Development Stage
In August of 1996, the IceBear was given a favorable technical evaluation by the National Institute of Science and Technology. The subject invention has completed the commercial validation and product preparation stage as defined under the New Product Engineering Stages of Development.

Twelve Beta IceBear units were field tested in eight states and laboratory performance tests were monitored by Electrical Testing laboratory (ETL). The field trails were sponsored by participating electric utilities and conducted by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Tennessee Valley Authority, and The Energy Center of Wisconsin.

Pre-production prototype IceBear modules are ready for fabrication and testing. Current efforts are focused on licensing the invention for manufacture.

Patent #5,647,225 was issued July 17, 1997, and is preceded by patent #5,255,526 patent #4,916,916, and patent #4,735,064.

Economics and Market Potential
Market potential for the IceBear appears to be promising for both load-leveling and load-shifting applications due to the increased use of real-time pricing. The IceBear's ability to reduce the humidity level will assist in meeting the Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Standard 62 proposed by ASHRAE.

The IceBear can be used with five through 20 ton capacity roof-top or split system air-conditioning systems. Applications of the IceBear will include new and retrofit applications in such markets as:

• Franchise chains
• Small business and office buildings
• Small apartment complexes, and town homes
• Restaurants and laundries
• Branch banks and schools

Load-shifting provides the greatest demand reduction, typically providing 90 percent demand reduction. Load-leveling, sometimes called partial storage, typically provides 40 percent demand reduction during peak cooling periods and up to 90 percent during months with small cooling loads.

Rural Electric Research (RER), a voluntary program of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, has performed field demonstrations and lab tests on the IceBear and conclude that the IceBear performance met design expectations. Test results documented load-leveling condensing unit performance averaged 18.6 EER and the IceBear cycle EER averaged 11.8 to achieve an overall seasonal energy efficiency ratio, SEER, that exceeds 15.

Industry representatives believe that the market for the IceBear and TES systems in light commercial and residential applications will increase with the increasing use of real-time and differentiated pricing by utility companies.

The Inventions and Innovation Program provides financial assistance for establishing technical performance and conducting early development of innovative ideas and inventions. Ideas that have a significant energy savings impact and future commercial market potential are chosen for financial support through a competitive solicitation process. I&I-funded inventions have saved enough energy to light 10 million homes per year. In addition, the program offers technical guidance and commercialization support to successful applicants. Ideas that benefit the Industries of the Future, designated by the Office of Industrial Technologies as the most energy-intensive industries in the U.S., are especially encouraged.

For additional information contact:
Powell Energy Products, Inc.
P.O. Box 203
Powell, OH 43065
Phone: (740) 881-5596
Fax: (740) 881-5589

I&I program contact:
Inventions & Innovation Program
Office of Industrial Technologies
(202) 586-2212
(202) 586-7114 (fax)
E-mail: lisa.barnett@ee.doe.gov
Website:
www.oit.doe.gov/inventions

Encouraging Independent Inventors

America’s independent inventors represent a National resource that can spur energy efficiency, economic growth, and international competitiveness. In 1995 small businesses in the United States (under 500 employees) produced 24 times as many innovations per R&D dollar as large firms. Many important American inventions, such as Edison’s light bulb, were developed by independent inventors. Yet inventors face tremendous financial, technological, and commercialization obstacles to bring new ideas from concept to the marketplace. The I&I Program fills a unique role in the Federal Government supporting individuals and small companies during the critical early phases of technology development. By working with independent inventors the I&I Program helps ensure that future Edisons and future light bulbs continue to illuminate America.

Please send any comments,
questions, or suggestions to webmaster.oit@ee.doe.gov.

Visit our home page at
www.oit.doe.gov

Office of Industrial Technologies
Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C. 20585

July 1999