GSA, Energy exploring next-gen ‘green’ building tech
The General Services Administration and Energy Department are looking for emerging or underused technologies that could make federal and commercial buildings more economical and eco-friendly.
The two agencies released a joint request for information Monday asking industry to submit innovative technology ideas that help with “smart energy analytics; cold climate heat pumps; fans and blowers; chillers, refrigerants, and alternatives to vapor compressor HVAC; and water conservation and reuse.”
Ideas submitted to the RFI will be considered for evaluation under either or both of the two agencies’ programs related to green building technologies, according to the announcement. Selected proposals could be matched with federal or commercial buildings for pilot measurements and verification by third-party evaluators.
GSA’s Green Proving Ground Program works on testing sustainable building technologies for federally owned buildings. So far, nine GPG-evaluated technologies have been implemented in 200 facilities, according to the announcement.
And DOE’s High Impact Technology Catalyst program facilitates assessments of cost-effective energy efficiency technologies in commercial buildings.
In conjunction with the RFI, the Energy Department also gave notice that it intends to post a funding opportunity announcement in cooperation with the GPG program for “innovative partnerships to significantly and rapidly increase the uptake of emerging and underutilized energy efficient and cost-effective building technology packages.”
Commercial technology already on the market and broadly in use isn’t eligible for evaluation by either program, according to the RFI.
The agencies are accepting responses until Nov. 18.
