Assessing Energy Savings Potential of Products and Technologies

1. Assessing Energy Savings Potential of Products and Technologies 2004 APPA Customer Connections Conference Rob Penney WSU Energy Program

2. The Need for Product Energy Assessments

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. The PTR Servicein the Pacific Northwest

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Motivating Manufacturers

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. Summing It Up

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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/ Resources

22. Contact Information • Rob Penney • Senior Energy Engineer • WSU Energy Program • (360) 956-2053 • penneyr@energy.wsu.edu