Energy Conservation Program: Treatment of “Smart” Appliances in Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures, 47518-47520 [2011-19303]

Download as PDF erowe on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 47518 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 151 / Friday, August 5, 2011 / Proposed Rules (2) Provide a means to share critical knowledge across the organization; and (3) Support knowledge management by appropriate investment in training and technology. (c) Results-Oriented Performance Culture. A system that fosters a highperforming organizational culture that offers challenging work and is supported by effective performance management systems and awards programs. The core standards for the Results-Oriented Performance Culture system require an agency to have— (1) A diverse, results-oriented, highperforming workforce; and (2) A performance management system that effectively differentiates between high and low levels of performance and links individual/team/ unit performance to organizational goals and desired results effectively. (d) Talent Management. A system that addresses competency gaps, particularly in mission-critical occupations, by implementing and maintaining programs to attract, acquire, develop, promote, and retain quality talent. The core standards for the Talent Management system require an agency to— (1) Close skills, knowledge, and competency gaps/deficiencies in mission-critical occupations; and (2) Make meaningful progress toward closing skills, knowledge, and competency gaps/deficiencies in all occupations used in the agency. (e) Accountability. A system an agency is required to establish under § 250.207 of this part that contributes to agency performance and mission accomplishment by measuring, monitoring and evaluating the results of its human capital management policies, programs, and activities; by analyzing compliance with merit system principles; and by identifying and monitoring necessary improvements. The core standards for the Accountability system require an agency to— (1) Guide its human capital management decisions by a data-driven, results-oriented planning and accountability system; (2) Inform the development of its human capital goals and objectives by the results of the agency’s accountability system, in conjunction with the agency’s strategic planning and performance budgets; and (3) Effectively apply its accountability system to promote effective human capital management in accordance with the merit system principles and in compliance with Federal laws, rules, and regulations. VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:53 Aug 04, 2011 Jkt 223001 (f) OPM may augment the core standards set forth in this section with additional standards that the Director of OPM will publish in such form as the Director determines appropriate. § 250.206 System metrics. (a) The required metrics that an agency must address focus on the three systems that implement the human resources life cycle (Leadership and Knowledge Management, ResultsOriented Performance Culture, and Talent Management) and include— (1) Organization metrics; (2) Employee perspective metrics; and (3) Merit system compliance metrics. (b) OPM will provide instructions on the specific metrics an agency must include in its Human Capital Management Report described in § 250.208. (c) OPM may provide additional suggested metrics in guidance on human capital management activities that an agency may use in its reports. § 250.207 System. Human Capital Accountability (a) Each agency must establish and maintain a Human Capital Accountability System (HCAS), consistent with § 250.205(e), that— (1) Is formal and documented; and (2) Is approved by OPM. (b) For a CHCO agency, the HCAS also must provide for an independent audit process, subject to full OPM participation and evaluation, to review periodically the agency’s human resources transactions to ensure legal and regulatory compliance. (c) An agency must— (1) Take corrective action to eliminate deficiencies identified in the independent audit and to improve its human capital management programs and its human resources processes and practices; and (2) Report the analysis, HCAS results, and corrective actions taken to its leadership and OPM. § 250.208 Report. Human Capital Management (a) An agency must submit a Human Capital Management Report (HCMR) to OPM that— (1) Assesses human capital performance in relationship to the agency’s mission; (2) Addresses agency human capital programs and initiatives, including the required metrics specified in OPM instructions; and (3) Informs the development of human capital management goals and objectives to support the agency’s strategic planning and annual PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 performance budget formulation processes, as well as the treatment of human resources results during the annual performance and accountability reporting process. (b) A CHCO agency must submit an HCMR annually. (c) A non-CHCO agency must submit an HCMR in accordance with the timeframe established by OPM. 4. Revise the introductory text to § 250.301 to read as follows: § 250.301 Definitions. In this subpart— * * * * * [FR Doc. 2011–19844 Filed 8–4–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6325–39–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 10 CFR Parts 430 and 431 [Docket Number EERE–2011–BT–NOA– 0038] Energy Conservation Program: Treatment of ‘‘Smart’’ Appliances in Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Request for information (RFI). AGENCY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks information and comments related to the analytical treatment of ‘‘smart’’ appliances in the development of DOE’s energy conservation standards, as well as in test procedures used to demonstrate compliance with DOE’s standards and qualification as an ENERGY STAR product. SUMMARY: Written comments and information are requested on or before September 6, 2011. