Field Study of Phase Change Material (PCM) Use for Passive Thermal Regulation
Tuesday February 20, 2024, 11a-12p CT
Register: https://minnesota.webex.com/weblink/register/r55b7fb4cb42ddbf023b27bcd45bbe462
Phase change materials (PCMs) passively regulate air temperature by storing and releasing thermal energy as they transition between a solid and a liquid. When used in buildings, PCMs can improve occupant comfort while reducing operational energy consumption, peak demand, energy costs, and greenhouse gas emissions.
While PCMs have been of interest in passive solar buildings for many decades, they are not widely used for non-passive buildings. However, recent advances in building products and installation strategies provide opportunities for additional market penetration, especially in retrofit applications where tile and blanket-type PCM products can be installed above a suspended ceiling.
Hear key findings from LHB and Slipstream on a two-phase project in which they conducted a simulation study and a field study to investigate the impact of PCM installations in office/retail settings.
Equity, Empowerment, and Energy Reduction Through Community Engagement and Behavioral Interventions
Tuesday March 12, 2024, 11a-12p CT
Register: https://minnesota.webex.com/weblink/register/r79479a1156195c95b1880f2cba392fef
Hear key findings on a study to understand current barriers low-income households face in accessing or participating in energy programs, and how targeted behavioral programs focused on low-income populations could impact those communities and could help to address existing energy burdens. The team worked with community organizations in Minnesota and used Streetwyze, a multilingual, participatory community mapping tool, to engage with residents across three communities in Minnesota: Saint Paul, St. Cloud, and Willmar.
Slipstream and Streetwyze led the project, and will share main themes from the study and a set of program recommendations based on the findings.
Advanced Controls for Residential Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Fan
Tuesday March 19, 2024, 11a-12p CT
Register: https://minnesota.webex.com/weblink/register/r67a1a2d199f547f8997412393617d419
Hear key findings from a field study that investigated the energy savings potential of a commercially available controller that modifies the behavior of the fan in residential forced-air heating and cooling systems.
Center for Energy and Environment led this project and will share outcomes from the market characterization, performance simulations, and extensive field evaluation of the controller in Minnesota homes.
Optimizing the New Generation of Grocery Refrigeration Equipment
Thursday March 21, 2024, 11a-12p CT
Register: https://minnesota.webex.com/weblink/register/r78f18e2f808705e85f1e1913d15bb16b
Center for Energy and Environment and VEIC will report on their evaluations of the market for energy efficiency options in grocery store CO2 refrigeration systems, as well as the results from local field testing of three of these options. The field tested technologies were: flooding medium temperature evaporators (FTE), mechanical subcooling, and adiabatic gas coolers. This presentation will report on the resulting savings, costs, field experiences, market findings, and efficiency program implications.
The purpose of the Conservation Applied Research and Development (CARD) Grant Program is to identify new technologies, strategies and program approaches that utilities can implement to help achieve the annual state energy-conservation goal as established by the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 and modernized by the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act passed in 2021. For more information, visit the Applied Research and Development webpage or email the Utility Energy Conservation Research Planner, Lindsay Anderson.
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