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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 126 - 150 of 440

Eliminating Plasmon Losses in High Efficiency White Organic Light Emitting Devices for Lighting Applications

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor will develop innovative methods to outcouple the light within OLED devices in order to increase external quantum efficiency. This will be accomplished through nanoscale texturing beneath the anode outside the active region, fabricating sub-anode gratings along with microlens arrays, and top emitting structures with a sub-anode grid coupled with a reflective mirror at the base.

Embedded Data Center - Airflow Management

The 7th Power Plan has targeted 261aMWs of savings for embedded data centers and BPA would like to develop a series of new measures to acquire these savings. Embedded Data Centers are defined as server rooms located on-site in commercial buildings which are larger than server closets but smaller than enterprise data centers. This project will inform and streamline custom projects for future Data Center Air Flow Management retrofits which may include multiple data center HVAC retrofits, including blanking panels, raising space temperatures, containment and air flow management. Up to two grants will be awarded to participate in this field study to test Data Center Air Flow Management retrofits and other HVAC solutions for Embedded Data Centers. This field study will also demonstrate and verify a Data Center Air Flow Management (AFM) energy savings calculator developed by Seattle City Light in the Data Center Track and Tune Project.

Empowering Proactive Consumers to Participate in Demand Response Programs

This project will contain three elements to provide data for policymakers and businesses to explore this new market. First, this project will determine prosumer (proactive consumer) interest in a third-party demand response market by testing user acquisition via direct and non-direct engagement strategies. Second, experimentation with behavioral and automated users will allow analysis of user yield under a variety of conditions and extract a set of shadow curves that can inform how much energy load shifting can be expected under various price incentives. Finally, this project will create a novel solution for using residential telemetry to connect prosumers and their Internet of Things (IoT) devices to the market operators.

Empowering Proactive Consumers to Participate in Demand Response Programs

This project will contain three elements to provide data for policymakers and businesses to explore this new market. First, this project will determine prosumer (proactive consumer) interest in a third-party demand response market by testing user acquisition via direct and non-direct engagement strategies. Second, experimentation with behavioral and automated users will allow analysis of user yield under a variety of conditions and extract a set of shadow curves that can inform how much energy load shifting can be expected under various price incentives. Finally, this project will create a novel solution for using residential telemetry to connect prosumers and their Internet of Things (IoT) devices to the market operators.

Energy and Cost Optimized Technology Options to Meet Energy Needs of Northwest Food Processors

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) propose to carefully evaluate opportunities for energy, emission, and cost savings and non-wires solutions, including alleviation of transmission bottlenecks and fast-ramping supply capabilities with greater use and better design of combined heat and electric power (CHP) distributed generators (DGs); combined cooling, heating, and electric power (CCHP) DG; and energy storage installed on-site at energy-intensive food processing facilities.

Energy Design and Scoping Tool for DC Distribution Systems

This project will assess the DC power market to understand distribution opportunities, technical and analytical gaps for residential and commercial applications, and inform the analysis, design, and planning capabilities of these loads. The team will extend DOEs open-source whole-building energy modeling tools platformthe EnergyPlus engine and OpenStudio software development kitwith power distribution system modeling capabilities to enable evaluation of energy and economic benefits of AC, DC, and hybrid power distribution systems.

Energy Efficient HVAC Packages for Existing Residential Buildings

This project will develop and demonstrate innovative pre-commercial, cost-effective retrofit packages for cooling and ventilating single family homes. Energy savings, occupant behavior and indoor air quality (IAQ) will be measured for two specific retrofit packages that each includes three innovative technologies: (1) building envelope sealing, (2) two variants of smart mechanical ventilation that include pre-cooling strategies, and (3) compressor-free evaporative air-conditioning. Furthermore, barriers and opportunities towards adoption of such retrofits will be identified through stakeholder interviews.

Energy Efficient HVAC Packages for Existing Residential Buildings

This project will develop and demonstrate innovative pre-commercial, cost-effective retrofit packages for cooling and ventilating single family homes. Energy savings, occupant behavior and indoor air quality (IAQ) will be measured for two specific retrofit packages that each includes three innovative technologies: (1) building envelope sealing, (2) two variants of smart mechanical ventilation that include pre-cooling strategies, and (3) compressor-free evaporative air-conditioning. Furthermore, barriers and opportunities towards adoption of such retrofits will be identified through stakeholder interviews.

Energy-harvesting, Self-calibrating Wireless Sensors for Improving EE in Buildings

Oak Ridge National Laboratory will develop system-level architecture for a plug-and-play multi-sensor platform, which can utilize peel-and-stick sensors less than a quarter of an inch thick and powered by indoor, high-performance, flexible photovoltaics. By developing sensors that are multi-functional and self-powered, this innovative platform can be adopted and deployed for wider spread energy efficiency of buildings.

Engineering study for biomass fired district energy system.

An engineering study will be undertaken to determine the necessary specifications for the district heating loop. A site survey will be conducted to identify the ideal site for the central biomass plant. This will ideally be a location that has a significant load in close proximity as well as other loads reasonably close. The plant will be sized to meet some initial loads. Some of the initial major loads identified include the Wild Center Museum, the Sunmount Complex and an elementary school. A detailed analysis of the heating and cooling loads will be undertaken to determine the size of the initial plant. The piping route and specifications will be determined as well. As all of the characteristics come together, the work will be put out to bid to the relevant contractors. The project will also involve determining the source of funding of the district heating loop.

