Modernising Energy Efficiency through Digitalisation - Webinar 1: Introduction to the U.S. Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Program

Time: 4 PM - 5 PM CET

Introduction

Energy efficiency is changing, with new digital technologies enabling greater control, optimisation and analytics. New policies and new business models will greatly enhance end-use and systems efficiency.

A topic of fast-growing interest to member countries and partners, the IEA has embarked on a cross-agency initiative – Modernising Energy Efficiency through Digitalisation – to explore the potential impacts of digitalisation on energy efficiency and the implications for policy makers. We will develop an analytic framework for assessing impacts, undertake deep dive research on key topics, and build a resource library on the global exchange for energy efficiency.

We will also organise a series of thematic events in 2019 to facilitate stakeholder engagement and exchange of best practices. Our first event involved a webinar in which Brian Motherway, Head of the IEA’s Energy Efficiency Division, launched our new initiative and introduces our first guest speaker, David Nemtzow, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office, who presented on the Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings Program. We are grateful that David was able to help kick-off this webinar series, as his team has been doing great work demonstrating the value energy efficient buildings can play in delivering significant, cost-effective grid resources.

This first event was a huge success, drawing nearly 400 participants from 61 countries representing government, research organisations, private industry and large energy users. The Q&A was very lively, with more than 40 questions – most of which we couldn’t get to, so stay tuned for a summary of the questions so that we might continue the discussion.

You can now access the webinar recording here

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office & Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Program

Changes in technology, consumer choice, and grid modernization allow for a future in which buildings play an even greater role in supporting a modern electric grid. Efficient and flexible building loads provide options to increase electricity system reliability and energy affordability, while also supporting a portfolio of generation options in grid modernization. To date savings resulting from flexible building loads have been primarily achieved through traditional energy efficiency and demand management programs. However, advanced controls, sensors and data analytics developed over the last decade provide new ways to optimize building energy savings and energy use, by autonomously managing a variety of distributed energy resources (DER) including on-site solar panels, energy storage, electric vehicles, and various demand-side assets, while maintaining and even improving comfort to occupants, and contributing to a reliable, affordable grid.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office (BTO) is 1 of 9 technology offices within DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). BTO leads a network of national laboratory, university, small business, and industry partners to develop innovative, cost-effective energy saving solutions for U.S. buildings. BTO focuses on accelerating the pace of innovation in technologies for both existing buildings and new construction. Its vision is to advance a strong and prosperous country in which all homes and buildings operate at peak energy performance, are affordable, and provide optimal health conditions and comfort. BTO's mission is to develop, demonstrate, and accelerate the adoption of technologies, techniques, tools, and services that are affordable, as well as to enable high-performing, energy-efficient residential and commercial buildings in both the new and existing buildings markets.

Speaker

David Nemtzow, Director of the BTO within the U.S. DOE’s Office of EERE, brings more than three decades of experience in energy, including in industry, government, utility, non-profit associations, and consulting in the U.S. and abroad. David is responsible for leading this $225 million per year office that helps develop innovative, cost-effective energy efficiency R&D and other solutions for U.S. building technologies, equipment, systems and whole buildings. Previously, he was Director-General (CEO) of the Department of Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability for New South Wales, where he played a central role in the State’s electricity, greenhouse, energy, and water strategies and policies. He also served as President of the Alliance to Save Energy, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based association of industry, government, utility, consumer and environmental executives that promotes investment in energy efficiency. David earned a master’s degree from Harvard University in public policy and a bachelor’s from Brown University in environmental policy.

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