Technical experts from national laboratories and the Department of Energy, whose expertise span a wide range of efficiency topics, are available at the Summit to answer questions and discuss energy performance trends in technology, process, data, and tools. The booth will be staffed with professionals throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday, giving attendees the opportunity to ask about emerging technologies, discuss strategies from their respective fields, and learn how to better approach projects within their own organizations. Experts will be located in the Partner Pavillion near the Columbia rooms and where the majority of sessions will take place.
Get to know our group of experts below and be sure to check the schedule to find out when experts will be available.
Building Envelope
WED, MAY 17: 9:00-9:30 AM | WED, MAY 17: 10:45-11:15 AM
Team Focus:
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The commercial building envelope is the primary determinant of the amount of energy required to heat, cool, and ventilate a building, accounting for approximately 30% of the primary energy consumed.
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Air barrier solutions, like sealants, membranes, spray foams, and sheathings, are key to addressing air leakage in commercial buildings which can account for about 20% of the total energy used to heat and cool buildings.
- Advanced technologies for roofs, windows, and walls are available for designing solutions for space conditioning load reduction and to facilitate the construction of durable and high performing envelope technologies.
Expert:
MELISSA VOSS LAPSA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Melissa Voss Lapsa leads Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL’s) support of the DOE Building Technologies Office Commercial Buildings Integration program and is Director of ORNL’s Building Technologies Research & Integration Center, a DOE National User Facility. She has over 20 years’ experience conducting market research, policy analysis, and institutional and consumer behavior research aimed at deploying cost-effective energy efficient technologies. She also leads ORNL’s Sustainable Campus Initiative.
Relevant Sessions:
- Stranger Things: Building Materials of the Future
- Hidden in Plain Sight: The Not-So-Secret Savings of the Building Envelope
Combined Heat & Power (CHP) - Industrial
TUE, MAY 16: 10:45-11:15 AM | WED, MAY 17: 10:45-11:15 AM
Team Focus:
- How can CHP increase the competitiveness of industrial facilities?
- How can CHP promote economic development and job opportunities in your region?
- How can CHP increase the efficiency and enhance the resiliency of Microgrids and District Energy systems?
- How can CHP strengthen the electric grid and re-enforce U.S. infrastructure?
Expert:
BRUCE HEDMAN, Entropy Research, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy CHP Deployment Program
Bruce Hedman has over 30 years of experience in industrial energy technology research, development and commercialization, and is a recognized authority on combined heat and power (CHP) and distributed generation technologies, markets and policies. Bruce is a senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Combined Heat and Power Deployment Program and has served as a technical and policy advisor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s CHP program. He has also provided technology assessments, market evaluations, and strategic planning support to various private developers and equipment suppliers. Hedman has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Combined Heat & Power (CHP) - Packaged Systems <10MW
TUE, MAY 16: 9:00-9:30 AM | WED, MAY 17: 1:30-2:00 PM
Team Focus:
- How can CHP save you money and keep you operational regardless of what’s happening outside?
- Are there standardized CHP systems that can reduce risk and cost for <10MW size range?
- How do I know what’s the best system for my facility?
Expert:
RICHARD SWEETSER, Exergy Partners Corp., on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy CHP Deployment Program
Richard Sweetser is the founder and President of EXERGY Partners Corp. and has decades of experience in CHP. He is a senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Combined Heat and Power Deployment Program as well the Mid-Atlantic CHP Technology Assistance Partnership (CHP TAP). He is a technical advisor to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) CHP packaged system catalog program. Rich provides technical project development support to facilities interested in ascertaining CHP viability. He has published numerous technical and policy articles, technical manuals, a book entitled, The Fundamentals of Gas Cooling and is the lead author of ASHRAE's Combines Heat and Power Design Guide. Sweetser has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and an MBA from Pace University.
Energy Management & Information System (EMIS)
TUE, MAY 16: 9:00-9:30 AM | TUE, MAY 16: 10:45-11:15 AM
Team Focus:
- How do I join the Smart Energy Analytics Campaign? What will I get out of it?
- What do I do with my energy and operational data?
- How do I evaluate offerings for building analytics/EMIS?
- How do I plan for and implement an EMIS?
- What are best practices in using EMIS to achieve maximum savings?
Expert:
JESSICA GRANDERSON, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
Jessica Granderson is a Research Scientist and the Deputy of Research Programs for the Building Technology and Urban Systems Division at LBNL. She is a member of the Whole Building Systems Department. Her research focuses on building energy performance monitoring and diagnostics and intelligent lighting controls. Jessica holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mechanical Engineering from Harvard University.
