by Shane Henson — June 27, 2011—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced the release of the updated LEED Demand Response Pilot Credit. Originally launched in 2010, the revised and enhanced Demand Response Pilot Credit establishes guidelines that are anticipated to increase participation in automated demand response programs.
LEED projects that satisfy the credit by demonstrating their ability to shift energy consumption during peak events by 10 percent of peak load demand will earn a point towards LEED certification when they participate in existing utility-sponsored demand response programs that meet guidelines established in the pilot credit. Additional points are available for projects that implement semi- or fully-automated demand response programs in their buildings.
USGBC is finalizing plans for the implementation of a concentrated market test of the Demand Response Pilot Credit. The market pilot test will be launched in select utility territories to promote the new credit and spark widespread adoption of demand response within the building community. The program will also include an education and market feedback mechanism to foster knowledge-sharing and measure the impact the building community can have on the grid and the environment.
