Sustainable Engineering Studio

ASHRAE Launches bEQ Building Labeling Program

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:41:00 +0000

ASHRAE has launched a building labeling program designed to rate buildings according to their in-operation energy use. It will also provide owners with suggested measures to improve energy efficiency. The Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) program assigns buildings an energy use quotient based on completion of an in-operation assessment that includes an ASHRAE Level I Energy Audit. The audit serves as the standard for determining a building's energy use and producing an actionable plan to improve performance. To meet bEQ's requirements, the assessment must be performed by an ASHRAE-Certified Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP). "bEQ lets a commercial building owner zero in on opportunities to lower building operating cost and make informed decisions to increase value," said Tom Phoenix, P.E., chair of the bEQ committee.

For complete article, slick here.

Source: ASHRAE

Building Uses Ancient Method of Sustainable Cooling

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:29:00 +0000

JAIPUR, India—The Pearl Academy of Fashion is kept 20°C (36°F) cooler inside than outside because of an ancient technique. The exterior keeps with the trends of contemporary design. However, at the base of the building is a vast pool of water—a cooling concept taken directly from the stepwell structures developed locally over 1,500 years ago to provide refuge from the desert heat. The architect who designed the academy explains that baoli (the Hindi word for stepwell) are bodies of water encased by a descending set of steps. "When water evaporates in heat, it immediately brings down the temperature of the space around it," said Manit Rastogi. The 215,000 ft² (20,000 m²) building also incorporates walls that are made from a heat-absorbing material. The walls create a "thermal bank" that slowly releases heat at night when the temperature drops.

For complete article, click here.

Source: CNN
Picture: Courtesy of Habitat

Net Zero Energy School Being Built in New York

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:10:00 +0000

A school being built in the Rossville section of Staten Island will generate its own energy. "It will be the first net-zero energy public school in the northeast United States, and one of the very few in the country," said Bruce Barrett, vice president for architecture and engineering at the School Construction Authority. Up to 2,000 solar photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roof of PS 62. When it’s sunny, the school will power itself and other buildings. The school will use the regular power grid when it is cloudy and at night. The building will have extra insulation and high-performance windows, to prevent heat or air conditioning from escaping. Every classroom in PS 62 will face either due north or south, so they can be lit by daylight without glare. Sensors will automatically turn the lights off when sunshine is streaming into classrooms. It is scheduled to open in September 2015.

For the complete article, click here.

Source & Photo: NYC School Construction Authority

Architecture Billings Index Remains Positive for Third Straight Month

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:20:00 +0000

On the heels of consecutive months of strengthening business conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has now reached positive territory three months in a row. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI score was 50.9, following a mark of 51.0* in December. This score reflects a slight increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 61.2, down just a notch from a reading of 61.5 the previous month.

For complete article, click here.

Source: AIA

Inside the New Williamsburg Passive House by Loadingdock5

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:08:00 +0000

The three-story Brooklyn residence was built in compliance with the German Passiv Haus standards, which emphasizes the heavy insulation of walls and openings, and the precise balancing of interior and exterior temperatures. The building technique cuts down not only on energy consumption and cost, but also on initial construction costs usually allocated to expansive traditional heating and ventilation systems. During most of the year with extreme weather (summer and winter, specifically), the house maintains a very tight seal and all ventilation is done through the Passive House ventilation duct system. But on beautiful spring days when the temperature is mild allow for fresh air and ample ventilation, the house remains open to the outdoor weather in temperate parts of the year.

To read complete article, click here.

Source & Photo: Inhabitat

EPA Launches Online Database of Greenhouse Gas Data

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:46:00 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is, for the first time, making comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) data reported from large facilities and suppliers accessible to the public online. EPA's GHG Reporting Program, launched Jan. 11, includes 2010 data from from facilities in nine industry groups that directly emit large quantities of GHGs, as well as suppliers of certain fossil fuels.The data can be sorted by facility, location, industrial sector, and the type of GHG emitted.

To read complete article, click here.

Source: epa.gov

U.S. Exceeds Energy Conservation Expectations

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Americans conserved about 112 million MWh of electricity in 2010, 21% more than in the previous year, according to a report released this week. The numbers for 2011 are likely to be even better, says the report by the Institute for Electric Efficiency, a nonprofit organization that promotes the benefits of electricity. Utility energy-efficiency programs as well as more efficient appliances and gadgets are cited as the primary drivers of the savings. Efficiency is considered a good investment because it's cheaper to save energy than to make energy. The report pegs the cost of saving energy at 3.5 to 4.3 cents/kWh.

Click here to read a related news article. Read the comments too.
Click here to read the report, "Summary of Ratepayer-Funded Electric Efficiency Impacts, Budgets, and Expenditures."

Source: ASHRAE

One World Trade Center to be Tall, Sustainable

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:15:00 +0000

When it is completed in 2013, New York's One World Trade Center will be the tallest building in the U.S., and one of the most sustainable buildings of its size in the world. The building is designed to LEED Gold specifications. It will derive about 35% of its power from renewable energy sources. Around 400 fuel cell stacks have been installed. It is one of the largest fuel cell installations in the world. Waste heat from the system will be recycled and used for hot water and heating in the podium of the building and the entrances. Air conditioning will be supplied, in part, by a 12,500-ton (44 000 kW) central chiller plant that will use water from the Hudson River.

