WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney today announced a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for Seaford’s Xergy, Inc, a manufacturing firm that develops high-efficiency compressors for cooling and refrigeration. The award will help the company finance the development of a compressor that can be used to drastically reduce the energy requirements for hot water heaters in the United States. The grant was awarded through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research program run by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

The award is part of a $17 million investment by the Department of Energy to help small businesses accelerate clean energy innovation.

“I’m proud to see Xergy awarded this grant for its effort to reduce the energy required for hot water heaters in the U.S, which account for about 15 percent of residential electric demand in this country,” Senator Carper said. “The best way for government to accelerate our path to a clean energy future is to provide a nurturing environment by supporting innovation in the private sector. I think this Xergy project supported by our Department of Energy is a great example of that.”

“The technology that will transform our energy future is being developed right here in Delaware,” Senator Coons said. “We have to invest in the bright minds and bold visions of small businesses leaders like Xergy’s Bamdad Bahar if we want to accelerate innovation, create jobs, and strengthen our nation’s energy independence. Xergy’s newest energy efficiency project will help families and businesses across the country reduce their energy usage and save on energy costs. This is a great investment that will help Delaware keep leading the way in creating solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.”

“The U.S. must continue to develop clean energy technology in order to compete in the global economy,” said Congressman Carney.  “With this investment, Xergy will be able to continue working on more energy efficient hot water heaters, driving down utility costs for families and businesses.  These are the type of innovations that move economies forward and create sustainable jobs for the future.”

About Xergy Incorporated
“Xergy is committed to leaving the planet in better shape for our children. We see it as a personal challenge to our skills, and prowess, that we need to address cradle-to-cradle recycling of our products. Although our technology needs no Rare Earth Metals (REMs) we know that, with enough demand, technology can come that further reduces our products' need for metals such at platinum. We are excited that our product-concepts will use significantly less material than conventional technology (eg. no need for a motor to drive the compressor). We see it as a statement of our integrity that our products will not simply be consumables but will have longevity and reliability that meets, if not out-performs, that of conventional, non-green, refrigeration technology.”