Physics-Based Interval Data Models to Automate and Scale Home Energy Performance Evaluations Award Number: DE-EE0007571 CX(s) Applied: A9, A11, B5.1 Building Technologies Office Date: 7/14/2016 Location(s): MA Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
July 20, 2016
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Physics-Based Interval Data Models to Automate and Scale Home Energy Performance Evaluations
Award Number: DE-EE0007571
CX(s) Applied: A9, A11, B5.1
Building Technologies Office
Date: 7/14/2016
Location(s): MA
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Fraunhofer USA, Inc. to develop, demonstrate, and validate a remote energy performance assessment tool that automatically analyzes a programmable communicating thermostat (CT) and interval meter data to identify homes which could most benefit from at least one Energy Conservation Measurement (ECM) to reduce space heating energy consumption. If homes where data from the CTs are included in the project’s data set decide to implement ECMs (e.g. insulation, air sealing, heating system upgrade, etc.), utility contractors would install those ECMs so that, during BP2, post-installation CT data could be obtained and savings could be estimated following a traditional utility practice. No funding from the DOE project is associated with the installation of the ECMs. DOE has no control or discretion over what ECMs may be selected for installation or which private residences may choose to install those ECMs. As such, DOE’s NEPA review is limited to the scope of the DOE funded project which includes the development, demonstration, and validation of the remote energy performance assessment tool.
Activities associated with the proposed project would include developing a mathematical algorithm and analyzing data collected from previously installed CT’s and already completed home energy audits and blower door tests of private residences in the service areas of three utility partners in the Massachusetts area. Additional audits and/or blower door tests may be conducted if necessary and this could include the installation of additional programmable CTs. No equipment would be installed outdoors, so no ground disturbance would be necessary for completion of this project. No hazardous wastes would be generated as a result of the proposed project. If a CT replaces an older, mercury-containing thermostat, it would be the homeowner’s responsibility to dispose of the old thermostat in compliance with regulations. The exact locations of the private residences where activities would occur are not known at this time but based on the activities proposed, no impacts are expected to any resources of concern as a result of the project. Analytical activities would be completed at the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems in Boston, MA.