Research and Evaluation Subcommitee – 2014 Plans

1. Research and Evaluation Subcommitee – 2014 Plans Regional Technical Forum January 22, 2014

2. Why an R&E Subcommittee? To have a “go to” resource for RTF related research and evaluation consultation Over 25 measures found “Out-of-Compliance” with RTF guidelines in 2012; require research plans New planning/provisional UES and Standard Protocols also require research plans Focus review of plans to those who are most familiar with research design Bring in evaluation facilitator (Marjorie McRae) to help steer group and facilitate discussion

3. 2013 List of OOC UES measures

4. What was done through R&E in 2013? • Convened group in April to prioritize all Out-Of-Compliance measures • Developed research template and scoring sheet (presented to full RTF in June) • Conducted surveys from regional programs to solicit data for measures prior to sunsetting • Reviewed research plans for: • Irrigation Pump VFD Provisional Standard Protocol • Pump VFD Provisional Standard Protocol • Prescriptive Duct Sealing UES Planning Measure • Advanced Power Strips UES Planning Measure

5. Group Coordination • Developed multiple distribution lists for R&E members • Full Opt-in • Review plans, help with data requests, participate in surveys, receive updates • Partial Opt-in • Receive updates on subcommittee activities only

6. Plans for OOC Measures • Many deactivated based on low priority and no planned research • RTF voted in November to accept staff proposal to bring 8 Grocery measures back as Small Savers; due in April. • RTF Staff working on gathering data for Potato/Onion shed measure through BPA • RTF Staff drafting research plan for PTCS Controls, Commissioning and Sizing – Manufactured Homes to be reviewed after technical issues are resolved

7. 2014 List of OOC UES measures • Weatherization – Multi-Family has no planned research yet. • Staff will be looking at RBSA Multi-Family data this year to help guide research needs and model calibration

8. Approach to 2014 Activities • R&E Group Meetings • No current plans to convene meetings • Will communicate by email to the Opt-In groups • First items: • Review of Scientific Irrigation Scheduling Research Plan • Begin scan of Weatherization – Multifamily research being done in region

9. Basic Approach to RTF Role in Utility Research • For participating utilities, initial research plan shared with RTF if relevant to RTF needs • Technical subcommittee reviews; suggests any revisions to better capture needed parameters • R&E subcommittee reviews; suggests any revisions to provide greater statistical reliability and accuracy • Full opt-in asked to provide comments • Partial opt-in informed of activities

10. Scan of Regional Utility Programs • Desired outcome: accessible information (a database of sorts?) of current information on utility research • Possibly to reside on Conduit • Studies completed in 2013 onward, w/ synopsis relevant to RTF parameters of interest • Research plans, w/ synopsis • Current status (updated 3x a year, perhaps) • Any intermediate products

11. Obtaining Utility Research Information • Reaching out to NW Research Group to explore interest in outcome and possible coordination • Research Into Action to call key contacts for utility research to obtain initial information and status updates • Phase in contact w utility, starting with the most active researchers

12. Assessing Relevance of Research to RTF • Information obtained will be reviewed by RTF (Nick and Mohit) to assess relevance to RTF • The “database” will maintain only RTF-relevant data, unless NW Research Group has its own objectives for the repository