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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Technology and System Specification Development

Commercial Building Energy Alliance (CBEA) members help develop specifications for promising energy efficiency technologies and move them into the marketplace. Informed by industry need and technical expertise, these specifications indicate broad sector interest and minimize implementation risks. CBEA is bridging the gap between owners who may be unfamiliar with a technology and manufacturers who are unwilling to invest in technology advances without stronger market incentives.

About Specification Development

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) national laboratories and other technology leaders provide technical guidance to the CBEA Project Teams for developing specifications. Specifications typically set minimum performance requirements, including any expected test results or data to support those claims, warranty requirements, and other product or system characteristics. The Project Teams finalize specifications after intensive input from CBEA members, product manufacturers, and others. Collective CBEA support of these product and performance specifications demonstrates a market need to manufacturers and leads to greater product availability, higher quality, and more competitive pricing.

Available Technology Specifications

The following technology specifications are available:

  • CBEA LED Site (Parking Lot) Lighting Specification
    CBEA members selected LED parking lot lighting as the first Technology and System Specification Development Project. The specification was first released in 2009 after extensive input from CBEA members, product suppliers, and others. Several CBEA members are currently testing products based on the specification in their parking lots, and others have adopted it across their parking lot portfolio. Specification Version 1.3, with additions related to IES TM-15 and TM-21 and electrical immunity (surge protection), was released on February 15, 2012. Application of the specification should deliver energy savings of about 50% compared to a typical code; 75% or more with controls. Questions on this specification should be sent to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) at CBEA@pnnl.gov.
    Learn more about the LED parking lot lighting specification.

  • CBEA High-Efficiency Parking Structure Lighting Specification
    A CBEA Project Team first developed and released specifications for high-efficiency fluorescent, induction, and LED lighting in parking structures in 2010. Specification Version 1.1, with updates related to IES TM-21 and anticipated RP-20 requirements, was released on February 15, 2012. In addition to focusing on the efficiency of each of these technologies, the Project Team investigated how the role of controls and the specific use of each technology can lead to even greater energy savings. The maximum allowed installed power density within the specification is 40% below ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2007. Additional energy savings are possible from the use of lighting controls and daylighting. Questions on this specification should be sent to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) at CBEA@pnnl.gov. Learn more about the parking structure lighting specification.

  • CBEA LED Refrigerated Display Case Lighting Specification
    CBEA members investigating the use of LED refrigerated display case lighting for retail buildings chose to develop a project-level specification as opposed to a luminaire-level specification. The advantage is the ability to evaluate system performance relative to specific project requirements. The specifications serve as templates, providing guidance in a number of areas, some of which can be edited or removed as needed for each project. The specification delivers approximately 50% energy savings compared to a typical code. If all retail refrigerated display cases switched to LED systems, 2.1 TWh of electricity could be saved annually. Questions on this specification should be sent to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) at CBEA@pnnl.gov. Learn more about the LED refrigerated case lighting specification.

  • CBEA High-Efficiency Troffer (2'x4', 2'x2', 1'x4') Lighting Specification
    In 2011, a CBEA Project Team working to support the market introduction of high-efficiency lighting troffers developed a specification that allowed for high efficiency LED and fluorescent technologies, and addressed the 2′x2′ category of troffer products. On February 15, 2012, Version 3.0 of the Specification was released, expanding the specification to address 1'x4' and 2'x4' product configurations. Potential savings from applying the specification range from 15–45% on a one-for-one basis and up to 75% with the use of controls. Fifty percent of all commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures are recessed troffers in 2'x4', 2'x2', 1'x4' configurations, in operation for more than 10 hours a day on average and collectively consuming more than 87 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. Questions on this specification should be sent to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) at CBEA@pnnl.gov. Learn more about the troffer lighting specification.

  • High Performance Rooftop Unit Challenge
    A CBEA Project Team, in coordination with DOE and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), has developed a specification for more energy-efficient unitary air conditioner RTUs. The specification was released after extensive input from CBEA members, product suppliers, and others. Learn more about the High Performance Rooftop Unit Challenge.