Track Chair: Suzanne LeViseur

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted by many aspects in our life. As sensor systems, internet connectivity, building management software and data collection become more sophisticated and ubiquitous, substantial opportunities exist to make buildings and HVAC systems and equipment “smarter.” Implementation of AI in building automation and control systems enables using data from Internet of Things devices and occupant behavior to improve operational energy efficiency, occupant comfort, security and maintenance, and to enhance utilization of renewable energy resources (e.g., wind, solar) and energy storage. Submissions in this track focus on applications for AI and machine learning technology in building automation and controls to enhance energy efficiency and comfort, cyber security, fault detection and diagnosis, operation of HVAC systems and equipment for load flexibility, and benefit from time-of-day energy prices.

Track Chair: Robin Bryant

Thermal and electrical energy storage can alleviate the mismatch between renewable energy availability and peak building energy demands, enabling the incorporation of more renewable energy into the grid. Integration of thermal energy storage (TES) with residential and commercial building envelopes or HVAC systems would reduce buildings’ heating and cooling loads, level out peak energy demand, reduce HVAC size, increase energy savings, improve occupants’ thermal comfort and allow flexibility for shedding and shifting building loads. These benefits will improve grid resiliency, thereby enabling more cost-effective electrification of buildings. Papers and programs in this track focus on advances in cost-effective TES materials and systems, integration of thermal TES in building envelopes or HVAC systems and grid resiliency.

Track Chair: Erik Sanchez

Fundamentals are the foundation for understanding applications in engineering. Key components of ASHRAE fundamentals include thermodynamics, psychrometrics, fluid and mass flow. This track provides opportunities for papers and presentations of varying levels across a large topic base. Concepts, design elements and shared experiences for theoretical and applied concepts of HVAC&R design are included.

Track Chair: Joshua Vasudevan

In the face of climate change, weather extremes and energy supply disruptions and shortages, methods for designing, constructing and operating buildings and HVAC&R systems must be resilient and sustainable. In fact, resilience is a highlighted aspect of the current ASHRAE strategic plan. This track highlights innovative technologies and strategies that are evolving across the globe that reimagine our relationship with the built environment now and into the future, including design strategies for extreme climates and weather, appropriate responses to energy supply disruptions, and how all these factors are tied to resilience and energy conservation efforts.

Track Chair: Li Song

HVAC&R systems and equipment are constantly evolving to address the changing requirements of the built environment.  Papers and programs in this track focus on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment.

Track Chair: Stephanie Mages

Development and adoption of industrialized technologies and methodologies can accelerate construction speed, scale and quality. Whereas most other industries have capitalized on digitization and process improvements, building construction practices have experienced slow, incremental changes. Industrialized construction can address shortages in skilled labor while increasing throughput, safety, quality and affordability. Examples include prefabricated mechanical pods, prefab panelized components for building envelopes and modular construction, although more innovation is needed to increase the cost-effectiveness of these approaches.  This track disseminates advancements in building construction practices and workforce development and discusses opportunities and challenges associated with conventional and industrialized construction.

Track Chair: Joe Chow

Decarbonization is urgently needed to slow climate change that is affecting the planet. Approximately 10% of global CO2 emissions is attributable to embodied carbon in building materials and construction processes. Energy use in buildings accounts for about 40% of energy-related carbon emissions. Therefore, to accomplish building decarbonization goals, accounting for embodied carbon and carbon emissions from operational energy use is essential. ASHRAE and its members are leading the advancement of carbon neutral, net zero energy and decarbonization strategies in new construction, renovation and HVAC&R design for residential and commercial buildings.

This track highlights case studies and research across the globe on the methods being developed and policies being evolved to reduce carbon impacts on the global environment; tools and resources to make zero energy design and operation more easily achievable; innovative low-carbon materials and state-of-the-art technologies and strategies to achieve zero energy communities and campuses; and policies, regulations, codes, standards and utility and government programs for adoption and scale up of net zero (or net positive) energy building and community initiatives.

Track Chair: Jon Cohen

Refrigeration is a critical element of modern life, from preserving food and medicine to maintaining comfort. With significant changes on the horizon for refrigerant regulations, along with new applications for refrigeration systems, understanding both the fundamental and advanced concepts and issues related to refrigeration is more important than ever before. Papers and programs in this track focus on refrigerants and their regulations, refrigeration cycles and applications.

Track Chair: Ehab Abdelkader Mostafa

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is a vital consideration during all phases of a building’s life because the indoor environment is closely linked to occupant comfort, satisfaction, productivity and health. Proper fire and smoke control design is also crucial for protecting building occupants. This track explores the design, operation and studies of ventilation, air distribution systems, and all IEQ aspects, including noise, vibration and lighting in residential and commercial buildings. Topics include aspects of ventilation and IEQ, such as filtration, changeovers, best practices for maintainability, fire ratings/dampers, detection and ventilation for toxic gases, operator safety in equipment rooms, OSHA requirements, industrial and hazardous spaces, additional occupant health and safety considerations and new building materials.