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE–2011–BT–NOA–0038, by any of the following methods: • E-mail: to SmartApplianceRFI2011-NOA-0038@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE–2011–BT–NOA–0038 in the subject line of the message. • Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, Energy Conservations Standards: Treatment of Smart Appliances, EERE– 2011–BT–NOA–0038, 1000 DATES: E:\FR\FM\05AUP1.SGM 05AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 151 / Friday, August 5, 2011 / Proposed Rules Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: (202) 586–2945. Please submit one signed paper original. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586–2945. Please submit one signed paper original. • Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, or comments received, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov. erowe on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information may be sent to: Ms. Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: 202–586–6590. E-mail: Ashley.Armstrong@ee.doe.gov. In the office of the General Counsel, contact Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Room 6A–179, Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: 202–586–7796; E-mail: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In support of its Energy Conservation Standards Rulemakings, DOE conducts in-depth technical and economic analyses based on publicly reviewed methodologies. The results of these analyses determine whether new or amended standards are appropriate, and if so, which standard levels should be adopted. DOE continually seeks data and public input to improve the methodologies used to conduct these important analyses. The impact of ‘‘smart’’ appliances in the marketplace affects other programs as well. On January 6, 2011, several interested parties of consumer products, including manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates, submitted a joint petition to the ENERGY STAR program regarding smart grid enabled appliances. These stakeholders requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consider a five percent credit to the ENERGY STAR performance level for smart grid enabled appliances that can provide demand response. In its response to stakeholders, EPA indicated it would continue to work closely with stakeholders to consider the opportunity and appropriate timing for ENERGY STAR product specifications to address VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:53 Aug 04, 2011 Jkt 223001 smart grid functionality. EPA recently issued a framework document for residential refrigerators, which began discussing the possibilities of a 5percent credit in the specification. DOE, as the lead agency for developing test procedures for the ENERGY STAR program, will be developing, to the extent necessary, test procedures for smart grid capable products. This RFI is intended to support DOE’s efforts to develop such test procedures and solicit feedback on general issues regarding smart appliances within the Appliance Standards Program. In this RFI, DOE seeks comment on whether and how to consider ‘‘smart appliances’’ in the development of energy conservation standards and test procedures for DOE’s Appliance Standards Program and the ENERGY STAR Program. ‘‘Smart’’ features may enable a variety of services, including the ability of an appliance to change its normal operating behavior in response to a signal from a utility or another agent. Typical examples of operating changes include load shifting and load shedding in response to a price signal or a grid reliability event. Such capabilities could change the energy use profile of the appliance in active and/or standby mode and may require modifications to DOE’s traditional test procedure and energy conservation standards analytical framework used during rulemakings. In particular, DOE seeks comment and information on the specific topics below: Definitional Issues DOE recognizes that the term ‘‘smart appliance’’ may be defined differently by different parties and is often used to refer to any number of capabilities or bundle of capabilities. If DOE were to account for the ‘‘smart’’ features of appliances in some manner in its test procedures and energy conservation standards analyses, it may be necessary to define some of these capabilities. Of the potential capabilities under the ‘‘smart’’ umbrella, some are specific to demand response, some to energy efficiency, and some to consumer control or preferences. Many features do more than one of these things. Given the foregoing, DOE seeks input on the following definitional issues regarding ‘‘smart’’ appliances. In your responses, to the extent possible, please specify whether your comments apply to all DOE covered products or to a specific product and whether they are meant for the ENERGY STAR Program, the Appliance Standards Program, or both. PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 47519 • How should ‘‘smart’’ appliances be defined for the purposes of the Appliance Standards Program and ENERGY STAR test procedures? It may be useful to subdivide these ‘‘smart’’ capabilities into several defined categories. Is there a specific subset of features or capabilities that should be part of a ‘‘smart appliance’’ definition? • Should the definition of a ‘‘smart’’ appliance vary based on the product type or should it be the same for all DOE covered products? Should it require certain minimum qualifications for all products (e.g., the ability to shed or shift load) and then have additional qualifications on a product-by-product basis? • Should the definition of ‘‘smart’’ appliances include requirements for communication capabilities? For example, should it specify the use of one of a set of required communication protocols? Should the definition require two-way communication capability? If so, what data should the appliance be capable of sending and receiving, and how frequently? • Should ‘‘smart’’ appliances be required to have any specific technical capabilities (maintenance reminders, certain energy savings modes, programmable operations, etc.)