Summary - Modifications to baseline assumptions for energy savings calculations were mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), effective April 17, 2012.
Effective immediately, SCE has modified baseline assumptions for energy savings calculations for equipment still in operation and replaced before the industry accepted useful equipment life. The baseline change, called dual baseline, allows use of existing equipment efficiency as baseline for the remaining useful life of the existing equipment and then uses minimum efficiency requirements of Title 20 or 24 or industry standard practice (ISP) for the balance of the new equipment life.
Express Solutions baselines assumptions have been modified with no additional requirements.
The remainder of this communication focuses on Customized Solutions and the impact as the result of the new dual baseline requirements.
As it relates to baselines assumptions, Customized Solutions projects/solutions have four possible installation types (install types), as listed below. A single project may include multiple install types.
- Retrofit Early Retirement (RET)
- Replace on Burnout/End of Natural Life Submission (ROB)
- Retrofit Add On projects/solutions (REA)
- New Construction (NEW)
Only RET and ROB are affected by the new baseline requirements.
Click here for a matrix summarizing the calculation, new requirements, preferred methodology for application submittal, and value added for each of the four possible install types.
Additional Details - Only the Retrofit Early Retirement (RET) install type projects/solutions require dual baseline calculations (analyses) with the application submittal. The first baseline calculation will use existing equipment energy usage as the baseline; the second baseline calculation will use applicable Title 20 or 24 codes or ISP.
