Exploring New Insights on Building-Level Utility Data Access from the 2024 ACEEE Summer Study
It has been about a month since we concluded our participation at the 2024 Summer Study on Buildings, hosted by ACEEE in Pacific Grove, CA. The experience of spending five consecutive days immersed in discussions with thought leaders in such a beautiful setting was invaluable. This year, we had the privilege of contributing to two papers focused on utility data access.
The issue of building-level data access from utilities is becoming increasingly complex, with growing implications for policies such as Building Performance Standards (BPS), ESG reporting, IRA-funded programs, Justice40, carbon accounting, green financing, electrification, affordability, and equity—just to name a few.
These papers provided an opportunity to formalize our insights and foster collaboration. Working with NEEP, we explored how improving access to building-level data can support affordable housing initiatives and bridge the gap for multifamily buildings. Additionally, our collaboration with the EPA’s Tracy Narel and Brendan Hall allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by utilities and to develop more sustainable solutions for data access.
We invite you to read both papers we contributed to this year. We’ve also included a selection of papers from past and present collaborators, including IMT and the Department of Energy, which we believe will provide valuable insights.
Using Building Level Utility Data to Deliver Equitable Energy Efficiency Programs in Multifamily Buildings
Authors:
Luke Miller, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
Erin Cosgrove, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
Yiran He, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
Colleen Morris, Calico Energy
Multifamily buildings make up over 30% of U.S. housing but often hit roadblocks when trying to access energy efficiency programs or meet decarbonization standards like Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). A major hurdle is the lack of building-level energy data, leaving residents and owners without the tools to take advantage of key savings and compliance opportunities. Utility-provided data is essential for making these programs work, and it’s also critical for policies like BEPS and clean heat standards (CHS). With the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) pushing states to work with utilities on improving data access, now is the time for action. Our paper spotlights how trailblazing states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington are leading the charge by using energy data to drive more equitable energy programs. Discover the key lessons and strategies shaping the future of energy efficiency—read the full paper for an inside look at how to make it happen.
The Invisible Elephant: Building Level Data from Utilities
Authors:
Colleen Morris, Calico Energy
Brendan Hall, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Tracy Narel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Access to building energy consumption data is a major challenge that continues to hinder energy efficiency, decarbonization, and compliance with Building Performance Standards (BPS), especially for multifamily, mixed-use, and multitenant buildings. Utilities hold the key to this data, but their account-based models make it difficult to provide the building-level insights needed. With regulatory pressures mounting, including mandates from the Inflation Reduction Act, the demand for accurate data is greater than ever. Our paper tackles the “invisible elephant” in the room, exploring the operational realities utilities face, offering technical insights, and sharing best practices for unlocking reliable data access. For those working to drive the future of energy efficiency and decarbonization, this is must-read. Dive into the full paper to learn how we can address this growing challenge and enable smarter, more scalable solutions.
Our participation at the 2024 ACEEE Summer Study provided valuable insights into the growing challenges and opportunities surrounding building-level utility data access. With multifamily and mixed-use buildings facing increasing regulatory pressures, improving data accessibility is critical for advancing energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts. Our papers explore the current landscape, offer best practices, and highlight successful initiatives that are already making strides. We encourage you to explore these findings further by reading the full papers for actionable strategies to drive progress in this vital area.
Want to know more about our whole building Benchmarking Application?
Looking for additional resources?
Head to our Resources page for more industry perspectives and product information.