Diagram of enVerid Systems - HVAC Load Reduction, technology demonstration.

Lead Performer: enVerid Systems Inc. – Houston, TX
DOE Funding: $2,400,000
Cost Share: $2,400,000
Project Term: October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2017
Funding Opportunity: DE-FOA-0001084

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The objective is to install and operate modular HVAC Load Reduction (HLR) retrofits in multiple and diverse buildings, monitor their performance, analyze the energy savings and overall economics, and verify IEQ/IAQ with specific tests for CO2 and other contaminants of concern. The set of buildings selected for demonstration should collectively represent target markets based on market and commercialization analyses and strategies. The demonstrations will result in the creation of a body of validating case studies and data to encourage and enable widespread adoption around the country.

PROJECT IMPACT

A unique and innovative approach has been conceived, developed, and demonstrated to reduce the energy consumption in HVAC systems in commercial and public buildings by up to 50% at peak loads. The concept involves selective removal of gas contaminants from indoor air as a practical substitute for outside air ventilation, as is the normal practice today. This enables recycling of most of the indoor air, greatly reduces the amount of makeup air, thereby resulting in a reduced HVAC load and significant energy savings for the facility. Key to our approach is low-cost removal of all gas contaminants from indoor air using novel, efficient and regenerable sorbent materials. The total solution, labeled HLR™ (HVAC Load Reduction) is implemented by means of compact modules that can be retrofitted onto virtually any building, and utilizes novel sorbents that have been originally developed by DOE and licensed to enVerid.

The ultimate goal of the project is to overcome market hesitancy that stands in the way of widespread adoption, by creating a critical mass of success stories across different regions and building types.

enVerid first demonstrated a retrofit HLR™ solution in the field in 2012; a more recent beta site has been deployed as a joint project by enVerid and Johnson Controls (JCI) at a Citibank office complex in San Antonio. That building had previously been operating strictly under ASHRAE 62.1 guidelines. Using a carefully planned comparative protocol and third party laboratory analysis for IAQ, the demo confirmed a 40% average daily reduction in cooling energy in summer 2013 relative to ASHRAE 62.1 prescriptive mode, with excellent IAQ.

CONTACTS

DOE Technology Manager: Amy Jiron
Lead Performer: Udi Meirav, CEO, enVerid Systems Inc.

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