Eaton Partnership

NREL and Eaton partner to de-risk technologies for more effective field demonstration by offering realistic, connected residential loads.

Before beginning a field study in homes to test new appliance controllers, Eaton utilized NREL's Systems Performance Laboratory to de-risk control algorithms and hardware for residential demand response.

The laboratory validation leveraged all three residential mock homes inside of the Systems Performance Laboratory, which are equipped with major appliances and other typical loads. Researchers were able to test communication and control responses in this space to reduce the potential for disruptions in occupied homes during future field studies.

The Systems Performance Laboratory is a one-of-a-kind, 5,300-ft² working space that connects appliances, a home, and even a community in an end-to-end energy ecosystem. The mock homes also have the capability to incorporate distributed energy resources, including solar panels, electric vehicles, stationary batteries, and natural gas generators.

Contact