Papers 

Data-Driven Electrification and Retrofit Strategies for Vulnerable Manufactured Housing

Authors: Haleh Moghaddasi, J. Christopher Larry, EXP; Chase Counts, Greenbound; Benjamin Knopp, Knopp Energy LLC; Alexi Miller, Vidhisha Moopnar, NBI

This paper analyzed findings from an ongoing Building America-supported retrofit pilot at Audubon Estates, a manufactured housing community in Alexandria, Virginia. Early results from pre-retrofit constraints assessments highlight recurring technical, such as 60-amp service limits, oversized legacy HVAC systems, and degraded envelope components, as well as the critical role of trust-based engagement in sustaining participation. The paper concludes with lessons learned and recommendations for scaling equitable, data-driven retrofit programs in manufactured housing communities.

 

 

Dude, Where’s My Resilience? The Case for Energy Resilience Benefit Valuation in Building Energy Code, Policy, and Program Cost-Effectiveness 

Authors: Tristan Grant, Mariel Wolfson, Ariel Brenner, NBI; Rhys Davis, Resource Refocus; Tom Philips, Healthy Building Research

This paper argues that it is within the life-safety and general welfare mission of building codes to include energy resilience measures that protect occupants during prolonged power outages, which will become increasingly common as the result of extreme weather. To that end, the authors propose a novel and expanded definition of building energy resilience as related to but distinct from energy resilience and energy system resilience. 

 

 

 

One Energy Code After Another: Barriers to Zero-Carbon New Construction 

Authors: Rhys Davis, Sheila Naby, Resource Refocus; Tristan Grant, NBI; Ben Edwards, NORESCO; Christina LaPerle, Karpman Consulting

As jurisdictions pursue building decarbonization through diverse policy mechanisms, strong and enforceable energy codes remain a cornerstone of efforts to ensure that new construction aligns with a zero-carbon future. This paper presents a study of the key impediments that threaten progress toward this alignment and the continued progress of codes.

 

 

 

 

Optimizing Building Load Management for Operational Emissions Reductions 

Authors: Paul Ward, Forest Tanier-Gesner, PAE Consulting Engineers; Tristan Grant, Grant Sheely, Sayali Lamne, NBI; Ben Edwards, NORESCO

Code and policy development aimed at increasing demand response technology penetration must evolve to capture the effectiveness of these emerging technologies at reducing emissions. This paper presents results from a study testing demand shifting in response to different control signals in three grid regions. This paper makes recommendations for how codes, policies, and programs aimed at reducing building operational energy emissions should consider emissions factors, and discuss limitations of existing emissions and demand signals in achieving emissions reductions.

 

 

 

Site Energy Codes at Scale: Low- and Zero-Fuel-Bias Code Development and Adoption 

Authors: Erin Sherman, Jonny Kocher, RMI; Adam Berry, Colorado Energy Office; Benjamin Rabe, NBI

This study reviews and compares options available to date for authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) without custom code development resources to adopt site energy-based codes, including the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code’s Section CF103, ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2022’s site energy-based Appendix G option, and the Zero Fuel Bias Code Overlays published by RMI. This study examines multiple code adoption processes in which those resources were proposed and offers lessons learned and best practices for the provision of technical assistance to small and medium-sized AHJs adopting above-model codes.

 

 

 

Splitting The Split Incentive: Novel Program Design to Increase Multifamily Demand Response 

Authors: Katy Hernandez, Joseph Teng, Angela Ortiz Diaz, Austin Energy; Mischa Egolf, Alexi Miller, NBI

Multifamily Smart Home Rewards (SHR), a federally funded grant project, explored the deployment of smart home technologies within existing multifamily (MF) rental properties. The project focused on enhancing demand response (DR) capabilities while addressing the longstanding “split incentive” barrier between tenants and property owners.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future of Building Codes and Emissions 

Authors: Kevin Berry & Ariel Brenner, NBI

This paper describes the need for 21st-century international model building energy codes to offer carbon accounting and decarbonization regulations within their scopes. Providing standardized methods for carbon accounting and reporting, as well as options for decarbonization practices, is necessary for existing model codes to continue functioning as adoptable and relevant regulatory tools for jurisdictions who have set and are pursuing climate targets.

 

 

 

 

Poster 

Cultural Buildings: Energy and Opportunity 

Presented by: Alexi Miller

Resources dealing with building energy use are often built around typical commercial building types such as office buildings and schools. They do not account for the operational realities of most cultural institutions (museums, botanical gardens, etc.), such as strict environmental requirements for collections and 24-hour space conditioning. NBI is working to develop tools that will better support the cultural sector. One such effort is the Min/Max project, presented at ACEEE Summer Study.

Panels & Presentations 

Alexi Miller, director of building innovation, co-chaired Panel 3: Commercial Buildings: Technologies, Design, Operations, and Industry Trends, and moderated half of all Panel 3 sessions. Alexi also co-presented as part of Panel 11: Beyond the Meter: Multifamily Load Flexibility and 13b: Make it Make Cents: Business Models that Work. 

Nora Wang Esram, CEO, presented as part of Panel 9: Cool Runnings: State Energy Resilience Policies When the Heat is On. 

Anna Johnson, senior project manager, presented as part of Panel 6: A Shockingly Good Deal: Designing Affordable Energy for Everyone. 

Kevin Berry, senior project manager, presented as part of Panel 10: Where Do We Go from Here? Roadmaps for New Construction.