Building Efficiency Technologies by Tomorrow’s Engineers and Researchers (BETTER) Capstone

Lead Performer: Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA
Partners:
  -   Alphabet Energy – Hayward, CA
  -   Alabama Heat Exchangers, AL
  -   Advanced Renewable Energy
  -   Emrgy Hydro – Atlanta, GA
  -   Fox Theater – Atlanta, GA
  -   Atlanta BeltLine – Atlanta, GA
  -   Ford – Atlanta, GA
  -   SawHorse – Atlanta, GA
  -   Embr Labs – Boston, MA
  -   Walford Technologies, Inc – Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Total Funding: $200,000
Cost Share: $111,800
Project Term: 2015 – 2017
Funding Opportunity: Building University Innovators and Leaders Development (BUILD) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) (DE-FOA-0001167)

Project Objective

The Georgia Institute of Technology will support 20 student project teams in developing building energy efficiency technologies through a capstone design project. Students will use the full design process, including the manufacturing and testing of a prototype solution, as well as publically demonstrating the solution at the Capstone Design Expo. Student teams will partner with company sponsors, fostering student employment in the building energy efficiency sector.

Project Impact

The Georgia Institute of Technology estimates that the combined energy savings from these projects will add up to over 1.8 quads per year. This project will provide hands-on manufacturing educational experience, which encourages students to pursue future work in energy efficiency research and development, design, and manufacturing. DOE’s university partnerships also improve the competitiveness of American universities to conduct building energy efficiency R&D and enable stronger university-industry partnerships.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Mohammed Khan
Principle Investigator: Shannon Yee, Georgia Institute of Technology