What Community Energy Labs does

Community Energy Labs (CEL), founded in 2019 in Portland, Oregon by former PECI Director of Operations Tanya Barham, builds an IoT and SaaS building control platform that uses machine learning and dynamic Model Predictive Control (MPC) to autonomously manage HVAC systems in community buildings. The platform consists of wireless sensors, equipment controllers, and user-facing software that monitors, learns, and adjusts building energy use to reduce consumption and demand charges while maintaining occupant comfort within district-defined constraints (typically 72-76°F). Core proprietary capabilities include a patented dynamic MPC algorithm, integration with LBNL's Unit Coordinator Algorithm via a DOE CRADA, registration as a California Automated Service Provider accessing the CalFUSE Framework and MIDAS database for real-time utility pricing and grid signals, and an Energy Data Interface that reduces onboarding costs by approximately 50%. CEL also holds the Local Energy Exchange Platform (LEEP), Home Energy Management Systems, and Virtual Power Plant products acquired from PECI in December 2019.

CEL's primary commercial motion targets K-12 public schools through a combination of grant-funded pilot programs (Smart & Resilient Schools) and commercial SaaS subscriptions, with secondary segments in small-to-mid-sized commercial buildings, rural community buildings, and utilities/energy providers. The pricing model is annual subscription, with single-day installation, claimed 5%-25% energy and demand charge reductions, and ROI within approximately two months. Distribution runs through direct inside sales, utility referral and co-selling (SCE, SVCE, Tacoma Power), grant-funded pilot channels (USDA, DOE, CEC, Rocket Fund), and national laboratory demonstration projects, with a planned channel partner build-out (contractors, resellers, VARs) by 2027.

The company is venture-backed with a single $1MM pre-seed round led by Portland Seed Fund in March 2022 and has accumulated substantial non-dilutive grant funding from DOE (SBIR Phase I and II), USDA (SBIR Phase I and II), NSF (SBIR Phase I), California Energy Commission (Bridge Grant, CalSEED I and II, CalTestBed voucher up to $300k), IN2/Wells Fargo (up to $250k), Rocket Fund ($75k), and SVCE ($100k). The team is 11-50 employees with engineering led by CTO Jennifer Worrall in San Diego and operations centered in Portland. The target market is defined as 13,720 K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities in California, Oregon, and Washington subject to building energy code decarbonization requirements.

Name

Community Energy Labs

Legal name

Community Energy Labs

Website

https://communityenergylabs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Energy Labs builds an IoT and SaaS platform with dynamic Model Predictive Control that autonomously optimizes HVAC systems in K-12 schools and small-to-mid-sized community buildings to reduce energy use and demand charges, serving primarily Pacific Coast public school districts and utilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Energy Management Software

NAICS

Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Electric Power Generation (22111)

SIC

Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Smart Building Software Platforms (IWMS/CAFM Integration, Digital Twin, Command Center) (BPABAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS, HVAC Controls) (IMAIABAD), Microgrid, DER & Building Electrification Energy Controls (Solar/Storage/EV Load Orchestration) (BPABAGAJ), Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS) (HSAPAPAA), Building Management & Facility Control Systems (BMS/BAS, Power Monitoring, EPMS) (EUAEAFAJ)

Keywords

• Building energy management
• HVAC control software
• Smart building automation
• Grid-interactive buildings
• Decarbonization controls

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription for HVAC Control Platform: CEL's primary commercial revenue stream is a subscription/SaaS model for its IoT and machine learning-powered HVAC control platform. The platform is installed with wireless sensors and equipment controllers, then operates autonomously to reduce building energy use and demand charges. Commercial pricing is subscription-based with a 'two-month ROI' claim. Installation is completed in a single day.
2. Grant-Funded Pilot Programs (Smart & Resilient Schools): CEL leverages grant funding from USDA, DOE, CEC, and utilities to deploy its technology at schools at no upfront cost to customers. Programs pay for installation and a one-year license. This drives adoption, generates pilot data, and builds reference customers. Examples include USDA rural school grants, SVCE $100k pilot, CEC Bridge Grant, and Rocket Fund awards.
3. DOE SBIR Phase II Scaling: DOE SBIR Phase II funding supports testing, replication, and scaling of the technology across 13,720 schools, community colleges, and universities in California, Oregon, and Washington. The grant funds product development, field demonstrations with 11 school districts, and integration with contractors and channel partners by 2027.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Community Energy Labs (CEL) builds and sells an IoT and SaaS building control platform that uses wireless sensors, equipment controllers, and machine-learning-powered dynamic model predictive control (MPC) to autonomously monitor, learn, and adjust HVAC setpoints in community buildings such as K-12 schools. The platform installs in a single day and is marketed primarily through grant-funded Smart & Resilient Schools pilot programs and commercial SaaS subscriptions targeting small-to-mid-sized community and commercial building owners.

