[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30696-30699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13096]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Docket Number EERE-2011-BT-NOA-0039]


Technology Evaluation Process

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of request for information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks comments and 
information related to a commercial buildings technology evaluation 
process. DOE is seeking to create a process for evaluating emerging and 
underutilized energy efficient technologies for commercial buildings 
based on the voluntary submittal of product test data. The program 
would be centered on a publicly accessible listing of products that 
meet minimum energy efficiency criteria specified for the applicable 
technology type. Evaluation under the criteria would be based on 
product test data submitted by manufacturers, then analyzed by DOE to 
generate information related to the energy savings of the products. For 
those products that met the specified minimum energy efficiency 
criteria, the results of such analyses would be made publicly 
available. The program would provide centralized information on the 
analysis factors in a manner that would make results directly 
comparable between products within the same technology type or area.

DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before June 
27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket 
number EERE-2011-BT-NOA-0039, by any of the following methods. Your 
response should be limited to 3 pages. Questions relative to responding 
to this RFI may be sent to the same mailbox in advance of your 
response, and will be answered via e-mail.
     E-mail: to [email protected]. Include 
EERE-2011-BT-NOA-0039 in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Revisions to Energy 
Efficiency Enforcement Regulations, EERE-2011-BT-NOA-0039, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585- 0121. Phone: (202) 586-
2945. Please submit one signed paper original.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit 
one signed paper original.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information may be sent to Mr. Alan Schroeder, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and

[[Page 30697]]

Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 202-
586-0158. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Overview

    The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking to create a process 
for evaluating emerging and underutilized energy efficient technologies 
for commercial buildings based on the voluntary submittal of product 
test data. The program would be centered on a publicly accessible 
listing of products that meet minimum energy efficiency criteria 
specified for the applicable technology type. Evaluation under the 
criteria would be based on product test data submitted by 
manufacturers, then analyzed by DOE to generate information related to 
the energy savings of the products. For those products that met the 
specified minimum energy efficiency criteria, the results of such 
analyses would be made publicly available. The program would provide 
centralized information on the analysis factors in a manner that would 
make results directly comparable between products within the same 
technology type or area.
    DOE recognizes that building owners and operators, utilities, 
states, and local governments, among others, could greatly benefit from 
a central listing of product test data and a standard process for 
evaluating potential commercial building technologies, thus potentially 
preventing the duplication of product evaluation efforts. The goal of 
creating this standard process is to evaluate energy-saving 
technologies in a common manner utilizing product test data. The 
process is intended to help accelerate the adoption of energy-saving 
commercial building equipment by providing information to owners, 
operators, utilities, states, and local governments to facilitate 
decisions regarding the purchase/implementation of the technologies. To 
facilitate awareness of the new process, and to allow interested 
parties to provide suggestions, comments, and information, DOE is 
publishing this Request for Information (RFI).
    DOE envisions the new technology evaluation process will be based 
on several central elements. As proposed, the evaluations would be 
based on qualified third-party laboratory test data using only 
qualified procedures. Manufacturers, and possibly utilities, suppliers, 
and energy programs would submit third-party test data to the program 
through a Web site portal. Technology areas of interest would be 
identified by DOE and test data submissions would need to fall within 
these areas of interest. The up-to-date technology areas of interest 
would be identified on the test data submission Web site.
    As currently being considered, the test data would be reviewed to 
ensure it comports with program specifications and subsequently 
evaluated using standard methodologies. The evaluations would use the 
test data as input for DOE models to perform analyses such as energy 
savings analyses, life-cycle cost analyses, and payback analyses for 
the technology being evaluated. Results of the technology evaluations 
would be publicly available for those products that met specified 
minimum criteria. Test data submitters would have an opportunity to 
comment on the results of the evaluations of their test data prior to a 
determination of whether the evaluations were posted.

