Energy Efficiency and Load Shaping

Environmental & Economic Research and Development Program Energy Efficiency and Load Shaping

About the Research Project

Focus on Energy has the potential to build from the current energy efficiency landscape in Wisconsin to expand demand mitigation in the future as the need for load shaping and controllable technologies and interventions increases. Past case studies were reviewed to explore which behavioral and technology-based solutions supplement existing program offerings and provide the greatest opportunity for Wisconsin.

Contributor: Illume Advising, LLC
Project Timeline: July 2020- February 2021

Research Objectives: The objective of this project was to provide a broad view into where and how load shaping opportunities intersect and can build upon current and emerging energy efficiency opportunities in Wisconsin. A staged approach was used to enable this view, conducting deeper research on a narrower list of measures at consecutive stages.

Research Project Highlights

In Wisconsin, Focus on Energy has the potential to build on their current energy efficiency program offerings to increase demand impacts. These demand impacts could help utility partners and reduce demand charges for Wisconsin ratepayers. Through a review of industry literature and program documentation, this project researched the load shaping market to explore potential opportunities to supplement Focus’s existing program offerings and provide the greatest opportunity for Wisconsin.

Key Findings

Focus on Energy has and continues to provide incentives for energy efficient measures that save energy at typical peak summer times in Wisconsin. For example, research indicates energy recovery ventilators, variable frequency drives, compressed air nozzles, certain kitchen equipment, and other readily available measures in Focus on Energy’s portfolio save coincident summer demand.

In other states, such as Massachusetts, Vermont, and California, regulators and utilities are using energy efficiency programs to support additional initiatives (e.g., residential customer sited battery storage and beneficial electrification). Energy efficiency programs are well suited to administer these directives because programs and program staff have the infrastructure and market knowledge to prioritize technologies, affect adoption rates, and monitor their progress.

Smart thermostats currently represent the most immediate and least risky opportunity to administer an integrated energy efficiency and demand response measure. There are examples of programs currently supporting smart thermostats as an integrated energy efficiency and demand response measure, and some utility demand response programs in Wisconsin already channels their customers to combine demand response rebates with Focus on Energy’s energy efficiency rebates.

There is an opportunity for Wisconsin utility customer to yield greater benefits from some energy efficiency measures already supported by Focus on Energy with supplemental funding, education, coordination, and/or support from utilities or entities interested in demand savings. Strategic energy management (SEM) program staff indicated some facilities are interested in help with their demand charges but Focus on Energy’s ability to support is limited. Similarly, customers getting smart thermostats installed through Focus on Energy may be unaware of the demand response opportunities from their utility, and combining these initiatives could help drive participation in both energy efficiency and demand response programs.

Learn More

This research completed in February 2021.

Project Reports:
Final Report

Questions?

Contact the Future Focus team at futurefocus@focusonenergy.com