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Research Tracker

This tool is intended for researchers and program managers to quickly find research projects around the country that are relevant to their work. The four organizations who provided content for this purpose represent the largest energy efficient buildings research portfolios in the country. These organizations each provided the content that they were comfortable sharing publically. Therefore, upon clicking on a particular project, it is possible that certain pieces of content are not present. Where possible, a point of contact is provided so that specific questions can be directed to that person. We welcome your comments! If you would like to provide any feedback on this tool (positive or constructive) please email basc@pnnl.gov.

Showing results 101 - 125 of 440

Develop aerogels for use inside double paned windows

Sunthru will establish the fabrication process variables (e.g., pressures and temperatures) for producing small scale samples with the RSCE method. These measurements will be used to establish the process variable to make 8'x8'x0.5' and 10'x10'x0.5' aerogel monoliths. The large scale monoliths will be used to construct prototype insulated glass units for testing Sunthru's ultimate product.

Develop new low cost concentrators for PV

This project will evaluate the effectiveness of luminscent solar concentrators with PV materials. RPI will determine the extinction coefficients for candidate LSC materials. The extinction coefficient will be used in Monte Carlos simulation, along with other experimental parameters such as quantum efficiency and absorption and emission spectra, to predict optimum shape and species concentration that will lead to LSC-PV systems with enhanced system level efficiency. The most promising designs will be fabricated into coupled LSC-PV systems and their performance will be characterized with laboratory testing.

Develop new tracer gas technology for measuring air changes in buildings

Vertex Companies investigated the commercial usefulness of LIPA tracer gas technology in providing a quantitative assessment of air distribution in buildings. The LIPA System's capability to track indoor to outdoor, within zone and between zone air distributions was also be evaluated. The use of the LIPA System as a real-time, quantitative instrumental detection with a hand-portable device was also confirmed.

Develop superwicking materials for indirect evaporative cooling system

UoR shall evaluate a new manufacturing process for producing lower cost superwicking materials. The wicking performance of the material produced with the new manufacturing process will be tested and compared to a wicking material produced using a laser surfacing technique.

Developing Flexible, Networked Lighting Control Systems That Reliably Save Energy

The recipient will develop low-cost lighting components with open communication interfaces that allow seamless integration into whole-building control and automation systems. The project will target future California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24), and establish methods by which the site-specific configuration and operation of networked lighting controls systems can be effectively addressed, and more easily implemented by the marketplace

Development and Industrialization of InGaN/GaN LEDs on Patterned Sapphire Substrates for Low Cost Emitter Architecture

Lumileds, LLC will reduce LED manufacturing costs by eliminating some of the complex processes associated with current flip-chip technology and enabling lower-cost packaging methods. This project looks to address the needs of the indoor and outdoor illumination markets, which demand the most competitive Lm/W and Lm/$ characteristics in small footprint components.

Development and Testing of the Next Generation Residential Space Conditioning System for California

This project will develop a next-generation residential space-conditioning system optimized for California climates. The advanced efficiency solutions integrated into the HVAC system will include: variable-capacity compressor and variable-speed fans using state-of-the-art inverter technology; integrated ventilation to harness fresh air for "free cooling;" intelligent dual-fuel technology to decrease energy cost and empower consumers to choose between electricity and natural gas; zonal control to prevent conditioning of unoccupied rooms; demand-response interactivity to grid flexibility and reliability; advanced fault detection and diagnostics to ensure proper installation, operation, and maintenance; and alternative refrigerants for improved operation and significant reductions in the potential for global warming. How the Project Lead

Development of a high performance wood boiler

The project will seek to develop a residential and commercial logwood-fired boiler with the ability to modulate firing rates down to <10% of rated output while maintaining clean and efficient operation. The boiler will include high levels of insulation in both combustion chambers and preheating of combustion air to promote clean operation at low loads. Forced, multi-port injection and swirl mixing of secondary air similar to natural gas fired burners will be used. Certifications such as UL, CSA, and ASME will be sought.

Development of a Long Term Plan to Help NYS Owners Scale Up Deep Energy Retrofits

SWA will work with NYCHA to identify a subset of building typologies that represent its broader portfolio and are also relevant to other NY housing stocks. SWA will assess the representative properties and identify pathways for achieving DERs. SWA will review existing physical needs assessments plans (PNA) and meet with the NYCHA capital planning team to understand the existing long term capital needs and approach to capital planning. SWA will develop potential long term plans for each building typology to realize deep energy reductions that build on existing capital plans and needs.

Development of an OLED Lighting Driver and Integrated Mounting System.

Project will develop the mechanical and electrical OLED integration technologies to enable large area ceiling or wall mounted fixtures to be fabricated. These OLED array fixtures will provide contiguous panels of light with minimal gaps between OLED sections and very low profile to be readily mounted on walls, ceiling or office furniture components. The project will focus on innovations in the following areas to integrate OLED into effective products and applications: A power and wiring architecture that efficiently down converts voltage level, conforms to safety standards, and facilitates OLED fixture installation. "Thin and compact" constant current driver architecture to complement the OLED panel construction "Thin and compact" mechanical and electrical connection scheme to combine an array of panels to attain a contiguous light source

Development of Isocyanurate-Based Super Insulation at Atmospheric Pressure (SIAP)

The project effort is a two-year development program focused on isocyanurate-based nanofoam for building and industrial applications. The main target of this early stage innovation project is to develop a PIR-based super insulation at atmospheric pressure (SIAP) that (1) can attain an R-12 hrft2F/Btuin (_=12 mW/mK) via creating nanoporous morphology, (2) is mechanically robust and (3) is cost-competitive to the conventional rigid foam boards.

