CalPlug workshop targets intelligent energy efficiency
By Sharon Henry
Nalini Venkatasubramanian, UC Irvine, Department of Computer Science & Center for Emergency Response Technologies, discusses privacy in IoT-based smart spaces
Irvine, May 25, 2016 — The California Plug Load Research Center (Calplug) hosted its ninth semiannual workshop on energy efficient plug loads, Thursday, May 12 at Calit2.
The center, located at Calit2, was established in 2011 to improve energy efficiency in the use and design of appliances and consumer electronic devices. Participants included experts from the energy industry, government and academic institutions.
Calit2 Irvine Director G.P. Li welcomed attendees to the day-long program, and shared his goals for the workshop – “to have an open forum for plug loads information exchange and to accelerate their energy efficiency by all means including innovation in hardware and software, codes and standards, and incentives and rebates.” “We welcome opportunities for collaboration,” he added.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR DEEP ENERGY SAVINGS
Morning sessions reported progress on CalPlug projects, including consumer-centric engagement for plug loads energy management, opportunities and challenges for deep energy savings using connected devices, and practical implementation consideration of smart energy efficiency solutions.
Afternoon sessions focused on opportunities and challenges in “Smart Energy” IoT solutions, and a look to the future of energy efficiency in California.
The workshop was followed by a networking reception including lab demos by students.
A list of Calplug Workshop #9 presenters and links to their presentations can be found below.
WELCOME: G.P. Li, Director, Calit2 Irvine/California Plug Load Research Center (CalPlug)
OPENING REMARKS: Brad Meister, California Energy Commission
ONGOING CALPLUG RESEARCH AND PROJECTS
Consumer-centric engagement for plug loads energy management provides customers with real-time feedback on energy consumption, and helps users improve habits as well as energy efficiency. Collecting aggregated, high-granularity data on customers’ behaviors and appliances to generate actionable information may be an effective solution. However, the lack of tools to manage privacy policies is a major concerns for users when implementing monitoring systems.
- Joy Pixley – CalPlug/ University of California, Irvine
- Sergio Gago – Calit2/ University of California, Irvine
- Nalini Venkatasubramanian - University of California, Irvine
ONGOING CALPLUG RESEARCH AND PROJECTS
What are the opportunities and challenges for deep energy savings using connected devices? What is the energy impact of plug loads in zero net energy homes of the future? In this session we explore the critical factors related to the practical implementation of smart energy efficiency solutions.
- Michael Klopfer – CalPlug/University of California, Irvine
- Richard Fleming – Richard Fleming Architects
- Linyi Xia – CalPlug/University of California, Irvine
- Dan Cregg – Insteon
IOT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AND INTELLIGENT ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The big boom in the Internet of Things and its connectivity of billions of devices require energy to communicate with each other. As the front end of these connected devices are supposed to make our lives easier, simpler and more energy efficient, what about the back end of these connected devices and their energy requirements. Have we solved some of our energy problems only to create new ones?
- Teren Abear – Southern California Edison
- Pierre Delforge – National Resource Defense Council
- Marco Levorato – University of California, Irvine
ENERGY TODAY IS SMARTER, GREENER AND AUTOMATIC
How are we pushing the boundaries to make our energy spaces smarter, cleaner and safer for consumers? What have we learned from yesterday to make us smarter today and the environment better for tomorrow? Let’s explore our options and opportunities.
- John Gillett – Energy Inspectors
- Len Pettis – Doing What Matters/Energy Construction & Utilities
- Lisa Schmidt – Home Energy Analytics
WHAT’S NEXT FOR CALIFORNIA?
California has always been an undisputed leader in all things green. Like-minded energy efficiency champions are taking us to the next level via initiatives, policies and regulations, and new business models. We have ideas but what are the next steps for us to continue to lead the way and stop climate change?
- Jenna Jorns – The Climate Registry
- Henry Wong – Intel
- Paul Delaney – Southern California Edison
For more information about Calplug, visit http://calplug.org/