California’s Title 24 Power Distribution Requirements

Now Cordless Power is more attractive than ever

Effective starting in January 2023, California’s Title 24 Energy Standards now include requirements for demand-responsive controls and equipment.

Title 24 is the Building Energy Efficiency Standards published by the California Energy Commission. Updates are published every three years. The latest version came into effect in January of 2023 and will remain in effect until January of 2026.

There is an important change in Title 24 that has a significant impact on office workstation design and cost. Title 24 requires “demand-responsive controls for controlled receptacles”.

What are Demand Responsive Controls for Controlled Receptacles?

A controlled receptacle is an outlet that can be shut off when electrical demand on the grid requires loads to be reduced.

While there are exceptions, the requirements mandate that roughly half the receptacles in a commercial space be connected to demand-responsive controls. The authorities that manage the grid will be able to remotely shut down the circuits connected to the demand-responsive receptacles.

What prompts the Energy Commission to implement this rule?

It provides a way to reduce loads on the grid and lessen the need for rolling blackouts.

Solar and Wind power generation are not as reliable as coal, nuclear, gas, or hydroelectric generation. As California migrates to more carbon-free sources such as solar and wind, the need to manage the load on the grid system increases. In anticipation of the need for additional load-management tools, the commission has included the requirements in Title 24 that target specific electrical loads rather than simply resorting to rolling blackouts for load reduction.

What are the implications for powering commercial workplaces?

It means office systems planners will need to allow for two circuits routed to every workstation. At least one receptacle must be demand-responsive. This includes panel system installations. And yes, read the full document, even the power strips must be compliant.

“This is easy to circumvent”, you might be thinking. Yes, for one or two devices, you might be able to ensure continuous operation by plugging them into the “other” outlet. However, in many of today’s workplaces, users have multiple appliances and multiple monitors. In many cases, there were not enough outlets in the first place. And never mind the fact that this approach defies the spirit of the regulation.

Also, consider this. Elsewhere in the requirements, the demand-responsive circuits are required to be metered separately. If your demand-responsive circuits don’t respond, it will be obvious that your facility is operationally non-compliant. How might that work out for you?

Are Cordless Solutions a way to reduce the number of demand-responsive circuits?

Yes.

With a cordless (battery-powered) solution from August Berres, you eliminate the need for any type of circuit routed to any workstation.

Obviously, fewer circuits also mean less wiring, less conduit, smaller/fewer breaker boxes, fewer breakers, etc. So your up-front investments or tenant improvements can be reduced.

And since we recommend charging batteries during off-peak times, the August Berres charging solutions can be connected to either type of circuit. Demand-responsive circuits will be deactivated during peak load times of the day, not off-peak.

The benefit of Cordless Power from August Berres was valuable before. Now it is more compelling than ever.