FLEXLAB^®

The world’s most advanced integrated building and grid technologies testbed

FLEXLAB, Better Together

As we wrap up summer and head into fall, we’ve closed out the FY22 fiscal year, which included the testing of multiple projects. These projects featured studies of rooftop heat pump unit demand flexibility using a hardware in the loop approach, window film retrofit evaluations, and a clean energy entrepreneur product evaluation. FY23 is projected to be even busier, with projects studying demand flexibility technologies, indoor air quality (IAQ), and energy-efficient technology packages, as well as solar control through automated shading and exterior window films. To date, FLEXLAB^® has supported over $75 million in research projects.

As we have transitioned back to more onsite work, FLEXLAB resumed in-person tours in FY22, hosting 125 individuals from 21 organizations, including government agencies, utilities, academic institutions, and industry. One of the VIP tours we hosted is highlighted in the article below.

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Latest FLEXLAB News & Updates

Special Visit from New Zealand Minister of Energy and Resources

The Honorable Dr. Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources, Minister of Building and Construction, and Minister of Housing for New Zealand visited Berkeley Lab in September to learn about the research we’re doing in energy efficiency and building comfort. As part of this visit, FLEXLAB Executive Director, Cindy Regnier, led a tour hosting Minister Woods and her staff. New Zealand has ambitious energy and carbon saving goals, with 85% of their electricity currently sourced by renewable energy, and further plans to decarbonize transportation, buildings and industry through their Ara Ake program.

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Beyond Widgets: Energy-Efficient IAQ System Packages for Schools

Beyond Widgets is a multi-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) where Berkeley Lab researchers work with utility companies to develop and validate system packages for customer incentive programs. FLEXLAB testing of these packages validates their performance and quantifies occupant thermal and visual comfort.

This year, Beyond Widgets is working to develop cost-effective energy efficient packages of IAQ technologies for schools in support of the Efficient and Healthy Schools campaign. The campaign works with K-12 schools to improve energy performance and indoor air quality, with a focus on finding practical solutions to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

American-Made Program Supports Clean Energy Entrepreneurs

DOE’s American-Made program incentivizes innovation through prizes, training, collaborations, and mentoring. Prizes are awarded for a number of different challenges, including solar, electricity, geothermal, water, and more. Additionally, the program connects entrepreneurs and innovators to the National Labs and industry. FLEXLAB has joined the American-Made network as a Connector and is currently in discussions with multiple collaborators.

Learn more at americanmadechallenges.org, and reach out to FLEXLAB to discuss any potential opportunities.