SBC News Archives - Page 43 of 45 - Smart Buildings Center

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.

Seattle City Light’s Strategic Plan Update April 13

April 8, 2016 By Vamsi

You may know about the Smart Buildings Center’s event spaces as many of you have either visited us or used one of our spaces for your own events. We partner with other groups to provide great content of interest to the energy efficiency community.

You’re invited

Join us Wed., April 13 for a short Seattle City Light Strategic Plan Update presentation and Q&A session with City Light representatives. Time: 4 pm – 5 pm (free NEEC social hour to follow), please RSVP.

Seattle City Light is updating its Strategic Business Plan. The update covers the years 2017-2022 and supports the utility’s budget and rate proposal for 2017 and 2018.

First adopted by the Seattle City Council in 2012, the plan offers a blueprint for making informed decisions about the future. Each update is an opportunity to gather feedback from customers and stakeholders on how City Light is doing its job – producing and delivering environmentally responsible, safe, affordable and reliable power. The utility provides an update every 2 years and includes a 6 year rate path in the plan.

City Light is looking for feedback on the progress they have made in achieving the important metrics for their 4 key strategic objectives 1) Improve Customer Experience and Rate Predictability; 2) Increase Workforce Performance and Safety Practices; 3) Enhance Organizational Performance; and 4) Continue Conservation and Environmental Stewardship.

They also would like to seek input on two important new strategic efforts – Transportation Electrification and Climate Adaptation. Finally, they plan to roll out their draft 6 year rate path and also discuss opportunities for continued innovation the energy efficiency sector.

Their customer and stakeholder outreach effort on the update is during the month of April, so your participation at this meeting is appreciated. The plan is expected to be transmitted from the Mayor to the Council in June with adoption by the Council in late July.

RSVP Now

Stay for the NEEC Power Hour

All attendees are invited to stay for NEEC’s free Power Hour social networking event afterwards. It’s an informal gathering with complimentary beer, wine, and light snacks. Please indicate on the RSVP if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there!

When: Wed., April 13, 4 pm – 5 pm (free NEEC Power Hour to follow)
Location: Smart Buildings Center, Pacific Tower, 1200 12th Ave S., Ste 110

Free Spark Tool Webinar Dec. 7

Last year’s winners

Free Onset HOBO Webinar Series in May – June

You’re invited

Stay for the NEEC Power Hour

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