Commercial
As part of the commercial team process, members often raise emerging options and efficient new technologies for committee discussion and review. Variable refrigerant flow HVAC technology is one of these. It just so happens that EPRI has an active research, development, and demonstration project underway for this technology, so mutual discussion is timely and advantageous for both parties.
EPRI is working with one manufacturer to do their initial demo, but the overview of the project has proved helpful to the CEE Commercial HVAC Committee. Understanding the scope of the demo and results to date lends insight into the potential energy savings involved and regional characteristics to take into consideration for this new technology.
The commercial committee has also connected with EPRI about ways to work together in the arena of data centers and servers. EPRI research in this area can inform ongoing committee activities in the effort to develop meaningful programs.
Industrial
There is general agreement among members, the motors industry, and others, that variable frequency drives present an opportunity for significant efficiency gains in motor systems. The Motors and Motor Systems Committee is at the very beginning stages of tackling the questions surrounding the potential for a national program strategy in this area. Areas for exploration include identifying potential opportunities for guidance on drives (e.g. when their use is and is not appropriate, common applications, etc.), commonly defined prescriptive and custom program approaches, and commonly defined customer awareness messages.
The EPRI Power Delivery and Utilization Sector also recognizes the opportunity for significant energy savings available in the industrial sector through the appropriate application of drives. EPRI has offered to share expertise on drives and other motor subjects as Committee work progresses and recently presented their current work to the Committee.
Other Projects
CEE staff, anticipating the future, are using the relationship with EPRI to learn about the smart grid by observing the “Advanced Metering Infrastructure—Home Area Network Group.” It’s been an effective way for CEE to stay informed of smart grid standards development, which is foundational to the widespread creation of smarter grids, smarter appliances, and the achievement of the energy savings that they promise. Using the knowledge gained from this group, CEE staff is planning on bringing a speaker to the general session at the upcoming June meeting.
Both the CEE residential and evaluation teams have contacted EPRI to begin discussion about possible interactions. This partnership fosters the ability to explore the potential upside of a new technology without additional funding by our members. If you have ideas for ways projects at EPRI can inform work at CEE, please contact your committee co-chair. |