For the complete article, click here.

Source: ThomasNet
Photo source: PANYNJ

Demand for Energy to Rise 30% by 2040, Tempered by Efficiency Gains

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Worldwide demand for energy will increase 30% over the next 30 years, as prosperity expands across the world and the population grows to nearly 9 billion people, according to Exxon Mobil Corp. In its The Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040 report, the energy company says that China, India, Africa and other emerging economies will lead the growth, while demand in the United States and other fully developed economies will remain relatively constant. Energy demand will shift toward less-carbon-intensive energy sources such as natural gas, and renewable energy sources will increase to account for 15% of world energy supply. The report adds that projected increase in demand would be four times higher without projected gains in efficiency.

For complete article, click here.

Source: Exxon Mobil

Tenants, Operation Key to Building Performance

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:28:00 +0000

Architects and engineers can only go so far in delivering on energy efficiency, according to a new study by New Buildings Institute (NBI). The study suggests that although the market generally assigns responsibility for building energy performance to the design team for aspects such as envelope, HVAC system and lighting system features, operational and tenant practices have a significant impact on building energy use. The study found that best practices in building operations can reduce energy use 10% to 20% across all climate zones. Poor operations practices can increase energy use 30% to 60% or more.

To read complete report, click here.

Source: New Buildings Institute

Sustainable Buildings Cost Less to Maintain

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:25:00 +0000

Sustainably designed federal buildings cost 19% less to maintain, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The report, prepared for the General Services Administration (GSA), also found that such buildings also use 25% less energy, consume 11% less water and emit more than one-third less carbon dioxide than conventionally designed buildings. The study also found occupant satisfaction to be significantly higher in sustainable buildings.

To read complete article, click here.

Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Photo: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

States to Use 90.1-2010 by Oct. 18, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:58:00 +0000

ASHRAE's Washington office is reporting that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has determed that ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, saves more energy than Standard 90.1-2007. Specifically, DOE found national source energy savings of approximately 18.2%, and site energy savings of approximately 18.5%, when comparing the 2010 and 2007 versions of Standard 90.1. As a result of this week's DOE final determination, states are required to certify by Oct. 18, 2013 that that have reviewed the provisions of their commercial building code regarding energy efficiency and updated their code to meet or exceed Standard 90.1-2010.

To read complete article, click here.

Source: ASHRAE

Improving IEQ in U.S. Office Buildings Could Bring Billions in Economic Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:25:00 +0000

Increasing ventilation rates in U.S. office buildings would reduce sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and absences, improve work performance, and provide billions of dollars in annual economic benefits in the U.S., according to a recent study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. A second study found that four remedial measures in U.S. offices—increasing low ventilation rates, improving temperature controls so that offices don't get too hot in winter, performing dampness and mold remediation, and adding economizers—would reduce adverse health effects and health-care costs, decrease absence rates, improve thermal comfort, and improve work performance. The projected societal economic benefits of non-overlapping combinations of the remedial measures range from $17 billion to $26 billion per year.

To read complete article, click here.

Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Photo: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Architecture Billings Index Turns Positive after Four Straight Monthly Declines

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:02:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – On the heels of a period of weakness in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) took a sudden upturn in August. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI score was 51.4, following a very weak score of 45.1 in July. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 56.9, up sharply from a reading of 53.7 the previous month.

For complete article, click here.

Source: AIA

Empire State Building's green transformation earns LEED Gold

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:01:00 +0000

The iconic Empire State Building, whose green retrofit and refurbishing have become almost as celebrated as the landmark itself, earned LEED Gold certification today. The recognition from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and its green building verification arm, the Green Building Certification Institute, is the latest laurel for the 102-story skyscraper that was completed 80 years ago. The environmental upgrade of the building was the largest retrofit of its kind to date in the United States. It is expected to reduce energy use by more than $4.4m annually, cut carbon emissions by 105,000 metric tonnes over a 15-year period, and provide a payback in slightly more than three years.

To read complete article, click here.

Source: businessgreen.com

Photo: NYC & Co.

Climate Policy Initiative Analysis Finds U.S. Building Energy Codes Work

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:30:00 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO - In the first U.S. study to measure the real impact of building energy codes on total household energy consumption, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) found that U.S. building energy codes have reduced household energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The study also found that states adopting these codes, which encouraged the use of highly efficient natural gas heaters and electric heat pumps, shifted their energy use away from oil and wood fuels towards lower-emissions natural gas.

For the complete article, click here.

Source: PR Newswire
Photo: Climate Policy Initiative

LEED 2012: The USGBC Real-Time Reporting To Its Green Building Ratings

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:06:00 +0000

The latest version of the building-rating system, called LEED 2012 - which will launch in November and the go to USGBC members for a vote next summer - takes advantage of new technology and building practices that make real-time energy and water management commercially viable. Sharing this data so that other commercial real estate owners can compare their energy use is now going to be required. LEED 2012 will also require owners to recertify every five years. So if you invest in a LEED rating when you open, you'll have to prove over time that you're staying current with available energy-saving techniques.

