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Smart Buildings Center

Energy Efficiency Innovation Center, Tool Library & Data Visualization

Tool Lending Library Case Study – Hospital Electricity Use

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Photo credits: Walt Vernon, Mazzetti/2020

The Smart Buildings Center Tool Lending Library supported a yearlong project led by Mazzetti, a health care engineering, planning, and design firm, to study electricity use at eight hospitals across the country.

During the pandemic, Mazzetti, on behalf of the Fire Protection Research Foundation, studied electrical demand in hospitals. Although the study initially planned to look at electrical loads in multiple occupancies, after the pandemic started, Mazzetti realized there was a unique opportunity—for the first time in a hundred years, since the 1918 flu pandemic—to look at electrical loads in hospitals during a pandemic.

Mazzetti borrowed Fluke 1730 3 Phase Logging Power Meters from the Tool Lending Library to measure electrical loads at hospital panels. These meters were installed at hospital panels and helped in conducting a robust study.

Read the full case study

Better Buildings Top 10 Solutions for April

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The top 10 most-viewed resources on the Better Buildings Solution Center from the past month feature strategies for low carbon technologies, clean energy access in low-income communities, project financing, and more. This list also highlights solutions from partners New York City Housing Authority, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Ford Motor Company. Check out this month’s line up!

1. Low Carbon Technology Strategies Toolkit

To help building owners and operators reduce carbon emissions, this toolkit offers guidance on how to achieve deep carbon reductions in existing buildings with a primary focus on retrofits and operational strategies. Low carbon technology strategies are currently available for 10 building types, with a supplement for commercial kitchen equipment. Recommendations are grouped by technology, with actions categorized as either simple, intermediate, or advanced. Read more.

2. Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities (CELICA) Toolkit

Low-income households spend about 8% of their income on energy costs, three times more than average. Better Buildings Accelerator partners committed $335 million to help 155,000 low-income households access energy efficiency and renewable energy benefits, collecting resources and lessons learned into the CELICA Toolkit. The toolkit includes a guide to program development and replicable program models for single-family and multifamily housing, as well as community solar. Read more.

3. Smart Energy Analytics Campaign Toolkit

With analytic software applied to everyday building operations, owners are using data to their advantage and realizing cost savings through improved energy management. This toolkit collects the best resources from DOE’s Smart Energy Analytics Campaign to help facility owners and managers take advantage of savings opportunities and performance improvements from energy management information systems (EMIS) and ongoing monitoring practices. Read more.

4. Green Revolving Funds Toolkit

This collection of solutions provides guidance on establishing a green revolving fund to overcome a lack of dedicated capital. A green revolving fund is an internal capital pool dedicated to funding energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability projects that generate cost savings. A portion of those savings is then used to replenish the fund, establishing an ongoing funding vehicle to help drive energy efficiency and sustainability investment over time. Read more.

5. Showcase Project: New York City Housing Authority: 344 East 28th Street

To address energy challenges faced at its 344 East 28th Street multifamily apartment complex, Better Buildings Challenge partner New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) conducted an extensive lighting, heating, and hot-water modernization project. Energy-efficient upgrades made to these building systems, as well as NYCHA’s first-ever deployment of renewable technologies, resulted in nearly 40% annual energy savings and nearly $114,000 in cost savings. Read more.

6. Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Toolkit

This collection of resources enables state and local communities to benefit from the experience of partners who have successfully established and implemented performance contracting. It includes best practices and innovative approaches that states, cities, and K-12 schools have used. Users can easily find the information they need at each stage of their ESPC decision-making process. Read more.

7. High-Efficiency RTU Replacement Toolkit

This toolkit helps HVAC contractors and service companies work with their customers through a step-by-step process of evaluating and managing their inventory of rooftop units (RTUs) and how to evaluate the business case for high-efficiency replacements. From an incentives database to a comparison calculator, the toolkit provides everything needed to make an informed decision regarding RTU replacements. Read more.

8. IHG Hotels & Resorts Green Engage™ Program

IHG Hotels and Resorts, a Better Buildings Alliance partner, created the IHG Green Engage™ system as a comprehensive online sustainability platform. It allows hotels to track, measure, and report on their carbon footprint and utility consumption. With over 200 Green Solutions, including detailed action plans, guidance, and case studies, Green Engage can help hotels avoid up to $67 million in utility costs while significantly reducing their carbon footprint. Read more.

