Confirming The Efficacy of Auto DR in HVAC and Lighting

The Challenge: Using AutoDR to rapidly respond to dynamic grid needs.

AutoDR speeds the responsiveness of customer electricity demand without human involvement, thus enabling the electricity grid to react more flexibly to evolving supply and demand conditions such as variable renewable generation. However, it is challenging to  harmonize interconnection and interoperability standards for these services, while ensuring that devices can reliably provide grid service. The increasing penetration of smart devices and behind-the-meter distributed energy resources further complicates the communication and control. A standardized end-to-end testing procedure is needed to evaluate the performance of capable building end uses in meeting various grid
service requirements.

The Solution: FLEXLAB^® ​

The U.S. Department of Energy’s FLEXLAB® facility at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed and conducted tests to evaluate the capability of various end uses in providing fast demand response (DR). FLEXLAB offers the granular control and measurement necessary to conduct such exacting testing, including the ability to customize spaces to match the necessary test parameters.

The Bottom Line: AutoDR satisfies the rapid-response needs of a modern grid system.

Testing with a variable-speed air handler fan showed response to the grid signal in less than one minute, while fully reaching the new speed within two minutes. Testing of a dimmable lighting system demonstrated fast response to the control signal within a second, with average power response accuracy of 93%. These results highlight the value of common testing methods for end-to-end automation and the importance of industry engagement in interoperability connections to customer devices for grid services participation.

Download the full case study here: Confirming The Efficacy of Auto DR in HVAC and Lighting