NAIOP’s Gavel members recently toured the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) Living Laboratory, a cutting-edge R&D center for the advancement of sustainable energy systems. Born out of a 2013 energy-retrofit of a 100-year-old building in the Channel Center neighborhood in South Boston, the Lab leverages cutting-edge design concepts and historic architecture alongside in-house research facilities, including a pilot solar module fabrication line, dedicated thermal testing laboratory, and extensive characterization/environmental testing resources. Its mission is to foster economic development through the commercialization of clean energy technologies for the benefit of society.

Besides providing clients with services like testing the energy efficiency of exterior wall designs and new photovoltaic panels, the building is an exhibit for new technologies in HVAC systems, lighting, and energy efficient fenestration.

Fraunhofer CSE’s Building Energy Technology Group applies its expertise in four main areas:

• Working with clients from industry, academia and government to develop new products
• Field testing of novel building technologies and materials
• Evaluating product performance through laboratory testing, field deployments, and modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Demonstration projects to acquire real-world performance data

NAIOP members may be interested in learning more about the cutting edge research now underway at the Living Lab. Tours are available by appointment.