Detailed Description

    The following describes the considered framework through which DOE 
intends to develop a new voluntary commercial building technology 
evaluation process. Participation in this program would be strictly 
voluntary; however, evaluations conducted through this program would be 
available to the public.
    The screening would consist of a three-step review followed by 
specified energy- and cost-related analyses. The first review would be 
to ensure that the product is of a type identified by DOE as a 
technology of interest. The second review would be of the data source. 
DOE is considering specifying that data be generated by an industry-
accredited test laboratory. The third review would ensure that the data 
was generated according to a recognized test procedure. If a submission 
does meet all three criteria in the reviews, DOE would perform the 
following analyses: Annual operating expense, energy savings, life-
cycle cost, and payback analysis. DOE is also interested in 
recommendations of additional analyses that would assist building 
owners and managers in making investment decisions. DOE has not yet 
identified what results would be necessary under each analysis in order 
for a product to be publicly listed under the program, and is accepting 
comment on this issue. For submitted test data that does not meet the 
review criteria, DOE would still accept the test data, but is unlikely 
to conduct any analyses.
    The first review would be to ensure that the test data is for a 
product within the current technology scope of this new process, as 
identified by DOE. The current technology areas of interest would be 
listed on the test data submission Web site. This list of areas of 
interest would be updated approximately every six months.
    The second review would be to ensure that submitted test data 
originated from an accredited laboratory. As stated above, DOE intends 
to have the process rely on third-party test data from sources 
recognized under an industry accreditation program. Generally, third-
party test data can support accurate and reliable evaluations of 
technologies related to the energy savings potential of implementing, 
or switching to, certain commercial building technologies. To qualify 
as an accredited third party laboratory, the laboratory that generates 
the test data would need to be accredited to ISO 17025 General 
Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration 
Laboratories, or an equivalent standard as determined by DOE in its 
evaluation methodology.
    The third review of the test data would be to ensure that the test 
data was collected according to a qualified test plan. To be considered 
a qualified test plan, the test procedure run by the third party 
laboratory would need to be one of the following:
    (a) A Federal test procedure established in regulation (e.g., a DOE 
appliance efficiency test procedure).
    (b) A test procedure relied upon by a Federal program (e.g., an 
ENERGY STAR-qualified test procedure).
    (c) A test procedure established under an industry consensus 
process.
    DOE anticipates that a Web site would serve as both a portal for 
submitting test data and accessing the product evaluation listings by 
technology area. The Web site would contain a test data submission form 
to provide DOE with a technology description and features, qualifying 
test data, cost information, manufacturer-estimated energy savings 
achievable, and the intended scope of applicability for the product, 
all of which would be used to evaluate or characterize the technology 
or product.
    DOE's primary interest in structuring the technology evaluations is 
to provide objective product energy savings information that commercial 
building owners and operators would need to determine whether to make a 
capital investment in a particular technology. Products that did not 
meet the specified level of energy efficiency would not be listed. The 
technology evaluations would be model-based and are not expected to 
involve any field testing. The submitted product test data and

[[Page 30698]]

