by Jeff Ihnen | Sep 14, 2021 | Energy Rant
This is the fourth in a series of posts on grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs). Here is a summary of the series: August 23 – Why GEBs? What is it, and why do it? August 31 – GEBs are difficult to achieve, beyond efficiency that should be done regardless....
by Jeff Ihnen | Sep 7, 2021 | Energy Rant
The first in this series of posts on grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) described the intent of GEBs. The objective is to use buildings to shift, shave, or shed load to improve grid reliability without making expensive investments like peaker plants or...
by Michaels Energy | Sep 1, 2021 | The Big Why
Welcome to another installment of the Challenges of Estimating NTG, where we explore the challenges of assigning a numeric counterfactual value to a complex decision-making process. This post will explore some ideas beyond the traditional survey self-report approach...
by Jeff Ihnen | Aug 31, 2021 | Energy Rant
Last week in the Opening Salvo, we studied the desired results of grid-interactive efficient buildings, aka GEBs. The desired outcomes include shaving, shifting, shaping, and shimmying electric loads to better match the supply provided by intermittent renewable...
by Jeff Ihnen | Aug 23, 2021 | Energy Rant
To help accommodate intermittent renewable solar and wind power generation while minimizing grid and supply-side energy costs, the Department of Energy, its national labs, and our industry are exploring possibilities to use buildings as grid resources. The acronym de...
by Jeff Ihnen | Aug 17, 2021 | Energy Rant
Last month, Utility Dive posted an article describing how big tech (Google, Amazon, etc.) is taking the lead for home automation and energy management. But there is still hope for utilities – they have trusted relationships with customers, Dive says. Chasms of Risk...
by Jeff Ihnen | Aug 10, 2021 | Energy Rant
As described last week, net savings and program attribution are measures of an efficiency program’s influence on making a project happen for utility customers. There is a range of influence that energy savings has in motivating customers to do a project, and...
by Michaels Energy | Aug 4, 2021 | The Big Why
Sometimes in the course of evaluating energy efficiency projects, we come across projects with negative savings. In other words, participating in an energy efficiency program resulted in an increase in overall energy usage. Given the program theory of most energy...
by Jeff Ihnen | Aug 3, 2021 | Energy Rant
I’ve never been a parent to humans, but as I say to friends and companions, I was a child once, and I did have parents. Moreover, I’ve supervised and had dozens of people report up to me directly or indirectly. Plus, I love kid stories, so I may be more uh, qualified...
by Jeff Ihnen | Jul 27, 2021 | Energy Rant
Hi folks! We’re picking up from last week’s post in which we examined three vital elements for advancing technologies from successful pilots to mainstream acceptance and market penetration. They are: Makin’ money – it must be profitable from the manufacturer through...