GSA Blog

Six Emerging Building Technologies Selected for Evaluation by the Green Proving Ground Program

Yesterday, GSA and DOE asked for this year’s innovative technologies to improve federal and commercial buildings in the GSA Blog. Today, the Green Proving Ground program is excited to announce six technologies selected for testing in GSA facilities through last year’s GSA/DOE Request for Information (RFI), and the publication of this year’s joint RFI seeking emerging building technologies for evaluation in federal and commercial buildings.

GPG’s Six Selected Technologies

GPG would like to introduce and congratulate the following six technologies selected for evaluation in GSA facilities from last year’s RFI:

Wireless Sensors and Analytics: When occupants interact with buildings, they generate valuable data that can be used to optimize the efficiency of building operations. This technology tests the promise of the Internet of Things by using wireless, lighting-fixture-based sensors that capture data including occupancy and temperature—with the potential not only to save energy, but also to improve building security, space allocation, and asset management.

Technology provided by Enlighted, Inc.; To be evaluated in coordination with HIT Catalyst.

Dual-Zone Indoor Shades: This window attachment balances glare control and availability of natural light by integrating two separate daylight control strategies into a single unit—a motorized upper louvered blind that maximizes daylight harvesting, and a lower translucent roller shade that reduces glare and heat.

Technology provided by LouverShade, LLC; To be evaluated in coordination with HIT Catalyst.

Hydronic Heating Standby Optimization: This technology uses temperature sensors and advanced algorithms to distinguish between boiler standby losses and actual demand for space heating, in order to conserve energy by reducing boiler “false starts” without compromising occupant comfort.

Technology provided by Fireye, Inc.; To be evaluated in coordination with HIT Catalyst.

High Performance Circulator Pumps: This smart pump technology uses self-optimizing algorithms to dynamically find the most efficient flow speed under varying conditions, and uses wireless communication to offer real-time remote operation, metering, and reporting.

Technology provided by Grundfos Pumps Corporation; To be evaluated in coordination with HIT Catalyst.

Chemical-Free Water Treatment: This technology uses an electro‐catalytic process to control scale, corrosion, and bio‐contamination in cooling towers. This alternative treatment has the potential to reduce water use and chiller energy consumption, without the use of chemical decontaminants.

Technology provided by Dynamic Water Technologies, LLC; To be evaluated in coordination with HIT Catalyst.

Phase Change Material: PCMs can be used to stabilize internal building temperatures by storing energy when it isn’t needed and releasing it when it is. When a space warms, PCMs absorb heat as they melt to a liquid state; when the space cools, PCMs release heat as the material freezes back to a solid state. PCMs can be integrated into wall, roof, and floor assemblies, or simply installed on top of ceiling tiles.

Technology provided by InSolCorp, Inc. and Phase Change Energy Solutions

More information on these technologies and 14 ongoing evaluations can be found at GPG’s Ongoing Assessments webpage.

Do you also know of an innovative building technology that should be evaluated by GPG? Please complete the joint GPG/HIT Catalyst RFI! If your technology is selected for evaluation through GPG’s program, HIT Catalyst demonstration projects, or both, it will be matched with federally owned buildings or commercial buildings, respectively, for measurement and verification by objective third-party evaluators. Project results are intended to help accelerate deployment of high impact technologies, and to inform public and private sector investment decisions.

RFI quick facts

• We will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, November 3 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET to answer your questions regarding the program and the RFI.
• Visit the RFI posting on SAM.gov
• The RFI will be open for submissions until Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET.
• Read the RFI press release on GSA
• For more details about the RFI, visit the Green Proving Ground website at gsa.gov/gpg
• For more information on the HIT Catalyst, please visit buildings.energy.gov/hitcatalyst

Additional questions regarding the RFI should be direct to gpg+2017@gsa.gov