For complete article, click here.

Source: Fast Company

Free Software Tool Compares Geothermal Options

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:10:00 +0000

An easy-to-use, but sophisticated method of analyzing hybrid geothermal configurations is now available for free download. The HyGCHP (Hybrid Ground-Coupled Heat Pumps) software module helps users investigate several configurations of geothermal systems, including conventional geothermal systems and hybrid options. The software helps determine how much money a building owner can save, helps select optimal sizes for the equipment, compares different hybrid geothermal approaches, and analyzes the effects of different control strategies. The software was developed by the Energy Center of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is sponsored by ASHRAE and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

To read more and to download software, click here.

Source: Energy Center of Wisconsin

Standard 90.1-2007 Established as National Reference Standard for Federal, Commercial Buildings by DOE

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:12:00 +0000

ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, has been established by the DOE as the commercial building reference standard for state building energy codes under the federal Energy Conservation and Production Act. As a result, states are required to certify by July 20, 2013, that they have reviewed and updated the provisions of their commercial building code regarding energy efficiency, including a demonstration that the provisions of their commercial building codes regarding energy efficiency meet or exceed 90.1-2007.

For complete article, click here.

Source: ASHRAE

Sustainable New Office Tower Set to Rise on Avenue of the Americas Overlooking Bryant Park

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:21:00 +0000

Hines, along with partner Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Inc., today announced the development of an iconic new trophy-class office tower on Avenue of the Americas overlooking Bryant Park. Designed by renowned architects Henry N. Cobb and Yvonne Szeto of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the planned 28-story, 450,000-rentable-square-foot tower will be built on property that Pacolet Milliken has owned since 1954, a key parcel on Avenue of the Americas with full-block frontage at the southwest corner of the popular Manhattan park.

For complete article, click here.

Source: Reuters
Photo: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

AIA Launches New Initiative to Revive Stalled Construction Sites Across the Country

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:20:00 +0000

Over the last couple years, Americans have become increasingly familiar with the sight of stalled construction sites due to the recession. To help mitigate this ugly issue, the American Institute of Architects has launched a new initiative aimed at reviving these stalled sites and jump-starting their completion. Not only will this eliminate undesirable, empty spaces, but it will create thousands of construction jobs.

To read complete article, click here.

Source: Inhabitat (Jessica Dailey) / ArchDaily
Photo: Inhabitat

U.S. States, Cities Require Energy Use Disclosure

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:34:00 +0000

Many U.S. states and cities are beginning this year to require that commercial buildings measure and disclose their energy use. The new rules, which generally exempt small businesses, are expected to encourage building owners to make upgrades that will save energy and create jobs. Aug. 1 was the deadline for buildings in New York City larger than 50,000 ft2 (4600 m2), representing half of its interior space, to report how much energy they used in the past year or face $500 quarterly fines. The city will post the data on a public website next year. Similar requirements have already begun this year in Seattle and San Francisco.

To read complete article, click here.

Source: ASHRAE, USA Today

Geothermal Heat Pump Shipments to Double in Volume by 2017

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Geothermal heat pumps and the direct utilization of geothermal resources represent a fast-growing alternative in the heating and cooling market. As demand for electricity expands throughout the world and energy prices increase, the direct use of geothermal, led primarily by heat pumps, is on the rise. An efficient and reliable option for residential, commercial, and institutional building owners, geothermal heat pumps exploit the nearly constant temperatures found just beneath the ground. While cost and lack of consumer awareness remain primary obstacles to increased adoption, tax incentives and policies supporting building efficiency improvements are helping to drive dramatic growth in the heat pump market.

For complete article, click here.

Source: PikeSearch
Photo: Wikipedia

Solar Panels Still Rare, Despite Glow of $7 Power Bills

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:47:00 +0000

The New York Times published a story on the growing trend of solar panel installations throughout New York City in its weekly "Appraisal" column. "Despite Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ample use of the bully pulpit to promote his environmental agenda — and a raft of policy changes, generous incentive programs and celebrity-studded public announcements urging New Yorkers to "go green" — only a few homeowners in the city have slapped those shiny blue panels on their roofs."

For the complete article, click here.

Source: New York Times
Photo: Inhabitat

Solar Panels Keep Buildings Cool

noreply@blogger.com (D. Bratun) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:10:00 +0000

SAN DIEGO—Solar photovoltaic panels installed on rooftops act as "roof shades" to keep buildings cool, according to researchers at the University of California, San Diego engineering school. The researchers used data gathered from thermal imaging of a campus laboratory to determine that during the day, the building's ceiling was 5°F (2.8°C) cooler under solar panels than under an exposed roof. Also, at night, the panels provide thermal insulation to hold heat in. The research team calculated that the amount saved on cooling the building was equal to getting a 5% discount on the solar panels' price, over the panels' lifetime.

For the complete article, click here.

Source: UCSD School of Engineering, ASHRAE
Photo source: UCSD School of Engineering