A Preliminary Analysis of Energy Impacts from National Grid’s Partial DER Projects

National Grid
Project completed June 2012.

This study, conducted by Synapse Energy Economics and independent consultants Dave Legg and Mike Duclos, developed the energy savings estimates required for National Grid’s deep energy retrofit (DER) program between 2013 and 2015. The team developed a spreadsheet model to estimate energy savings from partial DER based on engineering methods and actual energy and air infiltration reduction data. The analysis was used to evaluate net benefits or benefit/cost ratios associated with the projects, as well as to set incentive levels for the program. The partial DER projects considered in this study included projects for a home’s attic, above-ground walls, windows, and basement walls. The study focused exclusively on energy savings related to space heating.