Newsletter

New Buildings Institute is a nonprofit, public benefits corporation
making buildings better for people and the environment

Summer 2008 News from NBI

NBI Celebrates its Second Office
Friends and associates of NBI gathered on June 5 for an Open House at our new second home in Vancouver, Washington. Guests had a chance to meet with NBI staff and board members and to learn about the efficiency improvements we’ve made to this historic building. We’ve created a slideshow chronicling our efforts thus far and illustrating what we have planned for future upgrades.

Revision of Advanced Lighting Guidelines Underway
The next edition of the Advanced Lighting Guidelines (ALG) is under construction and due for launch in mid-2009. This new version will be an electronic, web-based publication with extensive search and filtering options. This new format will also allow NBI to offer timely updates and keep the Guidelines on the cutting edge of lighting efficiency. New in 2009 will be newly commercialized technologies and enhanced application guides, as well as integration with the US Department of Energy’s Commercial Lighting Solutions. Updated technology topics include sources and ballast-drivers, luminaires and distributions, controls and expanded daylighting. There will also be additional information on codes and policies, vision and health, light and human performance and design advancements. Keep an eye on our Lighting page for more news.

We’re still accepting sponsorship for the revision and the ongoing updates. Lighting Manager can provide more information.

NBI Teams with National Initiative Pressing for Zero Energy Buildings
NBI has joined the national Commercial Buildings Initiative (CBI) as a Founding Sponsor. CBI is a consortium of diverse organizations dedicated to energy efficiency. The organization’s goal is to transform the commercial buildings sector into one that routinely builds zero-energy buildings for every type of use by 2030. CBI’s aims to change the marketplace as a whole with a three-pronged approach:

• Innovation – research and develop new technologies, market mechanisms and policies;
• Demonstration – prove these innovations prior to wide-spread deployment;
• Deployment – design, develop and evaluate deployment programs for innovations that are effective but underutilized.

NBI’s Getting to Fifty program is an important resource toward achieving this ambitious goal. Other CBI sponsors include the Alliance to Save Energy, American Institute of Architects, US Green Building Council, ASHRAE, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

WCEC Unveils the Western Cooling Challenge
Energy efficiency experts at the University of California at Davis' Western Cooling Efficiency Center are launching the Western Cooling Challenge, a program designed to slash electricity use by rooftop air conditioners in the western United States by more than 40 percent. NBI is supporting the Challenge and its vision through the exchange of technical research data on rooftop units and participation on the steering committee.

Examination of Rooftop Cooling Units Progresses
The second phase of NBI’s work to improve the operating performance of rooftop unit air conditioners is underway. Funded by the Northwest Power & Conservation Council, field tests are currently ongoing to devise a better method of quantifying the potential savings from rooftop unit treatments. The Bench Test Report on the field analysis conducted during the past year addresses the four interdependent elements of this work: 1) bench testing of economizer controls, 2) field testing of repair protocols, 3) devising an appropriate measurement and verification approach and 4) developing a savings prediction methodology based on prototypical buildings. In addition, NBI, working with a major manufacturer, expects redesigned economizer sensors that improve performance to be available by the end of 2008. Phase three of the work is expected to field test the service protocol to validate savings estimates.

USGBC Committing to $2 Million in Research Grants Over the past several months NBI has managed administration of the USGBC's first research grant offering. A portfolio of projects will be selected which will result in policies, technologies and tools that will have an immediate impact on sustainable building development, design, construction and operation. Of the total $2 million fund, $500,000 is reserved for K-12 school research relating to occupant impacts. Over 200 proposals were received, and 44 are currently under review for final award.

Photo: Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio

Energy Foundation Grant Received
NBI has received a $250,000 grant from the Energy Foundation. These funds will support efforts to propel current building energy code activity as well as strategic moves to increase the technical base for even more advanced codes. Specifically, the proposed work includes providing outreach and support to cities and states to encourage adoption of substantially increased energy codes or code alternatives. In addition, we’ll be exploring design and policy guidance changes that will enable future code levels to stretch even further.

Living Building Challenge
NBI is working with Cascadia Region Green Building Council to develop a curriculum and identify design tools related to net-zero energy buildings as part of their Living Building Challenge. The Living Building Leader program is a series of interactive courses. Addressing a diverse range of themes, the program will help building and design professionals access the information and master the design and technical skills necessary to achieve that zero-energy building. NBI Technical Director Mark Frankel is developing and leading several energy sessions, on topics such as Building Performance Metrics, Load Reduction and Passive Strategies.

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Our FY2007 Annual Report is now available.
Take a look and see what we’ve been up to and where we’re headed. Many thanks to all of our sponsors, supporters and colleagues for their valuable contribution to the continued growth and success of New Buildings Institute.

To catch up on earlier news, check out our previous newsletters.

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