This project will conduct a detailed demonstration of the cost savings, energy reduction, and resilient operation of a dual regenerator ventilation (DRV) system compared to conventional mechanical ventilation systems in cold-region facilities. This demonstration will install a commercially available DRV unit at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Detailed assessments of energy usage, operational costs, indoor air quality (IAQ), and lifecycle costs will be used to develop actionable building design and operation guidance for Department of War (DoW) stakeholders involved in cold-region construction and facilities. The technology is expected to lower facility ventilation energy use by net 70% over traditional ventilation systems.

DRV systems, also known as dual core systems, transfer energy between supply and exhaust airstreams by cyclically reversing the airflow direction through two heat exchanger cores. This mechanism enables high sensible recovery efficiencies, up to 90%, without supplemental heating and no system downtime for defrost at temperatures down to -40°F. Unlike traditional systems that require energy and cost intense preheat coils to maintain continuous operation, DRVs maintain ventilation without additional heat input, which reduces energy loss, operating costs, and improves building resilience to extreme weather events.

DRVs are expected to reduce system net energy by 70%, reduce facility energy usage intensity as much as 20%, ensure continuous operation, improve IAQ during extreme cold or wildfire smoke events, and deliver simple payback periods under 15 years. Through the elimination of high temperature preheat coils DRV technology will enable Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization retrofits and military construction projects to use alternative low-temperature heating systems (e.g. geothermal heat pump with radiant emitters) in buildings for energy savings and high-performance operation.

Through technoeconomic analysis, actionable design guidance, and a validated demonstration in the U.S., DoW stakeholders can enable the rapid adoption of de-risked DRV technology to enhance cost-effective operations, energy efficiency, and resilience across DoW installations in heating-dominated regions. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2028)