energymanagementcanada

EMerge Alliance forms new Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee at AIA 2012

Sun, 27 May 2012 14:39:44 +0000

May 27, 2012 - EMerge Alliance, an open industry association promoting the rapid adoption of safe direct-current (DC) power distribution standards for commercial buildings, has formed a new Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition.

Chaired by Guy AlLee, of Intel’s Energy Research and Sustainability Labs, the committee will focus on establishing a standard for the integration of DC microgrids throughout a building or campus. The standard will also highlight improved efficiency of integrated on-site power generation, storage, distribution and use by capitalizing on the utilization of native DC power. With input from member organizations, the new Campus Microgrid standard will integrate the other EMerge Alliance standards that enable the use of DC power at various levels and in a variety of spaces. The resulting set of standards hopes to further advance the Alliance’s mission to help building designers and owners achieve greater flexibility, sustainability and savings.

“To better facilitate the creation of net-zero energy buildings, the Alliance has issued a ‘call-to-action’ to its members and others to join in the development of this important new DC microgrid standard,” said AlLee.

“An essential part of this process is connecting the dots to ensure that the individual microgrids within a campus or building can connect seamlessly with each other, with on-site generation and storage, and with the utility macrogrid, thus creating an integrated power system that maximizes the efficiency gained from the direct use of native DC power,” added AlLee.

According to EMerge Alliance chair Brian Patterson, the Alliance has been working toward a vision of DC microgrids in four key areas – occupied spaces, data and telecommunications centers, building services and outdoor applications – since the organization was founded in 2008.

"The success of our first power distribution standard for the occupied space and the upcoming release of a similar standard for data and telecommunications centres has prompted the Alliance’s Governing Board to move forward with the standards development process,” said Patterson. “The formation of this new technical standards committee is yet another important step toward the interconnection of these and all future power distribution microgrids within a building or campus.”

The Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee is open to all Alliance members at the Governing and Participating levels, and will include consideration of power, infrastructure, peripheral device and control applications required to operate a building using DC power. The group is inviting other innovative organizations in the commercial building industry to join and contribute to this groundbreaking standards development effort.

Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) Certification Program - June 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:18:08 +0000

May 24, 2012 - The Canadian Institute for Energy Training (CIET) and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) are delivering the Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) Certification Program – a five-day course designed to meet the training needs of those who need to know the technical details of the commissioning…

This course highlights the fundamental principles of building commissioning, and includes several workshops in which participants are challenged to produce real commissioning deliverables and come up with practical solutions to typical commissioning problems. Topics covered include aspects of building commissioning, such as project scheduling, roles and responsibilities of the project team, new building commissioning, retro and recommissioning of existing buildings, system by system commissioning requirements, TAB and verification procedures, the LEED rating system, project economic analysis, building code issues, and commissioning tools and technologies.

The CBCP exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day five of the seminar.

Course details:
Radisson Admiral Hotel - Toronto Harbourfront
June 18-22, 2012
Duration: 5 days
Cost: $ 2250

CLICK HERE to register.

Nedco joins Partners in Project Green Business Ambassador Network

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:00:24 +0000

May 24, 2012 - Nedco is the newest member of Partners in Project Green Business Ambassadors, which aims to transform the employment lands surrounding Ontario's Toronto Pearson into an internationally recognized eco-business zone.

Partners in Project Green's growing roster of environmental leaders in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone includes other green business players, such as GTAA, Woodbine Entertainment Group and Unilever.

The company offers a variety of energy efficient lighting, heating, cooling, solar and wind power products. Nedco can also connect companies to financing solutions for projects and provide electrical supply services through their new Energy Services Group. This group offers program marketing, application assistance and retrofit expertise, as well as customized programs that support the needs of utilities, contractors, industrial and institutional end users.

In addition, through its partnership with Cooper Lighting and Osram Sylvania, Nedco can offer lighting retrofit products thanks to the Partners in Project Green – Green Purchasing Alliance. The Green Purchasing Alliance provides discounts on energy efficient building envelope technologies ranging from 5 to 45% depending on the technology.

BOMA Canada names Benjamin Shinewald president and CEO

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:49:26 +0000

May 24, 2012 - The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Canada appointed Benjamin L. Shinewald as president and CEO.

Prior to joining BOMA Canada, Shinewald served as the CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress. He has also served as a senior analyst with the Privy Council Office in Ottawa and practiced law at Torys LLP.

He earned a J.D. from the University of Toronto (Ontario), an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics (England) and a B.A. Hons. from the University of Manitoba (Manitoba).