Product overview

Community Energy Labs offers a unified IoT & SaaS building control platform centered on its Dynamic Model Predictive Control technology (called 'the Robot'). The core platform installs wireless sensors, equipment controllers, and ML-powered software to autonomously manage HVAC systems for energy savings and decarbonization. Related offerings include the Smart & Resilient Schools pilot program, Grid-Interactive Efficient Building Controls module, and products acquired from PECI (Local Energy Exchange Platform, Home Energy Management Systems, and Virtual Power Plant Products).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Robot: CEL's dynamic model predictive control technology that adjusts HVAC setpoints to shift or curtail loads during high carbon-emitting or peak demand periods
• Fannie

Products and services

• CEL IoT & SaaS Control Platform An IoT and SaaS building control platform that monitors, learns, and adjusts building energy use through autonomous HVAC control. Installs wireless sensors, equipment controllers, and ML-powered software to predict and control building equipment operation. Targets small-to-mid-sized commercial and community building owners.
• Dynamic Model Predictive Control (the Robot) Proprietary MPC algorithm branded as 'the Robot' that adjusts HVAC setpoints to shift or curtail loads during high carbon-emitting or peak demand periods while maintaining occupant comfort within district-set constraints (72-76°F).
• Smart & Resilient Schools (SRS) Program A grant-funded pilot program that installs CEL's technology in K-12 schools, treating buildings with solar arrays like batteries for load flexibility. Pays for installation and a one-year license for participating schools, including those in lower income and disadvantaged communities.
• Grid-Interactive Efficient Building Controls Smart building control capability that enables buildings to respond to utility signals, manage distributed energy resources (solar, batteries, EV charging), and participate in demand flexibility programs. Integrated with California's CalFUSE Framework and MIDAS.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5%-25% reduction in energy use and demand charges
• +12 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)coreTechnology or IntegrationLBNL is a key research partner in two major projects: (1) OpenBOS project under NYSERDA NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenge developing an open-source intelligent building control platform for small-to-medium commercial buildings; (2) CRADA agreement with DOE to co-develop and integrate LBNL's Unit Coordinator Algorithm into CEL's tech stack. Also supporting CalTestBed testing and CalFUSE Framework development.
• Bonneville Environmental FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEF is supporting installation of CEL's technology at three schools within Bonneville Power Authority territory as part of the rural school retrofit project. BEF also co-sponsored Smart & Resilient Schools workshops with EPRI and SCE. BEF focuses on creating training pathways for technicians in HVAC, controls, and building data systems.
• South Seattle CollegeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the workforce development coalition addressing rural school energy efficiency. South Seattle College helped create training pathways for technicians in HVAC, controls, and building data systems in rural communities.
• Gray's Harbor CollegeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the workforce development coalition addressing rural school energy efficiency, creating training pathways for technicians in HVAC, controls, and building data systems.
• Energy NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy Northwest leads the AGILE (Advanced Grid Interactive Load Efficiency) Project, investigating Grid-Interactive Efficient Building technologies for school buildings. CEL is a project partner working with school districts served by Gray's Harbor PUD. Also collaborating on Washington school decarbonization projects.
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)coreTechnology or IntegrationPNNL is a partner in the AGILE Project alongside Energy Northwest, New Buildings Institute, and CEL. PNNL contributes technical and financial feasibility assessment for converting school buildings to Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings.
• New Buildings InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the AGILE Project led by Energy Northwest, working to investigate and determine the technical and financial feasibility of converting school buildings to Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings.
• Franklin Pierce School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPSD is the primary customer partner in the Bus Barn Microgrid Demonstration Project with Tacoma Power and CEL. The district plans to electrify its 60+ bus fleet and install 100kW solar. CEL's technology reduces HVAC load peak by over 20%, enabling more cost-effective electrification and resilience. CEL also hosted community workshops with FPSD.
• Tacoma PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTacoma Power is the utility partner in the Bus Barn Microgrid Demonstration Project with Franklin Pierce School District and CEL. Provides match funding and in-kind support. Observing whether projects like this demonstrate potential to integrate the robot into commercial campuses to level HVAC loads. Also co-hosted Smart & Resilient Schools Energy Summit.
• Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVCE awarded a $100k Smart & Resilient Schools pilot to CEL and Extensible Energy. SVCE is a public not-for-profit agency providing clean electricity for 270,000 customers across 13 Silicon Valley communities. SVCE selects schools for resilience programs and continues to support load flexibility software adoption. SVCE is a Customer Choice Energy provider within PG&E territory.
• Southern California Edison (SCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCE partnered with CEL on a paid EPRI Incubatenergy Labs Phase 2 project for paid installations and technology demonstrations across climate zones and building types. SCE co-hosted Grid-Interactive Efficient Building Controls workshops and continues to offer workshops through its Energy Education Centers. SCE's Pathway to 2045 commitments include demand flexibility.
• EPRIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPRI selected CEL for its 2021 Incubatenergy Labs Cohort from over 250 applicants. CEL conducted paid collaboration with Southern California Energy and K12 school districts across three phases, determining location-specific value of building flexibility and grid services. EPRI co-sponsored workshops with SCE and BEF. CEL participated in Impel+ 2021 Cohort.
• Extensible EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationCEL partnered with Extensible Energy (parent of Rocket Fund) on the SVCE Smart & Resilient Schools pilot. Combined CEL's building controls with Extensible Energy's DemandEx energy analytics tool. The partnership treats commercial buildings with solar like batteries for demand charge reduction.
• NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNYSERDA administers the NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenge under which TRC was awarded funding to advance intelligent electric load control technologies, with CEL as a commercial partner in the OpenBOS open-source building control platform project alongside LBNL, Elexity, and ACE IoT Solutions.
• HalcominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHalco is a collaborator in the NYSERDA NextGen Buildings project demonstrating smart panel retrofits and load-management technologies across 100 homes in upstate New York.
• North Syracuse School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDemonstration site for the OpenBOS open-source intelligent building control platform project under NYSERDA NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenge.
• Syracuse UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDemonstration site for the OpenBOS open-source intelligent building control platform project under NYSERDA NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenge.
• Greentown LabsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEL joined Greentown Labs, the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America. Access to Greentown Houston location provides electronics prototyping labs, founder roundtables, and a robust strategic partner ecosystem with multinational corporations making science-based climate commitments.
• Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIN2 (funded by Wells Fargo Foundation, co-administered by NREL) selected CEL for its first demonstration-focused cohort, providing up to $250,000 in non-dilutive funding, technical guidance from NREL researchers, and access to a channel partner network of 60+ cleantech incubators and accelerators. CEL is working with Tenino School District, Tacoma Power, and Franklin Pierce School District on demonstration projects.
• Venture for ClimateTechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEL was selected as one of 12 companies (from 220 applicants) in Venture for ClimateTech's second cohort. The nonprofit accelerator provides hands-on support for customer discovery, investor pitch, business validation, team development, and pathway to scale, including non-dilutive funding and hiring support.
• Google for StartupsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEL was selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change second cohort (one of 11 startups). The ten-week program provides intensive workshops and expert mentorship on technical, product, and leadership best practices to sustainability-focused startups.
• Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEL joined SCEIN, a Cleantech San Diego accelerator for startups helping California meet its energy goals. The free program provides access to regional resources, facilities, and industry connections for commercialization. San Diego State University MBA students re-engineered CEL's financial forecasting tool as a capstone project.
• Jamboree HousingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJamboree Housing partnered with CEL for Paseo Adelanto, a mixed-use development in San Juan Capistrano with 51 affordable housing units and city hall. CEL hosted human-centered design workshops and will deploy grid-interactive building controls. This project was a CEC EPIC Challenge Design Phase winner.
• Hoquiam School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoquiam School District is a Phase I rural partner with CEL, conducting a successful pilot at Lincoln Elementary. Phase II USDA award continues adaptation of CEL's technology for rural community buildings including Hoquiam schools. Also partner in AGILE Project with Energy Northwest.
• Tenino School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTenino School District is a demonstration partner with CEL through the IN2 demonstration cohort, working with Tacoma Power and Franklin Pierce School District on all-electric clean building controls.
• Triangle Lake Charter SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase I rural partner. CEL's technology reduced peak demand from electrification by 20-35%, shifted 16% of peak TOU energy cost to lower-priced periods, and reduced heating/cooling power by close to 30% while improving occupant comfort.
