Energy Efficiency and the Grid of the Future

As more utilities shift their generation to carbon-free sources such as grid-scale wind and solar, the time value of energy efficiency will become increasingly important. As renewable sources impact the grid in different ways, the value of energy efficiency changes.

In this session, we look at how this changing grid mix would impact 20 different energy efficiency measures that are common today and the impacts on 10 different building types.

By investigating the marginal cost and carbon impacts with the grid of today and a projected future carbon-free grid, we can preview which mechanical systems and efficiency measures will have increased value and which will have decreased value as the generation mix changes in the future. With only 2% of the U.S. building stock being replaced each year, if we want to have an appreciable number of buildings that are responsive to the grid in 2030, we need to start building those buildings today.

Jason Steinbock, Director of Business Development at Willdan, has over 20 years of experience providing design, development, and comparative energy analysis for demand side management commercial new construction programs. His speaking engagements include presentations to AESP, ACEEE, ECEEE, AIA, and ASHRAE. A professional engineer, he is also an ASHRAE Certified Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) and a LEED Accredited Professional.