WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has announced it is offering up to $30 million in funding for a new program to develop localized thermal management systems that can cut the energy needed for building heating and cooling.

ARPA-E’s Delivering Efficient Local Thermal Amenities (DELTA) program will provide funds to help develop localized heating and cooling devices to enhance personal comfort while allowing an expansion of the temperature range within buildings in order to save energy.

While heating and cooling systems are normally designed for the entire building, DELTA seeks to develop both installed devices and wearable devices that can regulate temperatures in close proximity to a building’s occupants. This localized thermal management will enable buildings to operate in wider temperature ranges while still ensuring occupant comfort, which could significantly reduce a building’s energy consumption.

For more information on this funding opportunity announcement, visit https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/.

Publication date: 6/2/2014

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