Building on NBI’s successful U.S.-oriented GridOptimal Buildings Initiative, NBI worked with Indian government agencies, utility companies, and private sector leaders to develop and deliver India-specific metrics, energy models, dashboards, tools, and guidance that promote energy efficiency and decarbonization of energy systems.

This project was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) to bring GridOptimal metrics and a customized utility program framework to South Asia.

The big-picture, long-term goal of this project was to enable leading utilities and policymakers in India and across South Asia to accelerate the transformation and decarbonization of electricity energy systems by helping buildings become better grid citizens (that is, buildings that actively contribute to the grid’s reliable, safe, clean, and affordable operation).

The central objective of this project was to develop, deliver, and disseminate India-specific GridOptimal metrics, tools, analyses, and guidance that facilitate building-grid optimization. These resources have supported key stakeholders by identifying critical behind-the-meter, time-oriented, energy efficiency, and demand flexibility strategies in major building types and grid contexts.

Promoting Building-Grid Optimization in South Asia Project

The NBI team’s work with USAID to promote building-grid optimization in South Asia kicked off in September 2022. The team convened leading utility, government, private sector, and nonprofit thought leaders through virtual and in-person meetings from 2022 through 2024.

NBI worked with key stakeholders, including the National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM), to identify and formally invite two distribution utilities to participate in the project. Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) in Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Co. Ltd. (MPPKVVCL) in Madhya Pradesh were selected and participated in the process.

USAID Building-Grid Optimization Brochure

NBI and project partners developed two new resources to help building designers, builders, and other project team members evaluate building-grid integration strategies in their projects and to help utility companies better understand the benefits available from behind-the-meter interventions in buildings.
Download Brochure

Glimpse into a free GridOptimal-India Interactive Web Dashboard Tool 

Key outcomes from the project include free white papers, guidance resources, and a spreadsheet tool that designers and others can use in their projects, with data and metrics relevant to India incorporated.

View and download these resources below:

• GridOptimal-India: Promoting Building-Grid Optimization In South Asia (PDF) – This white paper summarizes research, data gathering, energy modeling, and outcomes from the main in-person workshop.
• GridOptimal-South Asia Metrics Calculator  – This metrics calculator spreadsheet and accompanying guidance document can help design teams and building operators evaluate design and operations strategies in their projects.
• GridOptimal-India Interactive Web Dashboard Tool – This dashboard offers a variety of data visualizations to help utility planners and grid operators understand the potential and value of building-scale efficiency and flexibility interventions.
• GridOptimal-India: Guidance for Utility Building-Grid Integration Program (PDF) – This utility program criteria recommendations memo helps utilities understand how to structure incentive and technical assistance programs to drive more buildings to become better grid citizens.
• GridOptimal-India: Promoting Building-Grid Optimization In South Asia–Pilot Project Selection Methodology (PDF) – This pilot project selection memo guides utilities and government agencies in kick-starting building-grid integration practices by planning and launching pilot projects.