NC-v4.1 EAc4: Grid Harmonization 1-2 points

Credit language

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

Requirements

Case 1. Demand Response Program Available and Participation (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 annual on-peak electricity demand. On-peak demand is determined under EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. The on-peak demand may vary based on the utility climate and pricing structures.
• 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.
• Include the DR program and any installed technologies in the building systems manual or include in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan if the project is not pursuing EA credit Enhanced Commissioning.
• Initiate at least one full test of the DR plan.

Case 2. Demand Response Capable Building (1 point)

• Install interval recording meters and have equipment capable of accepting an external signal.
• Develop a comprehensive plan for shedding at least 10% of the annual on-peak electricity demand. On-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.
• Include the DR program and any installed technologies in the building systems manual or include in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan if the project is not pursuing EA credit Enhanced Commissioning.
• Contact local utility representatives to discuss participation in future DR programs.

Case 3. Load Flexibility and Management Strategies (1-2 points)

Analyze the building’s annual load shape and peak load based as calculated for EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. Review the regional grid load profile using the metric of peak load or peak carbon emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AVoided Emissions and geneRation Tool (AVERT) provides regional grid emissions data; local utilities may also provide this data.

Coordinate review of building load shape and peak load with review of the regional grid profile to identify the best value load management strategies that the building can provide.

Implement one or more of the load flexibility and management strategies described below. All projects must install interval recording meters and have equipment capable of accepting an external signal.

• Peak Load Optimization: demonstrate that strategy reduces on-peak load by at least 10% as compared to peak electrical demand referenced to the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 compliant case (1 point)
• On-site thermal and/or electricity storage: demonstrate that strategy reduces on-peak load by at least 10% as compared to peak electrical demand (1 point)

Contact local utility representatives to discuss participation in future DR programs and to inform utility of building load flexibility and management strategies.

Frequently asked questions

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.

Checklists

Addenda