Ambient and Partners Recognized in $10M Empire Technology Prize for Clean Heating Innovation
TL;DR
Ambient Enterprises, Gil-Bar, and Flow Environmental Systems gained a competitive advantage by winning $100,000 in the Empire Technology Prize for their scalable clean heating solution that outperforms fossil fuel alternatives.
The team's high-temperature hot water system uses natural CO₂ refrigerant to provide simultaneous heating, cooling, and domestic hot water through a carbon-neutral process demonstrated at Union Theological Seminary.
This clean heating technology advances New York's climate goals by reducing carbon emissions and providing sustainable alternatives that make buildings more environmentally friendly for future generations.
A natural refrigerant CO₂ system that simultaneously heats and cools buildings won recognition in a $10 million prize competition, demonstrating innovative decarbonization technology in real-world applications.
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Ambient Enterprises, in partnership with Gil-Bar and Flow Environmental Systems, has been named runner-up in the $10 million Empire Technology Prize, receiving a $100,000 award for their innovative clean heating technology. The prize program, launched by The Clean Fight with support from NYSERDA, Wells Fargo, and RMI, aims to accelerate the development of alternatives to fossil fuel boilers through real-world demonstration projects across New York State.
The collaborative team was recognized for developing a high-temperature hot water solution powered by natural refrigerant carbon dioxide that provides sustainable heating, domestic hot water, and simultaneous heating and cooling capabilities. This versatile system represents a significant advancement in decarbonization technology for commercial and institutional buildings. A demonstration project is scheduled to launch at Union Theological Seminary in Upper Manhattan, marking a critical step toward proving the scalability of carbon-neutral heating systems in practical applications.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the winners, emphasizing the importance of these innovations in supporting New York's aggressive climate objectives. The Empire Technology Prize awarded $4.15 million to support seven first-of-a-kind demonstration projects statewide, with an additional $4.75 million in milestone funding available. This substantial investment reflects the state's commitment to building-wide decarbonization and providing building owners with practical, scalable alternatives to traditional heating systems.
Chris Bisaccia, CEO of Ambient Enterprises, stated that the recognition validates the strength of their partnerships and engineering expertise in delivering real-world solutions. The technology addresses a critical gap in the market by offering building owners cleaner alternatives that maintain performance reliability while reducing carbon emissions. As New York continues its transition away from fossil fuels, innovations like the Ambient-Gil-Bar-Flow solution provide essential options for meeting both immediate heating needs and long-term sustainability goals.
The Empire Technology Prize represents a coordinated effort between public and private entities to accelerate clean technology adoption. More information about the program is available at https://thecleanfight.com/etp. The recognition of Ambient and its partners highlights the growing importance of collaborative innovation in addressing climate challenges while maintaining economic viability. These developments come as building owners face increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints while ensuring occupant comfort and operational efficiency.
Tony Tanzillo, COO of Ambient, emphasized that their solution meets current building owner needs while preparing New York for a carbon-free future. The technology's ability to provide simultaneous heating and cooling makes it particularly valuable for multifamily buildings, educational institutions, and commercial properties where space constraints often limit equipment options. As demonstration projects like the one at Union Theological Seminary prove successful, broader adoption could significantly impact New York's carbon reduction targets while creating new market opportunities for clean technology providers.
Curated from citybiz