Enhanced Residential Efficiency Analysis Tools for the Pacific Northwest

Provide enhanced residential efficiency analysis tools tailored for the Pacific Northwest. 1. A residential building energy analysis tool based on BEopt/EnergyPlus, used to identify cost-optimal efficiency packages 2. A regional residential efficiency analysis tool driven by BEopt/EnergyPlus simulations/optimizations and calibrated to Residential Building Stock Assessment (RBSA) data, used to assess residential building energy conservation potential The project has been completed and additional Technology Transfer activities are being explored to promote the use of these tools throughout the Pacific NW.

Envision Charlotte Project

Envision Charlotte will expand its energy management approaches to more than triple the number of participating buildings. By adding additional participants, Envision Charlotte will continue to foster innovation in conserving energy and reducing operating costs.

EPRI Development of Next Generation Heat Pump Water Heater Technology

Optimize heat pump water heater (HPWH) next generation project for both energy efficiency (EE) and demand response (DR). In recent years, heat pump water heaters have reemerged as a potentially high impact energy efficient technology. Hybrid heat pump water heaters have been shown by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to provide high efficiency electric water heating. The EPRI Energy Efficiency Demonstration has shown energy savings of 20-40% over conventional water heaters in preliminary analysis. The project will address: the feasibility of variable speed compressors to eliminate electric resistance backup; alternative refrigerants and system configurations; demand response and ancillary service opportunities and strategies, and whole building impacts of heat pump water heater systems.

EPRI Supplemental: Coordinated Early Deployments of Efficient End Use Technologies PID# 072982

This project will apply the framework created in the prior research to develop early deployment plans for three additional technologies and to guide early deployments with multiple utilities for five technologies, two of which were planned in prior research. The three technologies being deployed are heat pump water heaters, led menu boards, and engine generator block heaters.

Equipment Health Monitoring with Virtual Intelligent Sensing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory will develop a monitoring system capable of identifying opportunities for energy efficiency improvements in buildings. The technology could improve the energy efficiency of buildings by 15% - 25%.

Evaluate feasibility of Passivhaus standard to tall residential buildings

FXFOWLE Architects will undertake a research study to determine the viability of implementing the Passivhaus standard on tall residential buildings in New York State. Using a 25 story multifamily project currently in design as a base building, the study will investigate the detailed implications of adapting a typical tall residential building to meet the Passivhaus standard. This work will analyze the impacts from architectural, structural, enclosure detailing, materials, mechanical, zoning, financial, marketability, and constructability perspectives. Market barriers and opportunities will be identified and addressed. In addition, the study will evaluate how applying the Passivhaus standard to a tall multifamily residential building can affect resiliency and security issues

Evaluate smart building controls at the College of Nano Science and Engineering zero energy building.

CNSE and EYP Architecture and Engineering will evaluate the energy and demand benefits from smart controls that integrate various systems to enable more holistic operation of a building. The systems to be controlled include digital addressable LED lighting system with day-lighting controls, automated window covering system, occupancy RFID tracking system, submetered energy monitoring and utility meter data, PLC-based HVAC controls, fuel cell, PV array and task lighting.

Evaluating Smart Thermostats' Impacts on EE and DR

This project is intended to inform both utilities and the public of the potential energy saving benefits of smart thermostats. For utilities, it may provide a measure of how these thermostats fit into their programs and how customers use them to enable energy or demand savings. Utilities will get an opportunity to gauge cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs for smart thermostats. Demand response from residential air-conditioners has been a target of many utility programs, but the cost of installation of load control devices and the resulting perceived compromise in customer comfort have been large barriers.

Evaluation and applicability of the Dutch program for deep energy retrofits of residential buildings known as Energiesprong for New York State

Taitem Engineering will evaluate the Dutch program for deep energy retrofits of residential buildings known as Energiesprong. The objectives of this study are as follows: gain an in-depth understanding of the solutions implemented under the Energiesprong program, confirm the cost and performance of the implemented retrofits; assess transferability to NYS building stock (e.g. wood-frame vs. concrete frame) and assess transferability to NYS different climate zones.

Evaluation of a DC Lighting Directly Coupled to Solar Photovoltaic System for Commercial Buildings

Brookhaven National Laboratory will evaluate a DC system directly-coupled to a solar energy system that enables the use of DC power directly for office lighting. This system will use equipment developed by Nextek Power Systems and will being installed in a Suffolk County office buildings. BNL will document the energy savings and value propositions available from this type of system compared to a conventional DC to AC lighting system powered a solar photovoltaic system. This work will provide information that can be used to determine the value propositions for installing this type of system at larger scale in buildings throughout New York State.

Evaluation of Alternative Defrost Strategies for Residential Heat Pumps

The project will evaluate alternative defrost methods for use in residential and light commercial Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) in order to reduce the negative effects conventional defrost methods create and improve energy efficiency and overall system performance. The use of a hot gas bypass method, similar to that employed in commercial refrigeration systems, will be investigated, as well as frost-preventing coil coatings. Heat pump prototypes will be constructed in order to enable future design and optimization of heat pump products and their associated control strategies.