cost data would serve as the basis for DOE's various analyses. These 
analyses would utilize models that would be standard for similar 
products and technology areas (e.g. all condensing water heater test 
data will be input into the same models and will undergo the same 
analyses as other water heating technologies). This would make analysis 
results comparable within similar technology groups. Each of the 
analyses that would be performed as part of the evaluation is described 
below. The methodologies for performing the analyses would vary by 
product type, but would be the same within product groups so that 
results are directly comparable. Submitters would provide the expected 
use-case conditions for the product, thus identifying the conditions 
under which it would be evaluated. The use-case conditions would be 
included in the final evaluation report.
    Annual Operating Expense: The annual operating expense calculation 
would estimate the total cost of operating, repairing, and maintaining 
the technology over the course of a year. The annual operating expense 
would take into account the energy consumption of the product and 
energy price models to calculate an annual energy expense for specific 
regions of the country. The annual energy expense would be combined 
with estimated repair and maintenance costs for the product to 
calculate the annual operating expense for the submitted product test 
data.
    Energy Savings Analysis: The energy savings analysis would 
calculate the total energy savings from an overnight switch to the new 
technology. The energy savings would be calculated as the difference 
between the annual unit energy consumption of a baseline technology and 
the annual unit energy consumption of the submitted product. The annual 
unit energy consumption of the new product would come from the test 
data. The baseline technology annual unit energy consumption would be 
determined by evaluating the distribution of product efficiencies 
currently in the marketplace.
    DOE is suggesting that cost data for a product, specifically total 
installed cost data, be submitted along with the product test data. 
Then, more extensive and detailed analyses may be performed, such as a 
Life-Cycle Cost Analysis and a Payback Period Analysis.
    Life-Cycle Cost Analysis: The life-cycle cost is the total consumer 
expense over the life of a product, including purchase expenses and 
operating costs (including energy expenditures). Future operating costs 
are discounted to the time of purchase and then are summed over the 
anticipated lifetime of the product.
    The life-cycle cost is equal to the total installed cost plus the 
summation over the lifetime of the product of the operating costs 
discounted back to present day. The parameters to be defined for a 
life-cycle cost analysis are therefore:
    (A) The total installed cost, in dollars.
    (B) The lifetime of the technology, in years.
    (C) The operating cost, in dollars.
    (D) The discount rate.
    (E) The year for which operating cost is to be determined.
    The total installed cost would be submitted by the manufacturer 
along with the product test data. The primary inputs for establishing 
the operating cost are:
    (C.1) Equipment energy consumption.
    (C.2) Equipment efficiency.
    (C.3) Energy prices.
    (C.4) Energy price trends.
    (C.5) Repair and maintenance costs.
    (C.6) Lifetime.
    (C.7) Discount rate.
    DOE would utilize standard models and values for Energy Prices and 
Energy Price Trends based on compiled databases. Discount rate would be 
assumed by DOE. Repair and Maintenance Costs and Product Lifetime for 
all products of the same technology type would also be assumed if 
additional third-party test data is not provided to support 
manufacturer-suggested values for these fields. Remaining are Equipment 
Energy Consumption and Equipment Efficiency to be determined in order 
to calculate the operating cost. Energy Consumption and Energy Prices 
would be used to calculate the Annual Energy Expense. The Annual Energy 
Expense and Repair and Maintenance Cost would be used to calculate the 
Annual Operating Expense. The Annual Operating Expense combined with 
the assumed Lifetime, Discount Rate, and Energy Price Trends would be 
used to calculate the Lifetime Operating Expense. Finally, the Lifetime 
Operating Expense combined with the Total Installed Cost would be used 
to calculate the Life-Cycle Cost of the product.
    As stated, Equipment Energy Consumption and Equipment Efficiency 
would come from the product test data submitted to the program by 
manufacturers. Energy consumption and efficiency data would be 
extracted from the submitted test data and will be fed into the 
standard DOE models, combined with standard assumed parameters, and the 
output would be Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period (described below).
    Payback Analysis: The payback period is the change in purchase 
expense of the new product (from a less efficient design to a more 
efficient design) divided by the change in annual operating expense 
that results from switching to the new product. It represents the 
number of years it will take the user to recover the assumed increased 
purchase expense of more energy-efficient equipment through decreased 
operating expenses. This calculation is known as a ``simple'' payback 
period because it does not take into account changes in operating 
expense over time or the time value of money (i.e., uses an effective 
discount rate of zero percent).
    The data inputs to this analysis would be the total installed cost 
of the equipment to the consumer and the annual (first year) operating 
expenditures. From the Life-Cycle Cost Analysis, the same methodology 
would be used and the Total Installed Cost, provided by the submitter 
or assumed in the analysis, would be combined with the Annual Operating 
Expense to calculate the Payback Period for the product. A payback 
period analysis compares the savings from switching to a more efficient 
product with the cost of a less efficient product, or baseline. For 
these analyses, the baseline would be determined by evaluating the 
distribution of product efficiencies currently in the marketplace. The 
resulting estimates would be used as the base case for the analysis.
    As noted above, DOE is interested in receiving comments on the 
analyses proposed as part of the evaluation process. In addition, DOE 
is interested in what subsequent analyses or data would be most useful 
in assisting investment decisions. Evaluation results would first be 
sent to the manufacturer for comment following completion and prior to 
a decision of whether to list the product. The manufacturer would have 
a period of three weeks to return comments on the results of the 
evaluation. The comment period is intended to provide the manufacturer 
with a fair opportunity to justify or comment on whatever the 
evaluation results might reflect. DOE would develop a mechanism for 
creating awareness of completed and posted evaluation reports to ensure 
that the technology evaluations facilitate market adoption. Only 
products that meet a minimum energy efficiency improvement threshold 
would be posted to the program Web site. DOE seeks comments on what 
these threshold levels should be for different products.

