed in chiller systems is sensitive to building occupancy, load changes, seasonal variations, operation and maintenance, and climatic conditions. In order to address these sensitivities, the chiller testing standard in India factors local weather and temperature conditions into energy performance ratings to account for these sensitivities. Further, every large chiller is a customized product, therefore developing a viable policy and implementation process required collaboration with international and national experts in standardization, manufacturers, building consultants, and testing laboratories. This article is categorized under: Energy Efficiency > Economics and Policy Solar Energy: Thermal ‐‐> Climate and Environment

Mukherjee, P. K.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Methods to Incorporate Energy Efficiency in Electricity System Planning and Markets

Electric utilities, independent system operators and regional transmission operators have acquired significant levels of energy efficiency over several decades. The predominant approach utilities use to consider energy efficiency in electricity system planning and ISO/RTOs use in wholesale electricity markets is to reduce load forecasts to account for estimated impacts of relevant policies and programs. But an increasing number of states and utilities are interested in improved analysis of energy efficiency in electricity system planning and wholesale electricity markets. This report describes how to consider energy efficiency as a potential resource for the future by allowing it to compete with all other electricity system resources. Increasing levels of wind and solar, growth in peak demand, and electrification of transportation and other new loads have increased the need for a more flexible and responsive electricity system. Considering energy efficiency as a resource option can support these and other electricity system objectives, including grid reliability, reduced electricity costs, energy efficiency targets, and lower air pollutant emissions. The October 2019 slides were presented at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy Energy Efficiency as a Resource conference and provide an overview of the report. Portions of the report were included in the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy Energy Efficiency 2020 Summer Study paper, Planning for the Grid of Tomorrow: Energy Efficiency as a Resource in Utility Resource Plans.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Unlocking Energy Efficiency: Debunking Myths on the Road to Decarbonization

Energy efficiency is widely recognized as the foundational and most critical strategy for decarbonizing the manufacturing sector. Misconceptions surrounding energy efficiency measures often hinder their widespread adoption. This article aims to debunk five common myths and provides data and resources to help implement efficiency projects faster and more effectively to achieve greater decarbonization. First, the article challenges the myth that organizations have exhausted all possible energy efficiency opportunities by achieving voluntary energy intensity goals or energy performance certification. Second, it also addresses the misconceptions that efficiency projects are capital-intensive, require many qualified specialists, and have long investment return periods. By presenting real-world case studies and referencing commonly found efficiency opportunities, the article illustrates that energy-savings opportunities are ubiquitous. Organizations can use various contracting mechanisms as well as financial and technical resources from utility companies and government programs to lessen their burden. The notion that efficiency measures can be implemented solely in proprietorship facilities is dispelled. This article emphasizes the importance of green leases and explains that aligning decarbonization goals between the lessor and lessee can help drive savings for both parties. Finally, using unbundled renewable energy certificates as the sole pathway to decarbonization is strongly discouraged. By debunking these prevalent myths, this article aims to foster a deeper understanding of energy efficiency’s potential as a cornerstone of decarbonization efforts and to embrace it as a critical pathway toward a sustainable future.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2024

Supporting Growth of a Skilled Workforce in the Building Energy Efficiency Industry (Final Technical Report)

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), having worked for well over a decade to develop national networks and best practices focused on attracting and training high quality workers for the clean energy industries, sought to address shortfalls in skilled workers who build, retrofit, operate, and maintain energy efficient buildings. Through this project, IREC created and promoted a Green Buildings Career Map (GBCM)—a career awareness and recruitment tool—that seeks to boost the nationwide growth of workers entering the energy efficiency (EE) industry. Working with a team of subject matter experts and our partner organizations—Building Performance Association (BPA), Building Performance Institute (BPI), Community Action Partnership (CAP), and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)—IREC produced an interactive, engaging career map to attract and motivate individuals into pursuing careers in energy efficiency, and in support of the Weatherization Assistance Program. The GBCM was designed for a broad audience including educators, career advisors, employers, policymakers, workforce professionals, and jobseekers who may otherwise have little or no awareness of the exciting and rewarding opportunities within targeted industry sectors. Most individuals seeking careers do not know about the breadth of careers awaiting them in the built environment and the same is true for most career and guidance counselors, educators, and parents. The GBCM provides this broad audience with a vision of the myriad jobs that could lead to a long-standing career in energy efficiency. The GBCM describes diverse occupations across the EE industry, charts possible progression between those occupations, and identifies the training, skills, and credentials necessary to do them well.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2020

Messaging for Impact: Behavioral Science-Based Communication Strategies to Advance Energy Efficiency

Currently, five legal authorities require U.S. federal agencies to purchase energy-efficient products. However, compliance with these requirements has consistently been low (~55%). Recent surveys indicate that energy efficiency requirements are not communicated properly within federal agencies and energy-efficiency is not a top priority. In the constantly evolving energy industry, with many solutions for a clean energy future, effective communication methods are vital for widespread adoption of energy efficiency. We have been conducting experiments within the U.S. federal sector that test the effectiveness of messaging strategies developed by using behavioral science principles like loss aversion, framing, and herd behavior. This will identify effective communications methods that encourage energy efficiency adoption. In this study, we measure the effectiveness of different communication strategies by monitoring the web traffic of hyperlinks placed within our digital communications and outreach materials. To determine effective strategies that influence federal buyer behavior, the web traffic from subjects that received the behavioral science-based messaging (treatment group) is compared to that from subjects that received regular messaging (control group) for each of the strategies. This paper provides an overview of the behavioral science principles that we applied, data collection methods, and results of our analysis. Since the lack of effective communication of energy-efficiency policies is also a common problem in the private sector, the messaging strategies developed in this study can be applicable to other large private sector institutions

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