Massachusetts and Connecticut Heat Pump Metering Study

May 2024 - The Massachusetts Program Administrators (PAs) and the Connecticut Evaluation Administrator (EA) team commissioned this Heat Pump Metering Study to learn about current usage patterns for heat pumps and other heating equipment, electric peak demands for heat pumps, the performance and efficiency of heat pumps, and the ability of heatpumps to meet customers' full heating needs down to low outdoor air conditions. The study also assessed customers' overall experience with heat pumps and feedback on their use. Finally, the study quantified the impacts or savings associated with heat pump installation to update in the Massachusetts Technical Reference Manual (TRM) and the Connecticut Program Savings Document (PSD). Within the report, the team offers multiple scenarios of impact results based on anticipated program changes.

The study conducted research through several modes to address the research questions. For the first mode, heat pump usage data was collected at a total of 185 customer homes across Massachusetts and Connecticut and included metering ofcentral heat pumps (CHPs), mini-split heat pumps (MSHPs), and ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), for both fulldisplacement (FD) and partial displacement (PD) applications1. Additional metering to inform performance and efficiency calculations was conducted at a subset of 106 sites. The second mode of data collection included multiple customer surveys (1,399 total survey respondents) and a customer interview effort (13 responses).  The study found that heat pumpinstallations in 2021 and 2022 for FD displaced a large majority of the pre-existing heating delivered by electric resistance and fossil fuel-fired heating sources (approximately 85-90% for CHPs and MSHPs) and more than half of the heating load for PD installations.

March 2024 - This evaluation report focuses on the installation of high efficiency heat pumps under the Efficiency Maine Trust Home Energy Savings Program (HESP) and Affordable Heat Initiative (AHI) for the period from December 2019 through June 30, 2021. The primary objectives of this study are to (1) quantify and verify electric energy and demand impacts (increases and decreases), (2) verify non-electric energy impacts (increases and decreases), and (3) analyze program cost-effectiveness.  The project metered 124 homes completing a study of residential heat pumps across all 16 counties in Maine, and in climate zones identified in the USDA plant hardiness zone map that experience temperatures below -25°F. The evaluation showed that heat pumps were popular, well-liked by their purchasers, and displaced large amounts of fossil fuel, even if used less than anticipated. 

January 18, 2024, 9:00-5:00

Organized by the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE)

Registration at Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-sebaneiaei-energy-storage-systems-codes-standards-analysis-training-registration-713898939947

Tickets $150-$275

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA  

Join a team of subject matter experts and vendors for a lively event on the latest codes, standards, and installation best-practices for Energy Storage Systems. The training will cover everything from small residential to utility scale. Like our popular PV code trainings, this event promises first-hand information from various industry representatives, the latest products and manufacturers, and of course our interactive panel discussions. All attendees will receive a certificate of completion for 6 NABCEP CEUs and/or for 6 MA licensed electrician professional development hours through Ridgeline Energy Analytics upon completion of the training. 

Topics:

TOPICS/CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

• 2023 NEC Compliance: Matt Piantedosi, Ridgeline Energy Analytics
• Evolution of NFPA 855, NFPA 1, IFC, and MA Adoption: Chris Towski, MCM ConsultingPV & Energy Storage Systems for One- and Two Family Homes: Kristen McDonough & Jake Nunnemacher, DFS
• ESS Permit Process & Interactions with Inspectors: Mark Durrenberger, New England Clean Energy
• Big Deals in Storage: How Financiers (Should) Drive Design and Construction Quality in Utility Scale ESS: Shawn Shaw, Camelot Energy Group
• Residential ESS: Safety Standards and Fire Safety Testing: Abid Anwar, Tesla Energy

Sept 14, 2023 - Making the Switch: The Imperative to Convert the Whole Home (or Whole Building) to Heat Pumps. Panel at Efficiency Maine Trust Annual Event.

Oct 1, 2022 - Ridgeline heat pump study for Efficiency Maine shows retrofitting mobile homes with heat pumps is economical and comfortable at subzero temperatures Pump it up: Can you keep warm in winter with a heat pump alone? Portland Press Herald, Tux Turkel  

July 2022 - Research done by Ridgeline Energy Analytics for Efficiency Maine demonstrates that replacing homes’ entire heating systems with heat pumps can deliver comfort and cost savings even in subzero temperatures.. Maine is well on its way to a goal of installing 100,000 heat pumps by 2025.  Energy News Network - In Maine, heat pumps are proving themselves even against extreme cold