9. Engaging Tenants in Energy Efficiency Toolkit

Building occupants can control up to 80% of energy use in a commercial building. Tenant engagement in energy efficiency initiatives is crucial to unlocking the full energy savings potential. This toolkit outlines successful strategies and resources for bridging the tenant-landlord divide through green leasing guidance, tenant improvement and build-out best practices, and examples of successful communication with tenants regarding energy efficiency opportunities. Read more.

10. Ford Motor Company: Dearborn Campus Uses a Digital Twin Tool for Energy Plant Management

A digital twin is the virtual representation of an object or system across its life cycle that helps operators quickly identify problems. Better Plants partner Ford Motor Company is using a digital twin of the new central energy plant (CEP) at its Dearborn Research and Engineering Campus, which is projected to reduce campus energy and water use by 50%. The digital model helps the Ford team manage potential risks by monitoring functions across the CEP and providing real-time data for increased visibility and more efficient operations. Read more.

Upcoming Lighting Design Lab Classes

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The Networked Lighting Controls Value Proposition
Thu, Apr 14 | 10am-noon | FREE

The real opportunity brought forth by NLC systems revolve around reducing maintenance efforts, increasing productivity, and serving as the infrastructure to concepts such as Space Utilization, Asset Tracking, Horticultural Lighting and Automation, LiFi, Tunable White or Circadian Lighting, integration to the Smart Building Ecosystem, and a plethora of IoT applications. This value proposition is forward looking and is not adopted as a mainstream plan of action – how do we get there? In this webinar we will discuss some of these non-energy benefits, how to get a foot in the door, and how to navigate the conversation with different types of stakeholders with diverse agendas.

Register here

Networked Lighting Controls Fundamentals – Day 1
Thu, Apr 21 | 10am-noon | FREE

DAY 1 OF 2. Part one of this comprehensive online class will introduce you to modern lighting control strategies and equipment. Part two will offer guidance on successful implementation and programming approaches for these systems. System concepts, design, installation, sequence of operations, and startup will all be discussed over the course of the class.

Register here

Networked Lighting Controls Fundamentals – Day 2
Thu, Apr 28 | 10am-noon | FREE

DAY 2 OF 2. Part one of this comprehensive online class will introduce you to modern lighting control strategies and equipment. Part two will offer guidance on successful implementation and programming approaches for these systems. System concepts, design, installation, sequence of operations, and startup will all be discussed over the course of the class.

Register here


Energy & Alterations: Meeting the Alterations Requirements of the Energy Code
Thu, May 05 | 10am-noon | FREE

This 2-hour webinar will summarize the “alterations” requirements of the Seattle and Washington state energy codes and offer suggestions for potential design solutions. It will provide an overview of the alterations provisions of Chapter 5, with a special focus on replacing existing gas or electric resistance space heating and water heating systems with heat pump systems. Alterations to envelope, lighting, electrical, metering, and HVAC systems will also be covered, as will Seattle’s “substantial alterations” rules in addition to “additions.” The webinar will conclude with a substantial Q&A period for discussion of specific applications.

Register here

Networked Lighting Controls for Healthcare
Thu, May 12 | 10am-noon | FREE

This class will build on the foundation of our one- and two-day Networked Lighting Controls classes by examining controls that may be effectively applied to areas of specific interest to the healthcare environment including clinics, patient rooms, procedure areas, and related spaces. We will consider how networked lighting controls may help to improve patient and staff perception, productivity, and patient outcomes. We will specifically discuss how lighting controls implementation may relate to current research regarding light and health, circadian entrainment, and shift workers.

Register here

Online Open House about Building Performance Standards Policy Development – April 5th  

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The Office of Sustainability and Environment is conducting stakeholder and community engagement on creating draft legislation for new City of Seattle regulations for commercial and multifamily buildings 20,000 square feet and larger that would reduce climate-polluting emissions and transition towards cleaner, healthier places to live and work. Called ‘Building Performance Standards,’ these carbon emissions targets would become gradually stronger over time towards a goal of cleaner, healthier, ‘net-zero’ carbon emissions buildings by 2050, while improving the quality of life for residents and creating local, well-paying jobs. OSE will present about the potential regulations and the links between buildings, climate pollution, equity, and health. The meeting will include listening sessions to hear participant’s ideas and concerns. OSE is planning another online open house for late spring in the evening (date TBD). Presentations and meeting summaries will be posted online after the events.

