Redwood Systems, a developer of network-based power and control lighting systems, recently announced it has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The program was established to help drive innovation and growth through the engine of small business.
Last year, Redwood was awarded Phase I of the same grant to explore the feasibility of providing power and communications to LED lighting through a low-voltage networking system. After successfully demonstrating both the viability and effectiveness of its technology, Redwood applied for and received Phase II funding, which allows further commercial development and additional funds to bring the technology to international markets.
“Phase I of the SBIR grant helped us move our idea from concept to reality,” said Dave Leonard, co-founder and CEO of Redwood Systems. “With Phase II funding, we will be able to develop key applications that will both reduce lighting energy costs and enable smart buildings through our extensive sensor grid.”
Phase II will help Redwood advance their technology in the following ways:
* Optimize system performance for renewable energy and electrical grid inputs
* Deploy and expand solution for international markets
* Create demand-response and building-automation system modules
The DOE’s Solid State Lighting (SSL) group—which is part of its Building Technologies Program—developed the grant topic and provided independent peer reviews that resulted in Redwood being awarded the grant (one of only four Phase II lighting projects selected this year).
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