Development of Robust Processes for Commercializing High Efficiency White OLED Light Panels

Under this project, OLEDWorks will develop the quality and reliability system for a high efficiency white OLED light product (greater than 60 lumens per watt) that will serve as platform for a wide variety of lighting applications and solutions. The project will develop the fundamental platforms for process robustness, end of line reliability, and part tracking required for manufacturing scale commercialization, and market adoption of white lighting panels. The focus of the process development is reliability and overall quality of affordable OLED lighting products. Processes that will be developed and delivered include manufacturing process robustness for product reliability and quality control reliability testing strategy, product grading or binning, end of the line test at high throughput, packaging and shipping strategy, and product traceability.

Development of supersonic nozzle to improve effectiveness of steam heating and reduce pumping requirements.

Hudson Fisonic will develop, design, manufacture, and install FDs for space heating and domestic hot water at the Woolworth building (57 stories, 900k ft2). The performance of the FD will be monitored for 12 months to determine the steam and potable water savings from use of this technology. Hudson Fisonic will start the commercialization of the FD technology by engaging the manufacturer - Division LLC Corporation, located in Long Island City, New York, in fabricating and preparing the necessary facilities and equipment for commercial manufacturing of FDs

Development of the Industry's First Smart Range Hood

Newport Partners, in partnership with Broan-NuTone, will develop and validate a smart range hood that senses pollutants and automatically operates to remove the contaminants efficiently. The proposed smart range hood will be quiet (<1 sone), five times more energy efficient than todays ENERGY STAR models, and will capture nearly 100% of pollutants.

Development of Ultra High R-Value Envelope Using Vacuum Panel Technology

Newport Ventures will evaluate the potential to make metal buildings more energy efficient by researching the market for a high R-value vacuum insulation product adhered to metal wall or roof panels. Newport Ventures, NanoPore (a MAI manufacturer),and Oak Ridge National Laboratory will investigate promising applications and possible manufacturers identified by the Metal Buildings Manufacturer Association (MBMA) and other relevant industry associations across NYS. Research will be conducted with respect to the optimum profile of the metal panel, method and material for adhesion, edge and seam detailing, fastening method, and trim pieces.

DHP Multi-Family Billing Analyses for Side by Side Comparison of Energy Use for Electric Resistance Heat and DHPs

Multifamily (MF) is hugely underserved in Residential energy efficiency (EE) Programs and part of our MF ductless heat pump (DHP) strategy is to look at different MF use cases and identify which MF use cases provide a higher EE potential. So far DHP results in MF are mixed and this project will assess the energy use and savings of ductless heat pumps in mid-rise MF buildings. This study offers a unique opportunity for a side by side comparison of heat pumps and electric resistance heat within a single apartment building with 278 apartments. The project would collect billing data on all the individual units, conduct an analysis to disaggregate heating, cooling, and baseload energy use, and compare the two types of heating systems.

DHPNew Installation and Design Practices

Seven alternative ductless heat pump (DHP) solutions were identified during the 2014 Washington State University (WSU) Assessment Study, including multiple internal heads, ducting between rooms, etc. Two solutions were recommended for further research. Technology and research plans need to be developed for these alternatives. Research plans will need to be developed for this project.

Direct Current as an Integrating and Enabling Platform

This project will research DC and AC-DC hybrid systems in buildings and develop resource information, end-use templates, and building guidelines that could improve the ability to achieve zero net energy buildings. The feasibility, costs, benefits, market barriers, and customer and education needs will be assessed, including guidelines for residential and small commercial buildings.

Ductless Heat Pumps in Manufactured Homes, Multifamily, Single Family, Forced Air Furnace homes, and Small Commercial

The project is designed to test the ductless heat pump (DHP) in different applications. Fifty-one sites were installed to test different applications including single family, multifamily, manufactured homes , and small commercial across different climate zones. As part of the study, one year of data was collected through sub metering; and pre- and post-billing data were completed and analyzed for each site. Preliminary results have been promising for manufactured homes and single family homes with forced air furnace applications. The study was completed during the spring of 2013. Based on the findings of the study, Single Family and Manufactured Home applications provided sufficient energy savings to warrant presentation to the Regional Technical Forum as new measures in 2015. Both were given a provisional UES (deemed) measure status. DHPs in Manufactured Homes with zonal heat were given a Small Saver measure status.

Dynamically Responsive Infrared Windows Coating

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will develop a low-cost window coating that allows infrared (heat) penetration in cooler temperatures but switches to reflect infrared waves in warmer temperatures. This coating has the potential to save up to 2.24 quads/year in heating, cooling, and lighting energy use.

Efficient and ZNE-Ready Plug Loads

This project will research and develop new technologies and strategies to eliminate or significantly reduce energy use in standby mode by redesigning the power supply for plug load devices. This research project will also develop and demonstrate strategies to remove plug load devices from grid AC power by redesigning these devices to use DC power from photovoltaic power sources.

Efficient and ZNE-Ready Plug Loads

This project will research and develop new technologies and strategies to eliminate or significantly reduce energy use in standby mode by redesigning the power supply for plug load devices. This research project will also develop and demonstrate strategies to remove plug load devices from grid AC power by redesigning these devices to use DC power from photovoltaic power sources.