Grant Wheeler joined NREL in November 2016 and works in the Building Energy Science Group. His expertise is in evaluation of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems in the lab and field, development of advanced controls for HVAC&R systems, and determination of building load flexibility using HVAC&R systems. He most recently was the principle investigator for the design and construction of the Commercial Buildings Research Infrastructure within NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility, where he leads projects researching load flexibility of commercial buildings. He has also fully characterized two advanced commercial rooftop units and developed unique control strategies for a novel supply fan motor. Furthermore, he has experience with field evaluations, analyzing energy efficiency measures for variable refrigerant flow systems, commercial rooftop units, commercial refrigeration, and various chillers.

Wheeler started early in his career with laboratory experimentation of HVAC&R equipment, beginning with his graduate degree at Texas A&M University, where he developed an alternative test method for accurately and reliably measuring static pressure for HVAC equipment through a project with ASHRAE. He further developed his HVAC&R experience working at Carrier in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he developed residential air conditioners and heat pumps from ideation to assembly line. He also led a team to create universal quality metrics for all Carrier psychrometric rooms.

Wheeler has also held various other jobs, including commercial fisherman and commercial whitewater rafting guide, both of which gave him further appreciation for the outdoors and the role engineers play in reducing our impact on the environment. 

Building load flexibility and grid interaction

Advanced HVAC&R