Energy efficiency experts collaborating on sustainable projects.

News

female scientist examining water
  • Press

Leaks an Untapped Opportunity for Water Savings

UC Davis
Before a drop of treated water in California ever reaches a consumer’s faucet, about 8% of it has already been wasted due to leaks in the delivery system. Nationally, the waste is even higher
Egret standing on solar panels
  • Press

Floating Solar Panels Could Be the Next Big Thing in Clean Energy

Popular Science
To beat climate change, our electricity mix is going to need a lot more renewable energy systems to take over fossil fuels. Many in the solar industry are looking for a new home for solar panels—possibly even floating on water.
Indoor Air journal cover featuring research on indoor air quality and human factors in schools.
  • News

Market Transformation Research Group Publishes Study on Human Factors and Indoor Air Quality in Schools

While technical solutions to ensure adequate air exchange are crucial, this research focuses on teachers’ perceptions and practices that may also have important implications for achieving a safe classroom environment.
Cover of Energy Policy journal featuring recent research on greenhouse gas emissions.
  • News

WCEC Newly Published Journal Article on Greenhouse Gas Emission Forecasts for Residential Heat Pumps

Newly published article aims to inform policymakers about the greenhouse gas emission impacts of heat pump deployment in residential homes.
Benjamin Finkelor, Director of the Energy Efficiency Institute, smiling outdoors.
  • News

Institute Executive Director Benjamin Finkelor to Serve “On Loan” as Special Advisor at the California Energy Commission

Benjamin Finkelor, Executive Director for UC Davis’ Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI), will serve “on loan” to the California Energy Commission as a Special Advisor to Vice Chair Siva Gunda.  The appointment starts February 1st and will extend for 14 months. Ben has been Executive Director of the EEI since its inception in 2016 (then the Energy and Efficiency Center). His leadership has helped the campus’ energy programs grow and advance over the past 15 years.
Refrigerant performance testing equipment for R-466A demonstration.
  • News

R-466A Refrigerant Demonstration and Performance

Refrigerants used in vapor-compression air conditioners and heat pumps have been the subject of environmental regulations requiring the need to develop alternative solutions with lower global warming potential (GWP). In general, there is a trade-off when choosing alternative refrigerants between safety, performance, and GWP.
Solar panels in a wildflower field demonstrating natural cooling effects of large-scale solar.
  • Press

Large-Scale Solar can Cool Nearby Areas

PV Magazine
An international team of scientists observed a cooling effect in a large radius around solar arrays. The cooling may have implications for local ecosystem management.
Student-built air purifier tackling wildfire smoke and COVID-19 at UC Davis.
  • News

Student-Built Air Purifiers Tackle Wildfire Smoke and Covid-19: UC Davis Engages Students with Hands-On Citizen Science

Sprinklers watering a lush green lawn, highlighting water conservation efforts supported by UC Davis.
  • Press

UC Davis CWEE Accelerates Water Conservation Research with Secure, Compliant Data Storage on AWS

AWS Public Sector Blog
To solve some of the most pressing water and energy challenges, scientists and engineers need access to robust, reliable data that is often sensitive and protected. Data providers, researchers, and host institutions need to adhere to strict requirements for protecting and securing this data.
DIY portable air cleaner in use for indoor air quality testing.
  • News

Testing Different Configurations of Do-It-Yourself Portable Air Cleaners

A recent case study by the Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC) seeks to answer: does making your own portable air cleaner match the cleaning performance of off-the shelf products and do so in a cost effective way?
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