NYSERDA announces $5 million is now available to support innovative building solutions in New York

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced $5 million is now available to support innovative building solutions in New York that can be demonstrated in existing single-family, multifamily, and small to medium commercial buildings. Today’s announcement will accelerate the market-readiness of new and emerging clean energy and energy efficiency technologies that can help to manage future energy use, enhance energy efficiency, and lower operating costs in buildings and homes across the state.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NYSERDA welcomes emerging solutions from companies that have tested their technologies and are ready to expand into New York’s marketplace. This critical funding will support new products and systems that can be replicated in our aging homes and buildings as part of our comprehensive approach to creating more sustainable communities across the state.”

The Enabling Innovative Clean Energy Building Solutions program seeks qualified proposers to demonstrate how the latest innovations in integrated systems, materials, and technologies can greatly improve building or home performance, reduce costs, and/or improve resiliency. The maximum funding amount is $1 million for each selected proposal, which to meet eligibility requirements, must have been previously awarded funding from a federal, state, or local government entity (non-NYSERDA), a foundation, or a non-profit, to develop an innovative clean building technology product or solution.

Eligible funding areas include:

• Building Envelope – components or materials that improve performance and enable building envelope retrofits.
• Clean Heating and Cooling – new heat pump equipment, ground source systems, and hybrid systems.
• Intelligent Grid-interactive Building Controls – solutions that enable electric load and energy asset management and offer grid interactivity.
• Low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) Refrigerant Applications and Leak Detection – solutions that accelerate the use and management of low-GWP refrigerants.
• Thermal Storage – integration of thermal storage with heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment that improves performance or enable thermal networks.

Proposals are due on June 4, 2025 by 3:00 p.m. ET. For more information on this funding opportunity please visit NYSERDA’s website. NYSERDA will host a webinar on April 10, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. ET to provide more details on the solicitation, project requirements and the application process.

Building Energy Exchange CEO Richard C. Yancey said, “The Enabling Innovative Clean Energy Building Solutions program is an essential step toward transforming New York’s building sector.  By addressing critical areas like clean heating and cooling, energy efficiency, and building decarbonization, NYSERDA is empowering the next wave of scalable solutions that will not only help the State meet its climate goals but also support long-term resilience and cost savings for tenants and building owners across New York State. We look forward to sharing these forward-looking solutions widely with our community of building decision-makers.”

National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) President David Terry said, “NASEO again applauds NYSERDA for working to improve building performance through technology development and demonstration, this time though its Enabling Innovative Clean Energy Building Solutions program opportunity notice. This opportunity will demonstrate high-performance technologies in such areas as building envelope; heating, cooling, and thermal storage; refrigerants and leak detection; and grid-interactive building controls. These demonstrations illustrate how states can advance technologies, help businesses commercialize innovations, reduce energy costs, and improve their and the Nation’s buildings.”

Today’s announcement builds on the success of previous rounds issued under the program formerly known as NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenges, which has awarded a total of nearly $60 million to over 80 projects to date. New York State’s investments in research, development, and commercialization support innovators accelerating the clean energy transition to economy-wide carbon neutrality. NYSERDA’s Innovation and Research program is deploying approximately $1.2 billion over 15 years as direct research investments and commercialization support. To date, more than $800 million in investments have supported more than 700 companies and made nearly 300 products commercially available to individuals, businesses, and utilities.

Funding for this initiative is through the Clean Energy Fund (CEF).

New York State’s Climate Agenda
New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

NYSERDA
Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York’s energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.