Cost-Effective Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings

WinnCompanies, renowned for its expertise in property development and management, has effectively demonstrated a model for efficient energy use and electricity demand management within its portfolio. While the company has already achieved impressive results, the findings in this report would allow for noteworthy opportunities for further improvement.

As a part of this study, RMI created an E+ model for each building based on the unique geometry, heating and cooling equipment, HVAC distribution, and utility rates. Each model was calibrated to monthly energy use where available. For more information on the modeling approach, please refer to the modeling approach section in the report.

The analysis has unveiled several cost-effective strategies for 21 buildings in the portfolio to reduce peak demand, improve efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions across its portfolio. The costs and benefits include both owner and tenant spaces.

1. There is a potential to shave annual maximum peak demand by up to 8% or around 800 kW of annual electric peak demand across 21 buildings.
2. With the 10-year payback scenario, the portfolio could reduce annual energy utility costs by $641,755 or 9%, while cutting carbon emissions by 6% (1,500 tons CO₂ savings annually). Lowering the return threshold to 6% internal rate of return increases the portfolio-wide payback period by a year but can cut energy cost by $701,958 annually and cut carbon emissions by 1,600 tons CO₂
3. Rooftop solar photovoltaic systems have the largest potential for both net present value (NPV) potential and carbon emissions reductions across the portfolio and was financially successful on 13 of the 29 buildings.
4. HVAC and plug load efficiency measures had the second highest potential for carbon emissions reductions and NPV across the portfolio.

If WinnCompanies’ strategies, along with the demand management measures proposed in the study, are implemented on a larger scale across multifamily portfolios in the United States, the potential for significant reductions in both absolute electric peak demand and carbon emissions would be greatly amplified. For a more detailed review of our modeling approach and the impacts of identified grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) strategies on the portfolio analyzed, please download the report.