SBC News Archives - Page 41 of 43 - Smart Buildings Center

Free ECAM Training April 4

February 28, 2017 By Vamsi

An Excel-based tool for analyzing data to find and measure energy savings

ECAM (Energy Charting and Metrics) facilitates the analysis of data from buildings or meters, reducing the time spent analyzing trend and utility meter data. It accelerates ad hoc data charting and summarization. It supports the DOE-funded Building Re-tuning process with automated charts. It provides a transparent means for measurement and verification (M&V) of energy savings, adherent to the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) and using methods from ASHRAE Guideline 14, Measurement and Verification of Energy, Demand, and Water Savings. ECAM includes functions that make it easy to integrate data gathered at different time intervals, including change-of-value (COV) data. ECAM is widely used, including as BPA’s platform for commercial SEM and custom M&V, and as an aid both nationally and internationally for IPMVP training.

3 hour hands-on introductory workshop

When: Tuesday April 4, 9am-12pm (PST)

Where: Smart Buildings Center, 1200 12th Ave South, Seattle WA 98144

In this HANDS-ON training using the new ECAM Version 5, participants will be introduced to the features mentioned above. The instructor is Bill Koran, the primary developer of ECAM. Bill is a senior energy analytics engineer with SBW Consulting, which is based in Bellevue, Washington. He is a registered professional engineer in Oregon, a member of the Regional Technical forum and the IPMVP committee, and active in ASHRAE.

Space is limited to 30 participants. For BOC graduates, attendance at Smart Building Center Workshops provides 1 point towards maintaining your BOC Certification.

Introducing Spark Building Renewal Tool

November 11, 2016 By Vamsi

Have you heard of Spark? A project of BetterBricks, Spark is a free interactive online tool that creates a tailored strategy for your building. It can: Provide a project plan, estimate your return on investment, and help to save a significant amount of energy in your building. This tool isn’t just for building operators, it can also be utilized by real estate developers and design professionals.

Watch the video below to see how Spark works to determine building renewal strategies, then register for our free Spark live webinar to learn more.

Free Spark Tool Webinar Dec. 7

Join BetterBricks and the Smart Buildings Center for an exclusive webinar: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, Noon – 1:00 pm. The webinar will take you through a live demonstration of the Spark Tool.
Register here. Please direct all Spark or webinar related questions to Daniel Handal.

Visit the Spark website to learn more about Spark and building renewal.

BetterBricks is a commercial building program of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). It is designed as an energy efficient resource for building owners, developers, property maangers, designers, architects, engineers, and tenants. BetterBricks is partnered with Northwest utilities to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency best practices in the commercial building industry.

2017 ENERGY STAR Awards Early Intent Deadline Oct. 17

October 10, 2016 By Vamsi

Did you know that each year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy gives awards to organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency? The winners will be recognized at the ENERGY STAR awards on April 26, 2017 in Washington D.C.

While the complete online application package is due by December 7, 2016 applicants are being asking to notify ENERGY STAR through your “My ENERGY STAR Account” by October 17, 2016 of intent to apply. For information, please visit the ENERGY STAR website.

Last year’s winners

Review the list of 2016 ENERGY STAR Award Winners — small and large organizations from across the country who are leading the energy efficiency movement. (We’re proud NEEC was one of the 2016 winners!)

Attend PNNL’s Connected Building Challenge August 3rd

June 30, 2016 By Vamsi

A couple of months ago we blogged about how the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was looking for teams to participate in their Connected Buildings Challenge, and now that the teams are set, it’s time to see the selected teams demonstrate their solutions! On Wednesday, August 3rd at the Smart Buildings Center you will witness the teams showcase their smart building technologies for mainstream consumers. The no-cost event goes from 9:30 am to 3 pm, and you can register here.

Read up on the teams and their projects, and get more information on the PNNL website’s Building-Grid Integration Page, and the Connected Buildings Challenge blog.

If you are interested in showing off your own ideas related to VOLTTRON™ contact Xiaoli Dunn: [email protected].

Connected Buildings Challenge, Seattle Demonstration flyer — Click to download the flyer PDF.

Onset HOBO Data Loggers are available in our Tool Lending Library

May 5, 2016 By Vamsi

Onset HOBO Occupancy/Light Data Logger — HOBO Occupancy/Light Data Logger available in our Tool Lending Library

Have you used a data logger before? These are devices that can be deployed in buildings and be used to track and measure characteristics like temperature, humidity, and light levels. Afterwards you can chart and analyze the data to look at places where energy is being wasted, like having the lights on when nobody is in the space, or you can use the data to figure out if your efficiency project is saving the energy you anticipated. The Smart Buildings Center Tool Lending Library has been offering these for loan since we opened last Fall, but we understand that not everyone has had the training and experience to get the most out of these tools. Here’s an opportunity to learn from experts…

Free Onset HOBO Webinar Series in May – June

Onset HOBO data loggers are a very popular type of deployable data logger and Onset is offering a webinar series that will assist in training you on how to use these loggers and their accompanying HOBO software. Herman Gustafson, an Onset Product Marketing Engineer, and Scott Ellis, an Onset Product Marketing Manager will be putting on three different webinars that will cover many advanced features of these loggers and will also offer ample time for questions and answers:

Wed., May 18, 2pm EDT: HOBOware flagship setup, graphing, and analysis software
Wed., June 8, 2pm EDT: HOBOlink for web-based access to RX3000 Remote Monitoring Systems
Wed., June 29, 2pm EDT: HOBOmobile app for configuring and managing MX Series Bluetooth loggers

These webinars are free, please follow this link to RSVP.

PNNL Seeking Teams for Connected Buildings Challenge

April 18, 2016 By Vamsi

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is hosting the Connected Buildings Challenge with the objective of accelerating development of smart, connected buildings. Registration is due later this week, April 22.

Through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, PNNL is seeking teams to join the competition with an innovative project of their own. Teams are asked to provide a solution to a targeted building-related challenge, the specification of which can be defined by the participating team.

All submitted projects are required to integrate VOLTTRON™—an open-source software platform to connect energy management devices—with smart building devices, sensors, or appliances such as heating and cooling equipment, hot-water heaters, washers and dryers, refrigerators, lighting controls, weather stations, thermostats, humidity sensors, etc.

At the end of each challenge, the teams are expected to demo their project to a judging committee. The selected team will receive further assistance to improve, test, and potentially commercialize their products.

Learn about the Connected Buildings Challenge and VOLTTRON at the PNNL website.