ASHRAE Journal - September 2024 - 15

GUEST COLUMN
FIGURE 1 Number of gaps primarily associated with each core committee.
Regional Market and Policy
Late-Stage Research Development
and Demonstration
Workforce Development
Building Integration Barriers
62 (20.3%)
60 (90.7%)
59 (19.3%)
40
80
Number (%) of Gaps
partnership between the DOE, national labs and
other research, implementation and market
transformation organizations. The partnership results
in a continuous stream of information between the
DOE and major industry players related to HP/HPWH
market transformation. Key stakeholders can use this
information to inform HP/HPWH market adoption
priorities and research going forward.
Partnership Structure
Four DOE-funded national laboratories lead core
committees that each approaches the HP/
HPWH space from a different angle. The four
topics include Late-Stage Research Development
and Demonstration, led by Oak Ridge National
Laboratory; Building Integration Barriers, led
by National Renewable Energy Laboratory;
Workforce Development, led by Pacifi c Northwest
National Laboratory; and Regional Market and
Policy, led by Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory. In addition, a consulting fi rm
specializing in ensuring proper consideration
of diversity, equity and inclusion, is providing
guidance and leadership throughout the project.
Additionally, each of the regional energy effi ciency
organizations (REEOs)2 in the national network are
involved in one or more of the core committees.
The input of these regional organizations is critical
for understanding and addressing needs that
vary geographically, especially since heat pump
technology adoption varies so widely across the
U.S.3 Additionally, leadership and involvement
from several nonprofi t industry partners help
in guiding and contributing to the project, with
particular expertise in areas of diversity, equity
and inclusion from the consulting fi rm.
120
124 (40.7%)
Gap Analysis
The major undertaking the fi rst year of the partnership
was to compile and prioritize gaps in the HP/HPWH
technology space, with " gaps " defi ned as challenges
or opportunities for improvement within the national
scope. Each gap was associated with the committee(s) it
most aligned with, the specifi c technology involved, the
sector (residential or commercial), the applicable region
(including climate specifi city) and any existing work
being done on the gap. A master database housed gaps
as they were collected, formed initially from existing
reports from organizations such as the Consortium for
Energy Effi ciency and New Buildings Institute. Using
this initial list as a springboard, the gap database was
circulated throughout the national laboratories, REEOs,
nonprofi ts and other research, implementation and
market transformation organizations and individuals.
More than 150 stakeholders from more than 50
organizations have been involved to date in collection
and review of gaps in this space.
The resulting database contains 305 gaps identifi ed
within the HP/HPWH space, with substantial
TABLE 1
LATE-STAGE RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT AND
DEMONSTRATION
Need for HP system
price reduction
Need for HPWH system
price reduction
Lack of fi eld test/
performance data
Need for HPWH
technology
development (e.g.,
CCHP-WH , compressor
performance)
Limited information
about the performance
characteristics of
HPWHs
Top gaps identified in each of the DOE Heat Pump Partnership Core Committees.
WORKFORCE
BUILDING INTEGRATION
BARRIERS
Cold climate HP
selection criteria, load
calculations and system
design
Retrofi t sequencing
needs, determining
when weatherization or
duct improvements are
necessary
Cost to upgrade
electrical panels and
need for lower cost
options
Need for integrated/
dual fuel HP
controls, better
on-board controls
and performance
monitoring
Integrated sensors and
controls necessary to
enable central HPWHs
to shift their hours of
operation
DEVELOPMENT
Address skilled
labor shortage
Curate residential
HP/HPWH
pre-fi eld training
for installers and
service techs
Curate residential
HP/HPWH in-fi eld,
on-the-job training
for installers and
service techs
Curate residential
HP/HPWH training
for distributors and
sales technicians
Provide resources
for ensuring
contractor
comfort with
HP technology
(especially in cold
climates)
REGIONAL MARKET
AND POLICY
Clarify consumer
value proposition
for HP/HPWH
adoption
Misalignment in
electrifi cation
policy in some
regions hindering
adoption
Utility retail
electricity rates
not favorable for
electrifi cation in
many cases
Customers will
benefi t from
knowing installed
costs (and cost
components) of
HP/HPWH in their
region.
Enhance consumer
awareness of
accredited local
installers of
HP/HPWHs
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