The SCE’s Technology Test Centers (TTC) evaluate a variety of technologies in controlled environments that mirror real-world conditions and customer experiences. This generates comprehensive performance data and innovative test methods which are used by SCE customers, policymakers, and utility...

Solar Chimney Design as part of the SBVC Automotive TEC Project. A solar chimney is a passive solar ventilation system. It is a way of improving natural ventilation within a building as well as providing heating or cooling by utilizing heat from the sun to enhance natural stack effect ventilation...

The SBVC Automotive TEC project is a Net Zero Pilot project.  The project is intended to be a model for future Community College capital projects and also serve as living laboratory.  The project includes several sustainability innovations.  These include: 1. Air Handling Unit Condensate Recovery...

The legislature awarded the California Air Resources Board (CARB) one million dollars in the 2019-2020 budget to create the SB 1013 Fluorinated Gases Emission Reduction Incentive Program, or F-gas incentive Program (FRIP). FRIP seeks to alleviate the barriers to the adoption of climate-friendly...

This report focuses on the investigation of recirculation system balancing. Recirculation systems usually include parallel flow paths between supply and return pipes to distribute recirculation flow across all dwelling units. In an unbalanced system, water tends to travel through flow paths with...

In 2021 PG&E’s Code Readiness Program research team (research team) initiated an evaluation of measured building air-leakage rates in multifamily buildings across California. Several past studies tested air-leakage rates in multifamily buildings and dwelling unit compartmentalization rates, but...

On October 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) and Technical Support Document (TSD) for Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers (CRE). To support DOE’s CRE standards rulemaking, the CA...

The two main goals of this research project were (1) to validate ASHRAE Standard 195 “Method of Test for Rating Air Terminal Unit Controls” as a reasonable and fair method for evaluating the controllable minimum of VAV boxes and VAV box controllers and (2) to use Standard 195 to determine the...

In 2021 PG&E’s Code Readiness Program research team (research team) initiated an evaluation and data collection of nonresidential hydronic heat pump heating equipment across California. The intent of the data collection effort was to better understand how hydronic heat pumps perform under...

The California Investor-Owned Utilities (CA IOUs) analyzed the applicability and effectiveness of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) MG 1 Part 34 Test Procedures for Totally Enclosed Air-Over (TEAO) motors. TEAO motors are a specific type of motor used in heating, ventilation...