Relevant Sessions:
- Getting Smart About Energy Analytics
Lighting & Electrical
TUE, MAY 16: 1:30-2:00 PM | TUE, MAY 16: 3:15-3:45 PM
Team Focus:
- Lighting & Electrical Team members reduce lighting energy use by sharing cost-effective solutions to interior and exterior lighting challenges and developing lighting specifications to build demand for higher efficiency technology.
- By adopting the Better Buildings Alliance specification for troffers, building owners can save more than 50% on a one-for-one basis, and up to 80% with the use of controls.
- Join the Interior Lighting Campaign and the Lighting Energy Efficiency in Parking (LEEP) Campaign and save big on your interior and exterior lighting energy costs, plus gain recognition for your exemplary accomplishments.
Experts:
LINDA SANDAHL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Linda Sandahl, a Program Manager and the Energy Technology Market Adoption Team Lead with the Energy Policy and Economics Group (EP&E), has been with PNNL for more than 25 years. Much of her work involves leading the design and implementation of programs that support development and deployment of energy-efficient commercial buildings technologies and market transformation initiatives. Linda currently manages PNNL’s involvement in DOE's Better Buildings Alliance. In this role, she leads the Lighting & Electrical Team and the Interior Lighting Campaign. Linda also and manages high efficiency lighting work for the Federal Energy Management Program and the GSA’s Green Proving Ground Program. Linda has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, as well as CEM and PMP certifications.
MICHAEL MYER, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Michael Myer is a lighting analyst and joined PNNL in 2007. At PNNL, he supports the Interior Lighting Campaign and Lighting in Energy Efficiency in Parking Campaign. Beyond these campaigns, Michael supports commercial and federal building projects on lighting needs. In addition to commercial support, Michael has provided technical analysis related to energy codes and appliance standards. Prior to joining PNNL, Michael was an architectural lighting designer.
Relevant Sessions:
- The Interior Lighting Campaign: Winning Strategies + New Opportunities
- High Performance Parking Lighting: Lots of Bright Ideas
Plug & Process Loads (PPL)
TUE, MAY 16: 3:15-3:45 PM | WED, MAY 17: 3:15-3:45 PM
Team Focus:
- Plug and process loads (PPLs) consume approximately one-third of primary energy in U.S. commercial buildings – that’s a lot!
- There are many ways to reduce plug load energy in commercial buildings. The Better Buildings Alliance PPL Technology Solutions Team has numerous resources and guidance material on how to achieve these savings, even in multi-tenant buildings.
- Energy reduction strategies for plug loads can apply to all commercial building types. They include "turn it off" campaigns, corporate policies, advanced power strips, wireless meters and controls, integrated plug load controls with energy management and other building systems, equipment upgrades, utilization of built-in low-power states, and design strategies for consolidating plug loads.
Experts:
ROIS LANGNER, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Rois Langner has worked as a building scientist and architectural engineer in the Commercial Buildings Research Group at NREL since the beginning of 2010. Her past research efforts have focused on building energy efficiency projects that utilize OpenStudio software to analyze and optimize building design and performance for military and large commercial buildings. She has worked with organizations to develop, implement, and maintain energy management policies and systems for continual energy improvement. More recently, she has worked to support the small commercial building sector in overcoming barriers that inhibit the adoption of energy efficiency solutions. Additionally, Rois supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Alliance, leading the Plug and Process Load technical solutions team.
MARTA SCHANTZ, Waypoint Building Group
Marta Schantz is a Manager of Professional Services at Waypoint Building Group with over seven years of experience in both qualitative and qualitative energy analysis. She applies economic and financial analysis to energy efficiency and sustainability challenges in the energy and real estate domains for federal agencies and utilities. She has deep experience in financial tracking, energy market analysis, and large-scale program management. At Waypoint, Marta leads energy efficiency tasks covering Energy Efficiency Finance, Commercial Real Estate Engagement, and Technology Campaign development. Marta has a BS in Biological Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
SORMEH KONJKAV, Waypoint Building Group
Sormeh Konjkav is an Analyst at Waypoint Building Group with over 3 years of experience in the energy and sustainability industries. She applies qualitative and quantitative analysis to execute on multiple utility and federal funded programs targeted towards the energy efficiency in the commercial real estate market. At Waypoint, Sormeh performs data analysis, market research, program implementation, and technology campaign development, covering energy efficiency and sustainability challenges in commercial real estate sectors across the U.S.. Sormeh obtained her two B.A. degrees in Global Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC).
