Lead Performer: OptiMiser – Denver, Colorado

DOE Total Funding: $198,000

FY20 DOE Funding: $198,000

Project Term: July 2021 – May 2022

Funding Type: SBIR phase I

Project Objective

To maximize the benefits of clean energy like solar, utilities need to be able to shift load into the peak generation hours. Time-of-use (TOU) rates and demand charges that incentivize load shifting and grid-interactive efficient building (GEB) measures that achieve those shifts in residential buildings are becoming more broadly available, but field technicians need tools that enable them to design effective, site-specific packages of GEB measures that take advantage of TOU/demand rates while maintaining comfort. They also need tools to help homeowners understand the new rate structures and the advantages of their proposed solutions.

To meet the evolving needs of efficiency programs and technicians in this new landscape, OptiMiser, LLC will augment its existing residential energy analysis platform to transform it into a complete solution for rate analysis, load shifting measure design, and homeowner communication. OptiMiser will use the HPXML auditing schema to connect to DOE’s EnergyPlus engine, which can accurately model both energy-efficiency measures and load shifting. This additional will let OptiMiser more effectively identify residences that will benefit from load-shifting utility programs.

Project Impact

OptiMiser has identified 1.4 million residential customers who are candidates for load shifting programs and energy efficiency upgrades. By improving their auditing tool, they can help a larger number of residential customers save energy while helping utilities maximize the use of renewable generation.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Amir Roth

Lead Performer: Gamaliel Lodge, OptiMiser LLC