Energy Systems Laboratory

National Center of Excellence on Displaced Emissions Reduction

In August 2004, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued guidance on quantifying the air emission benefits from electric sector energy efficiency and renewable energy. Because there was no clear best strategy, the EPA’s guidance provided a framework and the basic requirements needed to demonstrate air quality improvements or emission reductions with adequate certainty to be incorporated into a State Implementation Plan (SIP) for achieving or maintaining National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The Energy Systems Laboratory, with guidance from both the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), developed the first comprehensive engineering toolkit and database that satisfies the EPA guidelines. The value of this unique tool was demonstrated in 2005 when the ESL, at the request of the TCEQ, used it to develop integrated emissions estimates for all state agencies participating in the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan.

Building on this expertise, the US EPA has established a National Center of Excellence on Displaced Emission Reductions (CEDER) at the Energy Systems Laboratory to:

  • Research and gather the state-of-the-art on air pollution quantification techniques for Energy Efficiency / Renewable Energy (EE/RE) projects
  • Provide technical support and customized analysis for state and local agencies seeking to estimate the environmental benefits from clean energy policies and programs
  • Document how a user-friendly tool, based on eCalc, can be used by clients to fulfill their needs to quantify emission reductions from energy efficiency and renewable energy measures

CEDER Reports to the EPA

  • EPA Recognizes ESL’s Dallas Partners
  • Analysis of Emissions Calculators for the National Center of Excellence on Displaced Emissions Reduction ESL-TR-10-03-01
  • Energy Efficiency, Cost-Effectiveness, and Air Pollutant Reduction Analysis From Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy (EE/RR) Projects In Texas Public Schools ESL-TR-10-08-01
  • Description and Comparison of the Results of the Proposed House: Habitat for Humanity at Frazier Court, Dallas, Texas, with the 2004 IECC Standard Reference House ESL-TR-10-09-01