Press Release- 2011-06-21 - Energy Efficiency Startup, Clausius Technologies, is Semifinalist in Business Competition
NIREC business accelerator helps clean energy startup present energy efficient HVAC smart controller technology
June 21, 2011 (Sparks, NV)—Clausius Technologies today announced its HVAC smart controller technology has advanced to the semifinals in the Cleantech Open, the world’s largest cleantech business competition, according to the competition’s website.
Clausius’ smart controller will remotely control any small business or residential HVAC system. The controller “learns” the thermal resistance (R value) of the building and the operating characteristics of the HVAC. Then, it applies proprietary, patented algorithms to determine the most efficient method to satisfy load curtailment needs while preventing excess temperature changes. Existing demand management systems (DMS) for the residential and small commercial markets do not have the technology to control any HVAC, regardless of age or design. The Clausius system is expected to attain 20 to 35 percent energy savings over traditional controllers.
“Advancing in this business competition lends additional support to our conviction that the market is ready for this technology,” said Denis Donovan, an engineer and serial entrepreneur who co-founded Clausius and who is also CEO of SES, a successful mechanical engineering firm from which Clausius was formed. “But, even more important, is the impact a product like this will have on energy consumption. Energy efficiency is one of the quickest and most effective ways to kick-start energy conservation.”
Donovan and co-founder Mike Matheus have already applied for a provisional patent on the unique feed forward control and HVAC control algorithms. These features are highly attractive to utilities and DMS firms—and Clausius has been building relationships with key companies that are anticipating the release of the Clausius product. The controller can be given a kWh limit and can manage the HVAC to stay within that limit, so a utility can control kWh usage across its service area, yet the customer experience is not impacted.
Thus far, Clausius’s product is at pilot stage, but the company expects to begin commercial trials in the fall.
Cleantech Open is a prestigious business plan competition—a national program to find, fund and foster the most promising clean technologies. Competitors receive mentoring, training, access to business clinics and exposure to investors through numerous opportunities to showcase to the media and the public. The final award designation will take place in November, when the winner will receive a $250,000 prize package containing investment and additional services.
Originally conceived as an out-of-the-box solar collector water source heat pump unit packaged with geothermal engineering designs and a smart controller, the vision was fine-tuned as the Clausius team worked over the past year with the NIREC team, led by Entrepreneur-in-Residence Nicola Kerslake. Through her extensive research and market investigations, Kerslake helped the Clausius team narrow its focus to the most novel part of the system, the controller. The U.S. Department of Energy provided funding for NIREC's business services and Clausius research.
“We are excited to see such a promising technology recognized, and look forward to working with Cleantech Open’s mentors to further develop our plans over coming months” said Kerslake.
About NIREC
The Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC) is a 501(c)3 independent nonprofit organization committed to increasing our nation's economic security through energy innovation, entrepreneurship and energy project implementation. NIREC provides strategic consulting and venture assistance to early stage technology innovators, energy project developers and economic development agencies to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy solutions. Three mentoring programs are available to early-stage companies through NIREC's OnTRAC program. Developed to accelerate the path to market, the OnTRAC modules, including OnTRAC:Launch, OnTRAC:Start and OnTRAC:Connect, provide expert assessments and advice along with a structured program for developing and implementing a commercialization plan. Visit the OnTRAC Program webpages for more details.
Contact:
Jackie Phillips
jackie.phillips@nirec.org
775-881-7546
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