Track 1: Energy Efficiency - New Technologies and Applications

Track Chair: Kelley Cramm
Email: kelley.cramm@hei-eng.com

Energy technology is changing rapidly. Keeping up with the latest technology and applications is a daunting task. This track will highlight programs that present the latest approaches to energy efficiency. Programs will provide information on systems and equipment. In addition, applications, particularly case studies will give examples of successful projects.

Track 2: Integrated Design

Track Chair: Dennis Knight
Email: dknight@wholebuildingsystems.com

As our industry seeks to reduce our use of fossil based fuel sources, increase energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and reduce the use of natural resources, more efficient, integrated and intra-disciplinary approaches to designing, constructing, operating and maintaining our facilities will be needed. This track seeks papers on how the integrated building design and integrated project delivery processes are currently being applied to build better buildings and how those processes and workflows need to evolve if we are to meet our commitments of net zero energy buildings over the next two decades. Papers discussing actual case studies of real life projects, lessons learned and ongoing research projects studying new project delivery methods are highly encouraged to submit for presentation.

Track 3: Specialized Applications - Healthcare, Laboratories and Data Center

Track Chair: Ginger Scoggins
Email: gscoggins@engineereddesigns.com

High-intensity HVAC applications, such as laboratories, hospitals, and data centers, are growing in complexity by leaps and bounds. Energy use is a major concern in these environments. In addition, regulations are becoming more stringent for air quality, temperature constraints, and filtration requirements, and legal ramifications are becoming more commonplace when designers fall short of meeting these requirements. This track focuses on design recommendations, regulations, and lessons learned for these specialized environments that can challenge the knowledge of most engineers. From case studies to code requirements, the goal of this track is to inform session attendees of state-of-the-art design practices that can meet current and upcoming regulations while conserving energy in the process.

Track 4: Energy Modeling Applications

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

Building Developers and Urban Planners are using Energy Modeling and Building Information Modeling programs to make decisions about our future communities. This track seeks papers and programs that address the range of different modeling tools available, their use and specific applications including systems, buildings and communities. Sessions that address an integrated approach from modeling through the end designs including planners, owners, architects, engineers and operations personnel are encouraged.

Track 5: Installation, Operation & Maintenance of HVAC Systems

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

With low energy and zero energy buildings becoming more prevalent, there are many issues that arise with installation, startup, commissioning and O&M. Making sure that the design intent of these more complicated HVAC systems is understood by all team members and building operators is key to the building’s success. This track will address an array of topics including lessons learned, improvement of process and team communications and effort to improve the installation, startup, O&M of HVAC systems.

Track 6: High Performance Buildings

Track Chair:
Mike McDermott mxm@grummanbutkus.com

High performance building refers to a building that is designed, constructed, and capable of being operated in a manner that increases environmental performance and economic value over time. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.

Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the common objective is that high performance buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

• Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
• Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
• Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

This track seeks papers that cover the most important element(s) of the building that lead to its designation as a high performance building. In addition, all papers should review other aspects of the building that contribute to energy performance. This may include both the equipment and operational strategies, and how these elements are integrated into the whole building, both functionally and aesthetically. Consider addressing lessons learned of successes and failures. To the extent possible, include actual data for existing buildings. An important issue in building energy performance is the gap between expectation (simulation) and actual performance. Delineate where energy is being saved. Provide Construction and operating costs (total and cost/ft2)

Track 7: HVAC & R Systems and Equipment

Track Chair: Pamela Androff
Email: pamela.androff@gmail.com

Equipment and systems are the building blocks of HVAC&R design. However, choosing the best combination for a building can be a daunting task. Both common and uncommon strategies exist and successful buildings come with all types: traditional, non-traditional, and hybrids. This track seeks papers and programs that will assist designers and engineers in deciding which system or equipment (or combination thereof) to use in a given application and how operators shall maintain it.

Track 8: Professional Skills

Track Chair: Rob Risley
Email: rrisley@fpl.com

People judge other people in one of four ways: how you look; how you act; what you say; and what you do. The Professional Skills track of ASHRAE is focused on all of these items with emphasis on the final two items – what you say and what you do. The Professional Skills track is designed to help professional engineers and others to develop in the areas of presentation skills, business acumen, understanding the areas of accounting, finance and customer service, human resources, contract and collections, and legal issues. In short, the Professional Skills Track can cover all aspects of business management and business ownership that do not involve the actual engineering of projects and systems.

Track 9: HVAC & R Fundamentals and Applications

Track Chair: Julia Keen
Email: jkeen@ksu.edu

From the basics of engineering 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 10: Refrigeration

Track Chair: Wade Conlan
Email: wade.conlan@exp.com

Refrigeration is a "simple" concept generally viewed as a "black box" for engineers for comfort cooling applications. There have been a lot of improvements and changes to the refrigeration systems to accommodate the increased system efficiency and decreased global warming targets. In addition, the non-comfort cooling applications are pushing boundaries in food preservation, medical cryogenics, and other areas of everyday life. This track seeks papers and programs that address the wide range of applications of refrigerants and its improvements.