Nationwide Building Science Student Competition Awards Teams Addressing Affordability, Peak Power Demand, and Indoor Comfort
The next generation of building scientists is responding to the challenges of climate change with solutions for a more sustainable planet. The 2024–2025 JUMP into STEM challenge asked college student teams from across the country to develop ideas to help make building energy bills more affordable, to reduce peak power demand, and to address comfort needs in extreme situations for U.S. buildings.
This annual student competition is managed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Office, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
“This year, students from universities across the U.S. presented innovative, technically driven yet holistic solutions to real-world challenges. Their efforts centered on making cutting-edge building energy technologies more affordable for diverse communities, addressing adoption barriers, and fostering a resilient future,” said Dr. Yeonjin Bae, ORNL’s JUMP into STEM Program Manager.
Dr. Kim Trenbath, NREL’s JUMP into STEM Program Manager, offered congratulations to all the winners, saying, “I am impressed and inspired by our student participants. They created unique solutions, an indication that personal experience and background can be very helpful in the R&D process. We have participants from schools from across the nation, including ones who are new to the competition. Congratulations to our innovative winners.”
Industry sponsors such as Johnson Controls International, Clayton Home Building Group, and Siemens are critical to making JUMP into STEM a success each year. Sponsorship funds allow for the inclusion of more student teams in the Final Competition and assist with costs for the reception, activities, and other benefits for attendees and challenge winners.
2024-2025 JUMP into STEM Challenge Winners
Building Affordability
1st place
Title: Rotatable Evaporative Windcatcher Integrated with Solar Chimney
Naghmeh Ghalamsiah and Seyedvahid Rad – Drexel University
Abstract: Although many high-performance, energy-efficient building technologies have been developed in recent decades, their adoption among U.S. residents remains limited due to their high construction and installation costs. To make these technologies more equitable and accessible, efforts must focus on developing affordable, easy-to-install solutions that are particularly feasible and affordable for low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities. This study addresses the rising cooling costs in U.S. residential buildings, a growing concern amplified by global warming and the urban heat island effect. We propose the Rotatable Evaporative Windcatcher Integrated with Solar Chimney (REWISC) as an affordable, energy-efficient retrofit solution. REWISC leverages natural wind and solar energy to enhance indoor comfort by integrating windcatchers and solar chimneys in an innovative way. The system employs a rotatable base for optimal wind direction alignment, an aerodynamically designed shape for efficient air-flow control, a solar panel with battery backup for providing its minimal electricity needs, and evaporative cooling through a water container to boost cooling capacity. This design minimizes the structural impact on existing buildings and targets regions with dry climates and wind speeds above 4 m/s. A cost-benefit analysis estimates a payback period of about seven years, demonstrating its potential to significantly reduce cooling costs for financially constrained households. By addressing both economic and environmental challenges, REWISC offers a practical, affordable, and scalable solution for sustainable building retrofits.
2nd place
Title: Affordable Retrofit Heat Pump Water Heating
Jacob Owen, Diego Prado, Jonathan Rust, and Olivia Wilson – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Advisors: Dr. Sandra Boetcher and Dr. Rafael Rodriguez
Abstract: Inflation and rising energy costs have heavily impacted low-to-moderate-income (LMI) households, making efficient technologies like heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) financially out of reach. To address this, we developed the “Retro Loop”—an add-on heat pump module that retrofits with existing water heater tanks. Designed to heat water during off-peak hours, the Retro Loop reduces energy consumption and cuts utility bills, without requiring homeowners to invest in a completely new system. By reducing utility bills by 67-80%, our product provides substantial relief from rising energy expenses. With an estimated payback period of just 5 years, the Retro Loop offers a quick return on investment through monthly savings and potential rebates. Combining high efficiency with an accessible price point, our product aims to make sustainable water heating affordable for LMI households and may qualify for valuable rebates. By offering both economic and environmental benefits, the Retro Loop provides a realistic, cost-effective way for families to lower energy expenses and achieve energy justice.
3rd place
Title: HCM Greenmantle
Ivana Krsteska and Osamu Tsuda – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Advisor: Dr. Paul Crovella
Abstract: The HCM Greenmantle project by Team SUNY ESF introduces an affordable, eco-friendly insulation system for low- to moderate-income housing. By combining moss and hempcrete, the HCM panels provide natural temperature regulation, reduce HVAC reliance, and lower carbon emissions. Moss serves as a carbon-sequestering surface layer, while hempcrete offers durable insulation and moisture control. Using locally sourced materials and rice husk ash as a sustainable binder, the panels support circular economy practices and reduce production costs. Designed for easy installation and retrofitting, the HCM system provides a scalable, non-toxic alternative to traditional insulation, advancing energy efficiency and climate resilience in diverse building environments.
