Energy Efficiency Research and Development (EE R&D)

The Energy Efficiency Research and Development (EE R&D) group identifies, tests, validates, and integrates new energy efficiency technologies and innovative program delivery strategies into the ComEd Energy Efficiency Programs. The goal is to help the energy efficiency portfolio meet current and future savings goals, and customer needs, cost-effectively. As one of the nation’s largest initiatives of its kind, ComEd Customer Innovation offers an ideal energy efficiency testing ground in a service area comprised of four seasons and a diverse urban and rural population. Review our focus areas, scoring criteria and submission guidelines to see how to develop your idea.

Submit an EE R&D Idea

Focus Areas

Residential
Energy Efficiency

Explore and validate next-generation residential energy efficiency technologies, program designs, and actionable guidance for contractors and implementers to serve market-rate and income-eligible ComEd customers.

Commercial & Industrial
Energy Efficiency

Identify viable commercial & industrial (C&I) energy efficiency technologies to generate energy savings, particularly those that can be easily scaled and are applicable to a variety of C&I customer and building types.

Market
Transformation

Develop Market Transformation opportunities in ComEd territory aligned with Illinois TRM Appendix C, including novel ways to stimulate widespread, long-term energy savings.

Scoring Criteria​

High-level scoring criteria for all idea submissions are provided below. Please align your submission with these guidelines to maximize its chance of being selected and funded. Note that if your idea is selected to advance to the full proposal stage, we will provide the full proposal scoring rubric at that time.

Quality of Idea. A high-quality submission will clearly:

  • Define the project scope and expected outcomes, including how it will be researched, substantiated or achieved.
  • Explain how the subject technology or technology deployment tool/method are different from current technologies or technology deployment tools/methods, including why this project is different from any past and present research on the technology. The submission should provide energy, carbon or demand reduction estimates, with explanations or references for calculations and data.
  • Explain how the project will be executed, including identifying critical partners, and describing a clear path for completing the project and deliverables within the estimated budget and timeframe.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the market for the technology or technology deployment method the project will focus on, including barriers to adoption, relevant industry, size of industry in ComEd’s territory, etc. as well as feasible paths to engage the market.
  • As appropriate given the Project Type, establish a market and/or a direction for utilities to take to continue researching the technology or designing incentives for customer adoption.

Program Value. Project provides at least one of the following values to ComEd:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Energy efficient electrification
  • Peak load reduction and non-wires alternatives
  • Increased adoption
  • Expanded and/or enhanced customer engagement
  • Long measure life
  • Cost-effective implementation

Customer Value. Project provides at least one of the following values to customers:

  • Energy savings (kWh)
  • Bill savings ($)
  • Carbon reduction (MMTon)
  • Peak load reduction (MW & $/MW)
  • Home energy management
  • Qualitative customer benefits, such as health and safety

Portfolio Transferability. The technology or concept included in the project is likely to be well-suited for successful integration into the existing ComEd portfolio. This means the technology or concept included in the project exhibits real potential for energy savings and has enough technical and market maturity to be able to create adoption at scale in the near-to-mid-term.

Focus Area Alignment. While not a requirement, priority will be given to projects that align with the current set of focus areas (listed above).

Income Eligible and Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Benefits. While not a requirement, priority will be given to projects that provide value and benefits to these communities.