The Energy Department today announced a $10 million funding opportunity to help demonstrate and deploy energy efficiency technologies for commercial buildings, including projects that will bring next generation building systems and components to a broader market faster – helping to save building owners and businesses money by saving energy.

The Department also released a new video in its Energy 101 series highlighting how commercial buildings can incorporate whole-building design and innovative technologies to improve energy performance. These proven strategies, including daylighting, shading, and plug and process loads, support the Administration’s Better Buildings Initiative, which is aimed at making commercial buildings 20% more efficient by 2020.

Currently, commercial buildings consume more than 18 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) of primary energy use annually, or about 18% of all the energy used in the nation in 2012. If building owners adopt these cost-effective technologies, the annual energy consumption of commercial and industrial buildings could be reduced by 6 quads.

This funding opportunity supports the demonstration and deployment of technologies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in commercial buildings: sub-metering; plug load strategies; open refrigerated display case retrofits; daylighting; shading; advanced compressor rack and refrigerant systems; and retro-commissioning strategies and technologies. The funding will support the testing and validation of technology performance in real buildings, as well as the creation of materials to help building owners, designers, service providers, and energy efficiency program managers to gain a broader understanding of these energy-saving solutions.

The Energy Department seeks proposals from industry, regional organizations, non-profits, utilities, and similar organizations. Applicant teams will develop a plan to demonstrate and deploy selected technologies at regional or national scale. Learn more about this funding opportunity announcement or register for the upcoming webinar.

The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. EERE supports innovative technologies that reduce both risk and costs of bringing energy-efficient building technologies online. Learn more about the Department's efforts to help homes and buildings save energy.