Heater for Buildings

Lead Performers:
-- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) — Berkeley, CA
-- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) — Golden, CO
FY19 DOE Funding: $455,000
Project Term: October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019 
Funding Type: Direct Funded

Project Objective

In order to solve some of today’s energy challenges, the U.S. needs to rethink how it manipulates and interconnects thermal processes and resources. The building sector requires new science and technology to transform the conversion, storage, transmission, and utilization of thermal energy. It could also benefit from the holistic management and utilization of thermal energy across the country’s energy system. To address these challenges, this multi-lab, multidiscipline project will conduct research on the science and technology development necessary to enable this vision.

The objective of this project is to identify and prioritize thermal science research opportunities and the associated impact on building energy use and grid flexibility. The project team will specifically examine the science of moving heat within and to residential and commercial buildings. Additionally, the analysis will include identification of science and technology gaps that can have the greatest impact on the use of thermal energy resources in the buildings sector.

Project Impact

Nearly 60% of primary energy used in the U.S. is lost as thermal energy during conversion and transport. This project will address this enormous opportunity for economic and energy savings by identifying ways in which advances in science and technology could unlock its full potential. It will also examine ways to improve the lifecycle performance, efficiency, and cost of many individual energy and transportation systems through better thermal management. This research will help to identify opportunities for thermal management that lead to energy savings, waste heat minimization, and better connected grid-interactive residential and commercial buildings.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Sven Mumme
Lead Performers: Vi Rapp, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
Chuck Booten, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)