No Peaking! Managing Peak Power Demand in Buildings
1st place
Title: Reducing Peak Demand and Advancing Energy Equity for Low-Moderate Income (LMI) Communities Across the United States
Priyadarshan, John Huby, Panagiotis Papageorgiou, and Nadah Al Theeb – Purdue University
Advisor: Dr. Davide Ziviani
Abstract: The initiative, led by Team PeakBusters, focuses on retrofitting existing or new heat pumps with integrated battery storage and modulating electric heating elements, managed by a smart energy control system. This approach addresses two major challenges: grid strain during peak demand and disproportionate energy costs faced by low-moderate income communities. By optimizing energy usage and shifting demand through these retrofitted systems, the project aims to lower household energy costs, stabilize grid load, and improve thermal comfort. To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, an integrated battery allows for storage and use of renewable energy. Case studies demonstrate that the modulating resistive heating element in existing heat pumps can reduce peak demand by 15% during extreme cold weather (e.g., -23°C), while simultaneously improving thermal comfort by 40% in colder regions measured with predicted percentage dissatisfied metrics. When paired with the built-in battery and smart controls, the system achieves up to a 20% reduction in peak demand. The team’s commitment to equity ensures that the benefits of cleaner energy and improved energy efficiency can reach vulnerable communities, aligning with federal climate goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The project’s emphasis on environmental justice, sustainable technology, and energy affordability highlights a holistic strategy to drive equitable energy transitions across diverse regions of the United States.
2nd place
Title: AI-Driven Energy Management System: SmartPeak
Amit Deb Nath, Ayoola Olorunnishola, and Aysha Siddika – University of Wyoming
Advisor: Dr. Aysha Demir
Abstract: This project proposes an innovative energy network solution to address peak load demand by leveraging photovoltaic (PV) systems, lithium-ion battery storage, and AI-driven technology to optimize energy distribution across a campus-centered community of 100 households. Intending to reduce grid reliance during high-demand periods, the system stores surplus solar energy generated during off-peak hours and strategically releases it during peak times. An advanced AI control mechanism monitors real-time energy usage, weather forecasts, and pricing to manage battery cycles efficiently, shifting energy usage to minimize costs. Integrated with demand response (DR) programs and time-of-use (TOU) pricing, this approach provides financial benefits for users and supports grid stability. The system also incorporates community solar models and scalable financing options like tax incentives, low-interest loans, and rebates, making it financially accessible for residential users and small businesses. Key regulatory standards, such as IEEE 1547, guide grid interconnection, ensuring compliance and promoting scalability. By employing demonstration projects and establishing stakeholder partnerships, this solution addresses technical, financial, and regulatory adoption barriers. This project aligns with national clean energy goals, aiming to advance sustainable building practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase renewable energy adoption.
3rd place
Title: Shade System for Residential Buildings
Emmanuel Asare, Rachel Emerine, Derick Phanos, and Mustafa El Miari – University of Texas at Tyler
Advisor: Dr. Nelson Fumo
Abstract: In this Shade Systems for Residential Buildings project, the peak demand for HVAC electricity consumption is investigated for potential reduction using a shading system on mobile homes. To achieve this reduction a design was created using readily available materials to produce a shade that does not need electricity to be deployed and can be removed during times when it is not needed. Simulations were run to establish the benefits of the shade system for mobile homes using EnergyPlus, an open-source building simulation program distributed by the United States Department of Energy. These simulations represented a comparison of 3 regions of the United States without the shading system to establish a base of energy consumption and with the shading system to find the energy saved. For the south, middle, and north regions, the energy savings were 14%, 17%, and 15% respectively. Material cost for the design is estimated at $340 pretax with installation the cost could be about $1,140. With self-installation or assistance from community outreach programs such as the Greener CASA program in East Texas and potential price offsets from government programs or the electric company, the price of the system can be reduced or completely offset for the homeowner making it able to help the lower to mid-level income users that tend to live in mobile homes. With the widespread adoption of the system, the Shade System for Residential Buildings could reduce energy consumption by approximately 400 GWh per year for mobile homes in the U.S.
