Performance Assessments of Demand Flexibility from Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings: Issues and Considerations

Abstract

Midcontinent ISO); Carmen Best (Recurve); Brian Kooiman (OhmConnect); Brenda Chew (Smart Electric Power Alliance); Tim Woolf (Synapse Energy Economics); Julie Michals (E4theFuture); and Tom Eckman (Berkeley Lab consultant). We also thank other experts we interviewed (Appendix A) and SEE Action Network Executive Committee members who provided feedback on draft materials for the report.All opinions, errors, and omissions remain the responsibility of the authors. All reference URLs were accurate as of the date of publication. Other Reports in This Series Introduction for State and Local Governments: Describes grid-interactive efficient buildings in the context of state and local government interests; highlights trends, challenges, and opportunities for demand flexibility; provides an overview of valuation and performance assessments for demand flexibility; and outlines actions that state and local governments can take, in concert with utilities, regional grid operators, and building owners, to advance demand flexibility  Determining Utility System Value of Demand Flexibility from Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings:Describes how current methods and practices that establish value to the electric utility system of investments in energy efficiency and other distributed energy resources (DERs) can be enhanced to determine the value of grid services provided by demand flexibility resourcesIn addition, DOE offers a fact sheet, overview, and series of technical reports with more information on technologies and strategies for grid-interactive efficient buildings: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/gridinteractive-efficient-buildings.

Factors contributing to measurement uncertainty of HVAC-enabled demand flexibility in grid-interactive commercial buildings

“…The other factor explored in this study is the choice of assessment boundary on which to measure the DF event. The assessment boundary refers to the measurement level at which the DF event is documented (Schiller, Schwartz and Murphy, 2020). Although there are a few options for the assessment boundary, in this work we will focus on the HVAC and total building electricity consumption.…”

A Review of Key Performance Indicators for Building Flexibility Quantification to Support the Clean Energy Transition

“…For grid operators, in order to manage grid services, certain features, such as the duration of the service, the response time and the frequency of events [76], are of paramount importance. Therefore, from grid operators' point of view, the flexibility KPIs should allow the taking into account of these aspects.…”

Timed to save: the added value of accounting for hourly incidence of electricity savings from residential space-conditioning measures

“…The timing of these competing reductions further affects the value of demand response, in particular when renewable energy penetration affects the diurnal profile of electricity system costs (Satchwell et al, 2020). Energy efficiency's passive load reductions can impact multiple demand flexibility modes, including load shifting as well as load shedding (Schiller et al, 2020).…”