IES Blog

Ah, the arrival of first Christmas card of the year is rarely a welcome sight. It usually arrives early November when the thought of queuing for hours for overpriced gifts, eating your own body weight in chocolate and wearing your Granny’s knitted woolly jumper, seems a long way off. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas as much as the next person but my festive period kicks off at least one week into December.

Thankfully the first Christmas gesture of the year has totally contradicted my scrooge like ramblings above. One of our software engineers, Don Stearn, has followed his yearly tradition of making a donation to Oxfam rather than getting cards for everyone in the office. This year’s donation has gone towards sending Sheep to Gitovu in Rwanda, while last year’s donation was invested in Photovoltaic solar panels.

Oxfam Unwrapped is a fantastic initiative that allows you to buy gifts that result in a big difference in many people’s lives. Everything from farming tools to small business loans can be donated on behalf of others for Christmas this year. The video here sums up the project nicely.

It is also worth checking out the work Oxfam are doing to support those that have been seriously affected by climate change across the world. Their Smart Solutions campaign is focused on coming up with ways “to help people adapt to climate change, reducing its impact on their lives”.

So there is no shortage of ideas and inspiration if you are looking for stocking fillers this Christmas.

I, on the other hand, will have to save my first “bah humbug” of the year for the first Christmas song I hear…

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Last year it was Copenhagen this year it’s Cancun - as Global Officials are meeting in Cancun for climate talks, people around the world are standing up and putting their name (and face) to the cause. The 350.org are on a mission to unite people around the world on the issue of Climate Change, with the idea that imagery transcends language. They have undertaken many campaigns, but in the past week they have been focussing on creating art work that can be seen from space. Some of the highlights can be seen here: http://vimeo.com/17122609

If you’re in Glasgow, and want to take part - don’t worry you still can! Thursday the 2nd of December (that’s tomorrow!)

Type of Event: Multi-media event

Date and Time of Event: 2 December, 2010, 18.00 – 21.00 (drop in)

Venue: GMAC, Trongate 103/Fifth Floor, Glasgow G1 5HD

Title: Branching out for climate change

Detail of Event:

Become part of global art movement: http://www.350.org/ and put yourself in the picture about climate change!

RSPB and Glasgow Media Access Centre (GMAC) have teamed up to host a free evening of films, fascinating facts and freebies to coincide with the climate change talks in Cancun. There will be a guest speaker and stalls from organisations like RSPB, Zero Waste Scotland, Glasgow Bike Shed and the Glasgow Allotment Forum. Drop in to take part in our campaign video or become part of a unique photo mosaic and claim your free oak sapling!

Contact: 0141 331 9088 or email eve.mcgregor@rspb.org.uk if you would like more information.

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Tags:350, climate change, rspb

There’s just 2 days to go until approx 7,000 events across 200 countries get underway as part of www.350.org’s 10/10/10 Global Work Party for action on energy efficiency and climate change. It looks to be the biggest day of positive action on climate change in history so, what will you be doing?

Here at IES we’re supporting 10/10/10 by hosting a series of events including:

• Switch off stickers
• Sourcing even more ethical suppliers
• Thermostat settings on radiators
• To urn or not to urn!!
• Water waste awareness
• Supplier check up – utilities, shredding etc.
• Composting feasibility
• IT ideas
• Setting up electricity / energy monitoring

There are some fantastic events happening all over the world and I wanted to share some of the highlights with you:

• Sumo wrestlers cycling to practice in downtown Tokyo.
• An education center in the Namib Desert in Namibia installing six solar panels.
• Divers on the smallest island nation of the world, Nauru (8.1 square miles) will plunge into their coral reefs for an underwater clean-up.
• President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives is installing solar panels on his roof.
• Partiers in Edinburgh will be throwing a “Joycott” (a reverse boycott) at a local bar that agreed to put 20% of its extra revenues on 10/10/10 to making the bar more energy efficient. Attendees will try and drink as much as possible to raise money. Cheers!
• In San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, students will hand out solar-powered lights to families, who are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Alex this June, 2010.
• Over 100 cyclists from Jordan, Israel and Palestine taking part in a 3-day bicycle relay to carry water from the Yarmouk River and the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea to symbolize the need for cooperation to stop climate change and save precious water resources.
• On 10/10/10 the Mayor of Mexico City will sign a commitment to reduce the city’s emissions 10% in a single year. The city government will be directly responsible for 5% of the reductions and lead a public campaign to get citizens to cut the remaining 5%.
• Young people in Barbados will be demonstrating the viability of fuel cell technology in a hovercraft they have built themselves.

I must say the “Joycott” in Edinburgh is my personal favourite!

