Track 1 – Refrigeration

Track Chair: Dan Dettmers
Email: dettmers@cae.wisc.edu

Refrigeration is such a huge part of our daily life. It satisfies our daily environmental comfort needs; it cools, freezes and aids in storing food; it makes ice for our drinks and the skating rinks; it is even used in medical environments such as cryogenics. With refrigeration having such an impact on our life, how much about it do you really know? This track seeks papers and programs that address this wide range of applications from the simplest applications to the most complex systems.

Track 2 – HVAC Systems

Track Chair: Charlie Henck
Email: chenck@wrallp.com

This track seeks papers and programs that will discuss maintaining the indoor environment by use of common HVAC systems and equipment as well as hybrids and non-traditional systems. It will assist designers and engineers in deciding which equipment or combination thereof to use and how operators shall maintain it.

Track 3 – HVAC Fundamentals and Applications

Track Chair: Wade Conlan
Email: wconlan@x-nth.com

From the basics of engineering and thermodynamics to the most specific of applications, this track seeks papers and programs that will cover a vast array of topics. It will assist the newest of designers to grasp the basic understandings of the industry as well as aid the most experienced of engineers in their future designs.

Track 4 – Net Zero Energy Buildings

Track Chair: Bill Dean
Email: bill.dean@nrc.ca

Owners are gradually moving to the idea of having their building no longer be a burden to the utility grid. Is it possible, sustainable or even realistic? This track seeks papers and programs that will examine Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) design, the cost to achieve this, existing Net Zero Energy Buildings, the cost to maintain such a building and how it will affect our future.

Track 5 – Professional Skills

Track Chair: David Zimmerman
Email: david.zimmerman@rji-sales.com

How do I sell myself, my company, my product, etc.? What do I say? What do I do and how do I do it? How do I keep from getting sued? These are all questions that we face in the HVAC industry; however most of these aren’t things we focused on in engineering school. This track seeks papers and programs that will help everyone develop in areas such as legal issues, marketing, customer service, human resources, and communication skills, just to name a few. In short, this track will examine all aspects of business management that does not involve the actual engineering of projects and systems.

Track 6 – Engineering Tools

Co-Track Chairs:
Dunstan Macauley dmacauley@encongroup.com
Mike McDermott mmcdermott@esdesign.com

With the fast pace of development in energy modeling and Building Information Modeling programs, this track seeks papers and programs that address the range of different tools available, their use and specific applications. In addition, sessions that address an integrated approach not only from modeling through the end designs, but also including owners, architects, engineers and operations are encouraged.

Track 7 – Commissioning

Track Chair: Sarah Maston
Email: sarah@advancedbuildingperformance.com

Commissioning (Cx) is becoming more prevalent due in part to it being a prerequisite for LEED© certification. What is Cx and what does the Cx Engineer do? This track seeks papers and programs that will cover an array of topics including Cx and project team formation, design phase Cx, construction phase Cx, Cx for LEED©, Cx documentation, and Cx certifications. Commissioning of different systems, including HVAC, domestic water, lighting and building envelope will also be included.

Track 8 – Alternative Technologies

Track Chair: Keith Newcomer
Email: keith.newcomer@piedmontng.com

The growing concern of saving energy, as well as money, makes engineers think “outside the box” instead of using the standard air and/or water systems. This track seeks papers and programs that will examine growing technologies such as photovoltaic (PV), geothermal, wind power and variable refrigerant volume (VRV) systems, as well as how these systems affect the first cost and operating cost of the building.