The Energy Department will invest $19 million in 18 projects to support the development of building technologies that could help U.S. consumers and businesses save on utility bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs.
DOE said Friday the projects will facilitate the creation of sensors and energy modeling tools, systems to reduce refrigerant leaks and update heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, as well as a gas-powered heat pump that can work in colder climates.
The projects will also aid entry into the renewable energy market and work to identify air leaks, cut energy losses in buildings and transmit sunlight to building interiors to decrease electricity use, the department added.
“Improving the efficiency of our nation’s buildings presents one of our best opportunities for cutting Americans’ energy bills and slashing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
Moniz added the projects will help the department meets its goal to cut energy use in U.S. buildings by 30 percent by 2030.
The 18 projects are facilitated by the following entities:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (three projects)
- Carnegie Mellon University
- PARC
- Clemson University
- University of California-Berkeley
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (four projects)
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
- Columbia University
- Optimized Thermal Systems
- Ingersoll Rand
- Iowa State University
- Glint Photonics
- University of Miami
