Research Projects
About
CEA took a major step forward in 2021 to carry out research efforts related to energy efficiency, developing new codes & standards, and assessing decarbonization strategies. The two current research projects listed here are funded through the Energy Commission's Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program.
Current Projects
Plug Load Energy Testing to Inform Codes & Standards - PLETICS
In March 2021, CEA kicked off the PLETICS research project. The project team includes UC Davis - California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC), UC Irvine - California Plug Load Research Center (CalPlug), and CSU Northridge. The objectives of the research are to reduce electricity use of active and standby modes for residential networking equipment, commercial imaging equipment, and laboratory equipment as well as provide information to inform future codes & standards. By the end of 2021, the project team completed device selection, a full market assessment report, and started assessing which common features impact energy use for each device. The next phase of the project will involve the development of new or to improve existing test procedures for measuring total energy consumption for future consideration by codes and standards.
Renewable Energy & Advanced Lighting Systems - REAL
CEA was selected to be part of the CLTC project team focused on the development, testing and demonstration of renewable energy and advanced lighting (REAL) systems that can reduce nighttime grid-supplied energy consumption. CEA will provide expertise in industry outreach and energy code development to ensure project outcomes are beneficial to a large stakeholder group and are appropriate for potential use in codes & standards development activities. CEA will support the following activities: market assessment, building codes & standards development, and associated technology transfer activities. The project is expected to last from July 2021 to March 2025.
Past Projects
2020
The Cost-Effectiveness Metrics Working Group began scoping research that would enhance cost-effectiveness calculations; address the lack of publicly available, peer-reviewed studies on non-energy benefits and value analyses of grid services; and analyze site-level costs and energy-related benefits from installing DR-enabled systems. Part of this work was supported by students from the UC Davis Public Policy Institute.
Support
The CEA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan alliance - our organization can continue research projects like this through your support!