2025 Smart Buildings Exchange Recap

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Prepare for ENERGY STAR Metric Updates Coming in August

May 9, 2018 By SBC

If you benchmark one or more properties in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®, you’ll likely see a change in your buildings’ 1–100 ENERGY STAR scores and other source energy metrics in August 2018. That’s because EPA is updating performance metrics in Portfolio Manager based on the most recent market data available. This update is part of EPA’s standard process to keep ENERGY STAR metrics as current as possible, and reflective of current market performance.

The most recent market data available shows an overall improvement in the energy performance of the U.S. building stock in recent years. So when Portfolio Manager metrics are updated this August, ENERGY STAR scores and other performance metrics will, on average, go down. Your individual building’s ENERGY STAR score may increase or decrease, depending on your energy use, fuel mix, business activity, property type, and other variables.

Learn more and prepare

EPA is working to keep you informed and help you prepare for the 1–100 ENERGY STAR score updates. Visit www.energystar.gov/scoreupdates to find:

  • Details and a timeline for the 2018 metric updates
  • Guidance on how to prepare
  • Links to FAQs
  • Links to register for upcoming webinars and slides from previous webinars

Apply now for ENERGY STAR certification…especially if your score is close to 80! Applications submitted by July 26, 2018 will be assessed using currently available (pre-update) scores.

Because it is expected that most scores will be lower after the ENERGY STAR score update goes into effect on August 26th, ENERGY STAR wants to encourage building owners and managers to apply for certification early this year.

  • Applications received before July 26, 2018 and which require no significant follow-up or changes, will be guaranteed to be approved and awarded certification using the existing score models.
  • Applications received July 26 – August 26 may be evaluated using the updated score models, especially if significant follow-up or changes to the application are required.
  • Applications received after August 26 will be evaluated using the updated score models.

Capture your previous data.

  • When ENERGY STAR metrics are updated on August 26, 2018, the new calculations will be applied across all time periods, which means your scores and metrics for all historical benchmarking data will change. By applying this update across all time periods, you’ll continue to be able to analyze changes that are a result of your own activities, rather than changes in underlying market data.
  • After the metric updates are implemented, EPA will not be able to provide “before and after” score changes for individual buildings or portfolios. If you anticipate needing to document changes, you can download your pre- and post-update metrics in Excel using Portfolio Manager reports. To record this information and calculate changes, you’ll need to download the report prior to the August update and again after the update. This may be relevant if you’re participating in third-party certifications or incentives. Watch a step-by-step video on How to Generate Standard Reports in Portfolio Manager®.

The following reports may be helpful to capture historical data prior to the update.

  • “Performance Highlight” Report (for a portfolio-level, multi-year summary)
  • “Statement of Energy Performance” (for a building-level, 12-month performance period)

It is important to note that the EPA will not rescind prior ENERGY STAR certifications.

Filed Under: SBC News

Got Fresh Air and Hot Water?? Your Projects Could Really Perform…

May 9, 2018 By SBC

To all of you in the HVAC, plumbing and mechanical design field:

Do your clients want to breathe clean air in their buildings? 

Would they like to save money on their utilities? 

This May, the ShiftBuilding symposium will bring mechanical systems and construction professionals together to share and learn new applications that condition, ventilate, and heat water more efficiently than ever before. Our instructors and industry partners will help you learn to design and apply these systems, and where to find them in the Northwest.

Join us at this educational networking event for the high performance building industry:

High-Performance Mechanical Systems:  Fresh Air and Hot Water

With Skander Spies of McKinstry, and Shawn Oram of EcoTope

12:30 – 5:30 pm, Wednesday May 30

UW Bothell and Cascadia College Mobius Hall

18345 Campus Way NE • Bothell, WA

For more information or to register, visit shiftbuilding.eventbrite.com.

