Fastrack June 25, 2008

Nevada Power Sure Bet Program Joins Forces With EGB

The Nevada Power Sure Bet Program will co-locate a conference and regional-partner exhibition with HPAC Engineering's fifth annual Engineering Green Buildings (EGB) Conference and Expo Oct. 21 and 22 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Nevada Power Sure Bet Program will serve as the Elite Host Sponsor of EGB. Nevada Power is holding its event to raise awareness of its Sure Bet energy-saving and energy-incentive programs and to commemorate successes it has achieved. A trade show of exhibit stations staffed by regional partners will feature the latest energy-saving technology and energy-efficient-equipment installation services...MORE

Energy-Saving Strategies for Rooftop VAV Systems
By John Murphy, LEED AP
Control strategies can help turn energy savings into operating-cost savings and earn LEED credits...MORE

DOE Seeks to Invest up to $90 Million in Advanced Geothermal-Energy Technology
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a funding-opportunity announcement (FOA) for up to $90 million over four years to advance the research, development, and demonstration of geothermal-energy technology to harness the earth's interior heat, extracted from hot water or rocks. The FOA addresses the need for additional technical understanding of enhanced geothermal systems to accelerate the technology to a state of commercial readiness. The DOE anticipates making up to 26 awards through this competitive funding opportunity, which is open to industry and academia...MORE

Preparing for a Pandemic Outbreak Webcast
Building Owners and Managers Institute (BOMI) will hold a Webcast July 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET to prepare professionals for the threat of a pandemic outbreak, which the World Health Organization claims is serious. Sam Smith, the former director of disaster recovery and physical security for a major telecommunications data center, will educate participants on creating, managing, and executing a successful pandemic-response plan...MORE

Ambius Strikes Alliance With HVAC Facilities-Management Firm
Ambius, the ambient-scenting service that distributes Microfresh, formed a strategic alliance with Engineering Excellence, a HVAC facilities-management firm. Microfresh uses nano-droplet technology, which is installed in a building's HVAC system. In air-treatment applications, these droplets serve as highly efficient transport vehicles for fragrances, odor neutralizers, and other air-treatment agents to blend with the ambient air in interior spaces...MORE

EPA Water Experts Assisting Iowa With Damage Assessments
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 dispatched water-emergency-response groups to Iowa to assist the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with assessing public water-treatment facilities damaged in the recent floods. The EPA groups will assist communities in assessing the need for repair of local drinking-water systems and wastewater systems...MORE

New Transformer Plant to Serve U.S. Customers
WEG Electric Motors Corp. has broken ground on a transformer plant dedicated to serving U.S. customers in the utility, municipality, wind, and industrial market segments. Located just north of Mexico City, the75,000-sq-ft facility will provide transformers of up to 300 mva (million volt-amperes) and 230 kv. First deliveries are scheduled for early summer 2009...MORE

Onset Computer Partners With Energy Star
Onset Computer Corp. has become part of the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Partnership Program. Onset's in-house energy team is developing and implementing the strategies and initiatives required to launch and sustain a formal energy-management program for the company's 40,000-sq-ft facility located in Bourne, Mass...MORE

Green Design Is NOT a Fad
In a recent survey, 80 percent of the respondents told HPAC Engineering that they believe green design "is not a fad; it's here to stay." Seventy-five percent said they would be involved in a green-building project within the next 12 months. And according to McGraw-Hill's 2006 Green Building SmartMarket Report, nearly 60 percent said they specify green mechanical systems. Yet, 63 percent of the architect, engineer, and contractor (AEC) community feels its green information needs are not being met. It is evident that designers and specifiers of mechanical systems realize green design has become a fact of life...MORE

The Design/Build Seminar ... Have You Registered Yett?
Design/Build Seminar comes to Atlanta this November. Building on the success of 2007, the 2008 Commercial Contracting Roundtable & Design/Build Seminar is back and better than ever. Mark your calendars and plan to join us Nov. 12 and 13 at Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel in Atlanta. This is an important event for design engineers looking to make the most of the opportunities in the commercial HVACR market...MORE