DOE Announces $38.8 Million for Technology R&D to Decarbonize Buildings Under the BENEFIT 2024 Funding Opportunity

On September 17, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $38.8 million in funding for 25 projects across 17 states to research and develop advanced building technologies aimed at decarbonizing, reducing peak demand on the electric grid, enhancing resilience, and lowering energy costs.

This funding, awarded through the Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) opportunity, supports critical R&D and demonstration activities for next-generation building envelope, lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies. The initiative also focuses on improving building resilience during extreme weather events, while enabling buildings to function as assets to the electrical grid.

Selected Projects Highlighted:

1. HVAC and Water Heating:
Projects aim to improve performance, reduce carbon emissions, and lower costs, while accelerating market adoption of HVAC units and water heaters.

• Syracuse University (NY): Developing the Hydronic Shell, a minimally invasive facade-integrated HVAC system for high-efficiency building retrofits.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI): Creating a cold climate heat pump designed as a drop-in replacement for natural gas boilers.
• Ecotope (WA): Demonstrating plug-and-play electric heat pumps as replacements for fossil fuel boilers using refrigerants like propane and CO2.

2. Innovative Roof and Attic Retrofits:
Low-cost solutions for enhancing energy efficiency through replicable roof and attic retrofits.

• University of Central Florida (FL): Demonstrating attic retrofit solutions that improve moisture control and energy efficiency in hot, humid climates.
• University of Missouri (MO): Developing low-cost cooling films for roof retrofits to reduce temperatures and cooling costs, particularly in low- and medium-income housing.

3. Building Resilience and Peak Load Management:
Projects addressing resilience and capacity constraints in low-income housing and critical infrastructure.

• Stepwise Electric (NY): Extending modular electrical systems for heat pumps and water heaters to avoid costly panel upgrades.
• Siemens Corporation (NJ): Developing retrofitting solutions for fire stations using DC power distribution with solar and battery storage for increased resilience.

4. Commercial Lighting Retrofit Innovations:
Projects focused on developing advanced lighting technologies for schools, churches, and community centers.

• BIOS (CA): Creating commercial lighting solutions that enhance both energy efficiency and human wellness by targeting physiological benefits.

For more information on DOE’s activities that support building technology innovation, visit BTO’s Emerging Technologies program or see the full funding opportunity announcement.