• Lakeview LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhase I rural partner. CEL is adapting technology for diverse rural community buildings including libraries to reduce energy burden in rural communities.
• Mutual Housing (Fairview Terrace)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual Housing's Fairview Terrace project in California's Central Valley used CEL's building automation as a critical technology component and won CEC EPIC Challenge Design Phase funding for an affordable, net-zero, grid-aware housing development.
• ConSol, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConSol's EPIC Challenge Design Phase project 'Reimagining Affordable Mixed-Use Development in a Carbon-Constrained Future' integrates CEL's technology as a core component of a plug-and-play zero-emissions pathway using a four-tier resilience strategy.
• TRC CompaniesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTRC Companies was awarded NYSERDA NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenge funding for two intelligent electric load control projects, with CEL as a commercial partner in the OpenBOS project alongside LBNL, Elexity, and ACE IoT Solutions.
• St. Mary's Academy Beta Blues Robotics TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEL is a corporate sponsor of the St. Mary's Academy Beta Blues, the country's largest high school all-female robotics club based in Portland, Oregon with 40 team members. CEL supports diversity in STEM and attributes its own success to team diversity.
• VertueLabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVertueLab co-hosts the annual Badass Women Entrepreneurs event where CEO Tanya Barham spoke about startup funding, diversity, and entrepreneurship. VertueLab and WiSci PDX celebrate women who have launched science-based businesses.
• Otto AwardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEL won the Otto Awards (one of two in the Cleantech category from over 1,000 applicants), receiving over $1 million in in-kind storytelling support to help frame CEL's mission and product story for investors, customers, and wide-ranging support.
• San Diego State University (MBA Capstone Team)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA team of San Diego State University MBA students re-engineered CEL's financial forecasting tool as a graduation capstone project, developing a lightweight and scalable model to help the company adapt to rapidly changing labor, costs of goods, and market conditions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BrainBox AI: BrainBox AI provides AI-powered autonomous building controls (deep learning-based HVAC optimization) for commercial real estate. It is the closest direct competitor to CEL's Dynamic MPC offering, targeting similar mid-market and enterprise customers with self-adjusting HVAC software.
• 75F: 75F offers IoT-based smart building controls (HyperStat, Facilis) for HVAC, lighting, and air quality in small-to-mid-sized commercial buildings. Like CEL, it emphasizes single-install speed, cloud-managed SaaS, and predictive/ML control for budget-constrained facilities.
• BuildingIQ: BuildingIQ delivers AI-driven HVAC optimization and continuous commissioning for mid-market and large commercial buildings. Comparable to CEL's MPC approach and similarly focused on peak demand reduction and energy-cost savings as the primary value proposition.
• GridPoint: GridPoint provides building energy management and submetering for small-to-mid commercial and multi-site customers, with a strong utility-channel GTM. Overlaps directly with CEL on sub-100k sq ft buildings, demand-charge reduction, and utility-partnered sales motions.
• Switch Automation: Switch Automation is a building analytics and IoT platform for commercial portfolios, with features spanning HVAC optimization, fault detection, and occupant comfort. Compares to CEL on SaaS-delivered building intelligence for SMB/community-building customers.
• Optimum Energy: Optimum Energy provides HVAC loop optimization software (OptiCx) for commercial chiller/boiler plants. Highly comparable to CEL's MPC angle — focused on continuous, autonomous HVAC tuning to reduce kWh and peak demand in mid-sized buildings.
• KGS Buildings: KGS Buildings (formerly KGS Group / Clockworks) offers an AI-driven fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) and analytics platform for commercial HVAC. Like CEL, it serves facility teams with cloud software that turns building telemetry into savings and comfort outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Building Technologies: Honeywell's Building Technologies division (including the Niagara-based BMS portfolio and Forge analytics) is a broad incumbent in commercial BAS. While focused on larger enterprise customers, it competes for the same IoT/analytics-driven HVAC optimization wallet share CEL targets in K-12.
• Johnson Controls: Johnson Controls sells the Metasys/Automated Logic BAS lines, OpenBlue digital platform, and HVAC equipment. It is a broad incumbent that increasingly overlaps with CEL in K-12 and SMB segments via OpenBlue and direct utility-channel programs.
• Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure platform and Square D power-management portfolio cover commercial BAS, DER orchestration, and microgrids. It is both a potential competitor and partner (co-designed CEL's Bus Barn Microgrid pilot) and overlaps in the K-12 electrification space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Community_eLabs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Energy Labs