Ongoing Assessments

In the news: GPG selects new innovative technologies for evaluation in the GSA portfolio

With Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, this year's GPG program selected 20 emerging and sustainable technologies for real-world evaluation in GSA’s real-estate portfolio, a four-fold increase over previous years. The program will focus on seven technology areas:

Electric vehicle supply equipment

• Fleet charging management provides real-time visibility into EVs, chargers, power usage, critical alerts, and compliance and emissions reporting. 
• Battery-buffered DC fast charger reduces the impact of EV chargers on the overall power demand of a site or building by using a battery storage system.
• Vehicle-to-grid solution allows electricity to flow from the grid to charge the EV or from the EV back to charge the grid.

Germicidal ultraviolet

• Germicidal ultraviolet uses next-generation LEDs to disinfect air without increasing ventilation and support healthier buildings while reducing energy use.

Greenhouse gas accounting

• Net zero portfolio analysis will aim to go beyond annual greenhouse gas reporting to operationally focused carbon management, including near-real-time 24/7 carbon-free electricity insights and impacts.

Grid-interactive efficient buildings

• Digital energy demand management integrates with building automation and control systems to provide real-time energy analytics using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

High performance

• Aerosol-based duct sealing tightly seals visible, invisible, and hidden holes and seams in ductwork to address energy efficiency issues within commercial buildings.
• Internet-of-things (IoT) lighting system offers three scalable and upgradeable levels of control to deliver high light quality, instant-on lighting, and easy installation and future proofing.
• Biocement uses enzymes and bacteria to grow durable cement at ambient temperatures, producing a low-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). 

Onsite renewables

• Modular photovoltaic (PV) and storage system is a DC-coupled infrastructure that extends rooftop solar PV projects and offers the potential to expand grid resiliency.
• Edge-of-roof-mounted wind turbine uses spoiler technology to shape the airflow closest to the roof, which is naturally faster at the edge and redirects wind to the turbine to capture the maximum energy.

Window retrofit

• Vacuum-insulated glazing can replace the glass without having to remove the original framing and uses a 1/2" gas space to simulate insulation properties, improving acoustics and creating a more energy-efficient window.
• Secondary windows technology consists of framing and glazing. The system snaps together and installs into existing window frames in minutes at the job site.

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Ongoing assessments from previous years

Building envelope

• Automated Air Sealing [PDF - 183 KB] seals the building envelope by pressurizing it and then distributing an atomized non-toxic water-based sealant that is automatically drawn to leaks.
• Non-Metalized Window Film [PDF - 201 KB] increases window thermal performance with increased durability, reduced reflectivity, and no cell signal interference. The exterior version is an efficient option even on coated or dual-pane tinted glass.
• Snap-on Window Insulation Panel [PDF - 186 KB] improves the thermal performance of windows, while maintaining window transparency and operability.

Energy management

• Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs) [PDF - 190 KB] deliver cost savings by leveraging technologies and strategies that provide continuous demand management and load flexibility. GPG is evaluating four different GEB solutions.

HVAC

• Active Power Management [PDF - 205 KB]  regulates incoming power and mitigates sags, swells, over voltage, under voltage, and phase imbalance.
• Carbon Capture [PDF - 203 KB] collects C02 from boiler flue gas and turns it into potassium carbonate (aka pearl ash) to make fertilizers, soap, and other detergents.
• C02-Based Heat Pump [PDF - 205 KB] promises to increase heating and cooling efficiency by capturing and reusing thermal energy while reducing global warming potential. Using carbon dioxide as the refrigerant, this heat pump can deliver cooling down to -22°F and heating up to 250°F.
• HVAC Pretreatment Dehumidification [PDF - 184 KB] controls the building’s humidity level by treating outside air before it enters the HVAC system.
• Hydronic Additive [PDF - 202 KB] promises to improve the heat transfer properties of water to reduce energy use in closed-loop HVAC systems.
• Nanofiber Air Filter [PDF - 187 KB] improves filtration effectiveness, while simultaneously improving energy efficiency by lowering airflow restriction.

On-site power and renewables

• Bi-directional EV Charging [PDF - 205 KB] turns EVs into energy storage assets, increasing resilience and lowering the cost of EV ownership.
• DC Microgrid [PDF - 188 KB] connects on-site energy generation and storage devices to direct current (DC) loads, eliminating conversion losses and optimizing the efficiency of on-site power.
• EV Charge Management [PDF - 201 KB] integrates embedded vehicle telematics with utility signals to optimize charging based on vehicle use, utility rates, and the carbon content of delivered power.
• Modular Charging Station [PDF - 202 KB] combines a 4.3 kW solar array with lithium-ion battery storage and emergency power panels to deliver a grid-independent and transportable energy source.
• Single-Axis Solar PV Tracker [PDF - 203 KB] promises to increase commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic production by adapting a proven utility tracking technology with a new low-profile rocker design that reduces friction, motor size, and the cost of sun-tracking.

Water

• Catalyst-Based Scale Prevention for Cooling Towers [PDF - 192 KB] alters the chemistry of hard water to prevent calcite buildup.