Fancy being a part of it? You can Find a local event near you to see what weird and wonderful events are being held in your neighbourhood. Plus, there’s still time to register your own event so why not join in and celebrate climate change solutions? You can register your event at http://www.350.org/oct10 and if you’re looking for inspiration why not check out the 350 Action Gallery showing some amazing examples of actions that have happened already from all across the globe.

We’ll post a Blog (with photos of course!) of our very own 10.10.10 events very soon!

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Tags:10:10, climate, IES, reduce

The news about this is out in the industry but spreading slowly!!  Please pass it on…

It was confirmed by the Government the other week that although Part L 2010 will come into force on 1st October 2010 as planned; the related EPC section has been delayed until 27th March 2011.

Obviously this has implications for all Energy Assessors – both domestic and non-domestic. 

As mentioned, this deferment will not affect implementation of Part L 2010 for Building Regulation purposes on 1st October 2010, or the transitional provisions already laid before parliament.  The main complication comes when an application is submitted after 1st October 2010 and the project completed before 27th March 2011, therefore requiring an EPC. 

Calculations for building regulations DER/TER (both at design and completion stage), will be to Part L 2010, but the EPC will have to be done to Part L 2006 methodologies.  In many case this will mean extra work for the EA with no additional return.  For example, if using iSBEM separate models will need to be built in different versions of the software; one for Building Regulations compliance and the other to calculate the EPC!

Though it is not expected that this will affect many developments, as most will not be in a position to lodge an EPC within the delayed period, what has been overlooked is the need for design professional to understand the relative difference between EPC ratings – which will be one of the main questions asked by their clients!

Lack of clarity on exactly what the changes to EPCs calculations will be will hamper understanding, and ultimately reduce clients and designers opportunity future-proof buildings.

Designers who need to go back to a previous software version for final Part L ‘as built’ compliance will also face many of the same issues and its therefore essential that any software user who wants the flexibility to switch between 2006 and 2010 versions for whatever reason makes sure that their software will enable this without doubling their effort.

As a consequence, we’re in the process of adding a new feature to our software allowing designers to easily switch between our VE Compliance 2010 and 2006 modules.  This previously unavailable backwards compatibility (of the VE Compliance model) will enable IES users to avoid double input of data resulting from the delay in the new EPCs.  While this will provide a useful facility for projects during the transition between the 2006 and 2010 regulation frameworks, it will also aid in allowing users to easily go back to Part L (2006) if required for old projects.

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Tags:Energy Assessors, EPCs, IES, Part L, Part L 2010, ve-compliance

SimBuild 2010 in New York is right around the corner now - August 11-13 - and it’s not a moment too soon.  SimBuild is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, building modeling and simulation conferences in the world.  It only happens once every two years, so we anxiously look forward to everything that goes on there when it comes around.  We also have plenty in store for this event, too.

IES is sponsoring the show, and that gives us the chance to offer some extra training sessions to attendees.  We will be holding two workshops prior to the show.  Here’s the schedule:

• August 9 – Intermediate 3D Modeling, Daylighting, Loads Analysis, and HVAC Systems
• August 10 – Advanced and Building-Integrated Systems Modeling

Both workshops are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including lunch and breaks, and will be held on the NYU campus (exact location TBA). 

Timothy Moore, our Senior Consultant for Special Projects, will be on hand to direct the workshops and show you the expanse of things you can do with IES <Virtual Environment> Version 6.1, such as  importing from SketchUp and Revit, daylighting simulation and whole-building energy modeling for the LEED/ASHRAE-90.1 Performance Rating Method.

Cost for the workshops is $350 for one session and $600 for both.  Registration is open now, but seats are limited, so don’t wait!

We will also have a demo of IES <VE> at the show on August 12 from 10:30-11:45 a.m., and Timothy will be making a presentation at the show as well (details still TBD).

Of course, our activities are just a small slice of all the exciting things going on at SimBuild this year, from all the workshops and presentations to the banquet that closes everything out.  For more on all that’s going on, visit here.

It’s shaping up to be a busy week for IES at SimBuild 2010.  We hope to see you in New York City!

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Tags:Building, daylighting, HVAC, IES, LEED, Revit, sketchup

Finally, it has arrived!  The long awaited redistribution of points for Core & Shell projects pursuing EAc1 was issued.  The USGBC finally acknowledges that “energy neutral” does not benefit projects under the LEED-CS v2.0 rating system. 

The tenant’s components in the energy model, such as lighting and plug loads, is kept the same in both the proposed and baseline building.  This “dilutes any energy cost savings percentage the developer is able to attain by at least 40% to 60%.”  The developer could only push the envelope so much.  Really, the only option for achieving points under EAc1 was if the developer mandated specific energy usage thresholds through a tenant sales/ lease agreement.  Even in good markets, you rarely see a developer willing to restrict future prospective tenants.