Manitoba Hydro Place aims for Gold... and gets Platinum!

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:05:26 +0000

May 24, 2012 - At a ceremony today, Manitoba Hydro’s head office at 360 Portage Avenue in downtown Winnipeg was awarded Platinum certification for its adherence to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). Platinum is the highest certification available under the…

Compared to conventional office towers, Manitoba Hydro Place achieves reductions in energy use of over 70%, from over 300 kWh/m² to under 85 kWh/m², resulting in estimated energy savings of over $500,000 annually. These savings were achieved thanks to a unique integrated design process that utilized Power Smart technologies and energy-efficient passive and active systems.

These include south-facing winter gardens to capture the maximum amount of solar energy during the winter months, a solar chimney to provide ventilation for the entire structure with minimum energy usage, recovery of waste heat, narrow floor plates with high ceilings and extensive use of glass to allow for natural lighting, and a geothermal system consisting of 280 wells, each 122 metres deep, for heating and cooling.

An advanced computerized building management system ensures the building’s passive and active systems work together for maximum efficiency, resulting in a climatically-adaptive building that responds to—and takes advantage of—the surrounding environment and natural processes.

“The provincial government is very pleased to see Manitoba Hydro recognized for its efforts to promote energy efficiency, and sustainable design and building practices through Manitoba Hydro Place,” said Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba and guest speaker at today’s event. “These are values embraced by our government, and to see how a large building such as this can be so efficient while still being an iconic piece of architecture and promoting the vibrancy of downtown Winnipeg is really amazing.”

“This building truly embodies Manitoba Hydro as a utility and as a corporate citizen—a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability,” said Scott Thomson, president and CEO of Manitoba Hydro. “The building’s flexible, modern design meets the needs of our company today, while retaining the flexibility to adapt to new work environments in the future, making it a great investment for Manitoba Hydro. And it does all this while achieving unprecedented reductions in energy use when compared to traditionally-designed buildings of this size.”

The Platinum certification was presented to Manitoba Hydro by CaGBC’s Thomas Mueller, administrator of LEED standards in Canada. A plaque commemorating the certification was unveiled by Selinger, Thomson, Mueller, lead design architect Bruce Kuwabara, and advocate architect Dudley Thompson.

Thomson explained that receiving a Platinum LEED rating marked the completion of a process that started many years ago, when the corporation first committed to move its headquarters into downtown Winnipeg. Although originally designed with the goal of attaining a LEED Gold certification, in operation the building has proven to be even more efficient that its designers had anticipated, resulting in Platinum.

CLICK HERE for more about Manitoba Hydro Place.

Cloud-based services are transforming building energy management

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:20:28 +0000

May 24, 2012 - Technologies that make buildings smarter and more energy efficient continue to evolve at a rapid pace, says Pike Research, “with new entrants and solutions announced every week”. Many of the new products and services centre on the big data that buildings produce in real time. Buildings…

Virtually every leading name in the building services industry has recently launched some form of building energy management system that hosts and manages building data in the cloud, finds Pike. The white paper, which includes 10 key trends to watch in the smart building market in 2012 and beyond, is available for free download on Pike Research’s website.

“Buildings are becoming smarter through the deployment of intelligent and energy-efficient technologies that reduce energy consumption while making buildings easier to manage and operate,” said senior analyst Eric Bloom. “In addition, advances in software for building energy management systems (BEMS) as well as for building design (through building information modelling, or BIM) are making it easier to design and maintain high-performance buildings. Going forward, many of these advances will find their way to the cloud, making them more accessible over a broader range of applications and geographies.”

Key smart building industry trends covered in Pike Research’s white paper include the following:

• Building energy management is reaching the cloud.
• Co-opetition is on the rise in the building industry.
• Targeted acquisitions will help key players deliver end-to-end monetized energy services.
• Demand for smart building products in Asia Pacific will soar, driven largely by China.
• U.S. energy service companies are turning to the federal sector.
• Building communication protocols are converging in more ways than one.
• Demand response (DR) is shifting into automatic.
• Submeters are finding new opportunities in smarter buildings.
• Building information modelling (BIM) is transforming the design process.
• The interface between smart buildings and the smart grid is blurring.

The white paper, “Smart Buildings: Ten Trends to Watch in 2012 and Beyond”, provides insights and analysis on the issues that will shape the smart buildings market in 2012 and beyond as the private and public sectors aim to increase energy efficiency, reduce exposure to volatile energy costs, and increase visibility into how their buildings operate in real time. Conclusions and predictions in this paper are drawn from a broad array of Pike Research reports, with market forecasts included for key sectors. A full copy of the white paper is available for free download on the firm’s website.