Relevant Sessions:
- Plug Into Savings: The Best Meter and Control Strategies for Office Plug Loads
- The Next Frontier of Plug Loads: Wireless Meter & Control Technologies
Refrigeration
TUE, MAY 16: 10:45-11:15 AM | WED, MAY 17: 1:30-2:00 PM
Team Focus:
- Refrigeration accounts for about one-half of energy use in supermarkets, grocery stores, and convenience stores.
- Partners are increasingly switching to alternative, low-GWP refrigerants to reduce energy use and save money.
- In addition to saving energy, advanced refrigeration controls can reduce installation costs, reduce start-up time and costs, reduce maintenance costs, and improve food quality and safety.
Expert:
JUSTIN ELSZASZ, Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Justin Elszasz facilitates the Refrigeration Technology Solutions Team on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy. Justin is helping partners such as supermarkets and restaurants share knowledge and best practices for reducing energy use of commercial refrigeration. At Navigant, Justin also supports the Department of Energy's appliance and equipment standards program through technical and economic analyses and test procedure development. In addition to specializing in HVAC and refrigeration products, Justin's expertise includes data science and he has led the development and evaluation of energy end-use disaggregation algorithms at Navigant. He holds a masters in mechanical engineering with a specialization in energy systems from Columbia University and a bachelors in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to focusing on energy, Justin gained design and manufacturing experience in both the aerospace and medical device industries.
Relevant Sessions:
- SNAPchat: On the Effects of Refrigerant Phaseouts
Renewables
WED, MAY 17: 1:30-2:00 PM | WED, MAY 17: 3:15-3:45 PM
Team Focus:
- Are you looking at procuring renewable energy or energy storage for your building(s)?
- What challenges are you facing?
- If you already have renewables or storage, how are they performing?
Expert:
JAY PAIDIPATI, Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Jay Paidipati is a Director in Navigant’s Energy Practice and has been in the clean energy industry for 13 years. His work focuses on helping public and private entities manage and make decisions regarding emerging energy technologies. He has worked with: federal, state, and local governments; trade groups; utilities; manufacturers; and investors. Service offerings have included: technology evaluation and screening; cost studies; market penetration analysis; employment impact studies; cost and benefit studies; technology due diligence; and program evaluation. His work is equally divided between solar PV, energy storage and emerging energy efficiency technologies. Mr. Paidipati has a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.
Relevant Sessions:
- Saving the Sun for Later: Opportunities and Barriers for Solar PV + Energy Storage
Space Conditioning
TUE, MAY 16: 9:00-9:30 AM | WED, MAY 17: 10:45-11:15 AM
Team Focus:
- The HVAC Resource Map is an intuitive graphical interface that provides quick access to a broad array of quality information on operations and maintenance best practices and energy and water efficiency measures.
- The Better Buildings Alliance Space Conditioning Technology Solutions Team is working on defining and promoting automated fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD) for RTUs, which can maintain energy performance and streamline maintenance efforts.
- Easy- to-understand guidance and specifications for high-efficiency fans is coming soon.
Expert:
MICHAEL DERU, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Michael Deru is Engineering Manager in the Commercial Buildings Research Group at NREL. He manages the Systems Performance section within the Commercial Buildings Research Group, and has been with NREL since 2000. Michael leads the Space Conditioning Project Team and the Advanced Rooftop Unit Campaign for the Department of Energy and manages projects on the development and testing of novel HVAC systems, building performance simulations, performance metrics for sustainability, source energy and emissions factors, water, and the U.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database. Michael Deru holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado State University.
Relevant Sessions:
- HVAC Systems Leading the Way to Major Savings Now and in the Future
- Maintaining Your RTUs in Optimal Health With Automated Fault Detection and Diagnostics (AFDD)
Process Heating & Waste Heat Recovery
TUE, MAY 16: 9:00-9:30 AM | WED, MAY 17: 1:30-2:00 PM
Team Focus:
- Fuel-based and electro-technologies and common performance opportunities can yield energy savings in Industrial Process Heating Systems.
- Reduce, recycle, and recover waste heat from industrial furnaces and boilers to generate electricity or provide heat to other processes.
- Conduct initial feasibility analysis for identifying appropriate CHP equipment and quantifying CHP capacity.
