Big Ass Fans
Big Ass Fans entered the commercial business market in 2008, debuting a line of fans ranging from to in diameter. The following year, it began manufacturing fans in sizes suitable for residential settings. In late 2011, Big Ass Fans acquired a manufacturer of energy efficient residential fans. Haiku models incorporate direct current, permanent magnetics and aerodynamic airfoils making them 80% more efficient than conventional ceiling fans. They held the top 10 spots on Energy Star's Most Efficient 2014 list. In 2014, the company added smart technology SenseME to the Haiku ceiling fan. Haiku with SenseME integrates with the Nest Learning Thermostat through a smartphone app.
Calvin D. MacCracken
MacCracken is best known for his work in energy storage and ice rinks. He developed the IceBank® energy storage system, a form of thermal energy storage used to cool buildings by making ice at night when electricity rates are less expensive. IceBank® energy storage functions like a battery for a building's air-conditioning system. IceBank® saves dramatically on the cost to cool buildings by reducing a building's on-peak use of electricity. The IceBank ice battery system uses standard cooling equipment plus an energy storage tank to shift all or a portion of a building's cooling needs to off-peak, nighttime hours. During off-peak hours, ice is made and stored inside IceBank energy storage tanks. The stored ice is then used to cool the building the next day. IceBank® offers a critical service to grid, since air-conditioning is the main culprit behind spikes in peak electrical demand. This on-peak reduction decreases the need to build new power plants or turn on expensive “peaker” power plants. Over 1GW of IceBank energy storage is used in over 4,000 installations in 60 countries for commercial buildings, schools, government buildings, hospitals, hotels and retail.