For more information or questions contact [email protected]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Why Smart Buildings? 2018 Executive Forum

May 2, 2018 By SBC

The Edge building in Amsterdam is elected to be one of the smartest and greenest buildings in the world.  “From the minute you wake up, you’re connected.  The app checks your schedule and…finds you a desk.  Because at The Edge, you don’t have one.  No one does.”  – (Full Bloomberg article and video here.).    That is just the beginning of the amazing and sophisticated technology you can find at The Edge, where Erik Ubels, Chief Technology Officer at OVG Real Estate and former CIO for Deloitte, was responsible for the development of this quintessential model of a smart building.

Join us at the Smart Buildings Center as we welcome Erik Ubels to our inaugural Executive Forum “Why Smart Buildings?”.  Erik will share his experience in the development of The Edge and how the IoT infrastructure within the building empowers a more productive workforce.  There will be opportunities for Q&A and we will also host a local panel with unique perspectives on smart in the PNW.  Seats are limited, register today!

 

Filed Under: 'Why Smart?' Events, Featured Event, SBC News

Why Smart Buildings? 2018 Executive Forum

April 19, 2018 By SBC

Join us as the Smart Buildings Center Education Program hosts its first Executive Forum to showcase the development of “The Edge” building in Amsterdam (watch this video for more info!). Erik Ubels, the Chief Technology Officer at OVG Real Estate and former CIO for Deloitte, will share his experience in the development of the Edge and how the IoT infrastructure within the building empowers a more productive workforce.

 

Filed Under: 'Why Smart?' Events, Uncategorized

Using Data Loggers to Verify Boiler Hot Water Reset

March 22, 2018 By SBC

A strategy to reduce heat loss from boiler water distribution systems is to reset the supply water temperature based on heating demand. Lowering the supply water temperature reduces the energy loss from the distribution system and saves energy. The most common method is to reset hot water supply temperature based on outside air temperature. This can easily be accomplished with stand-alone boiler temperature control systems. Buildings with Building Automation Systems (BAS) can also use a combination of outside air temperature and heating valve position to determine heating demand.

In either case, how can you determine if a hot water temperature reset schedule is in use and operating properly?  Read this technical document to learn how you can use data loggers to verify the performance of a hot water reset control.

Check out the many other technical resources that can also be found on SBC’s Tool Lending Library resources page.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

PNNL Seeks S&T Communications Partner

March 22, 2018 By SBC

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to collaboration and work–life balance. Dynamic, adaptable people come to PNNL to work smarter and work together on high-impact projects and initiatives for the U.S. Department of Energy and many other sponsors. They focus on meaningful work, innovation and outcomes. At PNNL, you’ll find a positive, fast-paced environment and excellent benefits including pension, matching 401(k), tuition reimbursement plans, health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State, an area known for its outdoor recreation, thriving wine industry and affordable cost of living.

The Opportunity:
Help build and implement a strategy that communicates PNNL’s extraordinary work in energy research with a focus on the electric power grid! The S&T Communications group – within PNNL’s Communications Division – is a newly formed team focused on delivering stellar customer service, counsel and communications strategy to leaders across the Lab’s Science and Technology mission areas. We’re currently seeking a highly proactive and strategic S&T Communications Partner with experience in project management to guide and oversee the communications strategy and coordination of deliverables for the Lab’s Energy and Environment Directorate, namely the Lab’s efforts in the electric power grid domain. This is a unique role for a strong communicator who also has extensive experience leading scientific or technical communications strategy, particularly related to electric power grid research initiatives.

As an S&T Communications Partner, you will form and nurture collaborative relationships with senior executives to develop a keen understanding of their audiences and goals. Working with your partners and fellow communications staff, you’ll ensure that each communications project or product is aligned with the Laboratory’s mission, vision and communications strategy; is appropriate for the intended audience; stimulates a preferred action; and meets the partners’ budget, goals and expectations. You will also suggest strategies, objectives and tactics that continually evolve the quality and impact of the Laboratory’s communications efforts.

In addition, you will serve as the Communications Lead for the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC). As the lead, you will coordinate with DOE, provide consultation, advice and planning support to the GMLC leadership team, and direct tactical communication team activities and outreach across 13 national laboratories to support the goals and objectives of the GMLC.

For more information and full job description, click here.  Application deadline is March 30.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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