Expert:
SACHIN NIMBALKAR, PhD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Sachin Nimbalkar is part of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Research and Development team. Sachin provides technical support to DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Program Partners (mainly industrial and wastewater treatment partners) through energy road map development, baselining analysis, In-Plant Trainings, and field visits to investigate feasible measures to reduce process energy requirements. Sachin has conducted several training and demonstration workshops throughout the US, India, China, Ukraine, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Turkey covering energy efficiency in process heat systems, system specific and cross-cutting energy audits, and ISO 50001 implementation steps and tools. He received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Government College of Engineering, Pune, India, and Master of Science and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University, New Jersey.
Relevant Sessions:
- All Systems Go: Innovative Projects in Traditional Industrial Systems
- CHP is Everywhere! Success Stories and Best Practices
- Making Things Smarter: Smart Manufacturing
- The CHP Solution for Growth, Economics, and Business Continuity
- Workshop Part 1 and 2: Better Plants: What's Up and What's New in Industrial Efficiency
Pumping Systems & Data Measurement
TUE, MAY 16: 1:30-2:00 PM | WED, MAY 17: 9:00-9:30 AM
Team Focus:
- How pumping systems use energy and common performance opportunities that can yield energy savings.
- How to apply sub-metering within a plant and use common diagnostic equipment (flowmeters, transducers, etc.) to monitor industrial energy-using systems.
- How to evaluate industrial energy-using systems to determine the theoretical and/or actual energy needs versus what the system is using and identify ways to reduce it.
Expert:
DARYL COX, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Daryl Cox has been a member of the research staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) since 1990. He has been heavily involved in the analysis of failure characteristics for fluid system components used in commercial nuclear power plants. He focuses on energy optimization efforts in industrial pumping systems and managing interactions with industrial program partners in the Better Buildings Better Plants Program for the Department of Energy Advanced Manufacturing Office. Daryl is a Qualified Specialist and Senior Instructor for the Pumping System Assessment Tool (PSAT) software tool and holds the Certified Practitioner Energy Management Systems – Industrial certification. Daryl is a former member of the ASME Operations & Maintenance Working Group on Air-operated valves and currently participates in codes and standards development for energy assessment of pumping systems for ASME and ISO. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He was formerly employed with the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he served on the corporate staff supporting engineering design for the nuclear power program and environmental qualification of safety-related components.
Relevant Sessions:
- All Systems Go: Innovative Projects in Traditional Industrial Systems
- Workshop Part 1 and 2: Better Plants: What's Up and What's New in Industrial Efficiency
Steam & Energy Assessments
TUE, MAY 16: 3:15-3:45 PM | WED, MAY 17: 10:45-11:15 AM
Team Focus:
- How steam systems use energy and common performance opportunities that can yield energy savings.
- DOE labs are conducting innovative research on technologies and materials that can enhance energy efficiency.
- Leveraging the industrial internet of things, data analytics software, and advanced human machine interfaces can help make real-time decisions that save energy.
- Conduct or set up your own energy assessment (or Treasure Hunt) and/or access DOE’s Industrial Assessment Center assessments and In-Plant Trainings.
Expert:
THOMAS WENNING, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Thomas Wenning is a program manager for industrial energy efficiency at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Tennessee. Mr. Wenning manages ORNL’s domestic and international industrial energy efficiency technology assistance and deployment activities. He supports the DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plants program and the Federal Energy Management Program by providing industrial sites with technical assistance activities, energy assessments and training, and energy management guidance. In addition, Mr. Wenning manages the student activities for DOE’s Industrial Assessment Center program and is also leading the DOE’s effort to modernize their energy-system software tool suite and associated training resources. He has led numerous international industrial energy efficiency workshops, trainings, and assessments on behalf of the DOE. Mr. Wenning is a registered Professional Engineer, a Certified Practitioner in Energy Management Systems, an SEP-Performance Verifier, and a DOE Qualified Specialist in the areas of steam, pumps, and fans.
Relevant Sessions:
- All Systems Go: Innovative Projects in Traditional Industrial Systems
- CHP is Everywhere! Success Stories and Best Practices
- Implementing Energy Management Systems
- The CHP Solution for Growth, Economics, and Business Continuity
- Workshop Part 1 and 2: Better Plants: What's Up and What's New in Industrial Efficiency
Water Efficiency & 50001 Ready
TUE, MAY 16: 10:45-11:15 AM | WED, MAY 17: 3:15-3:45 PM
Team Focus:
- Better understand the linkages between water and energy, manufacturing water use characteristics, and corporate and facility-level water management best practices and efficiency opportunities.
- Leverage DOE tools to implement a continual improvement-based Energy Management System in line with ISO 50001 and track your energy savings using best practice measurement and verification techniques.
