Syracuse University to use $750K federal grant for work toward “grid interactive” and energy-efficient buildings

The Syracuse news release explained that “as the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated anew, indoor spaces are crucial to the health, comfort and productivity of occupants. At the same time, building operations are responsible for nearly half of the energy used in the U.S.” The DOE’s Building Technology Office envisions that a clean-energy future requires systems for “grid-interactive buildings” (GEBs) that integrate energy generation or storage capabilities and management systems that interact with the regional electrical grid.

Participating companies will receive assistance to develop and commercialize energy hardware technologies for buildings. Those technologies include heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; building-envelope systems; building-integrated energy generation and harvesting technologies; and building-integrated battery and thermal-energy storage systems.

Beyond the innovation cluster, the goals of the project are to promote equity and public health in this sector and “further the nation’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions,” Syracuse said.

“This award gives us the opportunity to strengthen and grow the regional cluster of businesses that are developing building-technology innovations and products,” Eric Schiff, interim executive director of SyracuseCoE, said. “This project supports SyracuseCoE’s mission to catalyze these innovations in New York State.”

The project will sponsor a series of events and resources for networking, technical, marketing, and equity issues, as well as provide access to funding opportunities and national lab resources. Startup companies can join the Clean Tech Center in Syracuse, which offers a suite of services with additional financial support from NYSERDA — the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

All companies can propose collaborative projects involving intellectual property, prototypes, and proof-of-concept for their potential products for buildings.

“The ‘smart’ and high-performance building technologies regional innovation cluster is critical to Central New York’s economy. We are excited to partner with the SyracuseCoE on this project as it will leverage and build on that existing regional expertise, and strengthen strategies to improve public health, particularly in disadvantaged communities, ” Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said. “Ensuring that we can help companies and innovators advance these systems to drive more equitable health outcomes is central to our vision of creating a place where business thrives and all people prosper.”

Kickoff webinar

A kickoff webinar will be held Tuesday (10/19) at 4 p.m. The event will give a brief introduction to the program, including the opportunities available for area companies. Event panelists will discuss the needs and opportunities for energy-hardware innovations for “smart buildings,” including products that promote equity and health in addition to grid interactivity and energy efficiency.

Monica Neukomm, technology manager for Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB), with the DOE’s Building Technologies Office (BTO) will join the panel.

Eric Schiff, Ed Bogucz, Bing Dong, and Bess Krietemeyer from Syracuse University, and Sarah Hood and Juhanna Rogers from CenterState CEO, and Joseph Borowiec from NYSERDA will also participate.

To register for the webinar, click here.