[[Page 30699]]

Issues on Which DOE Seeks Commentand Information

    DOE invites comments from respondents on all the specific elements 
discussed above, as well as any additional issues the respondent deems 
important. Specifically, DOE is requesting comment as to what level of 
analysis results should be necessary for a product to be listed. DOE is 
also requesting comment on the appropriateness of the analyses as 
described.
    DOE is also interested in information from organizations currently 
conducting technology evaluations or housing product test data to 
create a listing for commercial building technologies based on the 
evaluation of test data. DOE seeks input from stakeholders conducting 
similar technology evaluation programs. Those stakeholders should 
respond to the following queries:
    (1) How could DOE compliment existing efforts?
    (2) Comments on the potential to use the proposed DOE evaluation 
process.
    (3) Examples of your current technology evaluation program. The 
summary should include, at a minimum, the purpose of the program, the 
procedure and test plan followed for evaluations, and the reporting 
format of results. A sample evaluation may be included as an additional 
attachment.
    (4) Example test data used either in other evaluation programs (see 
query 3 above) or as potential input into the process.
    (5) Comments on the DOE-proposed review criteria.
    (6) What commercial building technologies have been evaluated, or 
are planned for future evaluation, in your program?
    (7) What organizations, if any, are qualified to accredit test 
facilities for this type of program?
    DOE is also requesting notice of the availability of, and 
willingness to share, test data (that meets the established criteria) 
within the technology scope of the new Technology EvaluationProcess, as 
outlined in this RFI. DOE also requests that, once functional, 
manufacturers, utilities, research organizations, state and municipal 
energy programs, and other stakeholders submit test data through the 
program Web site via the nomination form.

Disclaimer and Important Notes

    This is an RFI issued solely for information and program planning 
purposes; this RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for 
proposals or abstracts. Your response to this notice will be treated as 
information only. DOE will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred 
in responding to this RFI. Respondents are advised that DOE is under no 
obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or 
provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information 
submitted under this RFI. Responses to this RFI do not bind DOE to any 
further actions related to this topic.

Confidential Business Information

    According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information he 
or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public 
disclosure should submit via e-mail, postal mail, or hand delivery/
courier two well-marked copies: One copy of the document marked 
confidential including all the information believed to be confidential, 
and one copy of the document marked non-confidential with the 
information believed to be confidential deleted. Submit these documents 
via e-mail or on a CD, if feasible. DOE will make its own determination 
about the confidential status of the information and treat it according 
to its determination.
    Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat 
submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the 
items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as 
confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is 
generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the 
information has previously been made available to others without 
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the 
competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from 
public disclosure; (6) when such information might lose its 
confidential character due to the passage of time; and (7) why 
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure).

    Issued in Washington, DC on May 18, 2011.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Office of Technology 
Development, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011-13096 Filed 5-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P