Energy Efficiency Innovation Center, Tool Library & Data Visualization
The WBDG portal, where FEMP hosts its trainings, underwent mandatory maintenance in October 2024 and has been restored with enhanced functionality and a new hosting environment.
To stay up to date on the latest training offerings, bookmark the FEMP Training Catalog! This is the most accurate source of information on available FEMP trainings and will lead you to the correct WBDG registration and course pages.
The SBX Technical Webinar series is in full swing as we prepare for the April 16th topic, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Building Controls & Security. See below for the full schedule and register now for recordings of the previous sessions and the rest of this years’ worth of content!
Register today at: https://cvent.me/LEWGoD
Here’s the brief for April:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming building automation systems (BAS) and smart buildings by enhancing efficiency, security, and occupant comfort. This webinar will explore some of the potential benefits, challenges, and technical considerations for utilizing AI in BAS.
Rising temperatures pose a threat to Washington’s water supplies, coastlines, communities, and economy. Ironically, a significant portion of the greenhouse gases that are driving that warming comes from chemicals used as refrigerants. They’re in everything from car air conditioning to the industrial-scale systems used in food storage and processing.
Compared to other greenhouse gases, these refrigerants make up a tiny portion of Washington’s emissions. But when they leak into the atmosphere, they can pack a climate change punch hundreds or even thousands of times that of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. The good news is that refrigerant systems are intended to operate as closed loops — nothing has to get in or out as long as the equipment is properly maintained.
In order to contain these super-pollutants, the Washington Legislature passed a law requiring businesses with large refrigeration systems to take steps to prevent leaks. The same law directed Ecology to set up the Refrigerant Management Program to help companies safely monitor and manage refrigerants.
If you own, operate or service this type of equipment, keep reading here at the WA DOE website! We’re digging into the who, what, when, where, and why of this program, including how it benefits businesses.
Since 2020, the Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) has united industry leaders through a mix of virtual and in-person programming. Originally launched in 2018 as the Why Smart Buildings Executive Forum, SBX has continually evolved to meet the needs of the industry.
Now we’re taking the next step. This year marks the beginning of a new era—a year-round Smart Buildings Exchange experience with ongoing virtual live webinars recorded throughout the year and an in-person conference experience each fall in Seattle.
2025 will be a transition year as we reimagine the future of our virtual programming. In the meantime, our Smart Buildings Center (SBC) Technical Webinar Series will keep you engaged throughout the year. Register here: https://cvent.me/LEWGoD
We’re also thrilled to gather in person on November 5th for a half-day conference and happy hour in downtown Seattle—mark your calendar.
What’s new for SBX in 2025?
SBX Fall Conference
November 5, 2025 | 1:00 – 6:00 PM
Bell Harbor Conference Center, Downtown Seattle
Includes a networking happy hour to connect with industry peers.
More information and registration coming soon at www.sbxconference.org
SBC Technical Webinar Series
6 Virtual Webinars occurring throughout the year
Join live or watch the live recording
Stay engaged all year with expert-led discussions.
Register now at https://cvent.me/LEWGoD
Cost
To ensure a high-quality experience, this year will be the first time we are charging for attendance, but we are working hard to keep those costs low!
Get Involved with SBX 2025
Register now for our technical webinars: https://cvent.me/LEWGoD
Stay tuned for more info on our Fall Conference: www.sbxconference.org
Sponsorship Opportunities: please contact info@smartbuildingscenter.org for more information
SBX 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, we’ll expand further with a multi-day Smart Buildings Exchange conference in Seattle each November!
We’re excited to bring you even more opportunities to engage, learn, and connect. See you online and in Seattle this fall!
Lighting Design Lab has partnered with Smart Buildings Center to offer a new webinar. Check out the description below or click here to see the full details or register today!
Building technologies are evolving, codes are getting tighter, customer values include more than just the bottom line, and the workforce needs to catch up–and stay caught up. The Lab has great education and resources for you, but no one entity can do it all. Luckily, Building Potential’s Smart Buildings Center, UW’s Integrated Design Lab, and BPA’s Comfort Ready Home offer unique education and services that complement what the Lab delivers. We’re excited to have them come share how they can help meet your needs.
Seattle’s Smart Buildings Center is home to a huge tool lending library of diagnostic and monitoring tools, educational programming, and rentable room space for trainings and meetings. Melissa will present details about the Smart Buildings Center’s mission and more on their offerings, including the Building Operator Certification program and the helpdesks available for WA Clean Buildings and Seattle Benchmarking compliance.
The Integrated Design Lab, part of the Center for Integrated Design within the Department of Architecture in the College of Built Environments at UW, provides regional design teams access to the best building-performance knowledge available, project-by-project support, and education and training on how to design, construct and operate the healthiest, most productive and energy efficient buildings in North America. Chris Meek will share details about how they deliver this mission and highlight a new partnership with Pacific Northwest Building Training and Assessment Center.
Bonneville Power Administration’s Comfort Ready Home Program links residential contractors and utility program staff with education (including hands-on opportunities), marketing toolkits, customized support, and a ton of readily available resources in English and Spanish. Cyrus Collins, Program Manager Comfort Ready Home, will provide an overview of the program, how it can benefit both new and experienced workforce, and how to access marketing materials and in-person support.
Seattle City Light is partnering with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and the City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) to offer two different no-cost group training and technical support programs starting in March:
These programs provide tools, guidance, and technical support to help buildings improve energy efficiency and prepare for compliance with these standards.
Questions? Email: cleanbuildings@stillwaterenergy.com
