"caption":"The Building Technologies Research and Integration Center is the only DOE-designated National User Facility devoted to building technologies research and development. "
}
],
"keywords":[
],
"sponsors":[
],
"technology":[
]
},
"title":"Building Technologies",
"subtitle":"Improving US building energy efficiency",
"sections":{
"introduction":"Scientists researching building technologies at ORNL develop new solutions and tools to enable grid-interactive buildings. Early-stage research drives innovations that can create buildings of the future while revitalizing existing buildings.",
"challenge":"The United States has more than 130 million buildings which consume nearly 40% of the nation's primary energy and 75% of its electricity. The country needs greater energy security, resiliency, and affordability to meet energy needs.",
"approach":"Building technologies research and development encompasses energy-efficient equipment such as heat pumps, HVAC, dehumidifiers, appliances, water heaters, and refrigeration systems. Researchers develop novel building materials integrated with technologies to increase affordability, quality, deployment, and adoption. Capabilities can also test new components, equipment, and systems in realistic environments before market introduction. Experts additionally pursue advanced sensor and control technologies, advanced building and system energy modeling solutions for neighborhoods of the future.",
"outcomes":[
"Building envelope efficiencies in novel concrete mix, a self-healing sealant, and anistropic system",
"Refrigeration and heating solutions pushing the boundaries of what's possible for medicine and extreme climate survival.",
"Modeling and analyzing technologies to better understand the scope of US energy use, storage, and demand."
