Energy
Solutions: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Battelle recognizes that some of the most important changes in global energy system will have to come on the changing nature of energy demand. For more than two decades Battelle staff have been leaders in developing an understanding of end-use consumption in commercial and residential structures and the transfer of that knowledge to issues of building design and construction standards. In more complex settings, Battelle has been a leader in the development of systems that allow management of entire facilities for better energy performance.
- Building efficiency
- Next-generation lighting
- Sustainable design
- Energy system diagnostics and controls
Building efficiency
Our long history of researching, developing, and deploying energy efficiency technologies includes building efficiency. We have developed wireless power meters and control systems that help diagnose problems with building systems to save energy. We are leaders in providing government energy and operations and management officials with strategies and tools that help them reduce energy use and costs. Staff working with the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program develop and deploy easy-to-use code compliance tools and training materials to help building professionals comply with energy code requirements. We have developed building efficiency software products, including REScheck and COMcheck-EZ , which are used throughout the U.S. by designers, builders, product manufacturers, and code officials.
Next-generation lighting
Solid-state lighting using organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) has the potential to completely transform the way homes and buildings are lighted while dramatically reducing energy consumption. Battelle-Japan scientists have expertise in thin film deposition, combinatorial coatings, systematic organic synthesis molecular modeling and characterization, as well as advanced deposition facilities that allow cutting-edge OLED research to overcome the technology barriers standing in the way of their widespread commercial use.
Sustainable design
Sustainable design is a systematic approach that ensures that facilities, products, and processes address the "triple bottom line" of the environment, economics, and social equity. Our scientists have developed the Environmental Design Guide for Engineers, or EDGE, a software tool that provides information about more than 250 opportunities to incorporate sustainable design into projects. EDGE includes measures that help reduce life-cycle costs while increasing energy efficiency and material efficiencies.
Energy system diagnostics and controls
Battelle-Japan experts have developed a suite of analysis procedures, software, and hardware that greatly improve the ability of businesses to predict equipment failure and schedule maintenance, as well as ensure that systems are running as efficiently as possible. One tool, DSOM III (short for Decision Support for Operations and Maintenance), has proven to reduce life-cycle operations and maintenance cost by as much as 25 to 50 percent. DSOM III improves process efficiency, cuts maintenance costs, extends equipment life, and reduces energy consumption and associated harmful emissions.