Evari wins federal grant for heat pump research

The Evari team photographed at the company’s headquarters at Noone Falls in March. From left, (back) Steve Walker, Henry Spindler, Dave Smith, Alex Reynolds, Jonathan Bass, (front) Curtis Lavoie, Kirsten Colantino and Renee Stearns.

The Evari team photographed at the company’s headquarters at Noone Falls in March. From left, (back) Steve Walker, Henry Spindler, Dave Smith, Alex Reynolds, Jonathan Bass, (front) Curtis Lavoie, Kirsten Colantino and Renee Stearns. COPYRIGHT: LORI PEDRICK—FILE PHOTO BY LORI PEDRICK

By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 10-03-2024 11:04 AM

An influx of $1.7 million is headed to a Peterborough company in an effort for sustainable, more affordable energy in New Hampshire.

Peterborough-based company Evari, Inc. won a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support research and development of low-cost cold climate heat pumps. Evari, a manufacturer based in the Noone Falls mill building, won a portion of a $30 million allotted to the federal Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies, or BENEFIT, grant that supports advancements in decarbonization and other sustainable energy initiatives.

Jonathan Bass, Evari’s co-founder and director of operations, said the company’s portion will go toward developing heat pumps that are low-cost for industries and consumers. Bass said traditional heat pump technology is no longer keeping up with colder temperatures, which requires a fix for colder climates like New Hampshire’s. Bass said Evari’s miniature turbocompressors – in which a rotor spins quickly to compress gas – don’t have the same limitations as the traditional technology. The main research goal now is to see how they can make their turbocompressors affordable enough for residential and industry use.

“There’s a critical need where today’s heat pumps aren’t doing a good enough job,” Bass said. “Their performance degrades as temperatures get cold, and at a certain point they turn off. They just don’t work. Our technology does not cut off, really when you need the heat the most, right?”

Founded in 2021, the startup has yet to put its first product to market. Bass said the first product partnership – a venture separate from the grant-funded work – will likely be with an automotive company in New England, but he was unable to provide details.

Evari’s partner company, Hanover-based Creare, has been producing this technology for decades for space projects like the Hubble Telescope and Mars Rover.

“This is by far one of the most-compelling technologies for heat pumps, and Evari’s focused pretty much exclusively on developing this technology so it can manufacture for a lower cost,” Bass said. “So what has once been relegated to space due to cost, we can now integrate into consumer products.”

He said Evari uses natural refrigerants that, unlike Freon and others, don’t have a negative impact on the environment. He also made clear that Evari isn’t testing this technology – it’s already proven from its use in space, he said – but the company simply hopes to make it more cost-effective.

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The Department of Energy grant will allow Evari to get a beta version of the product ready in about 18 months. Bass said whether those turbocompressors will be made for other production or sold directly to customers has yet to be determined.

Members of New Hampshire’s congressional delegation highlighted Evari’s receipt of the grant and the influx of federal funding to renewable energy projects in the state.

“Installing low-cost, energy-efficient technologies in homes and businesses can reduce costs and help us reach our climate goals,” U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen stated. “I’m delighted to see federal funding headed to a New Hampshire business to continue its research and development of innovative heat pump technology that will save Granite Staters money on their energy bills while reducing carbon emissions and building a more resilient electric grid.”

“Granite Staters deserve access to affordable, clean heating for their homes,” U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan stated. “This federal funding from the Department of Energy will drive the development of advanced heat pump technology, helping to lower energy costs for Granite State families and reduce carbon emissions from our buildings. I'll continue working to secure federal investments like this that drive innovation and lower costs in New Hampshire.”

 “Improving energy efficiency in our homes and businesses helps lower costs and plays a critical role in meeting our clean energy goals,” stated U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster. “I’m thrilled to welcome these resources heading to Evari in Peterborough to develop advanced heat pump technologies that will help lower energy bills for families and businesses while reducing carbon emissions – a win-win!”

Charlotte Matherly is the State House reporter for the Concord Monitor and Monadnock Ledger-Transcript in partnership with Report for America. Follow her on X at @charmatherly, or send her an email at cmatherly@cmonitor.com.