Quantifying Changes in Building Electricity Use, With Application to Demand Response

TLDR

The authors develop 15‑minute‑interval load‑analysis methods focused on demand response, aiming to provide tools that help building managers identify energy‑efficiency and peak‑load opportunities. The approach uses graphical load visualizations and a regression model incorporating time‑of‑week indicators and piecewise linear temperature dependence to characterize facility electricity loads and demand‑response behavior. The methods enable building managers to better understand consumption patterns, compare buildings, and identify opportunities for demand response, energy efficiency, waste elimination, and peak‑load management.

Abstract

We present methods for analyzing commercial and industrial facility 15-min-interval electric load data. These methods allow building managers to better understand their facility's electricity consumption over time and to compare it to other buildings, helping them to “ask the right questions” to discover opportunities for demand response, energy efficiency, electricity waste elimination, and peak load management. We primarily focus on demand response. Methods discussed include graphical representations of electric load data, a regression-based electricity load model that uses a time-of-week indicator variable and a piecewise linear and continuous outdoor air temperature dependence and the definition of various parameters that characterize facility electricity loads and demand response behavior. In the future, these methods could be translated into easy-to-use tools for building managers.