Assessing Energy Savings Potential of Products and Technologies

2004 APPA Customer Connections Conference

Rob Penney

WSU Energy Program

The Need for Product Energy Assessments

The Need

Utilities need unbiased information about products & technologies when designing energy market transformation programs

Utility staff are deluged by questions from vendors and customers but lack time and/or ability to assess products

Some are uncomfortable with potential liability

The Need

More and more “smart devices” (integrated circuit logic to monitor and control lighting, motors, HVAC), which are difficult to test/verify

Marketing may be misleading:• Devices for other purposes (e.g., “power

conditioning”) marketed as saving energy• Exaggerated energy saving claims • Application-specific products marketed as

universally effective• Testing and case studies may not be useful

The Need

Not cost-effective for each utility to assess a new product or technology

Vendors with legitimate products lack easy and timely access to utility staff

Expose “Snake oil” manufacturers quickly so conservation resources are wisely invested

Encourage manufacturers to improve—and better document—energy performance of products

The Need

Unbiased information speeds market transformation:• Encourages utilities to incorporate promising

technologies into conservation / market transformation programs, saving regional energy

• Manufacturers with promising products gain market share more quickly

• Avoid investing limited market transformation resources into products with unproven performance

The PTR Servicein the Pacific Northwest

The PTR Service

Product and Technology Review (PTR)—service development began in 2002

Lighting products assessed by Lighting Design Lab; others by WSU Energy Program

Funded primarily by Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Lighting Lab also supported by Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish County PUD, BC Hydro, and Tacoma Power

Selecting Products to Review

Nomination by NW utilities, BPA, state energy offices, or Oregon Energy Trust

Selection Criteria:

• Commercial and industrial technologies—either new technology not in common use in NW or older technology now marketed as having significant energy savings

• Little unbiased information available

• Significant electricity saving potential

PTR Process

Gather independent test data, engineering studies, case studies, manufacturer’s literature

Assess validity of test data, case studies, engineering principles

Search literature for product references

Share utility information and experiences through listserv

Motivating Manufacturers

Communicating the Results

Manufacturer/distributor contact info

Product function and applications

Energy saving claims

Non-energy benefits

Independent testing results & case studies

Cost

Alternative products and strategies

Suggestions for further research and testing

Disclaimer

Fact Sheet Disclaimer

Outlines intent and scope of assessment:• Not to be construed as an endorsement

• Does not guarantee product performance

• Assessment includes information from the manufacturer

The Liability Issue

Potential for litigation is a concern

Steps taken to limit liability:

• Perform secondary research only• Have manufacturer sign liability waiver• Carefully document and record process• Include disclaimer in fact sheet

Assessments Completed

MicroPlanet: home/business voltage regulators

ArticMaster: refrigerant management system

Energy Director: peak demand management

Fan Saver: Walk-in cooler fan controller

WindTree: small rooftop wind generator

Assessments Proposed

Nominations being considered:

• A motor voltage controller

• Ceramic coatings

• Polarized refrigerant additive

• Fan controller for walk-in coolers

• A radiant heater

• Power conditioning devices

Possible Future Directions

Depending on funding, the PTR service could:

• Collaborate with other organizations

• Perform primary research

• Proactively identify products for review

• Expand focus of review to include performance, power quality, reliability, training required, etc.

• Explore impacts of the service on utility incentive programs, manufacturer documentation, etc.

Summing It Up

Our Vision

Products with predictable and reliable energy savings are more quickly adopted

Utilities and customers avoid unwise investment in products less likely to provide energy savings

Manufacturers with promising products are able to gain market share and more investors

Manufacturers improve testing and documentation of energy savings

Our program expands through collaboration

Information Wanted

Share experiences of your assessment program or refer me to someone else’s

Explore opportunities for collaboration and information sharing

Share suggestions for Getting additional funding More effectively assisting utilities Avoiding liability

Resources

Pacific Northwest utilities contact:

1-800-872-3568

Info@EnergyIdeas.org

www.EnergyIdeas.org

Western utilities contact:

The Power Line

1-800-769-3756

PowerLine@energy.wsu.edu

www.wapa.gov/es/

EnergyServicesWESTERN’S

Sharpening Your Competitive Edge

EnergyServicesWESTERN’S

Sharpening Your Competitive Edge

Contact Information

Rob Penney

Senior Energy Engineer

WSU Energy Program

(360) 956-2053

penneyr@energy.wsu.edu