Graphic: Identify technology deployment priorities through a rigorous, two-stage prioritization process.

The High Impact Technology (HIT) Catalyst is designed to help identify, prioritize and deploy cost-effective, innovative, energy-efficient technology solutions. 

View the latest technology prioritization results.

View previous prioritization results.

Strategic Emphasis

We accelerate the adoption of innovative technology solutions through pre-identified and pre-defined pathways (e.g., Innovation Challenge, Technology Demonstration, Technical Resource development, Adoption Campaign) with an ongoing focus on partnerships and collaboration.

Target Market and Audience

We deploy HITs with the commercial buildings industry including through the Better Buildings Alliance (BBA), federal leaders, regional nonprofits, and efficiency organizations.

Research, development and deployment strategies include technical and market analysis, the use of measure and stock-level analytical tools and laboratory and field testing to de-risk and streamline the adoption of technology solutions with significant energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction potential. This work leads to a better understanding of integration tradeoffs, structural and technical gaps, and long-term research and development requirements that will help CBI rapidly progress toward its goals.

Graphic: Pathways to Support Broad Adoption for National Impact

Deployment Pathways

IoT-Upgradeable Lighting Challenge

Over 30% of lighting energy use can be saved with better lighting information and control. Connected and ubiquitous sensing on upgradable lights will provide the platform to optimize lighting systems and integrate with other building operational systems to promote better building performance. The IoT-DOE invites manufacturers to participate in the Upgradeable Lighting Challenge, to meet demonstrated market potential, by developing a luminaire that can be upgraded with IoT devices/sensors.

Low-Cost Wireless Submetering Challenge

The U.S. Department of Energy issued the Low-Cost Wireless Metering Challenge encouraging manufacturers to produce a cost-effective, accurate, wireless system capable of measuring various electric loads within a building and wirelessly communicating the data. A wireless submeter costing less than $100 and meeting all the specification was recognized by DOE. This submeter can be deployed by building owners and operators to gain greater insight and control over the $120 billion spent annual on electricity in commercial buildings.

The Next Frontier: Lighting as a Connector for Building Systems

Today’s leading-edge lighting systems are capable of communicating with other building systems to enable additional energy-saving opportunities while collecting valuable insights about a business’s operations. However, less than 1% of systems are currently connected. The Integrated Lighting Campaign is a public-private partnership program to catalyze adoption, provide technical assistance and recognition for best practices and to track metrics associated with integrated lighting system costs, benefits and applications.

Pushing the Envelope: Windows, Walls, Roofs

The building envelope (windows, walls, roofs) accounts for approximately 30% (or 4 Quadrillion Btu) of the primary energy consumed in commercial buildings.  Envelope systems are critical to the delivery of comfortable, productive, safe and health conditions in the building. The Building Envelope Campaign helps building owners and managers create more energy-efficient buildings by improving the performance of building envelopes in both new and existing buildings. This is achieved by setting goals for building envelope performance, determining available energy savings, and providing technical support and recognition to building owners and managers.

Making Small and Medium Commercial Buildings Smarter through Improved HVAC Controls

Most commercial buildings in the United States are either small or medium sized buildings served by packaged rooftop HVAC units (RTUs). Yet only 13% of these buildings incorporate HVAC controls. To help increase adoption and lower market barriers, Smarter Small Buildings Campaign offers technical assistance and recognition opportunities for improved HVAC controls, which can save 10-20% in energy costs for small and medium sized buildings. The Campaign works directly with building owners and managers to help reduce energy costs, improve occupant comfort, and meet sustainability goals.  It also partners with technology vendors/manufacturers, HVAC contractors, utilities, and other organizations to help lower market barriers to improved building performance.