By Pablo La Roche, Director of Sustainable Design

On December 7, I had the opportunity to speak at the Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council (ETCC) during their fourth quarter meeting. As part of ETCC’s active search for technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency,  my presentation focused on the importance of passive heating and cooling systems as easy to implement, low-cost strategies that reduce energy use in buildings, and how we can improve their performance using smart controllers. I shared results of experiments with evaporative cooling systems using roof ponds and cool towers; smart natural ventilation; radiant cooling and green roofs, all data from my experiments at UCLA and Cal Poly Pomona. I also introduced an upcoming project to design two low-cost, zero carbon homes as repeatable prototypes for fire prone areas.

The ETCC promotes the implementation of new technologies, from the lab to the marketplace and to buildings, helping Californians save money and energy. Members include the State of California’s four investor owned utilities (SCE, The Gas Company, San Diego Gas and Electric, and PG&E), and the Sacramento Utility District, the California Energy Commission, and the California Public Utilities Commission. The ETCC focuses on identification, assessment, and rapid commercialization of energy-reducing technologies, such as advanced lighting, water heating, and air-conditioning systems for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

Do you have an energy efficiency idea or technology? Contact the ETCC to learn about how you can get involved.