ASHRAE Journal - August 2009 - 17

tives already under way, we need to develop an overall, cohesive in the price of natural gas, due not only to worldwide demand, program aimed specifically at promoting energy efficiency in but also as we expand our own use of this energy source for existing buildings. peak power generation. We will also see the cost of our primary Even as the dynamics of building operation have become bet- electrical energy source, coal, escalate as we institute necessary ter understood, the complexity of their systems has increased. environmental limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Today, we are not just in the era of HVAC&R design technology, Once again, ASHRAE is responding to this new crisis at hand. but also wireless digital controls, electronics, telecommunica- In fact, the very mission of this great Society is centered around tion systems, etc., and we are entering the era of smart meters, our serving mankind and promoting a sustainable world. The smart grids, smart systems, and smart equipment. end goal of our strategic plan and sustainability efforts is the Architects, designers, HVAC engineers, lighting specialists, development of net-zero energy buildings and the correspondelectrical designers, plumbing, fire protection, life safety, build- ing reduction in our carbon footprint. ers, developers, contractors, trade organizations, commissioning Can you even begin to imagine the long-term impact we can agents, etc., are all trying to respond to what they believe are the have if we can achieve these goals? The decisions you and I owner’s project requirements and deliver make as ASHRAE members today can the project on time and within budget. So, influence the energy future and climate pity the poor operating engineers, three of the world. years down the track, who never knew what ASHRAE’s role is to serve the needs the design intent was in the first place, yet of our members and those of the global are challenged to make it all work. society in which we live. It is great to have Over the past 100 years, we in this long-range “sexy” goals like net zero, but country have enjoyed a steady and sigthe truth is that it is the shorter term goals nificant increase in manufacturing techof greater energy efficiency in our existing nology and productivity and, with that, a buildings that represent the real challenge. substantial improvement in the quality of While I can set goals for this year, life. We have come to take these things the immediate future is up to you, our for granted as the U.S. has led the world dedicated volunteer membership, to see economically and, arguably, politically. the fulfillment of this effort. It will not But, at the same time, we have developed be easy, but as Winston Churchill once a culture of waste, a throwaway mentality said, “difficulties mastered are opportuthat cannot be sustained. nities won.” ASHRAE cannot, and will There are huge global divergences in not, let this opportunity of influencing economics, culture and climate, and we our energy future and the climate of the can learn a lot from other countries. There world pass us by. Gordon V.R. Holness are significant differences between EuA major client base and partner to 2009 –10 ASHRAE President rope and the United States, not the least ASHRAE are the federal agencies. of which is the fact that we use almost three times as much The federal government has set extremely aggressive goals for energy, per capita, as they do. They have long faced the need all federal buildings. EISA 2007 Section 431 also requires a 30% for sustainable building design and operation and have learned reduction in actual fossil fuel use for the entire existing federal what it takes to be successful. More significantly, in Europe building inventory by 2015 (relative to the energy use in 2003) on energy prices are taxed as a valuable commodity. an agency by agency basis. EISA 2007 Section 433 requires all We were lucky in the 1970s energy crisis in that it only new federal buildings to follow a schedule for reduction in fossil impacted us for a relatively short period of time. Even so, fuel use below CBECS 2003 (91,000 Btu/ft2·yr [1033 mJ/m2·yr]), ASHRAE responded magnificently to the crisis in developing including plug and process loads to the point of net zero by 2030. There is also an existing requirement in EPAct 2005 that is the first energy conservation standard, now the basis of nationstill in effect for new federal buildings to be designed to be 30% ally used energy codes. The situation we find ourselves in today is far more pervasive more energy efficient than Standard 90.1-2004. As challenging as the charges are for new buildings, bringing where we face the dual crises of energy shortages in the face of rapidly growing world demand and the recognition of the the existing federal building portfolio to that 30% reduction impact of energy use on the environment we rely on to live, target is a huge undertaking. breathe, and raise our families. Federal buildings come in a significant range of types, sizes, Yes, we have managed to keep our energy costs low, but at and occupancies, and they operate under a wide range of cliwhat price? Our infrastructure is antiquated and vulnerable to matic conditions. Over 80% of those buildings are under 20,000 failure; it is overloaded and inadequate to meet the continually ft2 (1858 m2), but that actually only represents around 15% of growing demand. The current escalation in gasoline and fuel oil the occupied space. 20% of the buildings represent 85% of the prices is only the tip of the iceberg. We will see parallel increases occupied space. The other important statistic to keep in mind August 2009 ASHRAE Journal 17

ASHRAE Journal - August 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - August 2009