ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

ALBANY, N.Y. — The state of New York has launched the $10 million Empire Technology Prize (ETP), a competitive opportunity for companies and innovators around the world to focus on advancing building technologies for low-carbon heating system retrofits in tall buildings.

The ETP is a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) initiative, administered by The Clean Fight and with technical support from The Rocky Mountain Institute. It includes a $3 million sponsorship from financial advisor Wells Fargo. The program supports the state’s climate agenda, including its goal of achieving an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, according to a press release from the state.

“Investing in new clean, resilient technologies is just one way that New York is advancing progress toward our ambitious Climate Act goals, and the Empire Technology Prize is the newest tool as we move forward,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “This program will help us develop solutions that lower harmful emissions from buildings, creating healthier spaces for all New Yorkers to live and work, as we come together to fight climate change.”

The ETP is an opportunity for equipment manufacturers and entrepreneurs to develop low-carbon solutions, in discussion with leading real estate partners, while exploring opportunities for heating system retrofit demonstration projects in tall commercial and multi-family buildings, the press release said. Applicants will be challenged to develop a tested and fully functional prototype of a heating or distribution system that can be installed in a manner that does not displace occupants and works with existing infrastructure in buildings seven stories and taller.

“NYSERDA is excited to partner with The Clean Fight and Wells Fargo to launch the Empire Technology Prize and usher in the next era of innovative, low-carbon retrofit solutions for one of our hardest sectors to decarbonize — tall buildings,” said Doreen M. Harris, NYSERDA president and CEO. “By casting a global net, we are seeking the world’s best and brightest to advance new technologies that minimize occupant disruptions and show how they could be applied in the buildings that make up the New York City skyline.”

Interested parties are encouraged to submit proposals that will be reviewed and judged by industry experts, in conjunction with participating real estate companies partnering with The Clean Fight. The Clean Fight will bring together finalists and leading New York real estate portfolio owners interested in giving feedback on the finalists' proposed solutions and discussing pilot and demonstration opportunities in New York.

Applicants will be eligible to receive up to $1 million each: $250,000 upon acceptance as a finalist, and up to $750,000 in total milestone payments by progressing their solution. In addition, a total of $2 million will be available to help finalists offset the costs of installing solutions, such as pilot programs or demonstration projects in eligible tall buildings.

At the end of the one-year prize program, beginning July 2024 and ending June 2025, one winner will be awarded an additional $1 million grand prize, based on the solution with the greatest potential for reducing cumulative carbon emissions in the New York market by 2040, and with a goal of facilitating the further development of the solution and its deployment in New York's tall buildings.

With approximately 1.5 billion square feet of existing buildings that use steam to provide heating to New York families and workers, proposals are sought for two focus areas: 1) Centralized building heat pumps that generate steam or high-temperature hot water; and 2) Solutions that make it easier to adopt readily available centralized low-temperature heat pumps into existing building distribution systems.

Applications will be accepted through 3 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024.

The Clean Fight was selected as the program administrator for the ETP in September 2022 and has operated an accelerator program for the past 2.5 years. The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), an independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming global energy systems, is providing technical, prize design, and program support. Wells Fargo’s sponsorship aligns with the company’s ongoing work in affordability in New York and its commitment to support its business, customers, and communities transitioning to a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future, the state’s press release said.

The ETP was first announced in April 2021 as part of the $50 million Empire Building Challenge (EBC), which included partnerships with 10 leading real estate groups with the goal of transforming existing multifamily and commercial tall buildings to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of these structures. The EBC cohort has since expanded to include partnerships with 16 real estate owners who collectively operate over 220 million square feet of New York real estate.

Buildings are one of the leading generators of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, and 70% of the state’s buildings were constructed before the energy code and will need to be upgraded in order to achieve the state’s climate goals.