ET23SWE0030 - Scanning & Screening – Q3 2023
The Program Team has established a robust Scanning and Screening process guided by the published TPMs, to develop a high-quality project pipeline for electric emerging technology projects. The approach includes broad outreach to a wide range of stakeholders to provide structured guidance and encourage a wide range of high-quality idea submissions aligned with the IOU EE portfolios' needs. This includes communicating Program priorities, application processes, and scoring criteria to support their participation in the program. The Program provides two paths to submit ideas:
1. The Idea submission path is for solutions that are not ready to be implemented projects. Once submitted, the Program Team can help determine whether this idea is a good candidate for the CalNEXT Program, provide feedback, and/or pair the submitter with a partner for developing the idea into a Project submission that can be implemented.
2. The Project submission path is for solutions that are fully defined projects and are ready to be implemented. Once submitted, the Program Team will review and suggest improvements as appropriate. Projects have a scope of work and business justification with an idea of how the project will be delivered (i.e., the type of research or study that is needed), who will do the work and for how long, and how much it will cost.
The CalNEXT Program Team will review and select project submissions every quarter to maintain a robust set of projects in the portfolio funnel and meet Program goals.
The CalNEXT Program utilizes the Scanning and Screening process to engage with energy efficiency market stakeholders, solicit research project ideas, and develop a robust project portfolio for electric emerging technology projects. The two Project types that are evaluated within the Scanning and Screening process are the Technology Development Research (TDR) and Technology Support Research (TSR) projects.
The Quarter 3 (Q3) 2023 Scanning and Screening Project covers the period from July 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. The Project submissions for this period came from the program team (Energy Solutions and the five subcontractors – AESC, TRC, UC Davis, Ortiz Group, and VEIC) and from the public via the Idea or Project Intake Form. To guide the selection of projects, the CalNEXT program team utilizes the 2022 Technology Priority Maps (TPMs) for all technology areas other than Plug Loads and Appliances and HVAC. For the latter technology areas, the program team uses the TPMs published on July 1, 2023.
Scanning and Screening Activities Completed in Q3 2023
- Completed two rounds of Project Scanning and Screening and started one additional round.
- Received 20 project submissions and evaluated 6 Project submissions. The other 14 submissions were either deferred, discontinued, or were received at the very end of the quarter which will be evaluated in Q4.
- The program team evaluated, scored, and analyzed results for project submittals, with four to six evaluators per project. One project submitted and scored in Q3 will be reviewed in October 2023.
- Made enhancements to both the project evaluation scorecard and the scoring rubric to reflect feedback from stakeholders and evaluators.
Scanning and Screening Q3 2023 Summary of Results
- Project submissions represent five of the six TPM Technology Areas including one in HVAC, two in Water Heating, one in Process Load, one in Whole Building, and one in Lighting.
- Project submissions are split between two program tactics, including three field demonstrations and three market characterization studies.
- Evaluation scores among partner submissions ranged from 48.4 to 80.3.
- Out of the 20 Project Submissions received this quarter, twelve were public submissions and eight were partner submissions. Many of the public submissions were received at the end of September and will be scored in mid-October.
- Two projects were selected through the Fast Track process based on input from CalTF and SCE.
Key Recommendations
- Continue to engage program implementers to inform technology transfer opportunities in the program portfolio.
- Assess the 2023 portfolio to ensure program targets are met and prepare for 2024.
- Evaluate Scanning and Screening process feedback from partners and public submitters and consider process refinement as appropriate.