Taking Comfort to the Extreme
1st place
Title: Climate-Resilient Overclad Roofing: A Synergistic Radiative Cooling and Thermal Energy Storage Approach to Combatting Effects of Rising Global Temperatures
Bernadette Magalindan, Kiyan Bhalla, and Zainab Faheem – University of Texas at Dallas
Zhihao Ma – University of Utah
Advisor: Dr. Shuang Cui
Abstract: Passive thermoregulation of buildings presents a sustainable means to alleviate the ever-growing and carbon-intensive demand for thermal comfort. Although emerging radiative cooling (RC) technologies effectively enable one-way heat rejection and achieve cooling, they alone cannot fully satisfy all needs for thermal comfort – namely, the need for warmth in cold weather. In this work, we developed a dual-functional material, composed of microencapsulated phase change materials (mPCM) embedded in delignified wood pulp cellulose fibers (CFs), for energy-efficient thermal management of buildings through RC and thermal energy storage (TES). In warm weather, RC assists the re-crystallization of mPCM; in cold weather, TES serves as a valuable complement to RC by offering passive heating to offset excessive cooling. The dual-functional material exhibits 95% of solar reflection that ascribes the scattering by the CFs and mPCM, whereas the intrinsic emissivity of cellulose produces a strong RC effect. Meanwhile, TES through mPCM achieves a latent heat of 156 J/g with excellent shape stability. This material solves the typical shortcomings of RC and TES through their synergetic performance, demonstrated by outdoor testing and computational modeling. Whole-building simulations show this innovative approach can reduce thermoregulation-associated energy use by 7.2% in hot and dry climates (Phoenix, Arizona). Additionally, fabricating the material from abundant wood waste and cellulose promotes carbon sequestration and offers a promising avenue for the development of sustainable building materials for energy-efficient thermal regulation.
2nd place
Title: Using Occupancy Surveys and Real-Time AI Responses to Improve the Thermal Comfort for Building Occupants
Katie Frey and Solana Honda – University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Advisor: Dr. Josephine Lau
Abstract: The condition of an indoor space has a big impact on a person’s day-to-day life. This is especially true during the workday. If a person is not comfortable in their workspace, it can negatively affect their productivity. This means that maximizing productivity of workers is an important cost saving metric for business owners. Indoor environments are designed and conditioned based on a set of industry best practices. However, these practices do not properly represent the current workforce. As climate change continues to increase the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, thermal comfort complaints will continue to rise, and the inequity in thermal comfort standards will become more detrimental. Women who work in office buildings in places with extreme heat such as Texas need a solution that incorporates their personal needs and preferences into the HVAC temperature controls. To bridge the gap between outdated standards and current users, a real-time occupant survey could be integrated with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls system to regulate the temperature of the space. A company could deploy a simple software that polls building occupants on their current state of thermal comfort. The results of this survey could be fed back, in real-time, to artificial intelligence (AI) that resets the building management system (BMS) to match the average occupant’s preferences. AI can proactively optimize the building setpoint. This will create a more equitable workplace for all, ensuring more occupants are satisfied with the thermal comfort.
3rd place
Title: Achieving Acclimatization through Vented Door Frames
Armando A. Valladares, David Perez de la Fuente, and Jan Hrabak – Indiana Institute of Technology
Advisor: Dr. Thomas D. Tran
Abstract: Thermal comfort greatly influences people’s well-being and productivity in non-ideal living and working conditions. Many homes in the U.S. are equipped with outdated HVAC systems and proper insulation, which negatively affects an individual’s thermal comfort and increases energy costs due to system overload. The following paper presents the concept of a specialized Vented Door Frame as a solution, creating a thermal barrier at a door opening, which minimizes heat transfer and would also aid in acclimating people to the new environment quickly. The system uses smart sensors, such as motion and temperature detectors, to monitor air temperature and minimize energy consumption by reducing HVAC system overload. The installation of this specialized door frame is designed to be both user-friendly and cost-effective, making it a far better option over an expensive home renovation. The benefits of the Vented Door Frame are made much more apparent in homes with moderate to low insulation but can also be used in modern homes to reduce energy costs. The system aims to solve health and productivity concerns regarding thermal comfort while introducing energy savings. The Vented Door Frame is an innovative and practical solution to thermal comfort that can be used in any house throughout the U.S.
JUMP into STEM finalists are invited to present their solutions during the 2024–2025 Final Competition at NREL in January 2025, where they will compete for a paid summer 2025 internship at NREL, ORNL, or PNNL.
Visit DOE’s Building Technologies Office website for more information on energy-efficient building initiatives.
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