5 years of Game-changing technologies

IMPEL, a Department of Energy tech-to-market program that unites innovators with researchers, investors, and business experts — is celebrating five years of advancing next-generation building decarbonization technologies to market. 

From 3D-printed thermal energy storage, to drones that use machine learning to scan entire neighborhoods’ worth of buildings for air leaks, to quiet wind turbines that can be installed in tight spaces, great early-stage ideas are moving toward the market. Innovators get the mentorship, coaching, and support they need to turn promising concepts into concrete products.

To mark impel's 5th anniversary, we're celebrating innovators who are...

creating manufacturing jobs

• Hempitecture opened the nation’s first industrial hemp manufacturing facility in Idaho with the help of over $4.7 million in crowdfunding.

• Aeroshield Materials will expand the manufacturing capacity for its energy efficient window technology with the support of a $610,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

• Flower Turbines has raised $14 million to boost manufacturing of its small-scale, flower-shaped wind turbines.

bringing equity to efficiency

• Collective Infrastructures – Software and physical products that help agencies and professionals scale up carbon projects by connecting the right people and collecting the right data  

• Community Energy Labs – Virtual engineer that helps schools and communities improve energy efficiency and develop local clean energy projects 

• Eco-Shelter – Affordable ultra-low-carbon roofing and building materials for the developing world 

• Edenic Energy – Software that maps out steps for improving building efficiency and reducing pollution in environmental justice communities 

• Veritel Energy – Renewable energy and efficiency investments that benefit both apartment owners and tenants

saving energy and slashing emissions

• Rock Rabbit – AI that provides quick and easy access to green home rebates 

• Stepwise Electric – Home electrification without the costly infrastructure upgrades  

• frakktal – Safe, high-quality building materials made from agricultural waste  

• Lumen Cache – Easily installable efficient lighting for smart homes 

• Shower Stream – Reduces energy use and water waste 

• Suphub –  Streamlines building material procurement for energy efficiency 

• NextGlass – State-of-the-art vacuum-insulated windows that insulate as well as walls

catching the eye of anyone interested in low-carbon building technologies

the next 5 years

Buildings account for about 35% of the nation’s carbon emissions, and innovative building technologies are an increasingly essential element in effective climate action. 

That’s behind initiatives like the international Buildings Breakthrough partnership, which pledges near-zero emissions and climate-resilient structures by 2030. IMPEL will continue to advance game-changing technologies that will help us meet that goal.

Read about our 2024 Innovators, their success stories, news highlights, and find out what's coming up next in our program year.

Learn more about our team and mentor panel. 

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