Next Step Living

Ambature aims to create greater energy efficiency and to this end, Ambature designs and aims to develop materials that will improve the efficiency of power distribution while reducing electricity consumption. Applications of this technology range from household appliances to electric motors.

Cerion Energy, formerly Cerion Technology, produces GO2, an eco-friendly nanotechnology based diesel fuel additive that decreases fuel consumption by a minimum of 8% while also reducing harmful emissions and particulate matter.

Nemometrics is a company that received a STTR Phase II grant for a project entitled: Nonintrusive Electrical Monitor (NEMO). Their project will develop and qualify a Non-Intrusive Electrical Monitor product (NEMO) to provide inexpensive, accurate, in depth monitoring of electrical usage, permit expanded energy savings and provide additional information, like potential equipment faults and failures. NEMO increases the amounts and kinds of diagnostic information that can be gleaned from a single set of electrical measurements, thus lowering the cost of monitoring building energy management systems. By analyzing the transient signatures produced when different electrical equipment draws power, NEMO can identify which of multiple loads turn on and off and assess their condition. The objectives of the research are to determine: the reliability of NEMO algorithms in the presence of multiple loads, prioritize several possible diagnostic analyses for the commercial product, and maximize the automation of NEMO data analysis while minimizing the need for human scrutiny and intervention. Phase I demonstrated the value of NEMO systems in monitoring and diagnostics with air conditioning units. The Phase II research plan calls for continuing the development work and installation of a qualified prototype in commercial buildings. Data analysis will reveal inefficiencies in building operation and effectiveness of the algorithms themselves. This project will develop a system for non-intrusive detection and identification of multiple electrical loads with major energy conservation and other benefits. Time of use data can be used to create new automated algorithms that minimize energy use and optimize heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system operation without affecting occupant comfort, while electrical health diagnostics can signal when a motor is nearing failure or a valve has jammed. A reduction in the cost of in-depth monitoring allows more commercial facilities to reap energy and maintenance savings from these algorithms and the NEMO product that contains them. Actual measurement rather than estimation of initial and ongoing electrical power consumption of electrical equipment within a commercial building enables verification of upgrade performance. It also facilitates design and operation of intelligent, energy efficient buildings and assists in attaining Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEEDTM) certification. By promoting energy efficiency in buildings, NEMO will enable customers to reduce their energy costs, reduce or eliminated unscheduled maintenance and increase profitability.

Energate promotes online and mobile energy management software mastering the goal of comfort and energy conservation benefits.

SmartSynch is a point-to-point smart grid solution that utilizes a cellular network for communications. The company's products and services include SmartMeters and GridRouters that IP-enable the grid, software solutions, and a host of professional services for utilities and customers, as well as clean-tech companies, universities, and government agencies in need of remote communications and control functionality for products ranging from solar panels to plug-in hybrid vehicles. In February 2012, SmartSynch was acquired by Itron. The valuation of SmartSynch was $100 million.

Ember Technologies is developing an adaptive intelligence technology, designed to reduce and in most cases eliminate standby power from commonly used electronic devices in the home and office