A Minnesota startup is one of seven finalists vying for the $10 million Empire Technology Prize, a competition that aims to reduce carbon emissions throughout New York state.
Seven projects are moving forward in the competition, which seeks building technologies for low-carbon heating system retrofits for commercial and apartment buildings seven stories or taller with the goal of reducing harmful emissions.
Flow Environmental Solutions Inc., based out of Rogers, Minnesota, manufactures CO2 heat pumps and collaborated with two New York-based companies — Ambient Enterprises and Gil-Bar Industries — for the contest. The team presented a high-temperature, hot water solution using CO2.
The other finalists for the Empire Technology Prize are as follows, ranging from startups to multinational original equipment manufacturers:
- AtmosZero.
- Clean Heat Technologies.
- Enerin AS.
- Hydronic Shell Technologies and Cycle Retrotech.
- Johnson Controls.
- Miller Proctor Nickolas.
"Finalists are challenged to develop a tested and fully functional prototype of a heating or distribution system that can be installed in a manner that does not displace occupants and works with existing infrastructure in buildings seven stories or taller," New York State Energy and Research Development Authority said in a statement.
Once picked, the winners will partner with real estate companies to advance their solutions. CBRE IM, Columbia University, Empire State Realty Trust, Fairstead, L+M Development Partners, New York City Housing Authority, Rudin, Tishman Speyer and Vornado Realty Trust are some of the institutions that will provide feedback on the finalists' demonstrations.
Each nominee receives an initial $250,000 award, which can add up to an additional $750,000 as they reach milestones in developing the retrofit solutions. Another $2 million is set aside for finalists to offset the costs of installations of pilot programs and other demonstrations at eligible tall buildings in New York.
By next June, an additional $1 million grand prize will be given to the project with the potential to reduce the most carbon emissions by 2040.
The NYSERDA plans to prioritize demonstrations at buildings in disadvantaged communities.
“Reducing emissions from the buildings sector will only be possible with ingenuity and technology innovation," said Doreen Harris, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority president and CEO, in a statement.
The NYSERDA is working on the program with climate-tech startup accelerator The Clean Fight, Wells Fargo and nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute. The funding for the program comes from the state's 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund and Wells Fargo.
