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Smart Grids & Smart Buildings

Introduction

From a technological standpoint, today’s electrical grid isn’t terribly different than the one laid out in the days of Thomas Edison—just a lot more strands. This is about to change. A “smart” grid is emerging as modern-day information technology is applied to the infrastructure that delivers our electricity. While innovative ideas and technology can improve reliability and reduce costs at all points in the system, the real value of a smart grid cannot be unlocked without smart buildings connected to it.

Articles

Building IT: The Intelligent Energy Management Triangle

Building IT: The Intelligent Energy Management Triangle

Commercial buildings have great potential to improve energy efficiency and performance through new information technology (IT). Three key building IT functions come together using today’s technologies: energy information, fault detection and diagnostics, and measurement and verification of savings. Together, these functions form the Intelligent Energy Management Triangle, greatly enhancing energy decisions.

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Can More “Usable” Thermostats Save More Energy in Small Buildings?

Can More “Usable” Thermostats Save More Energy in Small Buildings?

Many small commercial buildings use programmable thermostats, which many users find difficult to operate – negating intended energy savings. This study compared five common models of thermostats and found wide differences in the steps needed to complete six basic tasks. The results point the way to design features that could improve usability.

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Proposal for a New Energy Efficiency Directive for the European Union

Proposal for a New Energy Efficiency Directive for the European Union

The European Commission recently proposed a new framework directive on energy efficiency for the European Union (EU).This fact sheet outlines some of the main elements of the proposal, which will be subject to negotiation and voting by representatives of EU Member States and by the European Parliament over the course of 2011-2012.

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A Day in the Life of a Smart Building

A Day in the Life of a Smart Building

Smart grids and smart buildings work in harmony. In this newly published video, Clay Nesler, VP Global Energy and Sustainability at Johnson Controls, walks through a Day in the Life of a Smart Building analyzing needs and interacting with the smart power grid to provide optimal service at minimum cost.

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Demand Response Programs Across the U.S.

Demand Response Programs Across the U.S.

As demand response continues to gain momentum in the evolving smart grid, commercial building owners and operators are looking for ways to monetize their “negawatt” contributions. The Institute for Building Efficiency has compiled information on existing demand response programs and created an interactive map to help you find an opportunity in your area.

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Meeting of the Minds: Diverse Experts Explore the Future of Demand Response in Smart-Grid World

Meeting of the Minds: Diverse Experts Explore the Future of Demand Response in Smart-Grid World

The Institute for Building Efficiency convened a group of U.S. and international experts on utility systems in a workshop to discuss the future of demand response in the context of a smart electrical grid. Looking at commercial and institutional buildings, they explored how demand-side resources can best meet the needs of the grid and developed consensus around four themes that merit more research.

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Interview with Ken Sinclair: The Role of Building Automation in Getting to Smart Buildings

Interview with Ken Sinclair: The Role of Building Automation in Getting to Smart Buildings

Building automation has rapidly become the pervasive technology for helping building owners become smarter, according to Ken Sinclair, owner of the AutomatedBuildings.com online magazine and web resource. In an interview with the Institute for Building Efficiency, he describes the evolution of automation and the energy Internet, and their roles in informing the intersection between the grid and buildings of the future.

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Microsoft White Paper: The Central Role of Cloud Computing in Making Cities Energy-Smart

Microsoft White Paper: The Central Role of Cloud Computing in Making Cities Energy-Smart

Cities are home to more than half of people in the world today, and will be home to nearly 70% of our population by 2050. As such, cities that are economically and environmentally sustainable are critical to achieving the sustainability of our society as a whole. Cities that are designed and operated to be energy-efficient have the potential to be one of the most effective means to this end. This whitepaper explores how the integration of information technology can advance and accelerate the evolution to energy-efficient cities that provide economic growth and quality of life for generations to come.

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Demand Response: Growth Factors and the Future

Demand Response: Growth Factors and the Future

Demand response (DR) could become a central component of the electric utility “smart grid” of the future, with potential to cut system peak demand significantly. Proponents say DR can save money, help the environment, and increase reliability. A study looked at factors potentially affecting DR adoption, now and in the future.

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Commercial Buildings: The Next Wave of Demand Response Opportunity

Commercial Buildings: The Next Wave of Demand Response Opportunity

In the U.S. today, 4.8 million commercial buildings use 37% of the electricity and account for nearly half of peak demand. These buildings are a vast potential resource for demand response, but will require programs that meet the criteria of today's owners and operators.

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Demand Response Ruling by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Spurs Debate

Demand Response Ruling by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Spurs Debate

The importance and relevance of demand response (DR) to the advancement of efficient and cost-effective grid management is undisputed. Successful programs can lead to more competitive electricity markets, cheaper responses to emergency system overloads, more efficient incorporation of distributed energy, increased reliability of supply, and greater information flow between the utility, customer and load serving entity (LSE). There is much debate, however, over the best mechanism to scale such programs.

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A Day in the Life of a Smart Building

A Day in the Life of a Smart Building

Smart grids and smart buildings work in harmony. A Day in the Life flash animation models how a 500,000-square foot office building might analyze needs and interact with the smart power grid to provide optimal service at minimum cost.

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What is a Smart Building?

What is a Smart Building?

Smart buildings, through the application of IT to facility management and operations, reduce operating costs and advance corporate sustainability goals. They are also helping create a truly smart grid.

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Demand Response: Buildings as Power Plants on the Smart Grid

Demand Response: Buildings as Power Plants on the Smart Grid

Demand response not only lightens the load on existing electrical systems, it reduces the need for new capacity, and serves as a critical component of the smart grid.

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Some Smart Buildings Scoring Zero on Energy Use

Some Smart Buildings Scoring Zero on Energy Use

As building IQs rise, energy use goes down. Some of the smartest buildings today are getting top sustainability marks by becoming net zero energy buildings.

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What’s Hot in the Efficiency and Smart Grid Community?

What’s Hot in the Efficiency and Smart Grid Community?

Institute experts have been participating and leading conference discussions surrounding all facets of building efficiency. Check out our conference overviews and presentations, links to the official websites, and some interesting subplots observed at the gatherings.

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Resources & Tools

Issue Brief: Building Information Technology & Management

Issue Brief: Demand Response Drivers, ENG

Technology Brief: Climate Controls/Small Commercial Buildings

Fact Sheet: (EU) Proposed Energy Efficiency Directives

Dialogue Summary: Bridge to the Smart Grid

Issue Brief: Scaling Up Demand Response

Presentation: Scaling Up Demand Response

Smart 2020 (Climate Group)

Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Roadmap (NIST)

Europe's Electricity Networks of the Future (European Commission)

Case Study: Olympic Peninsula Project (PNNL-Gridwise)

What is a Smart Building?

Absolute Zero: Net Zero Energy Commercial Buildings

Demand Response Experience in Europe (Torriti et al)

Demand Response in U.S Electricity Markets (LBNL)

Demand Response and Smart Metering Policy (NCEP)

National Assessment of Demand Response Potential (FERC)

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A Day in the Life of a Smart Building

Smart Grids & Smart Buildings Overview

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