Learn about Building Controls On-Demand

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Building controls can drive big energy savings – if you can master them. Slipstream is here to help. We partnered with energy experts to guide you at every step of your controls learning journey – from the fundamentals to advanced building controls. From design to implementation. Including how your daily facility operation and energy management strategy will benefit when building controls work for you.

Visit our free on-demand library for:

  • 17 short sessions for energy managers
  • 20 in-depth sessions for building operators and facility engineers
  • Up to 18.5 hours of continuing education credits

Learn more

Slipstream was awarded a grant by the Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) to develop this comprehensive training library on building controls for you. These courses cover everything from the fundamentals of building HVAC systems and controls to advanced control strategies for intelligent building operations and more.

Courses are grouped by topic. You can follow the recommended learning flow from simple to more complicated topics. Sign up for free today to access these courses and watch them on-demand.

Learn more about these training courses or sign up today!

NEEC Hiring Assistant Project Manager, Apply by April 1st

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About NEEC and the Smart Buildings Center:
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) is a non-profit business association of the building efficiency industry. NEEC’s mission is to promote energy efficiency policies, programs and technologies that create jobs and foster economic growth and environmental improvement.

The Smart Buildings Center (SBC) is a 501c3 organization with a mission to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of smart buildings technologies and practices through education and demonstration.  Through partnership with NEEC, the two organizations offer a physical meeting space in the Pacific Tower in Seattle and offer training, educational events and webinars, networking opportunities, and loan out diagnostic tools through the Center’s Tool Lending Library.

General Description:
NEEC is seeking a motivated Assistant Project Manager to support the organization in managing a range of projects that accelerate adoption of smart buildings practices and technologies through education, training, and other industry support. In addition to supporting multiple projects and managing competing priorities, this individual will have the opportunity to leverage their own knowledge and passion for clean energy to develop new and creative ways to drive both NEEC and the SBC’s missions forward. The Assistant Project Manager will support projects such as the Energy Benchmarking Help Desk, the Smart Buildings Education Program, and the Building Operator Certification program. The role requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, an ability to prioritize multiple projects, and comfort in serving as a point of contact to external stakeholders. While not required, knowledge of energy efficient and smart buildings approaches, building decarbonization, and energy policy is strongly desired.  The position reports directly to NEEC’s Director of Education and Training and will work both independently and collaboratively throughout the organization, as well as with NEEC and SBC partner organizations as needed. This is a full-time position based in Seattle, WA with the latitude to work remotely.

Responsibilities:

  • Support the organization’s work on Energy Benchmarking Helpdesk with customer assistance, data tracking and research, and ensuring project deliverables and deadlines are met.
  • Work with Project Managers and Directors to ensure projects and deliverables are on schedule and meet requirements
  • Work with Building Operator Certification team to support project implementation across the program footprint
  • Familiarity with and passion for energy efficient buildings, smart buildings, and smart buildings technologies
  • Stay knowledgeable in smart buildings, decarbonization, and energy policy
  • Work with staff to create and publish materials demonstrating value of programs through various newsletters, blogs, and social media

Qualifications:

  • 2+ years of professional work experience
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, including planning, reporting, and meeting deadlines
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • A high degree of professionalism and an ability to work with a variety of stakeholders including building owners and operators, policymakers, and other industry professionals
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel and database skills

Preferred Skills:

  • Familiarity with EPA Portfolio Manager
  • Experience with energy savings analysis both for individual buildings and a portfolio of buildings
  • Data visualization in software such as Tableau
  • Prior work and understanding of contracts and grants

Education/Training:
Baccalaureate degree or relevant coursework in environmental/energy policy, energy efficiency, and/or public or business administration. Combination of education and experience can be considered.

Compensation and Benefits:
NEEC offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include: employer paid health, vision, and dental insurance; IRA with 3% employer match; flexible paid time off; ability to work remotely; public transportation program.

How to Apply:
Email resume and cover letter to Melanie Danuser [email protected]

Application deadline: April 1, 2022

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

Smart Buildings Center
Pacific Tower
1200 12th Ave. S., Suite 110
Seattle, WA 98144

206-538-0832

[email protected]

Smart Buildings Center is a project collaboration with Building Potential