FEATURE - HVAC Refrigerants: A Balanced Approach

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:37:00 +0000

May 23, 2012 - In the early years, the primary focus of the HVAC industry was simply on finding a refrigerant that would provide effective cooling. Many of the early refrigerants such as sulfur dioxide, methyl chloride and ammonia met that objective but posed safety hazards due to their toxicity…

In the 1930s, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants were introduced as safe alternatives to the chemicals used before them. CFCs came to dominate first refrigeration and later HVAC because of their safety and efficiency. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were added to the portfolio of refrigerant alternatives in the 1950s.

In the 1970s, environmental concerns came into play. Scientists discovered that CFCs—and to a lesser extent HCFCs—were contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Montreal Protocol. Global concern about depletion of the ozone layer resulted in the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that established phase-out dates for the use and production of ozone-depleting substances. It went into effect in 1987, first targeting CFCs, then HCFCs. CFCs were replaced with HCFCs, which have lower ozone-depletion potential (ODP), or with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have zero ODP. The CFC phaseout was completed in 1996.

Due to their low ODP, the phase-out dates for HCFCs were set out later— from 2004 to 2030 (2040 in developing countries).

Kyoto Protocol. In the 1990s, concerns grew that the refrigerants being phased in because of their favorable ODP were contributing to global warming. The global-warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants now became a factor.

These concerns with global climate change led to the Kyoto Protocol, created in 1997. Kyoto set reduction targets for greenhouse gases, including HFCs, in developed countries. Because CFCs and HCFCs were already covered under the Montreal Protocol, they were not included in the Kyoto Protocol.

Where we are today. Both protocols allow each participating country to control its own reductions of the refrigerants to meet their compliance obligations. In the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued regulations under the Clean Air Act to phase out the production and import of CFCs and HCFCs. Figure 1 (scroll down to view) provides a summary of the major actions involving refrigerants in developed and developing countries.

The Montreal and Kyoto protocols have set dates to ensure long-term availability. When production of a refrigerant stops, the time lines allow for the recycled, recovered and stockpiled supplies to continue to be used without restriction. For example, production of CFCs ended in 1996, but inventory of these refrigerants is still readily available.

What’s ahead. Policy pressure impacting nearly all commercially viable refrigerants available today has accelerated the development of alternatives.The next family of refrigerants, known as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), have properties similar to HCFCs and HFCs but with minimal direct environmental impact. The first HFO on the market has been developed to replace R-134a for automotive applications and will begin implementation this year in Europe. Implementation of HFOs will lag in the HVAC industry as manufacturers develop and test new alternatives, and global regulators decide on a future path.

A Balanced Approach
When considering refrigerant alternatives for the future, policy makers, the public, and manufacturers must balance direct environmental concerns (ODP, GWP, leak rates), indirect environmental concerns (energy efficiency), safety and performance.

Direct versus indirect impact. The direct environmental impact of an HVAC system is dependent on the ODP and GWP of the refrigerant and the rate of refrigerant leakage into the environment. While leakage rates can vary widely among different HVAC products, good design and servicing can keep leakage to a minimum.

Years ago, when chillers used CFCs and service practices were less concerned with minimizing emissions, leak rates were 2.5 to 10 times what they are today. Due to advances in technology and the use of refrigerants with significantly lower GWP, the direct environmental impact from HVAC equipment is now from 20 to 600 times lower than the older CFC chiller designs.

These reduced leak rates, coupled with newer refrigerants, bring the direct global warming impact to under 5 percent of the application’s total global warming impact.

For hermetic systems, up to 95% of the total environmental impact is the indirect impact—the energy used to power HVAC systems. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 83% of the primary power consumed in the U.S. is generated by the burning of fossil fuels, which emits greenhouse gases.

When considering both the direct and indirect environmental impact, HCFCs and HFCs, because of their high energy efficiency, can be the most environmentally responsible and appropriate refrigerants available today for many HVAC applications.

Evaluating alternatives. Let’s take a look at the refrigerants that are currently available, taking into consideration their efficiency, direct and indirect environmental impact, and safety.

Figure 2 (scroll down to view) compares the ODP, GWP and energy efficiency of today’s commercial refrigerants and potential future refrigerants. While there is no perfect refrigerant, the chart shows that HCFC-123 (R-123), HFC-152a (R-152a) and HFC-32 (R-32) strike a good balance between ODP, GWP and efficiency. However, the use of R-152a and R-32 is limited because of flammability.

