NYSERDA Announces Support for Innovative Building Technologies that Reduce Energy Use and Support Business Growth Under REV

New York – August 7, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded support for 11 innovative advanced building technologies as part of the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to increase energy efficiency in buildings and grow businesses throughout New York State.

Buildings use approximately 60 percent of energy consumed in the state, so technologies that can lower energy use have a significant long-term impact on the environment while bolstering job creation and economic growth.

Support for advanced buildings innovation aligns with NYSERDA’s proposed Clean Energy Fund, an essential component of REV that will pursue new methods of attracting private investment in clean energy in New York, increase the use of clean energy technologies, and stimulate significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The technologies receiving awards through NYSERDA’s Advanced Buildings Program are all in the research and development (R&D) stage.

“These building R&D projects continue New York State’s focus on cleantech innovation to drive the scale of clean energy required to achieve REV objectives,” said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “Under REV, Governor Cuomo is building a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers, and energy efficiency is an effective way to allow residents and businesses to take control of their energy costs.”

Through this competitive program, NYSERDA is partnering with manufacturers, research scientists, building owners and property managers to develop and accelerate the commercialization of new energy-efficient technologies. Support is provided for technologies throughout all stages of the product development process, from concept to commercialization, field installation and evaluation.

Proposals selected for funding ranged from studies and proof-of-concept research to product development and demonstration projects. Specific areas of interest included construction materials and strategies, heating and cooling systems, solid-state lighting, demand response and smart buildings.

Funding for the final round of this program is still available. For more information seenyserda.org/pon2606.

The following are descriptions and funding awards for each project selected in this round.

Capital Region

• Lower-cost LED materials — Good light LLC (Albany)
• Smart Building Energy Management System for the Zero Energy Nanotechnology (ZEN) Building – SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) (Albany)
• Field testing of LED fixtures with different lighting control strategies to guide users — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center (Troy)

Central New York

• Greater efficiency in building cooling — Optimized Thermal Systems Inc. (Syracuse)
• Heating system that also generates power — Syracuse University (Syracuse).

Finger Lakes

• Brighter LED lighting systems — OLEDWorks LLC (Rochester)

Long Island

• LED technology for controlled environments — Autronic Plastics Inc. d/b/a Clear-Vu Lighting (Central Islip).

New York City

• Developing metrics to increase use of building automation systems — CUNY Institute for Urban Systems (NYC) · Developing affordable, net-zero manufactured homes — The Levy Partnership Inc. (NYC)
• Integrating smart battery storage with solar power for multlifamily building — Bright Power Inc. (NYC)

Statewide

• Self-powered heat pump to increase building resiliency — Gas Technology Institute (Statewide)

About Reforming the Energy Vision

Under Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision, New York State is spurring clean energy innovation and attracting new investment to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. Reforming the Energy Vision encompasses groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid, redesigned programs and strategies to unlock private capital, and active leadership in deploying innovative energy solutions across the State’s own public facilities and operations. Reforming the Energy Vision will enable a dynamic, clean energy economy operating at a scale that will stimulate opportunities for communities across the state to create jobs and drive local economic growth, while protecting our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Successful initiatives already launched as part of Reforming the Energy Vision include NY Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities.

To learn more about Reforming the Energy Vision, please visit http://www.ny.gov/programs/reforming-energy-vision.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, orInstagram.