The Innovation Incubator (IN2) program, coadministered by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies, is working with companies like Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, National Grid, WinnCompanies, and Tucson Electric Power to bring new technologies to communities in need. These companies are receiving funding and collaborating with energy experts to refine their technologies for broader use, such as stress-testing new materials and simulating technology performance under specific conditions. Projects include using emergent automation tools to address affordable housing crises, implementing networked building controls to reduce energy waste, and building a microgrid-powered cooling center to provide relief from heat-related deaths. The Energy Champions Network within the IN2 program is helping startups and organizations access insights and expertise to move their technologies closer to commercial success, ultimately aiming to optimize energy consumption, improve resilience to heat waves and power outages, and demonstrate the benefits of investing in climate resilience.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/27/affordable-homes-cooling-centers-and-a-faster-grid-yes-please/