flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Initiative will introduce open-source software for commercial and public building retrofits

Codes and Standards

Initiative will introduce open-source software for commercial and public building retrofits

Energy analysis tool will identify energy efficiency opportunities.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | January 22, 2019

Courtesy Pixabay

A partnership composed of Johnson Controls, CBRE, World Resources Institute (WRI), and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was recently launched to test and deploy an open-source, web-based energy analysis tool to identify energy efficient retrofit opportunities in commercial buildings.

Johnson Controls developed the LEAN energy analysis technology over the past eight years, and has used the tool to analyze retrofit opportunities in over 700 buildings. Berkeley Lab is working with Johnson Controls to automate and improve the tool and create an open-source version for public use.

CBRE will be an initial deployment partner, using the tool to help their enterprise customers target cost-effective energy efficiency retrofit opportunities across their real estate portfolios. WRI will use the open-source tool to help local governments around the world target the best opportunities for retrofitting public and private buildings within their jurisdictions.

“We believe this initiative will help drive greater investment in energy efficiency by turning readily available, monthly building energy consumption data into specific, cost-effective recommendations for improvement,” said Clay Nesler, vice president, global sustainability and regulatory affairs, Johnson Controls. An alpha version of the open-source LEAN energy analysis tool is available on GitHub at https://github.com/LBNL-JCI-ICF/better.

Related Stories

| Oct 3, 2012

OSHA publishes more detailed information on variances

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enhanced its variances Web page to improve public understanding of the variance approval process and increase access to the agency's decisions regarding variance requests.

| Oct 3, 2012

Online program computes energy savings from green roofs; compares savings with other options

A free online tool can calculate the amount of energy savings from installation of a green roof. Portland State University‘s (PSU’s) online Green Roof Energy Calculator can be used for new or old structures.

| Oct 3, 2012

SERF, CSE launch a new accreditation for evaluation of building sustainability

The Society of Environmentally Responsible Facilities (SERF), a Chicago-based environmental building certification organization, and the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) launched a new accreditation program that certifies professionals to evaluate buildings’ sustainable systems and practices according to SERF’s certification criteria.

| Oct 3, 2012

New version of Occupied Space Standard for DC microgrids in buildings released

The EMerge Alliance, an association leading the adoption of safe direct-current (DC) power distribution standards for commercial buildings, has updated the EMerge Alliance Occupied Space standard.

| Sep 26, 2012

Automatic budget cuts in January would slash federal agencies' construction budgets

Sequestration, or the implementation of automatic budget cuts as of January 2013, would slash government agencies' already reduced construction budgets further, and require agencies to shelve some repair and maintenance projects.

| Sep 26, 2012

Investment in greener data centers to reach $45 billion by 2016

Investment in data centers built to green standards will increase from the $17.1 billion predicted for this year to $45 billion by 2016, according to Pike Research.

| Sep 26, 2012

OSHA fines on fall-protection violations challenged by New York contractor

A New York masonry contractor is contesting an OccupationalSafety and Health Administration $136,290 fine for violations of fall-protection standards.a

| Sep 26, 2012

Construction workplace deaths decline nearly 7% in 2011

There were 721 construction-workplace deaths in 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, down 6.8% from 2010.

| Sep 26, 2012

Contractors save $9 billion due to revised California emissions rule

The California Air Resources Board made changes to a rule limiting off-road diesel emissions that could result in contractors saving about $9 billion.

| Sep 20, 2012

Smithtown, N.Y. considers bigger fines for building code violations

After a Suffolk County grand jury recommended stiffer fines for illegal demolitions, Smithtown, NY officials are weighing tougher penalties for developers who violate the town building code.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021