Navy Yard center changes name to Consortium for Building Energy Innovation

PHILADELPHIA – The Energy Efficient Buildings Hub (EEB Hub) has a new name — the Consortium for Building Energy Innovation (CBEI).Located at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia, CBEI is comprised of 14 organizations across the United States that are dedicated to a 50 percent reduction in energy usage in existing buildings by 2030. The name change -- announced today (April 4) -- and the streamlined reorganization led by Penn State reflects the transition from a regional innovation cluster to a research and demonstration center working closely with the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Program. As a result, CBEI will focus on demonstrating technical and market solutions to boost energy efficiency for small- and medium-sized buildings nationwide.“Making the buildings we use every day more energy efficient will create jobs, fuel economic growth and reduce energy costs for businesses and consumers,” said U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. “I have urged members of Congress and the Obama administration to support the Consortium for Building Energy Innovation because it will allow Pennsylvania and the country to better control our energy future.”CBEI is a collaboration of major research universities, global industrial firms and national laboratories. More than 80 investigators and affiliated graduate students are currently engaged in research and demonstration projects. Information about CBEI’s current projects can be found on a new website, http://www.cbei.psu.edu/.U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, of the state's 2nd District, added, “I am excited and continually impressed by the work that the consortium is undertaking at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia. Their work around energy efficient buildings is helping us rethink energy consumption and reduce our country’s overall carbon footprint."As a result of this ongoing partnership with the Department of Energy, and with a renewed focus on the efficiency of small- and medium-sized buildings, CBEI will continue to help the U.S. remain at the forefront of energy efficiency efforts worldwide," he said.Neil Sharkey, vice president for Research at Penn State, said the University community is looking forward to producing significant results for the country.“We are delighted that the CBEI management team under the leadership of Director Martha Krebs has fostered this productive and close partnership with DOE," Sharkey said. "Penn State remains committed to leading a strong program that is based at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia, in conjunction with our dedicated partners.”