The Research & Development Roadmap for Next-Generation Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants provides recommendations on R&D activities that will help accelerate the transition to low-GWP refrigerants across the entire HVAC&R industry.

In Fall 2014, the Emerging Technologies Program released four roadmaps, providing BTO with recommendations for R&D activities to pursue and help aid in achieving BTO’s energy savings goals.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

For HVAC, BTO targets 12% and 24% primary energy savings by 2020 and 2030, respectively. The Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap for Emerging Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Technologies, recommends initiatives that target one or more R&D needs for residential and commercial HVAC technologies and related systems. These technologies and systems include controls, distribution systems, and design, installation, operation, and maintenance practices. Each recommendation is built on direct input from industry stakeholders and research on the key challenges that must be addressed to achieve the specified savings targets. The recommended R&D initiatives collectively support innovations that will accelerate development of both near-term technological improvements and next-generation (i.e., transformational) technologies.

Water Heating

For water heating, BTO targets 19% and 37% primary energy savings by 2020 and 2030, respectively. The Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap for Emerging Water Heating Technologies provides recommendations to the Building Technologies Office (BTO) on R&D activities to pursue that will aid in achieving BTO’s energy savings goals. Each recommendation is built on direct input from industry stakeholders and research on the key challenges that must be addressed to achieve the specified savings targets.  The recommended R&D initiatives collectively support innovations that will accelerate development of both near-term technological improvements and next-generation (i.e., transformational) technologies. 

Appliances

For appliances, BTO targets 14% and 29% primary energy savings by 2020 and 2030, respectively. The Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap for Next-Generation Appliances, recommends initiatives that target high-priority R&D, demonstration, and commercialization activities that, if pursued by BTO and its partners, could significantly reduce residential appliance energy consumption. The roadmap prioritizes those technologies with the highest energy savings potential and greatest likelihood of being embraced by both manufacturers and consumers. The recommended R&D initiatives collectively support innovations that will accelerate development of both near-term technological improvements and next-generation (i.e., transformational) technologies.

Refrigerants

Refrigerants are used in a wide variety of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) equipment. The current generation of refrigerants, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), have significant global warming potential (GWP) when released to the atmosphere. The Research & Development Roadmap for Next-Generation Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants, provides recommendations on R&D activities that will help accelerate the transition to low-GWP refrigerants across the entire HVAC&R industry. Each recommendation is built on direct input from industry stakeholders on the key challenges that must be addressed to achieve widespread implementation of next-generation refrigerants. This roadmap reflects the current state of the industry in 2014 and builds upon a similar roadmap published by BTO in 2011.