Quantifying the electricity, CO₂ emissions, and economic tradeoffs of precooling strategies for a single-family home in Southern California*

Abstract High fractions of variable renewable electricity generation have challenged grid management within the balancing authority overseen by California’s Independent System Operator (CAISO). In early evening, solar resources tend to diminish as system approaches peak demand, putting pressure on fast-responding, emissions-intensive natural gas generators. While residential precooling, a strategy intended shift timing air-conditioning usage from peak-demand periods cheaper off-peak periods, has been touted in literature being effective for reducing and costs, we explore its impact CO 2 emissions regional grids like CAISO that large disparities their daytime versus nighttime intensities. Here use EnergyPlus simulate precooling typical U.S. single-family home California climate zone 9 quantify usage, emissions, utility costs. We find replacing constant-setpoint cooling schedule with can reduce period consumption 57% costs nearly 13%, while also 3.5%. These results suggest traditional benefits be achieved an additional benefit high energy penetrations.