Refrigerants such as CO₂, hydrocarbons and ammonia have zero ODP and a very low GWP. Let’s take a closer look.

Carbon dioxide. CO₂ has potential as a low-temperature refrigerant in refrigeration applications. However, it has very low efficiency in HVAC applications, more than 20% below the efficiency of R-22 and R-410A, due to operation above the critical point of CO₂ in these applications. Today’s equipment would therefore consume at least 20% more energy with CO₂ to get the same cooling tonnage, compared to the existing HCFCs and HFCs used today.

Switching from fluorocarbons to CO₂ to reduce direct environmental impact (5%), while significantly increasing the indirect impact (95%), would not be a good trade- off.

Hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons may perform well in stationary air conditioning applications, but they present safety issues in application, service and recovery because they are highly flammable.

Ammonia. Ammonia has been used for years and has potential for low-temperature and process chiller applications in remote locations or where people density is low. Its flammability and high toxicity strictly limit its broader use.

Maintaining a balance between the lowest possible refrigerant emissions and the best possible energy efficiency is the key to being both environmentally and economically responsible. Achieving this balance in a cost effective manner is critical in order to make these new designs affordable for the end user.

Options for Existing Equipment
So, what do we do with existing equipment containing refrigerants that will be phased out? There is no definitive answer. However, there are options and a logical progression to determine the best solution for each project.

Options:
• Maintain existing refrigerant
• Replace the refrigerant
• Replace the equipment

Evaluate existing equipment
The first step is to evaluate the current inventory of equipment. When tracking the current inventory, obtain records that document the energy performance and refrigerant leakage rate of existing equipment.

Track leakage rate of equipment. The U.S. Clean Air Act requires that leakage rate data records be kept for all equipment with more than 50 lbs of refrigerant charge. These records should be available either from the owner's maintenance records or from the records of the servicing contractor. If records are unavailable, then record keeping should begin immediately to understand the state of the existing equipment.

As of January 2011, for equipment with more than 50 lbs of refrigerant charge, the U.S. EPA’s maximum allowable leakage rates over a 12-month period are:
• Commercial refrigeration: 35%
• Industrial process refrigeration: 35%
• Comfort cooling: 15%

Venting is prohibited for any equipment, regardless of size. A note regarding equipment using HFCs: There are no specific record- keeping requirements or maximum leakage rates for this equipment, but due to direct global warming, venting of these chemicals is also prohibited. In the future, maximum leakage rates will most likely cover the HFCs as well.

Track the equipment performance. The performance data of the equipment can be provided either by the building automation system (preferred), or by the original nameplate data of the equipment. Proper service practice should be able to maintain close to original performance on most equipment, but individual equipment monitoring will provide an even better performance baseline.

Evaluate refrigerant changeout
Before replacing a refrigerant, determine the capacity and efficiency impact. This impact is clearly understood in some equipment types, such as centrifugal chillers, where replacements are clearly defined and several years of performance data has been accrued.

For other equipment, there are many replacement options in the marketplace, and even more claims of seemingly miraculous capacity and efficiency improvements by using these replacements. Basic physical properties, as well as industry experience, have clearly shown that any refrigerant replacement in existing equipment will result in some sort of capacity and efficiency reduction. The specific reduction depends on the type of equipment and the specific replacement refrigerant. Note: When retrofitting existing equipment, do not use a flammable refrigerant in equipment that was not specifically designed for it.

Replacements for the refrigerants R-11 and R-12 are relatively straightforward (R-123 and R-134a, respectively). The decision gets more complex with the replacement of R-22. Many solutions are available, and it is impractical for equipment manufacturers to test and analyze all of them. Generally, these replacements incorporate the use of multi-chemical blends in order to mirror the properties of R-22. Note: Because of its higher operating pressure, R-410A cannot be used in R-22 products.

Blends work in many applications, but be sure to weigh the following risks:
• Different leakage rates
Concerns exist in the marketplace about what happens when refrigerant leaks occur. The different components in the blend could potentially leak at different rates, and therefore change the composition and performance of the equipment. When these replacement refrigerants incorporate as many as four or more chemicals in the blend, these concerns increase.

• Change in oil
In many cases, a refrigerant changeout requires a change in the oil needed in the system. CFCs and HCFCs are able to use mineral oil with the refrigerant. HFCs, however, generally require the use of POE or other synthetic oils. So that an oil change may not be required, many of the R-22 substitutes incorporate a small amount of hydrocarbons, such as butane, in order to improve their miscibility with mineral oil. However, the refrigerant and oil chosen must have sufficient solubility and miscibility throughout the refrigeration system—which may not be the case for some R-22 substitutes and mineral oil. If in doubt, consult the unit or compressor manufacturer for the required oil type. When a refrigerant and/or oil changeout is evaluated, all the components of the refrigeration system must be scrutinized for compatibility with the refrigerant and oil. Gaskets and o-rings are of particular importance because they may shrink or expand and cause a refrigerant release. It is strongly suggested that the gaskets and o-rings be proactively replaced during a refrigerant or oil conversion.

