How can BAS measure and verify the impacts and benefits of DR and smart grid participation?

Demand response (DR) and smart grid are two key concepts for enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the electric power system. Building automation systems (BAS) can play a vital role in enabling buildings to participate in DR and smart grid programs, by adjusting their energy consumption and generation in response to price signals, grid conditions, or environmental goals. However, to fully leverage the potential of BAS for DR and smart grid, building professionals need to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills, as well as the proper certification and accreditation. In this article, we will discuss how BAS can measure and verify the impacts and benefits of DR and smart grid participation, and what are the best training and certification options for building professionals who want to excel in this field.

1 Why measure and verify?

Measuring and verifying the impacts and benefits of DR and smart grid participation is essential for several reasons. First, it helps building owners and operators to quantify the savings and revenues they can achieve by adjusting their energy usage or generation according to the grid needs and opportunities. Second, it provides feedback and insights for improving the performance and optimization of the BAS and the building systems. Third, it demonstrates the value and contribution of the building sector to the grid operators, regulators, and policy makers, who may offer incentives, recognition, or support for DR and smart grid participants.

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Scott Brooks

Design-Build-Manage
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I can see the logical aspects of data recording and monitoring of facilities to enhance and project power consumption and to streamline operations, but from my experience as a data center operations manager it has been my experience that you can collect all the data and monitoring possible only to have owners or interested principles say no to the investment required to keep and maintain these facilities in a manner conducive allowing peak efficiency.

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2 What to measure and verify?

The main parameters that need to be measured and verified for DR and smart grid participation are the baseline, the performance, and the outcomes. The baseline is the estimate of the energy consumption or generation that would have occurred without the DR or smart grid event. The performance is the actual energy consumption or generation during the event, as well as the response time, duration, and frequency of the adjustment. The outcomes are the impacts and benefits of the participation, such as the energy savings, cost savings, revenue generation, emissions reduction, grid reliability improvement, or customer satisfaction.

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Scott Brooks

Design-Build-Manage
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I have operated data storage facilities that had in place agreements with power companies to load shed/share based on grid demand and it has never been beneficial to the owners of the property long term. Which is to say my experience has taught me that while these arrangements look and sound good on paper the reality is the majority of privately held companies can spend inordinate amounts of cash trying to comply with EPA regulations regarding diesel emissions from generators that must be run when you get the call from utility company requesting you to drop from the grid during peak load.

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Ryan Fogg

Building Systems Specialist
(edited)
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I think the greatest challenge to M&V is determining the baseline. Especially, in an environment where usage and occupancy can change frequently, such as healthcare and education facilities. These are subject to many variables given the time of day, availability of renewable energy and schedules that can affect the baseline of the facility. For these facilities a constant verification or commissioning of building systems is generally a more accurate measurement of the buildings baseline and ability to respond to a DR event. In these occupancies the challenge is how to document that data accurately considering the degree of variability over time.

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3 How to measure and verify?

There are different methods and protocols for measuring and verifying the impacts and benefits of DR and smart grid participation, depending on the type, scope, and scale of the program. Some of the most widely used methods are the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) M&V Guidelines, and the OpenADR Performance Specification. These methods provide standardized procedures, formulas, and metrics for calculating the baseline, the performance, and the outcomes of DR and smart grid events, as well as quality assurance and reporting requirements.

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4 What are the challenges and best practices?

Measuring and verifying the impacts and benefits of DR and smart grid participation can pose some challenges and difficulties for building professionals, such as data availability and quality, baseline estimation and adjustment, performance measurement and validation, outcome attribution and evaluation, and reporting and communication. To overcome these challenges and ensure accurate and reliable results, some of the best practices are to use smart meters and sensors, to apply appropriate baseline methods and adjustment factors, to monitor and control the BAS and the building systems, to use independent third-party verification, and to report and share the results transparently and consistently.

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5 What are the training and certification options?

To acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for measuring and verifying the impacts and benefits of DR and smart grid participation, building professionals can pursue various training and certification options. Some of the most relevant and recognized options are the Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) program, the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) program, the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program, and the OpenADR Certified Professional (OCP) program. These programs provide comprehensive and practical education and assessment on the principles, methods, and applications of M&V for DR and smart grid, as well as other topics related to energy efficiency, management, and automation.

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Scott Brooks

Design-Build-Manage
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Some of us have been around long enough to know most of these are as useful in real life as purchasing carbon offset credits. Lots of young folks out there with certificates saying they know everything about how to do things they have no clue about. The best way is always going to be a system that utilizes the free market economy based on no government interference with silly global warming initiatives that are only in place to give those who buy into this tripe a sense of superiority.

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How can BAS measure and verify the impacts and benefits of DR and smart grid participation?

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1 Why measure and verify?

2 What to measure and verify?

3 How to measure and verify?

4 What are the challenges and best practices?

5 What are the training and certification options?

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