Q3 2021 yielded exciting progress in NEEA’s long-term work in television efficiency. In August 2021, the NEEA-created television energy test procedure was adopted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) as the industrywide TV testing standard (CTA-2037C). ENERGY STAR® will also adopt CTA-2037C for the Version 9 specification for TVs, expected to be released in November 2021. NEEA’s Emerging Technology team continues to support thin triple pane windows and the Partnership for Advanced Window Solutions (PAWS), and the Advanced Water Heating Initiative (AWHI), which focuses on increasing the adoption of more energy-efficient water heating technologies.
In Q3 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) announced funding of nearly $83 million for research and development of 44 projects intended to lower energy bills by advancing a range of technologies and programs, including hybrid heat exchangers; thermal energy storage; more efficient refrigeration technology; building envelope retrofits; and workforce education and training. To further support America’s small manufacturers, U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewables announced $60 million in funding for 32 higher-education institutions, including the University of Washington and Oregon State University, to set up and operate regional Industrial Assessment Centers. These centers will provide site-specific recommendations to small manufacturers to improve productivity, reduce waste and save energy, while also providing training for students in energy assessment procedures and energy management systems.
As always, please reach out with questions or suggestions on NEEA’s emerging technology work. We’d love to hear from you.
~ Eric Olson, Sr. Manager, Emerging Technology & Product Management (Interim) ~
