The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a $250 million investment from the inflation-reduction legislation for indoor heat pump construction. | Rare Techy

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris Administration, led by the US Department of Energy (DOE), today announced a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Request for Information (RFI) to determine how DOE can best use enactment of the Defense Investment Act requested by President Biden to be expedited. build domestic electric heat pumps. Rapidly increasing US renewable energy production and electric heat pump deployment is critical to meeting US climate, energy conservation and energy security goals. The incoming input will guide the Department’s decisions to increase the $250 million Investment Protection Act in heat pumps, funded through President Biden’s Deficit Reduction Act, to reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, strengthen national security and energy security, lower consumer energy costs, improve home efficiency, and reduce weather problem.

“Ending America’s over-reliance on other nations to power our future will require serious action that focuses on our national security and economic well-being – and President Biden is empowering the DOE to increase our use of high-tech heat pumps to save energy during construction. right here in the US,” he said. US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “These dollars are ready to invest in America’s clean energy technologies and our workforce to ensure lower electricity and gas costs and cleaner water for every American.”

Currently, the US energy system is heavily dependent on fossil fuels that remain vulnerable to market fluctuations. The national mandate to strengthen domestic clean manufacturing has intensified as Russia’s war on Ukraine and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted global supply chains. , increasing costs and showing the dangers of our overdependence on foreign enemies. The increased use of electric heat pumps, especially as they replace oil and natural gas for air and water heating, will allow more American families and businesses to benefit from less of energy costs through America’s clean energy technologies.

Heat pumps offer an alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for all situations by using electricity to transfer heat from a cold area to a warm area, making the cold area warmer and warmer. warm Because heat pumps transfer heat rather than producing heat, this technology is useful in providing a comfortable temperature for heating and cooling homes and businesses.

DPA invests in Heat Pump Technology

Last summer, the President announced new authority for DOE to use the Defense Investment Act increase the production of five clean energy technologies. In the months since the initial announcement, the Biden-Harris Administration has led a collaborative effort with stakeholders to determine how to maximize the impact of DPA funds. In October, DOE submitted an RFI to determine how best to use the DPA authority to expedite domestic proceedings and the spread of four technologies, including switches and electronic components; solar photovoltaics; coolers; and electrolyzers, platinum group metals, and fuel cells for clean hydrogen.

Congress appropriated $500 million for DPA investments through the Capacity Reduction Act, and at the request of Congress, the President designated $250 million of those heat pumps. DOE is seeking public feedback on the a financing approach for electric heat pump manufacturers regarding the application process, examples of eligible projects, criteria for qualification and selection and possible financing requirements. Submissions to the Department will focus on energy equity and access, potential benefits for nearby communities and providing support for small and large construction companies.

All responses to heat pump DPA RFI/NOI must be present offer at 5 pm (EST) on November 30, 2022.

Through the Inflation Reduction and Rebuilding Infrastructure Act, the Department of State’s Department of State and Community Energy Programs will provide an additional $260 million in contract training programs to support building efficiency and electricity. To better assess workforce training needs, DOE is organizing a roundtable meeting with labor unions, businesses, and other stakeholders to directly participate in the effective design of workforce training programs for manufacture and install heat pumps.

DOE’s Climate Change Challenge

As part of the DOE Residence Hall The Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge, the Department announced today that Carrier and Trane Technologies are the new partners to successfully develop a new generation of electric heat pumps that can heat homes in colder climates than today’s models. . Both companies will join Lennox, which was announced earlier this year as the first company with US operations to support this process and provide models that will be installed in homes for inspection and testing. work. Electric heat pumps can provide maximum heating in freezing temperatures while cutting local air pollution and greenhouse gases and potentially saving families $500 a year or more on each their utility bills..