VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21)
VISN21 Applied Technology Energy Research Program (VATER)
The purpose of VATER is to apply emerging, next-generation, high-impact technologies in order to meet VA's mandated energy, security and sustainability goals.
The VATER program concept is similar to the proven GSA Green Proving Ground Program, which evaluates emerging and next-generation building technologies in real-world operational settings, recommending the most promising for deployment within the Agency’s real estate portfolio. These technologies will focus on health care environments and high performance buildings. By discovering best-of-breed innovative technologies early in their development and placing them strategically within federal properties, this program helps ensure VA’ s leadership position within state-of-the-art health care and medical facilities. It also supports our proactive, personalized, comprehensive whole health care and contributes to VA’s sound investment decisions, which greatly benefits the American taxpayer.
The VATER program will collaborate and develop key public and private partnerships, which include Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Laboratories and Federally Funded Research & Development Centers, non-profits, and other partners to assist in technology deployments. These long-term partnerships will supply specialized know-how, tools, best practices, analyses, and the introduction of next generation (energy) applied technologies to advance joint initiatives benefiting both sectors.
Some examples of ongoing collaborations include:
- Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-e)
- SERDP/ESTCP
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
- Oakridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
The VATER Program will evaluate emerging technologies and utilize technology roadmaps to ensure our facility infrastructure and campuses match our state-of-the-art healthcare as well as healthcare education and health care research programs. These technology deployments will be implemented through multiple mechanisms, including the Utility Energy Saving Contract and Energy Savings Performance Contracts, along with other avenues, which may include grants from Federal and State agencies.
