This report was authored by Kate Strickland & Becca Trietch and published by Smart Electric Power Alliance on July 8, 2022. Grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) are energy- efficient buildings that use smart technologies and on-site distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide demand flexibility while co-optimizing for energy cost, grid services, and occupant needs and preferences in a continuous and integrated way. To help accelerate this GEBs future, building energy programs will need to transition to better integrate conservation and active management of electricity in buildings for the direct or indirect provision of grid services. This study examined the barriers and potential solutions to this building energy program transition with a literature review, survey, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews used to document the industry’s current challenges and strategies for success. Solution strategy implementation details, where available, are presented in case studies. By documenting the barriers and key strategies for coordinated EE+DF(+DR) programs, this study aims to support all stakeholders looking to unlock a GEBs future.

Keywords: Building Retrofits, Connected/ EV Vehicles, Construction/New Buildings, Energy Efficiency/Management,  HVAC & Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Intelligent Building, Large Building Controls/Automation, Lighting Systems/Controls, Lighting Systems/Controls, Smart Grid, System Integrator, Utilities, Zero Net Energy, Grid-interactive efficient buildings, DER, GEBs