June 2022 - Developing a Community-Led Certification Process for Facility Power Outage Resilience: Findings from a Massachusetts Pilot Study With an increase in the climate change-linked frequency and intensity of severe weather events that affect electric distribution infrastructure, there is an urgent need to define power outage resilience and identify methods to assess and certify whether and how planning actions and project implementations have made communities more resilient. Accordingly, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center initiated the Clean Energy and Resiliency (CLEAR) program to provide technical services to nine community sites in the commonwealth, which formed the basis of a convenience sample for this study. A RAND team—comprising Converge Strategies, XENDEE, and Ridgeline Energy Analytics—conducted stakeholder interviews and a literature review to articulate power outage resilience metrics, piloted a certification program, and used focus groups to assess pathways to the CLEAR program's operationalization and administration. The For more information on the CLEAR project visit, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.  

April 2022 - The Clean Energy and Resiliency (CLEAR) Report evaluated how to provide energy resilience for residential recovery services programs located on the Boston Public Health Commission’s Mattapan Campus to allow the programs’ clients to shelter in place during emergencies. The CLEAR Project Team —Converge Strategies, Ridgeline Energy Analytics, XENDEE Corporation, and RAND Corporation — presents the findings of the energy resilience survey and techno-economic analysis conducted on behalf of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), in partnership with the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), the Mayor’s Office of Environment, Energy, and Open Space (EEOS), and the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). It provides an overview of the City of Boston’s climate, energy and resilience strategy, and the energy resilience initiatives of the four municipal organizations supporting the CLEAR program.  It then reviews the findings of the energy resilience assessment conducted for BPHC’s Mattapan facilities, including their energy resilience requirements, their existing energy resilience capabilities, and new opportunities  For more information on the CLEAR project visit, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.  

November 2021  - The Clean Energy and Resiliency (CLEAR) Report summarizes the findings of the energy resilience analysis conducted for Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The CLEAR Project Team — Converge Strategies, Ridgeline Energy Analytics, XENDEE Corporation, and Rand Corporation — evaluated the energy resilience posture of Brigham and Women’s Hospital to ensure that its lifeline facilities and emergency services are positioned to serve its community when they are most in need.  The report reviews BWH compliance for maintaining reliable power and uninterrupted service in healthcare facilities. It found that BWH is not on track to meet the City of Boston’s zero emissions by 2050 decarbonization target through energy efficiency and building upgrades alone.  The report provides recommendations for BWH to partner with the neighboring residential and institutional partners in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area to make joint clean energy and resilience investments.  For more information on the CLEAR project visit, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.  

August 2021 - Ridgeline Energy Analytics and Advanced Building Analytics conducted a baseline energy efficiency study of residential new construction in Maine for the Efficiency Maine Trust.  The Trust sought to understand the level of building code compliance and savings opportunities in home construction. The study examined 127 homes across Maine, 29 of which were manufactured (mobile) homes. Home raters visited each home and recorded a detailed assessment of all home components that contribute to the energy use of the home, including the thermal envelope, heating equipment, lighting, and appliances. The on-site assessments were performed using Home Energy Rating System (HERS) inspections developed by RESNET, Inc. The study team modeled as-built energy use and potential energy savings through increased compliance with codes using REM/Rate and Ekotrope Rater4 software. The study team found that homes built between 2017 and 2020 are more energy efficient than the homes assessed for a 2008 study, showing improvement in code compliance and construction techniques. Many of the new homes had one or more components that did not meet code. According to Laura Martel, Research and Evaluation Manager at the Trust, “The findings of the study indicate that code compliance improves over time as builders become more familiar with the requirements and techniques required to meet them. The Trust sees an opportunity to accelerate that process, with the recent adoption of IECC 2015 statewide, by offering training to builders and code enforcement officers.  The Trust will continue to offer incentives for the most efficient heating equipment for which new homes are eligible. The Trust will focus on whole home space heating solutions for new construction and continue to offer incentives on the most efficient domestic water heating solutions.”

March 2021  - The Clean Energy and Resiliency (CLEAR) Report summarizes the findings of the energy resilience analysis conducted for the Town of West Tisbury and presents ideas for energy resilience upgrades that will support the Town's goals of being 100% renewable by 2040. As an island community, West Tisbury, MA is vulnerable to extreme weather events and the prolonged power outages that they bring. Residents of Martha’s Vineyard cannot easily evacuate during severe weather events. They must shelter in place, making it essential that the town has access to adequate services in times of emergency. Upon identifying possible risks, their most immediate focus is making the town’s buildings more resilient by adopting solar plus storage. Additionally, the island towns have a resolution of shifting to 100% Renewable Energy by 2040. The CLEAR Project Team —Converge Strategies, Ridgeline Energy Analytics, XENDEE Corporation, and RAND Corporation —outlined how the town of West Tisbury can strengthen its energy infrastructure against extreme weather and grid interruptions to ensure that its lifeline facilities and emergency services are positioned to serve its community when they are most in need.  For more information on the CLEAR project visit, the  Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.    