• Future availability and GWP
If a proprietary blend is used for an alternative refrigerant, it should be ensured that the blend will still be available in the future. In addition, many of these blends are very high in GWP. The GWP of refrigerants will likely be regulated or taxed in the coming years, making many of the alternatives unattractive.

Review and assess
After you have reviewed the data and evaluated the possibility of refrigerant changeout, determine the best solution for your particular application. In most cases, retaining the existing refrigerant in the equipment, or replacing the equipment altogether will make the most sense. If leakage rates with the existing refrigerant cannot be contained to a minimal level with the current refrigerant, then it is unlikely that leaks will be contained with the new refrigerant. In addition, significant investments in inefficient equipment that will result in a loss in capacity and efficiency will often not be the most attractive solution. In many cases, investment in minimizing leaks and maintaining the equipment to its peak energy performance will result in a smaller up-front investment and better life cycle cost.

Summary
Since the early 1900s, the HVAC industry has been faced with the challenge of constantly changing refrigerants. While change is constant, it’s important to remember that the industry has successfully navigated refrigerant phaseouts in the past and can apply the lessons learned to future transitions. As an industry, the key is to carefully consider alternatives and strike a balance that is financially and environmentally responsible.

Today we have good, solid refrigerant options and availability with HCFCs and HFCs. There’s no need to panic. The future will bring different options, challenges, and opportunities.

***

By Jeff Moe, director, global policy and advocacy for the Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Ingersoll Rand; Mike Thompson, global leader of refrigerant strategy, Trane; and Beth Bakkum, information designer, Trane, www.trane.com.

NAIMA Canada names Jay Nordenstrom new executive director

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:28:43 +0000

May 22, 2012 - NAIMA Canada, the association for North American fiber glass, rock wool and slag wool manufacturers in Canada, has appointed Jay Nordenstrom as its executive director.

"Jay brings extensive experience in policy development and advocacy, with established relationships with government and other organizations. He is well suited to help meet the insulation sector's priorities and challenges," said NAIMA Canada chair, Ric McFadden, VP and general manager Owens Corning Canada Building Materials Group.

Nordenstrom joins NAIMA Canada from the Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers, where, as executive director, he was responsible for the overall strategic direction including all aspects of advocacy with the federal and provincial governments and railways, as well as liaising with governments on legislation and program funding.

"This is a very exciting time for Canada's insulation industry and I look forward to working with NAIMA Canada members and the industry as a whole as we continue to promote energy efficiency and sustainability through building products and policy," said Nordenstrom.

Nominations open for ACEEE's Champion of Energy Efficiency in Buildings Awards 2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:47:53 +0000

May 22, 2012 - Do you know an energy champion? The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has opened nominations for its Champion of Energy Efficiency in Buildings awards.

The awards will be presented at the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings and will recognize leadership and accomplishment in energy efficiency in the buildings sector.

Winners will be selected based on demonstrated excellence in the following categories:
• Research and Development (R&D): Excellence in research and development including baseline or background research, as well as R&D of products and practices.
• Energy Policy: Excellence in energy policy including writing, educating, promoting, or supporting energy efficiency in energy policy, at the federal, state, or local level.
• Implementation and Deployment: Effective design and implementation, including achievement of significant impacts on energy use.
• Leadership: Exceptional personal leadership demonstrated in the development, implementation, or growth of important energy efficiency initiatives.

Nominations are due June 1, 2012. To submit your nominee, please complete the electronic form or download the PDF version and either mail, email, or fax it to Mallory Werthamer at ACEEE (Champions@aceee.org). Include additional pages if necessary.

The 2012 Champion awards will be presented at the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Pacific Grove, Calif., scheduled for August 12-17, 2012 at the Asilomar Conference Center.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Ideal Industries upgrades HeatSeeker 320 thermal imager-May 2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:32:51 +0000

May 22, 2012 - Ideal Industries has announced an upgraded version of its HeatSeeker handheld thermal imaging camera now with twice the resolution of legacy models and a wider field-of-view to improve troubleshooting efficiency. Engineered with a 320 x 240 2MP sensor that captures 76K pixels, the new HeatSeeker 320…