LEED Demand Response Credit: A Plan for Research towards Implementation

Buildings represent a large portion of the electric system consuming over 70% of electricity and approximately third of the electric peak is due to the commercial sector. We introduce the need and methods for commercial building sector involvement in demand response (DR). We summarize the new Demand Response Partnership Program, whose goal is to facilitate the adoption of variety of timescales of DR in LEED certified buildings. We describe the program’s research goals, methodology and preliminary results from socializing the new USGBC LEED DR credit with the building industry stakeholders, including architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and building owners and managers. Finally, we share the proposed credit language.