The U.S. Department of Energy launched the American-Made Building Envelope Innovation Prize—Secondary Glazing Systems. The program will offer up to $2 million to encourage production of high-performance, cost-effective commercial windows.
The inaugural Building Envelope Innovation Prize targets novel solutions for commercial window upgrades to enable equitable decarbonization and optimize building envelopes for electrification, according to a DOE news release.
Secondary glazing involves installing an additional windowpane on an existing window to improve insulation.
“About 40% of U.S. commercial buildings, including multifamily residences, have single-pane windows, which are uncomfortable for occupants and waste energy,” says Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy. “Yet less than 1% of commercial buildings get full window replacements each year because it is so expensive and disruptive for occupants. Secondary glazing systems can help solve this problem.”
“While secondary glazing systems currently exist, they are a small portion of the market and are not widely adopted, despite costing markedly less than a full window replacement,” says Marc LaFrance, windows technology manager for DOE’s Building Technologies Office. “This prize will improve equitable access to efficient retrofit technologies by reducing product and installation costs.”
Here are more details from DOE:
Secondary glazing systems currently on the market can improve energy efficiency without needing to remove existing windows, but the potential of this technology has not been fully realized. The goal of this prize is to spur development of next-generation secondary windows that increase building resilience and comfort and decrease energy consumption—all while being highly cost-effective.
Improved window energy efficiency will lead to more attainable building electrification, as smaller heat pumps will be able to serve the building’s reduced energy needs. The Building Envelope Innovation Prize aims to fund development of promising, cost-effective, market-ready secondary glazing system solutions across three phases:
Phase 1: Design Concept—$50,000 | February 14 to June 13, 2024
- Teams will provide an innovative concept narrative and design drawings for a secondary glazing system prototype, including details on cost and energy performance.
- Up to five semifinalists will be selected, each receiving $50,000.
- Phase 1 awards will be based on energy and technical performance modeling, cost metrics, and construction plans.
- Teams can only join during Phase 1
Phase 2: Prototype—$200,000 | September 2024 to March 2025
- Semifinalist teams selected from Phase 1 will submit a secondary glazing system prototype and technical narrative as well as secure an equity-focused pilot demonstration partner.
- Phase 2 focus areas will include market readiness, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to be deployed.
- Up to three finalists will be selected, each receiving $200,000.
- Phase 2 awards will be based on prototype construction, as well as thermal and optical performance tests run by a national laboratory.
Phase 3: Commercialization—$750,000 | May 2025 to May 2026
- Finalist teams selected from Phase 2 will work with their equity-focused pilot demonstration partners and submit plans for commercialization.
- Phase 3 will focus on commercial viability—including price point, ease of installation, etc.
- Up to two winners will be selected. First place will receive $750,000; second place will receive $400,000.
- Phase 3 awards will be based on prototype durability testing results, rigor of commercialization plans, and implementation of equity-focused pilot demonstrations in low-income multifamily or underserved public sector buildings.
The Design Concept phase will accept applications of innovative secondary glazing system designs through June 13, 2024. All interested applicants must join by that date; Phase 2 and Phase 3 will not accept new competitors.
Related Stories
| Nov 3, 2014
ASSA ABLOY announces sponsorship of Safe and Sound Initiative
ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions, has signed on as a platinum sponsor of Safe and Sound, an organization founded by families directly affected by the December 14, 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
| Oct 14, 2014
Proven 6-step approach to treating historic windows
This course provides step-by-step prescriptive advice to architects, engineers, and contractors on when it makes sense to repair or rehabilitate existing windows, and when they should advise their building owner clients to consider replacement.
| Sep 23, 2014
Kawneer introduces horizontal sliding configuration to the OptiQ Ultra Thermal Window Series
Kawneer Company introduces its new AA™5450 Series Window. Now available in a horizontal sliding configuration, the new window completes the family of OptiQ™ Ultra Thermal Windows and continues to deliver the best-in-class thermal performance that the high-performing window series is known for.
| Jul 11, 2014
First look: Jeanne Gang reinterprets San Francisco Bay windows in new skyscraper scheme
Chicago architect Jeanne Gang has designed a 40-story residential building in San Francisco that is inspired by the city's omnipresent bay windows.
| Jun 10, 2014
Built-in balcony: New skylight windows can fold out to create a patio
Roof window manufacturer Fakro offers a skylight window system that quickly converts into an open-air balcony.
| May 8, 2014
Door knob code revisions generating controversy
The City of Vancouver’s ban on doorknobs in all new buildings, which went into effect last month, has drawn a strong reaction from the public and heated debate across Canada as other jurisdictions consider the measure.
| Apr 16, 2014
Upgrading windows: repair, refurbish, or retrofit [AIA course]
Building Teams must focus on a number of key decisions in order to arrive at the optimal solution: repair the windows in place, remove and refurbish them, or opt for full replacement.
| Apr 2, 2014
8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications
Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Mar 5, 2014
5 tile design trends for 2014
Beveled, geometric, and high-tech patterns are among the hot ceramic tile trends, say tile design experts.
