Building Energy Efficiency - Building America Research Team

Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems

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Working Together for Home Energy Efficiency

On July 20th, 2010, a Fraunhofer CSE-led research team was selected as one of fifteen groups to join the US Department of Energy's Building America program in developing technologies and methods to dramatically increase the scale and depth of home energy efficiency retrofits.

 

The CSE team is comprised of respected industrial research leaders and focuses on retrofits in Boston, Austin and the State of Maine.

 

Project Focus

Our team will focus uniquely on Building America’s new goal articulated in the Statement of Work (SOW): dramatically increasing the scale and depth of home energy efficiency retrofits. To help achieve this very ambitious goal, we have proposed research activities covering the full spectrum of activities outlined in the SOW, including:

 

1) Applied research and development of energy-efficient building technologies and systems;

2) Deployment and integration of these technologies into homes;

3) In situ monitoring and performance evaluation of these technologies, and

4) Evaluation of home occupant’s motivation and working with existing energy efficiency deployment organizations to realize impact at the community scale.

 

Our Research Plan includes significant efforts to achieve significant primary energy savings at scale through:

 

1) Solar Thermal Integration with HVAC and Water Heating;

2) Advanced Controls Measures and Occupant Feedback, and

3) Enhanced Building Envelope Retrofits, as well as general (design) integration and outreach activities.

 

Research Partners

 

Industrial Partners

 

  • Aspen Aerogel: Producers of ultra-thin insulation materials
  • Fabral: Premier supplier of metal roofing and wall systems
  • MicroTek Laboratories: Developer of encapsulated phase change materials used for insulation
  • Mitsubishi Electric: A world leader in intelligent air-conditioning, heating, and control technology.
  • National Gypsum: Supplier of building products and world-leading producer of gypsum board.
  • Phase Change Energy Solutions: Pioneer in phase change materials for use in insulation board and other residential applications
  • RIMA International: 24-member trade association of reflective insulation manufacturers
  • VKR Group: Leading manufacturer of windows, skylights, and solar thermal systems
  • Winter Panel: Manufacturer of cost-efficient wall panels for private and commercial buildings.

Project Developers

 

  • Cambridge Design and Development: Residential housing developer with significant experience in high-quality construction in Boston and Cambridge, MA
  • SGI Ventures: Developer with extensive experience in innovative residential development in the Austin market
  • Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities: NPO that develops housing and economic development projects based on a green and innovative vision of the future for Texas

Builders

 

  • Byggmeister: Boston-based specialty builder with extensive experience in deep energy retrofit applications to existing homes
  • White Oak Builders: Major residential building contractor operating in Houston and Austin, Texas

Architects and Mechanical Engineering Firms

 

  • Barley and Pfeiffer, Architects: Well-known architectural firm with extensive residential design experience and input into national and city building energy efficiency standards
  • Flack + Kurtz, MEP: National mechanical and HVAC systems engineering firm with significant experience in residential construction
  • Next Phase Studios: Boston-based architectural firm with far-reaching experience in innovative residential design based on energy conservation and green building characteristics
  • WBRC Architects/Engineers: Architectural and engineering firm with significant experience in residential energy conservation design for HUD and private developers
  • Zapotec Energy: Cambridge-based developer of advanced solar techniques and building integrated solar applications

Research Site

 

Monitoring and Evaluation Partners

 

  • Conservation Services Group: A national organization with extensive experience delivering energy efficiency at scale
  • New Ecology: Boston-based developer and conservation monitoring and evaluation services group with real estate development expertise
  • Next Step Living: A residential energy efficiency company providing home energy diagnostics and improvements to the greater New England area

Government Partners

Contact

Dr. Kurt Roth
Group Leader

+1 617 575-7256

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