MTRP Projects

Current Projects

Stakeholder and Market Research to Support the Development and Deployment of Load flexible Technologies in California

The goal of the California Load Flexibility Research and Development Hub (CalFlexHub) is to demonstrate technologies that enable cost-effective and reliable load flexibility. Such technologies could support a California future where significant grid incorporation of renewable energy is balanced by electricity demand that is flexible throughout the year’s 8,760 hours.

Field Study to Assess Occupant Experience of and Market Potential for Heat Pump Load Flexibility Controls

Assessing user experience with heat pump load flexibility controls developed and tested by the Western Cooling Efficiency Center. Will outline a pathway for the commercialization of heat pump load flexibility controls for residential water heating and space conditioning.

Field Study to Assess Occupant Experience of and Market Potential for Low GWP Heat Pumps

Assessing user experience with new heat pumps that use low global warming potential refrigerants, a technology developed by Rheem and tested by the Western Cooling Efficiency Center. Will outline a pathway for the commercialization of low GWP heat pumps for residential space conditioning.

Comparative Case Studies of All-Electric/ZNE Affordable Housing: Developer and Occupant Perspectives

Conducted case studies of three affordable housing developments to document the experiences of residents and stakeholders involved in the development of low-carbon housing.

Defining Future User Needs for the California Energy Product Evaluation Hub

Surveyed hundreds of stakeholders from more than a dozen sectors to identify product priorities, needs, and constraints. Currently working with each technology team to develop and implement user experience surveys to gather input from existing customers to form part of the product evaluation.

Field Study to Assess Occupant Experience of and Market Potential for Advanced Insulation Retrofit

Assessing user experience with advanced insulation solution using phase change material, developed and tested by the Western Cooling Efficiency Center. Will estimate market demand and identify barriers and opportunities for technology adoption.

Field Study to Assess Occupant Experience of Energy Efficient Upgrades in Low-Income, Multi-family Communities

Conducted pre- and post- retrofit surveys to capture occupant behavior and satisfaction before and after deployment of energy efficient retrofit packages.

Best Practices in User Interface Design

Advising a private company on user interface design for their commercial building indoor environmental quality monitoring system.

Past Projects

Residential electrification in Sacramento and its impact on appliance sales

Led a study to investigate the landscape for residential electrification in Sacramento Municipal Utility District territory and estimated the potential demand for electric appliances. Outlined the institutional, technical, behavioral, and other challenges could slow the rate of electrification.

Usability Testing for Intelligent HVAC Controls

Conducted usability testing and user experience assessments to support the design and functionality of a novel thermostat designed for low-income residents to ensure that it aligns with customer needs.

Understanding and Improving Solar Thermal Water Heating Effectiveness for California Households

Led a holistic assessment of the performance and potential future of natural gas-displacing solar water heaters in single-family homes in California, attending to a wide range of socio-technical considerations.

Teacher Survey of Comfort, Control and Air Quality in California Schools

Led a survey of classroom teachers to measure occupant behavior, experience, and satisfaction as part of a field study to measure the performance of energy efficient HVAC upgrades in California schools, and discovered that teachers could not accurately detect elevated CO2 levels.

User Experience of and Market Potential for Innovative Technologies to Improve Water and Energy Efficiency in California’s Dairy Industry

Conducted research on user experience and market potential for alternative cow cooling technologies developed and tested by the Western Cooling Efficiency Center. Estimated market demand and identified barriers and opportunities for widespread technology adoption.

Field Study to Assess Occupant Experience of and Market Potential for Energy Efficient Ventilation and Cooling Technologies

Conducted research on user experience and market potential for a pair of cutting-edge residential energy efficient upgrade packages developed and tested by the Western Cooling Efficiency Center. Estimated market demand and identified barriers and opportunities for widespread technology adoption.

Addressing Market Barriers to Evaporative Cooling Technology Adoption with Informational Videos

Conducted an experiment to assess the potential of informational videos to stimulate interest in emerging HVAC technologies. Videos were more effective than manufacturers’ websites at making viewers comfortable working with, buying or recommending the technologies than the websites.

Market Barriers to Adopting Emerging HVAC Technologies

Conducted a study to identify market barriers to adoption of emerging HVAC technologies in California. Using a behavioral model, identified cross-cutting issues related to dependency, risk, transparency, accountability, and trust and recommended opportunities to address them.

Field Experiment to Encourage Passive Cooling Strategies in Japanese Households

Conducted an experiment to encourage the use of passive cooling techniques at a sustainable community in Japan, resulting in a 7% reduction in electricity use from air conditioning.

Randomized Control Trial to Encourage Reduced Air Conditioner Use Among College Students

Conducted a randomized control trial to encourage the use of passive cooling techniques in student housing, resulting in modest behavior change but no energy savings.

Building Energy Audits

Conducted interviews with building managers to inform a building energy audit app that could be used at military bases and other commercial buildings.