Expert:
PRAKASH RAO, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
Dr. Prakash Rao is a Principal Scientific Engineering Associate within the Energy Technologies Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. Dr. Rao conducts research and analysis into the potential for reducing the energy consumption and water use impacts of the US manufacturing sector while maintaining its productivity. To this end, he also assists in the development of related technical assistance and deployment activities. Dr. Rao received his doctorate in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Rutgers University and his bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Relevant Sessions:
- Building the Next Generation of Industrial Energy Managers
- Implementing Energy Management Systems
- Put a Meter On It! Submetering Energy and Water Use
- Workshop Part 1 and 2: Better Plants: What's Up and What's New in Industrial Efficiency
Data Tools
TUE, MAY 16: 1:30-2:00 PM | WED, MAY 17: 9:00-9:30 AM
Team Focus:
- These tools help property owners and managers navigate local government programs that collect building data, and make that data useful for a more efficient, data-driven marketplace.
- BEDES and its derivative products, BSXML and HPXML, are promoting data standardization in the market to reduce transaction costs for market actors.
- The volume of building attribute and energy data is rapidly increasing and is a growing burden on local governments to manage. These open-source, enterprise level tools help reduce that strain on government agencies while enabling the private sector to develop added value through proprietary and customized solutions.
Data Tools:
- Standard Energy Efficiency Data (SEED) Platform
- Building Energy Asset Scoring Tool
- Home Energy Scoring Tool
- BuildingSync XML & Home Performance XML
- Building Performance Database (BPD)
- Building Energy Data Exchange Specification (BEDES)
- Unique Building Identifiers (UBIDs)
- NREL's ResStock
- PV Value
Experts:
HARRY BERGMANN, Fellow, US Department of Energy (DOE)
Harry Bergmann is an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow with the DOE Building Technologies Office. Harry supports the Commercial Buildings Integration team, focusing on building energy data tools, standardization, and exchange. Prior to joining DOE, Harry was supporting local government agencies with identifying, financing, and implementing energy efficiency improvements for public assets through the Southern California Regional Energy Network. Harry has a Masters of Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Geography from the George Washington University.
MADELINE SALZMAN, Fellow, US Department of Energy (DOE)
Madeline is a Fellow in the Building Technologies Office (BTO) focused on the Home Energy Score and Home Energy Information Accelerator. She works to improve processes bringing standardized home energy efficiency and renewable energy data to homeowners and the real estate market. Prior to joining DOE, Madeline worked on home energy use with the Sierra Club in Missouri, the Clinton Climate Initiative’s Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL) Program in Arkansas, and with Barefoot College in Rajasthan, India. She received her Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service, and her Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis in environmental studies and architecture.
DALE HOFFMEYER, US Department of Energy (DOE) *Available Tuesday, May 16th only
Dale Hoffmeyer is the Better Buildings Residential Program Manager and works to accelerate energy performance improvements in existing residential buildings using an integrated building systems approach to achieve peak energy performance. He also leads Department of Energy activities to demonstrate how energy upgrade programs can streamline processes to serve more homes across the country. Previously, Dale worked at the Environmental Protection Agency in the ENERGY STAR program. His residential energy efficiency experience includes home energy benchmarking, HVAC quality installation, and program evaluation.
Relevant Sessions:
- Data Nation! How DOE Data Tools Can Lay the Foundation for Your Program
- This is Your Program, This is Your Program on Data
*Building Energy Asset Scoring Tool Live Demo
- Tuesday 10:45-11:15 AM in Holmead East
- Wednesday 3:15-3:45 PM in Morgan
ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®
Better Buildings Challenge partners can schedule one-on-one time with a Better Buildings data expert to ask questions about how to share portfolio-wide data for program recognition, either through Portfolio Manager or Excel templates. Indicate your interest during registration for one-on-one meetings with national experts and we will follow up to schedule with you.
Expert:
SARA LISAUSKAS, ICF
Ms. Lisauskas is a Senior Manager at ICF with over twenty years of experience working to improve the energy efficiency of commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings. Her areas of expertise include benchmarking energy performance in buildings, analysis of energy data and energy efficiency opportunities, and development of energy performance ratings. For DOE’s Better Buildings program, she leads energy data management and analysis activities, including providing technical assistance to partners that are sharing portfolio-wide energy performance results, ensuring quality review of energy data submissions, and performing analysis to track program-wide savings results. She holds a bachelors and masters in materials science and engineering from Lehigh University and Stanford University.