SPECIAL REPORT
LEEDuser expert
Marcus Sheffer
7group / Energy Opportunities
LEED Fellow
SPECIAL REPORT
LEEDuser’s viewpoint
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Design building and equipment for participation in demand response programs through load shedding or shifting. On-site electricity generation does not meet the intent of this credit.
Case 1. Demand response program available (2 points)
Participate in an existing demand response (DR) program and complete the following activities.- Design a system with the capability for real-time, fully-automated DR based on external initiation by a DR Program Provider. Semi-automated DR may be utilized in practice.
- Enroll in a minimum one-year DR participation amount contractual commitment with a qualified DR program provider, with the intention of multiyear renewal, for at least 10% of the estimated peak electricity demand. Peak demand is determined under EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance.
- Develop a comprehensive plan for meeting the contractual commitment during a Demand Response event.
- Include the DR processes in the scope of work for the commissioning authority, including participation in at least one full test of the DR plan.
Case 2. Demand response program not available (1 point)
Provide infrastructure to take advantage of future demand response programs or dynamic, real-time pricing programs and complete the following activities.- Install interval recording meters with communications and ability for the building automation system to accept an external price or control signal.
- Develop a comprehensive plan for shedding at least 10% of building estimated peak electricity demand. Peak demand is determined under EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance.
- Include the DR processes in the scope of work for the commissioning authority, including participation in at least one full test of the DR plan.
- Contact local utility representatives to discuss participation in future DR programs.
What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
Should we test the demand response plan during commissioning?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Addenda
The intent of LEED v4 EA credit Demand Response is to “make energy generation and distribution systems more efficient, increase grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Our project is built to function off grid. Can we achieve points under this credit?
Clarification is requested regarding compliance with LEED v4 EA credit Demand Response for projects built to function off grid or achieve net zero energy. Projects built to function off grid or projects that achieve net zero energy may earn up to 2 points as described below:
• Off Grid Projects: Projects that are built to function off grid, with all energy demands met on-site, earn 2 points under the credit.
• Net Zero projects: Projects that achieve net zero and/or projects that on a net annual basis supply 100% of their electric energy from an on-site renewable generation source can achieve 2 points under the credit as follows:
o Comply using the published demand response credit requirements OR
o Document that renewable energy generation will provide at least 80% of the building electric demand during the seasonal and time-of-day periods when local utility grid demand is highest (top 10%). Documentation must be provided indicating the seasonal and time-of-day periods when local utility grid demand is highest (top 10%); and indicating the coinciding estimated hourly renewable generation and building peak electric demand during those periods.
***update 11.9.2020
"Note: this LEED Interpretation ruling applies only to off-grid projects that meet 100% of energy demand with on-site renewable energy."
***update July 29, 2022
"Note: this LEED Interpretation ruling applies only to projects that meet 100% of annual energy use with on-site renewable energy."
Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
Get the inside scoop
Our editors have written a detailed analysis of nearly every LEED credit, and LEEDuser premium members get full access. We’ll tell you whether the credit is easy to accomplish or better left alone, and we provide insider tips on how to document it successfully.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Design building and equipment for participation in demand response programs through load shedding or shifting. On-site electricity generation does not meet the intent of this credit.
Case 1. Demand response program available (2 points)
Participate in an existing demand response (DR) program and complete the following activities.- Design a system with the capability for real-time, fully-automated DR based on external initiation by a DR Program Provider. Semi-automated DR may be utilized in practice.
- Enroll in a minimum one-year DR participation amount contractual commitment with a qualified DR program provider, with the intention of multiyear renewal, for at least 10% of the estimated peak electricity demand. Peak demand is determined under EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance.
- Develop a comprehensive plan for meeting the contractual commitment during a Demand Response event.
- Include the DR processes in the scope of work for the commissioning authority, including participation in at least one full test of the DR plan.
Case 2. Demand response program not available (1 point)
Provide infrastructure to take advantage of future demand response programs or dynamic, real-time pricing programs and complete the following activities.- Install interval recording meters with communications and ability for the building automation system to accept an external price or control signal.
- Develop a comprehensive plan for shedding at least 10% of building estimated peak electricity demand. Peak demand is determined under EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance.
- Include the DR processes in the scope of work for the commissioning authority, including participation in at least one full test of the DR plan.
- Contact local utility representatives to discuss participation in future DR programs.
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
Should we test the demand response plan during commissioning?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
The intent of LEED v4 EA credit Demand Response is to “make energy generation and distribution systems more efficient, increase grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Our project is built to function off grid. Can we achieve points under this credit?
Clarification is requested regarding compliance with LEED v4 EA credit Demand Response for projects built to function off grid or achieve net zero energy. Projects built to function off grid or projects that achieve net zero energy may earn up to 2 points as described below:
• Off Grid Projects: Projects that are built to function off grid, with all energy demands met on-site, earn 2 points under the credit.
• Net Zero projects: Projects that achieve net zero and/or projects that on a net annual basis supply 100% of their electric energy from an on-site renewable generation source can achieve 2 points under the credit as follows:
o Comply using the published demand response credit requirements OR
o Document that renewable energy generation will provide at least 80% of the building electric demand during the seasonal and time-of-day periods when local utility grid demand is highest (top 10%). Documentation must be provided indicating the seasonal and time-of-day periods when local utility grid demand is highest (top 10%); and indicating the coinciding estimated hourly renewable generation and building peak electric demand during those periods.
***update 11.9.2020
"Note: this LEED Interpretation ruling applies only to off-grid projects that meet 100% of energy demand with on-site renewable energy."
***update July 29, 2022
"Note: this LEED Interpretation ruling applies only to projects that meet 100% of annual energy use with on-site renewable energy."
LEEDuser expert
Marcus Sheffer
7group / Energy Opportunities
LEED Fellow
