2011 Residential HAN Pilots

Evaluation Results

© 2011San Diego Gas & Electric Company. All copyright and trademark rights reserved.

1

Overview

• Description of Pilots

• Evaluation Findings

• Conclusions & Recommendations

2

Pilot Descriptions

3

Low-Income IHD and PCT Pilots

• Criteria

– Average monthly usage of at least 275 kWh

– Participated in ESA (LIEE) between 2006 and 2010

– Single-family homeowner

– High-speed internet service with modem and available port on router

– Working Air Conditioner

– No Medical Baseline customers

• Participation

– Opt-in

– Received equipment at no charge 4

Simultaneous RACT Pilot

• Average monthly usage of at least 700 kWh

• Also received plug load controllers

• Invited to participate in energy-saving contest with prizes

5

Pilot Features

 

Low-Income RACT

IHD PCT IHD TECH

Enrollment Method Opt-in Opt-in Opt-in Opt-in

Enrollees 273 66 108 99

Website x x x x

IHD x x x

PCT x x

PLC x

Event Day Notice x x x x

Incentive

Contest x X

6

In-Home Display

7

Programmable Communicating Thermostat

8

Energy Management Website

• Hosted by third party

• Allows participant to:

– See usage, cost, and price

– Manage devices in the home/premise

– See Demand Response events in progress and pending

– See messages sent from utility to devices

9

Energy Management Website

10

Energy Management Website

11

Energy Conservation Emails

• Sent to roughly half participants in each group

• Four emails over summer 2011

• Included energy saving tips and information

12

Findings

13

Energy Savings

• On average, energy savings for low-income pilots were not measurable

– Comparison with previous summer usage

– Statistical analysis controlling for weather, time of installation and seasonality

• Minimal savings were found for RACT participants

• Highest savings were found for RACT contest participants

– Received more feedback on usage

– Competed for prizes

14

Demand Response Impacts

• Analyzed by groups

– Device disconnected or signal not received

– Signal received but thermostat not turned on

– Signal received but customer opted out

– Signal received and thermostat raised 4 degrees

• Usage on event day compared to Baseline

– Highest 3 of previous 5 days

15

Demand Response Impacts, continued

• Events on Sept 6th, 7th and October 13th

• Measureable impacts for group that received signal and raised thermostat:

– 6.21 kW on first event (September 6th)

– No impacts on Sept. 7th

– Minimal (1.6 kW) on Oct 13th

16

Process Evaluation

Data Collection IHD  PCT 

Staff interviews >6

Initial impression email survey 118 20

Post-event email survey 56 N/A

Follow-up in-depth interviews 10 10

SDG&E Email Surveys Plus Research Into Action Interviews

17

Participant Expectations

• Participants reported they wanted to be on pilot to

– Track their energy use (60%)

– To save money (35%)

– To use new technology (20%)

18

Useful Features

19

IHD Experience

• Most checked it frequently (70% at least once a day)

• Consistent use over time (62% same or more often)

• 38% did not like the aesthetics or design

• 27% desired additional functionality

20

PCT Experience

• Some thought it saved energy (4 of 10)

• Most agreed it was easy to use (6 of 10)

• Most were ok with allowing SDG&E to adjust the thermostat during an event (6 of 10 agreed and remainder were neutral)

21

Participant Attitudes

22

Conclusions & Recommendations

23

• Recommendations:

Identify strategies for providing information progressively.

Information Considered Valuable

24

• Recommendations:

Demand response communication should be different from everyday messages about conservation.

For energy savings, additional communications and/or incentives may be needed

For demand response, more direction on what to do during an event may be needed

Clarify DR versus EE messages

25

Recommendations:

Prioritize ease of use when selecting products.

Investigate opportunities to improve the user interfaces

Improve device usability and interface

26

Recommendation:

Continue quality control and technical support efforts to ensure that devices stay connected and functional

Improve Connection Issues

27

Recommendations:

Manage participant expectations of general energy savings – some thought the device itself saved energy.

Program PCTs to meet household needs; some participants wanted their house warmer.

Program PCTs and Explain Function

28

Questions?

29