In order to drastically improve energy efficiency, the Energy Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has pledged $60 million towards the funding of 22 new and contemporary projects.
The goal of the projects include the need for better detection and measuring of methane emissions as well as developing localized thermal management systems that would aid in reducing the total amount of energy needed to heat up and then cool down buildings.
The funding of the projects is through ARPA-E’s newest programs, namely; The Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR) and Delivering Efficient Local Thermal Amenities (DELTA).
Projects such as MONITOR to measure methane – $30 Million
ARPA-E’s MONITOR program has the sole aim to reduce the methane emissions released during energy production in order to sustain a more stable energy future. The $30 million allocated to this project will support 11 teams to develop low-cost and very sensitive systems that will be able to detect as well as measure the methane released during the production as well as the transportation of oil and natural gasses.
An example of one of the selected MONITOR projects would be the Bridger Photonics, Inc’s Mobile LiDAR Sensors for Methane Leak Detection
Bridger Photonics will research and develop a Light-Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system that will be able to efficiently and precisely measure methane releases which will result in 3D topographic information on possible leak locations.
A unique near-infrared fiber laser will be able to detect long range sensitivity and may even be utilized throughout a range of mobile platforms in order to conduct surveys on various sites each day. LiDAR will aid in the reduction of costs as well as aid in quantifying and locating methane leaks better than current technology can do at this point in time.
Delivering Efficient Local Thermal Amenities (DELTA) – $30 Million
The DELTA programs goal is to develop centralized heating and cooling systems as well as devices in order to expand temperature ranges within specific buildings.
The $30 million allocated to the project will be split between 11 development teams that will develop technologies in order to better regulate temperatures focused more on the building’s occupiers rather than the building itself.
Such centralization of thermal management will allows buildings to operate within a wider temperature range while not cutting down on comfort but will allow the energy consumption and emissions associated with the building to be drastically reduced.
An example of one of the selected DELTA projects would be the Syracuse University’s Micro-Environmental Control System.
By developing a near-range micro-environment control system, Syracuse University will transform the way office buildings are conditioned on a thermal level which will improve occupants comfort on the whole.
The system will leverage an efficient micro-scroll compressor within a micro-vapor compression system, whereby the evaporator will be embedded inside a phase-change material. The material in turn will store all the cooling produced by the micro vapour compression system during the evening, whilst releasing its as cooler air in order to allow occupants to be more comfortable during the day.
This micro-environmental control system will save more than 15% on energy that has to be provided for heating and cooling purposes.
Department of Energy fully committed to sustainable power
“Investments in innovative methane detection and thermal management technologies demonstrate ARPA-E’s role in catalyzing energy research and development by leveraging our top scientists and engineers from across the country.” – U.S. Energy Secretary Ernst Moniz.
Mr Moniz reiterates that these new projects once again highlight the fact that the Department of Energy is fullycommitted to researching and developing a broad range of sustainable technologies in order to secure the energy future of America at an affordable rate.
ARPA-E was launched in 2009 and aims to research unexplored terrains within the energy technology sectors and to develop viable options to create and store sustainable energy.
Photo by: Dmytrok on Flickr
