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Smart Buildings Center

Energy Efficiency Innovation Center, Tool Library & Data Visualization

Attend the USGBC Smart Building Summit – May 11th & 12th!

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Hear from building and technology experts about integrated, high-performance buildings.
On May 11 and 12, participate in the firstĀ Smart Building Summit, hosted by USGBC’s Pacific region communities. This event will bring together diverse players to discuss the optimization of the design and operation of integrated, high-performance buildings. Join industry leaders in exploring opportunities to advance how smart buildings can support climate, health, equity and resilience. The program will feature a keynote address from futuristĀ Saul Griffith and other luminaries. Read a Q&A with Saul here.

The initial program
In addition to inspiring keynotes from Saul Griffith and others, the two-day summit will feature four program sessions. Each session will be followed by a hosted industry conversation to dive deeper. Preview the four main sessions below and find additional information at www.usgbcsmartbuildings.org.

The Challenge of Smart Building Integration
In this session, panelists will discuss the challenges of integrating new climate and other building technologies so that they speak to one another, work together, and can be managed by the building engineers through a single software platform. Smart technologies include energy and lighting controls, building management systems, dynamic glazing, air quality, occupancy sensors, security, and elevators. Challenges and solutions will be presented.

Smart Building Operators: The Workforce of the Future
Evolving technologies in integrated high-performance buildings require skilled personnel to operate increasingly complex buildings and are raising the bar on advanced skills needed to operate IoT-connected and -optimized systems. As a result, owners are facing a workforce gap in highly skilled labor, while at the same time new opportunities for high-road jobs are emerging. In this session, we will explore workforce development challenges in the evolution of smart buildings and discuss opportunities to support high-road jobs for vulnerable communities.

Optimizing Smart Buildings and the Grid
In the future, smart buildings will not only manage their performance but also serve as flexible, clean energy resources to the electric grid. This panel discusses the technologies enabling that transformation, as well as the challenges in integrating legacy energy infrastructure.

State-of-the-art AI and Machine Learning in Buildings
AI and machine learning will become critical for all buildings in the future. This session will examine what will be necessary for best-in-class buildings and their operation. We will hear from early adopters and academic researchers expanding possibilities for buildings of today and tomorrow.

Smart Buildings Center subscribers can receive a 20% discount on registration by following the link below.

Register Now!

 

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 ā€“ 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 ā€œalterationsā€ 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 Seattleā€™s ā€œsubstantial alterationsā€ rules in addition to ā€œadditions.ā€ 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

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 ā€“ 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!

Registration Open for Smart Buildings Exchange, Aug 22-24!

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The Smart Buildings Center is excited to announce that registration for Smart Buildings Exchange 2022 is now open! The free, three-day virtual event to be held August 22-24 will explore the role of smarter buildings in a changing energy landscape through interactive conference sessions focused on topics including:

  • Building electrification & decarbonization
  • System integration & cybersecurity
  • Smart technologyā€™s role in improving ESG reporting
  • IT/OT network design & interoperability
  • Indoor air quality and occupant health & wellness
  • The evolving buildings operation & maintenance workforce
  • Optimizing buildings for hybrid work environments

Call for Speakers & Content
Do you have a suggestion for a dynamic speaker or topic with demonstrated application of smart technologies in buildings that should be considered for the SBX2022 agenda? If so, please send your ideas to Britton Rife. Any suggestions are appreciated!

In-Person Networking Events
In addition to the virtual conference sessions, regional in-person networking events featuring a livestreamed keynote address are being planned. If you are interested in hosting an in-person SBX networking event in your region, please contact Britton Rife to coordinate. Stay tuned for more details as plans are developed!

Sponsorship Opportunities
For more information about ways your organization or business can participate in the conference, please download ourĀ Sponsorship ProspectusĀ or contact Stan Price for customized sponsorship/partnership opportunities.

Register for free today!

 

Building Electrification & Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Executive Forum Recordings

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Thanks to all who joined us for our recent two-part ‘Why Smart Buildings?’ Executive Forum on Building Electrification & Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings. The recordings for the sessions are now available on the SBC YouTube channel at the links below.

Part 1 of this series brings together expertise from the policy, regulatory, ratemaking, and utility industries to discuss their view on what must change from current practice to ignite a robust market for Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs). Speakers include: John Gibson – Avista Corporation, Ryan Hledik – Brattle Group, and Sangeeta Ranade – AlphaStruxure.

Part 1 Recording

Part 2 of this series features a panel drawn from the communities of building owner/manager, developer, service provider and research institutions to discuss the market side of this equation. Speakers include: Brett Bridgeland – RMI, Salone Habibuddin – Urban Visions, Mary Ann Piette – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Hendrik Van Hemert – Edo.

Part 2 Recording

Reminder: Upcoming Webinars

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Meeting Water & Energy-Saving Goals in King County:
Sustainable Energy Solutions & Innovative Financing Options

January 25, 2022
10:00 – 11:00 AM PT
REGISTER

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council and Smart Buildings Center invite King County building owners, managers, financers, and decision makers to attend and hear from King County, Seattle Public Utilities, and Seattle City Light representatives about sustainable energy solutions and innovative financing options to help you meet your water and energy-saving goals.

Strategic Energy Management in Higher Education Facilities: COVID and Beyond

January 26, 2022
1-2 pm PT
REGISTER

Smart Buildings Center is excited to announce the next event in our ongoing series of Commercial Strategic Energy Management (CSEM) webinars, produced in partnership with Puget Sound Energy.

In this interactive webinar, panelists with expertise in strategic energy management (SEM) in higher education facilities will discuss their lessons learned in navigating the challenges of operating their buildings safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theyā€™ll also share insights for moving forward with a re-focus on energy efficiency, in light of the challenges presented by climate change and resulting mandates such as the WA Clean Buildings Performance Standard (H.B. 1257).

RegisterĀ in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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