DOE to fund 22 projects focused on emissions, efficiency

Dive Brief:

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $60 million in funding for 22 new projects aimed at detecting and measuring methane emissions and developing localized thermal management systems that reduce the energy needed to heat and cool buildings.
In one project, Syracuse University will develop a near-range micro-environmental control system transforming the way office buildings are thermally conditioned to improve occupant comfort.
The projects are funded through ARPA-E’s two newest programs: Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR) and Delivering Efficient Local Thermal Amenities (DELTA).

Dive Insight:

The Department of Energy's 22 projects encompasses a wide range: IBM plans to develop new low-cost optical sensors and integrate them in a distributed sensor network to enable enhanced methane leak detection from natural gas systems. The State University of New York at Stony Brook will develop an active air conditioning vent capable of modulating airflow distribution, velocity, and temperature to create localized thermal envelopes around building occupants.

“These new projects highlight the Department of Energy’s commitment to developing a broad range of disruptive technologies to ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable American energy future,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “Investments in innovative methane detection and thermal management technologies demonstrate ARPA-E’s role in catalyzing energy research and development by leveraging our top scientists and engineers from across the country.”

ARPA-E’s MONITOR program focuses on reducing methane emissions associated with energy production to build a more sustainable energy future. The program plans to provide $30 million to support 11 project teams in developing low-cost, highly sensitive systems that detect and measure methane associated with the production and transportation of oil and natural gas.

The DELTA program will develop localized heating and cooling systems and devices to expand temperature ranges within buildings. The program plans to provide $30 million to support 11 project teams in developing technologies that can regulate temperatures focused on a building’s occupants and not the overall building.