? • To what extent is it important that the definition of ‘‘smart’’ appliances be the same for DOE’s regulatory Appliance Standards Program and the voluntary ENERGY STAR Program? Test Procedures DOE test procedures are fundamental to the Appliance Standards Program because they establish the protocols and metrics for measuring the energy use or efficiency of products subject to energy conservation standards. Incorporating the measurement and verification of ‘‘smart’’ capabilities into DOE test procedures may add complexity and uncertainty to those test procedures, and potentially increase burden on manufacturers required to test their products. DOE is therefore interested in stakeholder feedback concerning if and how test procedures should be amended to measure and verify the capabilities of ‘‘smart’’ appliances. Presumably, these capabilities would be specified in the definition of ‘‘smart’’ appliances. • How, if at all, should DOE test procedures be amended to accommodate the particular energyusing characteristics of ‘‘smart’’ appliances? • Should the portion of a given test procedure that verifies the ‘‘smart’’ capabilities of the appliance be an ‘‘addon’’ to the existing test procedure’s structure, which would essentially E:\FR\FM\05AUP1.SGM 05AUP1 47520 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 151 / Friday, August 5, 2011 / Proposed Rules erowe on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 qualify or disqualify the appliance as ‘‘smart?’’ In the alternative, should the portion of a given test procedure that verifies the ‘‘smart’’ capabilities of the appliance be integrated into the existing test procedure and internalized in the outputted metric on a product-byproduct basis? • The ‘‘smart’’ capabilities of an appliance are considered as part of a ‘‘network mode.’’ IEC 62301 defines network mode(s) as: ‘‘Any product modes where the energy using product is connected to a mains power source and at least one network function is activated (such as reactivation via network command or network integrity communication) but where the primary function is not active.’’ Does this definition apply to all covered products and consumer equipment, or would other definitions apply more appropriately to certain products or equipment? • EPCA authorizes DOE to set standards in active, standby, and off mode and to amend the EPCA definitions for these modes as appropriate for a given product. DOE requests comments on which of these three modes should be used to capture ‘‘network’’ mode energy use, or whether more than one of these modes should be used. • How do you expect ‘‘smart’’ capabilities to change the energy use of an appliance in active and standby modes? What is the energy use impact of ‘‘network mode’’ and how should it be accounted for in test procedures? • How should test procedures deal with various communication standards and protocols? Implications for Energy Conservation Standards Analyses DOE recognizes that ‘‘smart’’ appliances, however defined, could have implications on the economics and energy use of covered products analyzed during the energy conservation standards rulemakings. • What costs and benefits of ‘‘smart’’ appliances can and should DOE account for within the appliance standards analytical framework? DOE seeks information and data that would help quantify such costs and benefits. • DOE requests information and data on how, if at all, product and equipment energy usage profiles change when they are equipped with ‘‘smart’’ capabilities. DOE specifically seeks data related to covered products and equipment. • DOE seeks estimates and underlying assumptions for market share penetration estimates of ‘‘smart’’ appliances, as well as other complementary technologies (such as VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:53 Aug 04, 2011 Jkt 223001 smart meters) that may be necessary to the realization of ‘‘smart appliance’’ benefits. • DOE seeks information and data from pilot programs or studies involving ‘‘smart’’ appliances. DOE also requests information of international voluntary and regulatory programs addressing ‘‘smart’’ appliances. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2011. Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Office of Technology Development, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 2011–19303 Filed 8–4–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2011–0721; Directorate Identifier 2010–NM–217–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; ATR–GIE ´ Avions de Transport Regional Model ATR42 and ATR72 Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: SUMMARY: One ATR operator has experienced inflight elevator travel limitations with unusual effort being necessary on pitch axis to control the aeroplane, while the ‘‘pitch mistrim’’ message appeared on the ADU [advisory display unit] display. The elevators seemed to be jammed. During the post-flight inspection, it was discovered that the LH [left-hand] elevator lower stop assembly was broken at the level of the angles, which may have prevented the elevator to respond normally to the flight control input. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to reduced control of the aeroplane. * * * * * The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 19, 2011. DATES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact ATR–GIE ´ ´ Avions de Transport Regional, 1, Allee Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; e-mail continued.airworthiness@atr.fr; Internet https://www.aerochain.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. ADDRESSES: Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1137; fax (425) 227–1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2011–0721; Directorate Identifier 2010–NM–217–AD’’ at the beginning of E:\FR\FM\05AUP1.SGM 05AUP1