February 2021 - Demand Side Analytics and Ridgeline Energy Analytics performed an impact evaluation of Efficiency Maine Trust's Small Business Initiative lighting program. The program delivers LED lamps, fixture retrofit kits, new fixtures, and controls to small businesses in Maine.  The evaluation assessed projects completed in FY2019 and metered lighting from October 2019 through November 2020. The evaluation found that the program was cost effective under all considered cases. The SBI Program is very influential in transitioning small business lighting to LEDs with a net to gross ratio of 91.4%. Findings from the evaluation will be incorporated into the FY2022 Commercial/Industrial/Multifamily Technical Reference Manual (TRM). 

December 3, 2020 - A team of leading resilience experts — XENDEE Corporation, RAND Corporation, Converge Strategies, LLC, and Ridgeline Energy Analytics — will support the Town of West Tisbury and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in their planning and design of climate-resilient energy infrastructure.  This community-level project is funded by the Baker-Polito Administration through the Clean Energy and Resiliency (CLEAR) program, launched by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).  Read more on Businesswire.com

July 1, 2020 - Ridgeline Energy Analytics, a woman-owned and rapidly growing energy efficiency and renewable energy consulting firm, announced that it received national certifications as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) under the WOSB Federal Contract Program by the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE), a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Ridgeline is also certified in Massachusetts and Illinois as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE).

Nancy Dickson, Ridgeline’s co-founder and CEO, said, “We are pleased to be officially certified as this benefits our clients by helping them to achieve their supplier diversity goals.”  The WBENC certifications will enable Ridgeline to be listed as an approved and qualified woman-owned business for government agencies and businesses that are committed to supplier diversity. 

Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation’s leader in women’s business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 13,000 certified Women’s Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and over 300 Corporate Members. More than 1,000 corporations representing America’s most prestigious brands as well as many states, cities, and other entities accept WBENC Certification. www.wbenc.org

Efficiency Valuation Organization releases a new IPMVP Application Guide, April 16, 2018

The Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) is pleased to announce the release of a new application guide Uncertainty Assessment for IPMVP (EVO 10100: 1:2018). This document is a revised and expanded version of the Statistics and Uncertainty for IPMVP (EVO 10100 1:2014) application guide published in 2014. The new application guide includes examples for each of the four IPMVP options.

M&V efforts are designed to determine energy and demand savings with some reasonable accuracy. However, this objective can be affected by either systematic error (i.e., not occurring by chance, including measurement error) or random error (i.e., occurring by chance and often due to using a sample rather than a census to develop the measured value). More.  [Table of Contents]

Committee Chair: M. Sami Khawaja, Ph.D. – Cadmus 

Brian Ball, Ph.D. – National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Dakers Gowans, P.E. – Left Fork Energy, Inc. 

David Jump, Ph.D., CMVP – kW Engineering 

Bill Koran, P.E., CMVP – SBW 

Dave Korn, P.E. – Ridgeline Energy Analytics 

Steve Kromer, P.E. – SKEE 

Jesse Smith, M.Sc. – Demand Side Analytics 

Kevin Warren, P.E. – Warren Energy Engineering

Korn, David. Kicking off Guidance for the Northeast.NEEP M&V 2.0 Workshop: Evolving the Paradigms For M&V. November 7, 2018.

EVO IPMVP Uncertainty Assessment sub-committee. Uncertainty Assessment for IPMVP, April 2018. [Table of Contents]

Korn, David, J. Walczyk, and A. Jackson. Evaluating Cold Climate Heat Pumps: Understanding How and Where Cold Climate Heat Pumps Can Displace Less Efficient Heating Sources.  IEPEC Annual Conference, August 8, 2017.

Korn, David. Examining Technologies and Selected Results. Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership Regional EM&V Forum Webinar on Non-intrusive load metering: Advances and Opportunities, July 31, 2017.

Korn, David, A. Jackson. Cold Climate ASHP Evaluation. NEEPAir Source Heat Pump Workshop, June 2017. 

Korn, David and J. Walczyk, Interaction of Cold Weather Ductless Heat Pumps and Primary Fossil Systems, ACEEE Summer Study, 2016.

Korn, David and J. Walczyk, Exactly What Is a Full Load Cooling Hour and Does Size Really Matter?ACEEE Summer Study, 2016.