RSS FeedCLASP Call for Partners: study on air conditioners
CLASP is pleased to announce a Call to Partners for a Study to Provide International Comparison of Energy Efficiency Performance and Policy Measures for Air Conditioners used in Residential and Commercial Sector. Further details can be found here. Download Request for Qualifications (pdf).
CLASP requests that all applicants respond by November 30th, 2009.
Request for Qualifications
“Study to Provide International Comparison of Energy Efficiency Performance and Policy Measures for Air Conditioners used in Residential and Commercial sector”
Background:
The Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) is an international consortium that promotes energy efficiency standards and labeling in commonly used appliances and equipment. With support from ClimateWorks, CLASP is expanding its efforts to ensure that the right experts are in the right places at the right times so that appropriate information exchange leads to maximum CO2 savings. To that end, CLASP is funding technical analyses that support international policymakers involved in standards and labeling. This RFQ requests a benchmark study to compare the performance of energy efficiency standard and labeling (S&L) programs conducted by countries around the world for air conditioners used in the residential and the commercial sectors.
The resulting study will provide policy-makers with a comparison of their air conditioner programs to most of the other countries and/or regions where such minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and labels (both comparison & endorsement ones) have been implemented or are under preparation or revision. Besides providing a comparison of each element of the air conditioner S&L programs, the contractor will design and implement a methodology to rank each country's program for its overall effectiveness. Study outputs will scorecard countries and/or regional efforts on air conditioner energy efficiency and provide evidence-based information on which to base policy decisions to improve programs or identify requirements for further study. The objective is for the final report to pull the market towards higher levels of air conditioner efficiency and lay the foundation for strong and harmonized energy performance requirements at the global level.
Introduction:
The increase of air conditioners’ ownership over the world is going to double air conditioning electricity consumption over the next two decades from 478 TWh in 2010 to 923 TWh in 2030. Over the same period, there is the potential for minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) to reduce CO2 emissions due to air conditioning electricity consumption by 69 Mt CO2 by 2020 and 288 Mt CO2 by 2030.
Therefore, it is important for policy makers to implement stringent MEPS for air conditioners, a major component of the potential savings mentioned above. However, although air conditioners are traded worldwide, there is a lack of assembled information on existing MEPS and labels in different countries and it’s difficult to compare the performance criteria of air conditioners because of differences in the specifications for testing procedures and protocols and for the standards themselves.
Scope of Work
The objective of the study is to provide a meaningful comparison of the effectiveness of air conditioner
S & L through an analysis of the differing specifications used by different regulatory authorities around the world for air conditioner MEPS and any labeling thresholds that relate to these MEPS. The following tasks will be undertaken:
- Selection of countries to consider in the study where MEPS and labels have been implemented and or are under preparation or revision.
- Definition of sub-product categories to make comparisons meaningful.
- Analysis of sales weighted and average stock energy performance, in the selected countries, for each sub-product category.
- Comparison of metric/model (systemic or appliance approach) used to build MEPS, endorsement label criteria, and comparison label consumption displays.
- Comparison of testing procedures and protocols (testing conditions, testing methods, calculation methods for efficiencies (seasonal or nominal), uncertainty of measurements, tolerances …)
- Comparison of MEPS levels by re-calculating efficiency metric using same bases.
- For each market, comparison of MEPS level to currently best available products, as well as indication where the best worldwide models can be found. The comparison will be based on the re-calculated efficiency metric.
- Comparison of endorsement labeling criteria and their relation to the MEPS levels.
- Comparison of the range of efficiency and other metrics (e.g., cooling capacity, electricity (power demand &/or energy consumption), ranking) displayed on comparison labels.
- Assessment of data accuracy reported by manufacturers of test results carried out by accredited independent laboratories (accreditation according to ISO 17025), where such testing data are available. The contractor will propose a methodology to compare performance values reported by manufacturers to those obtained by independent accredited laboratories.
- Comparison between labeling data and measured energy performance, where such data are available.
- Proposal of methodology and creation of panel of experts to adopt and apply ranking criteria for air conditioner S&L programs (e.g., thresholds, testing procedures and protocols, metrics…). The methodology and selection of experts should accommodate the updating of the ranking every few years.
- Initial ranking of the ambition and quality of the programs assessed using these proposed ranking criteria.
CLASP, through its local partners (particularly the Regional Climate Foundations), will present the benchmarking results to practitioners and policymakers in order to further dialogue on best practice MEPS and labels globally. The intended goal of work of this kind is to dramatically transform markets, improve economic efficiency, and accelerate the pace of GHG mitigation.
CLASP staff may also use the results of this benchmarking study to discuss with manufacturers ways to rectify variations in levels of energy efficiency across regions/countries. Additionally, CLASP will share the findings of this study to NGOs, efficiency advocates, regional bodies like APEC, and global bodies such as the IEA, UNFCCC, ISO and any other organization working on air conditioners.
Where possible, CLASP will also work to harmonize MEPS across countries and/or regions in order to promote international norms that will make it easier—and more cost effective—for manufacturers to comply.
Deliverables
A report that documents the sources of data, methodology, and findings of the study presented in a manner that teaches S&L practitioners and policy makers in countries across the globe how their air conditioner programs rank compared to those in other countries and how to they can best improve their own programs (i.e., tailored recommendations for each country/ regional program).
Submittal
An interested party should submit:
- A full resume (1 page) of the individual conducting the study or, if a team effort, of each member of the team, including contact information. CLASP reserves the right to mix individuals that it selects from proposing teams to build the best international team possible.
- A detailed statement explaining why the proposed project leader is the best suited expert for this study. If a team is proposed, credentials for all team members and the approach to joint work should be summarized in one additional page per member.
- A detailed statement (3 pages) of the general approach he or she would undertake in conducting the research, describing data sources, analytical methodology, etc.
- A budget estimating costs broken down by major expense category.
We request that these two documents be submitted as a single electronic file (preferably in pdf format). We further request that the file be named as per the following example: “Contractor Name RFQ#2-09.”
If necessary for the selection process, CLASP may request additional information from any applicant.
Interested Implementing Partners must submit the requested information by e-mail (please include "Response to RFQ #2-09" in the subject line) to Chris Wold
Applications are due by Nov 30th, 2009.
Selection
A committee appointed by CLASP will evaluate qualifications received from respondents. Selection of qualified experts will be based upon the following criteria:
- International reputation as a leading evaluator in appliance energy efficiency;
- Experience working with or for multilateral ventures and on global cooperation in the realm of energy efficiency for air conditioners;
- Top-of-mind familiarity with product test procedures, label criteria and MEPS levels for air conditioners;
- Track record of successful project management, with credit given for direct experience in a management role on behalf of CLASP.
Additional information about CLASP’s selection process.
All questions may be directed to Chris WOLD.
We request all inquiries be made by email and not by phone.
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