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 151 (Friday, August 5, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47518-47520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19303]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Parts 430 and 431

[Docket Number EERE-2011-BT-NOA-0038]


Energy Conservation Program: Treatment of ``Smart'' Appliances in 
Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Request for information (RFI).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks information and 
comments related to the analytical treatment of ``smart'' appliances in 
the development of DOE's energy conservation standards, as well as in 
test procedures used to demonstrate compliance with DOE's standards and 
qualification as an ENERGY STAR product.

DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before 
September 6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested 
persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2011-BT-
NOA-0038, by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: to SmartApplianceRFI-2011-NOA-0038@ee.doe.gov. 
Include EERE-2011-BT-NOA-0038 in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Energy Conservations 
Standards: Treatment of Smart Appliances, EERE-2011-BT-NOA-0038, 1000

[[Page 47519]]

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Phone: (202) 586-
2945. Please submit one signed paper original.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit 
one signed paper original.
     Instructions: All submissions received must include the 
agency name and docket number for this rulemaking.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, or 
comments received, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
may be sent to:
    Ms. Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
202-586-6590. E-mail: Ashley.Armstrong@ee.doe.gov.
    In the office of the General Counsel, contact Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 1000 
Independence Ave., SW., Room 6A-179, Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: 
202-586-7796; E-mail: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In support of its Energy Conservation 
Standards Rulemakings, DOE conducts in-depth technical and economic 
analyses based on publicly reviewed methodologies. The results of these 
analyses determine whether new or amended standards are appropriate, 
and if so, which standard levels should be adopted. DOE continually 
seeks data and public input to improve the methodologies used to 
conduct these important analyses.
    The impact of ``smart'' appliances in the marketplace affects other 
programs as well. On January 6, 2011, several interested parties of 
consumer products, including manufacturers and energy efficiency 
advocates, submitted a joint petition to the ENERGY STAR program 
regarding smart grid enabled appliances. These stakeholders requested 
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consider a five percent 
credit to the ENERGY STAR performance level for smart grid enabled 
appliances that can provide demand response. In its response to 
stakeholders, EPA indicated it would continue to work closely with 
stakeholders to consider the opportunity and appropriate timing for 
ENERGY STAR product specifications to address smart grid functionality. 
EPA recently issued a framework document for residential refrigerators, 
which began discussing the possibilities of a 5-percent credit in the 
specification. DOE, as the lead agency for developing test procedures 
for the ENERGY STAR program, will be developing, to the extent 
necessary, test procedures for smart grid capable products. This RFI is 
intended to support DOE's efforts to develop such test procedures and 
solicit feedback on general issues regarding smart appliances within 
the Appliance Standards Program.
    In this RFI, DOE seeks comment on whether and how to consider 
``smart appliances'' in the development of energy conservation 
standards and test procedures for DOE's Appliance Standards Program and 
the ENERGY STAR Program. ``Smart'' features may enable a variety of 
services, including the ability of an appliance to change its normal 
operating behavior in response to a signal from a utility or another 
agent. Typical examples of operating changes include load shifting and 
load shedding in response to a price signal or a grid reliability 
event. Such capabilities could change the energy use profile of the 
appliance in active and/or standby mode and may require modifications 
to DOE's traditional test procedure and energy conservation standards 
analytical framework used during rulemakings.
    In particular, DOE seeks comment and information on the specific 
topics below:

Definitional Issues

    DOE recognizes that the term ``smart appliance'' may be defined 
differently by different parties and is often used to refer to any 
number of capabilities or bundle of capabilities. If DOE were to 
account for the ``smart'' features of appliances in some manner in its 
test procedures and energy conservation standards analyses, it may be 
necessary to define some of these capabilities. Of the potential 
capabilities under the ``smart'' umbrella, some are specific to demand 
response, some to energy efficiency, and some to consumer control or 
preferences. Many features do more than one of these things. Given the 
foregoing, DOE seeks input on the following definitional issues 
regarding ``smart'' appliances.
    In your responses, to the extent possible, please specify whether 
your comments apply to all DOE covered products or to a specific 
product and whether they are meant for the ENERGY STAR Program, the 
Appliance Standards Program, or both.
     How should ``smart'' appliances be defined for the 
purposes of the Appliance Standards Program and ENERGY STAR test 
procedures? It may be useful to subdivide these ``smart'' capabilities 
into several defined categories. Is there a specific subset of features 
or capabilities that should be part of a ``smart appliance'' 
definition?
     Should the definition of a ``smart'' appliance vary based 
on the product type or should it be the same for all DOE covered 
products? Should it require certain minimum qualifications for all 
products (e.g., the ability to shed or shift load) and then have 
additional qualifications on a product-by-product basis?
     Should the definition of ``smart'' appliances include 
requirements for communication capabilities? For example, should it 
specify the use of one of a set of required communication protocols? 
Should the definition require two-way communication capability? If so, 
what data should the appliance be capable of sending and receiving, and 
how frequently?
     Should ``smart'' appliances be required to have any 
specific technical capabilities (maintenance reminders, certain energy 
savings modes, programmable operations, etc.)?
     To what extent is it important that the definition of 
``smart'' appliances be the same for DOE's regulatory Appliance 
Standards Program and the voluntary ENERGY STAR Program?

Test Procedures

    DOE test procedures are fundamental to the Appliance Standards 
Program because they establish the protocols and metrics for measuring 
the energy use or efficiency of products subject to energy conservation 
standards. Incorporating the measurement and verification of ``smart'' 
capabilities into DOE test procedures may add complexity and 
uncertainty to those test procedures, and potentially increase burden 
on manufacturers required to test their products. DOE is therefore 
interested in stakeholder feedback concerning if and how test 
procedures should be amended to measure and verify the capabilities of 
``smart'' appliances. Presumably, these capabilities would be specified 
in the definition of ``smart'' appliances.
     How, if at all, should DOE test procedures be amended to 
accommodate the particular energy-using characteristics of ``smart'' 
appliances?
     Should the portion of a given test procedure that verifies 
the ``smart'' capabilities of the appliance be an ``add-on'' to the 
existing test procedure's structure, which would essentially

[[Page 47520]]

qualify or disqualify the appliance as ``smart?'' In the alternative, 
should the portion of a given test procedure that verifies the 
``smart'' capabilities of the appliance be integrated into the existing 
test procedure and internalized in the outputted metric on a product-
by-product basis?
     The ``smart'' capabilities of an appliance are considered 
as part of a ``network mode.'' IEC 62301 defines network mode(s) as: 
``Any product modes where the energy using product is connected to a 
mains power source and at least one network function is activated (such 
as reactivation via network command or network integrity communication) 
but where the primary function is not active.'' Does this definition 
apply to all covered products and consumer equipment, or would other 
definitions apply more appropriately to certain products or equipment?
     EPCA authorizes DOE to set standards in active, standby, 
and off mode and to amend the EPCA definitions for these modes as 
appropriate for a given product. DOE requests comments on which of 
these three modes should be used to capture ``network'' mode energy 
use, or whether more than one of these modes should be used.
     How do you expect ``smart'' capabilities to change the 
energy use of an appliance in active and standby modes? What is the 
energy use impact of ``network mode'' and how should it be accounted 
for in test procedures?
     How should test procedures deal with various communication 
standards and protocols?

Implications for Energy Conservation Standards Analyses

    DOE recognizes that ``smart'' appliances, however defined, could 
have implications on the economics and energy use of covered products 
analyzed during the energy conservation standards rulemakings.
     What costs and benefits of ``smart'' appliances can and 
should DOE account for within the appliance standards analytical 
framework? DOE seeks information and data that would help quantify such 
costs and benefits.
     DOE requests information and data on how, if at all, 
product and equipment energy usage profiles change when they are 
equipped with ``smart'' capabilities. DOE specifically seeks data 
related to covered products and equipment.
     DOE seeks estimates and underlying assumptions for market 
share penetration estimates of ``smart'' appliances, as well as other 
complementary technologies (such as smart meters) that may be necessary 
to the realization of ``smart appliance'' benefits.
     DOE seeks information and data from pilot programs or 
studies involving ``smart'' appliances. DOE also requests information 
of international voluntary and regulatory programs addressing ``smart'' 
appliances.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2011.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Office of Technology 
Development, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011-19303 Filed 8-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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