Planning Framework for Transferring Building and Energy Technologies

Accelerating the adoption of new and existing cost-effective technologies has significant potential to reduce the energy consumed in U.S. buildings. This report presents key results of an interlaboratory technology transfer planning effort in support of the U. S. Department of Energy's Office of Building Technologies (OBT). A guiding assumption for planning was that OBT's R&D program should forgelinkages with existing programs whose goals involved enhancing energy efficiency in buildings. An ad hoc Technology Transfer Advisory Group reviewed the existing analysis and technology transfer program, brainstormed technology transfer approaches, interviewed DOE program managers, identified applicable research results, and developed a framework that management could use in deciding on the bestinvestments of technology transfer resources. Representatives of 22 organizations were interviewed on their views of the potential for transferring energy efficiency technologies through active linking with OBT. The report describes these programs and interview results; outline OBT tools, technologies, and practices to be transferred; defines OBT audiences; identifies technology transferfunctions and presents a framework devised using functions and audiences; presents some 60 example technology transfer activities; and documents the Advisory Group's recommendations.