Measure Description
The focus of the nonresidential grid integration measures are to adjust the demand response control requirements so buildings that comply with Title 24, Part 6 are more likely to use their controls to participate in demand response events, including pricing events. This will help ensure that newly constructed nonresidential buildings are contributing to grid reliability in a positive way, which is critical as California aims to achieve its renewable portfolio goals.
After initial research, including interviews with stakeholders, the Statewide CASE Team determined that the submeasures below did not meet the Energy Commission’s requirements for market readiness, technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, or enforceability at the time they were considered. The nonresidential grid integration submeasures that are included in the 2022 Code Cycle can be seen here: Nonresidential Grid Integration
Outdoor Lighting Demand Management
The demand management control requirements for lighting systems only addresses indoor lighting. This measure review would explore the cost-effectiveness of including mandatory requirements for outdoor lighting demand management.
Alternative HVAC Control Strategies: Compressor Control
The focus of the nonresidential grid integration CASE initiative is to adjust the demand response control requirements so buildings that comply with Title 24, Part 6 are more likely to use their controls to implement load management on a day to day basis, as well as participate in reliability or economic demand response events. This will help newly constructed nonresidential buildings contribute to grid reliability in a positive way, which is critical as California aims to achieve its energy and climate goals.
Currently, demand responsive controls for HVAC must be capable of increasing or decreasing temperature setpoints by four degrees. This requirement would remain in place, so at a minimum DR controls would be required to enable temperature adjustments to non-critical zones and this temperature adjustment strategy is verified through acceptance testing.
Temperature setpoint adjustments are the most common load management strategy for nonresidential buildings, but other control strategies focusing on specific HVAC equipment exist that offer more direct and focused load management.The current code requires that building have the capability of automatically adjusting temperature setpoints when a Demand Response (DR) Signal is received and that a specific temperature adjustment strategy be programmed into the control system at the time that acceptance testing is conducted.This measure aims to add an alternative pathway to comply with the HVAC DR control requirements to allow a load management strategy that limits the capacity of variable speed compressors. Adding this alternative control strategy enables a building to implement HVAC DR controls that best fits the buildings capabilities.Allowing for successful participation in DR programs at the time that the controls are installed and minimizing a need for reprogramming after the Title 24, Part 6 acceptance tests are complete.
The alternative control strategy will be designed such that the temperature change in the zone will remain within a comfortable range.
In addition to adding an alternative control strategy, this measure aims to realign Title 24, Part 6 language so it is more consistent with how HVAC controls commonly manage loads in nonresidential buildings. Specifically, the Statewide CASE Team is making the following recommendations:
- Revise language to clarify that the demand responsive controls for HVAC systems can either be controlled through the energy management control system (EMCS) or directly through the HVAC system zone controller.
- Revise the term “demand shed control” to reflect the new reality that load management does not always call for load to be reduced or shed
Relevant Documents
Measure proposals, supporting documents, and other outside references will be made public as they become available.
Round One Utility-Sponsored Stakeholder Meeting Materials
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The Statewide CASE Team values input from all stakeholders engaged in the Title 24, Part 6 code change process. We encourage the open exchange of code change comments and concerns.