Resources on Energy-Efficient Plug Loads

Best Practices and the Benefits of Delivering Plug-Load Energy Efficiency in Businesses! by Sabo, Carol; Titus, Elizabeth; Blake, William; Bhattacharjee, Ujjwal - This market characterization of plug-load efficiency opportunities includes potential energy savings and best practices for commercial buildings with a focus on small businesses.  Technologies and strategies explored include smart power strips, work space control systems and power management software.

Office Plug Load Field Monitoring Report prepared by Moorefield, L; Frazer, B; and Bendt, P, Ph.D.; December 2008 - The objective of this report was to actually measure how plug load devices are used in California’s office environments. The research team inventoried nearly 7,000 devices and recorded power, current, voltage and power factor from 470 of these devices. In the context of reaching California’s net zero energy mandate by 2030 various recommendations are made in order to reduce office plug load energy use.

Space Heaters, Computers, Cell Phone Chargers: How Plugged in are Commercial Buildings? Sanchez, M; Webber, C; Brown, R; Busch, J; Pinckard, M; Roberson, J; LBNL, February 2007 - One of the difficulties with targeting plug loads has been how little is known about them. By nature, they tend to be incredibly diverse in end use and energy consumption, are not installed when the building in constructed, and are often stored out of sight. This report presents a summary of the density and type of equipment found in offices and the estimated total energy consumption of the equipment. It also presents equipment trends and offers insights into how policy makers can target these loads.

Office of the Future Phase II Report: The 25% Solution prepared for The Office of the Future Consortium by New Buildings Institute staff with input from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and guidance from Doug Avery, 2008 - As developed by the Office of the Future (OTF) Consortium, the 25% Solution seeks to reduce the site electrical energy use in office spaces by 25% or more (Title 24-2005 in CA. and ASHRAE 90.1-2004 elsewhere). This is accomplished by targeting lighting, plug loads and HVAC systems by taking a “systems” approach. Under the “Efficient Plug Load Measures” section of the paper the required plug load measures are described that are part of the 25% solution as well as associated costs.  

International Green Construction Code Public Version 1.0, March 2010 - This “green” code, which is being developed by the International Code Council (ICC), has requirements that specifically address plug loads. These requirements include outlets and receptacles that are controlled by sensor or time switch and load type isolation with regard to HVAC, lighting and plugs, so that information regarding plug load use is more accessible.