Research Projects - Building Efficiency

Stanford University (Stanford, CA) will develop a comprehensive human-centered solution to track and refine energy use patterns, facilitating energy savings through the use of sensor technology. The system combines behavioral study with human-centered design, computation, and technology. Results from this work could lead to substantial reductions in residential-related emissions.

Low-cost Electrochromic Film on Plastic for Net-Zero Energy Building

ITN Energy Systems, Inc. (Littleton, CO), in partnership with MAG Industrial Automation, EPRIEPRI, and the Colorado School of Mines, will develop solid-state electrochromic (EC) film on plastic substrates in order to reduce EC window cost in support of net-zero energy buildings. New actively controlled smart windows and retrofits to existing windows could dramatically reduce energy lost through windows by reducing heating and cooling loads and minimize overhead lighting use. Manufacturing technology for low cost EC films will be developed by utilizing roll to roll production of these films, overcoming the high costs that have limited implementation of EC windows to date.

Ammonothermal Bulk GaN Crystal Growth for Energy Efficient Lighting

Momentive Performance Materials (Strongsville, OH), teamed with Soraa and Advanced Photonic Crystals, and Soraa, will develop a high-pressure ammonothermal process to produce affordable, high quality, single crystal GaN substrates at high crystal growth rates. This development can lead to light emitting diodes (LEDs) at costs equal to current low-cost lighting options, such as fluorescent lighting. LED lighting is practical for residential and commercial applications and consumes as little as one tenth of the energy of comparable options.