Q&A

From NASA to HVAC: How this Houston tech startup is revolutionizing energy-efficient air conditioning

Rawand Rasheed, the CEO and founder of Helix Earth Technologies, joins the Energy Tech Startups podcast. Photo via LinkedIn

Excessive energy consumption in air conditioning systems is a pressing issue with far-reaching implications for carbon emissions and climate change.

Rawand Rasheed, the CEO and founder of Helix Earth Technologies, is at the forefront of addressing this challenge. With a distinguished background as an aerospace engineer with NASA, Rawand’s expertise is now channeled towards the built environment and heavy industries.

In a recent episode of Energy Tech Startups, we dive into how Rawand’s journey from space technology innovations is now revolutionizing energy consumption in air conditioning systems.


In an era where the urgency to combat climate change is palpable, innovators like Rawand Rasheed are making monumental strides in bridging the gap between space-age technology and sustainable solutions for our planet. Drawing from her unique experiences at NASA and her unwavering commitment to the environment, Rawand's work with Helix Earth Technologies exemplifies the transformative potential of cross-disciplinary expertise. As we witness the evolution of her groundbreaking technology in the HVAC sector, it serves as a potent reminder that with determination, innovation, and a clear vision, we can indeed reshape our world for the better. The future of energy-efficient air conditioning, and by extension, a more sustainable world, is on the horizon, and pioneers like Rawand are leading the way.

Energy Tech Startups: How did your experience at NASA inspire your work in decarbonization and HVAC?

Rawand Rasheed: At NASA, we often faced unique challenges that required innovative solutions, especially in space. One such challenge was fighting fires in space using a micrometer-sized droplet spray of water. This led us to develop an efficient filter that could capture these small droplets without any moving parts. This technology, initially designed for space, turned out to have significant implications for climate tech, particularly in capturing and filtering air streams.

ETS: How does your technology help in reducing energy consumption in air conditioning systems?

RR: Our technology can significantly reduce air conditioning energy loads, cutting them by over 50%. It works by absorbing more from air streams, making the cooling process more efficient. Currently, we're focusing on commercial HVAC systems and are close to scaling our system to a commercial unit. Within the next year, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of our system at this scale through pilot projects.

ETS: How did your early life shape your entrepreneurial aspirations?

RR: Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the power of determination and hard work. Starting from scratch, both culturally and financially, and achieving success made me believe that anything is possible. This belief, combined with my passion for the environment and engineering, always fueled my desire to start a company. My graduate studies further solidified this aspiration, merging my interests and leading me to establish my own venture in the realm of environmental engineering.


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This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. Click here to listen to the full episode. Hosted by Jason Ethier and Nada Ahmed, the Digital Wildcatters’ podcast, Energy Tech Startups, delves into Houston's pivotal role in the energy transition, spotlighting entrepreneurs and industry leaders shaping a low-carbon future. Digital Wildcatters is a Houston-based media platform and podcast network, which is home to the Energy Tech Startups podcast.

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A View From HETI

Daikin Industries' new solar power plant at its Waller-area campus will power its central chiller plant and is designed to connect to the campus' electric grid. Photo courtesy Daikin.

Japanese HVAC company Daikin Industries has completed a nearly one-megawatt solar power plant at its Daikin Comfort Technologies North America campus southeast of Waller.

Daikin says the new plant at its 4.2 million-square-foot Daikin Texas Technology Park will eliminate an estimated 845 metric tons of carbon emissions each year. The park houses the largest HVAC factory in North America.

“Daikin’s unwavering commitment to innovation drives us to continually perfect the air we share. With the launch of this solar project, we’re one step closer to being a net-zero CO2 emission factory by 2030,” Nathan Walker, senior vice president of environmental business development of locally based Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, said in a release. “This installation is a significant step in reducing our carbon footprint and underscores our commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.”

Solar power from the new facility will power the Daikin campus’ central chiller plant, which circulates about 125,000 gallons of chilled water annually and 75,000 gallons of hot water in the winter. Also, the solar setup is designed to connect to the electric grid that serves the campus. About 10,000 people work at the campus.

Daikin, a Fortune 1000 company, may not have been a familiar name to some Houstonians until January, when it took over the naming rights for the Houston Astros’ stadium. The naming rights agreement for Daikin Park, formerly Minute Maid Park, expires during the Astros’ 2039 season. The stadium had been named Minute Maid Park since 2002.

“The Astros are the pride of Houston, an organization that has built resiliency in hard times, and have succeeded to be a winning team. The coming together of both our organizations is a symbol of our love for our hometown and the communities of the Greater Houston area,” Takayuki “Taka” Inoue, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, said in November.

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