0 GWP Cooling and Heating by Compressor-less DC HVAC Nanogrid Module
Summary
SCH Number
2025040300
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
0 GWP Cooling and Heating by Compressor-less DC HVAC Nanogrid Module
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/4/2025
Document Description
This project aims to develop and demonstrate an innovative DC-powered HVAC nanogrid module that integrates solar thermal collectors and thermal energy storage. This module will provide cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable cooling and heating solutions, particularly for under-resourced communities. The system leverages Enersion's novel heat pump technology, which uses a unique refrigeration cycle with nano-porous materials and water as a refrigerant, significantly reducing electricity consumption and eliminating the need for synthetic refrigerants. The project will be implemented at Indian Energy's Alpine Facility in California, showcasing the technology's ability to operate efficiently with minimal grid dependency and promoting renewable energy adoption.
Contact Information
Name
Jackson Thach
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Mechanical Engineer
Contact Types
Responsible Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Enersion Inc.
Agency Name
Enersion Inc.
Job Title
Lead Agency
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
5000 Willows Road
Zip
91901
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301 ; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15301 provides that projects which consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public and private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, and which involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Enviromental Quality Act (CEQA). This project aims to develop and demonstrate a DC-powered HVAC nanogrid module that integrates solar thermal collectors and thermal energy storage. This project involves the design, fabrication, and testing activities at an existing, developed site that involves no new construction or expansion of the facility. Therefore, this project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15301.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15306 provides that projects which consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21110, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 21108, 21152, and 21152.1, Public Resources Code. Enersion Inc. CEQA Notice of Exemption Page 2 of 2 EPC-24-036 to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project involves basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities, as this project will validate its system model through data collection and perform parametric analyses to optimize the module's performance. This work will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource, and therefore, the project shall be exempt from CEQA under Section 15306.
Additionally, the project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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