Now, projects registered prior to April 24, 2009 can use a new Excel spreadsheet tool that provides the updated reporting methodology and is now a submittal requirement for LEED-CS v2.0 EAc1.  Trying it out, it looks like a project can easily achieve, if not too easily, all the energy credits under EAc1 and is no longer penalized.  For more information visit “LEED Resources & Tools” for LEED-CS v2.0 at www.usgbc.org.

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Tags:Building, LEED, USGBC

On August 22, 2008 we started this blog with the intention, like many companies, to give IES a voice within the market as well as draw an audience to our website. As the social media train continues to move full steam ahead, we are proud to be an active participant. Along with our blogging initiatives we also started tweeting in May 2009 and started a Facebook Fan Page shortly thereafter. Using these platforms, we are able to communicate our thoughts more freely while being be less formal and more direct with immediate responses.

We recently came across a blog post on AEC Café asking why the AEC community has been especially slow in adapting these new techniques into their marketing campaigns - “Is the A/E/C industry using social media?”

At IES, we feel like we have moved confidently into the social media space, using tools such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and our blog. We’ve learned a lot along the way, and we encourage the A/E/C community to join us. Whether a company in the space, an end-user or an editor writing about the AEC community, we all have something unique to say.

We look forward to connecting with you soon!

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Tags:communications, Facebook, IES, Twitter

Unsurprisingly one of the hot topic’s at last week’s CIBSE Conference was the upcoming Part L 2010 Building Regulations. We are lucky enough to have a unique insight into the practical implications of the forthcoming changes. This is due to our working closely with AECOM to inform our software development.

It’s important to really get to grips with the key changes proposed. Building magazine’s Dyfrig Hughes gives more detail here, but here’s an overview of what to expect:

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Tags:CIBSE, Part L, PartL 2010

eSim, IBPSA-Canada’s biennial conference, brings together professionals, academics and students interested in building performance simulation. Being held, in Winnipeg, Canada on May 19 and 20, this year’s conference will focus on recent developments for modelling the physical processes relevant to buildings, methods for modelling whole-building performance (including integrated resource management, renewable energy sources and combined heat, cool and power generation) and the use of building simulation tools in code compliance and incentive programs.

IES is happy to have been asked to be a part of the conference, as performance modelling becomes an ever-important part of the design process. Not just a software developer, but also a respected International consultancy, IES is trying to tackle the big problems of sustainable building design, focusing on analysis of a design throughout the entire process.

One of our consultants will be showcasing the IES Virtual Environment as part of the Software Demo Sessions. Much like technical presentations, these special demo sessions will be presented in front of a live audience during the show.  We’ll be covering the latest step-by-step workflow interface capabilities and LEED developments in our software.

A quick overview of us for those less familiar – IES provides advanced performance analysis for all types of sustainable strategies and LEED evaluation for existing buildings, new construction and core and shell projects, among others. Its software and consulting services help design teams to integrate ‘green’ design strategies throughout all stages of the design process and beyond to create low-energy sustainable buildings. IES Consulting is also a BIM GSA contract holder.

If you won’t be at eSim this year and are interested in a demo of the Virtual Environment either in-person or via web conferencing, we would be happy to arrange one at your convenience. We run regular weekly web demo sessions.  Please register online at http://www.iesve.com/Software/Web-Demo

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Tags:Academic, BIM, Building, Environment, Renewables

On April 22, 2010, the ‘Global Day of Conversation’ engaged more than 500 mayors and locally elected officials around the world in separate conversations within their local communities on issues of climate, energy and sustainability. This Global Day of Conversation illustrates the commitment of millions to make the natural environment a priority for 2010 and beyond.

However, with the arrival of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the United States has failed to enact a comprehensive climate bill. The Earth Day Network insists Congress enacts climate and clean energy legislation in 2010.

On Sunday, April 25, Earth Day Network and partner organizations organized a massive climate rally on the National Mall, Washington DC. With the participation from thousands, The Climate Rally is a chance to be heard on climate legislation and tell Washington;

“It’s time to enact climate and clean energy legislation.”

The Climate Rally also featured live music from Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Jimmy Cliff, Passion Pit, Bob Weir, Willie Colón, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph and many more.

The White House Response
Washington, D.C. – On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Vice President Biden announces the selection of 25 communities for up to $452 million in Recovery Act funding to “ramp-up” energy efficiency building retrofits. However, more than $3.5 billion in applications were received for the just over $450 million in Recovery Act funds available, an eight-fold difference, indicating significant demand for investment in energy-saving and job-creating projects like these across the US.

The selected projects for a retrofit ramp-up are available by clicking here.

On a final note, Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Please get involved and let every day be an earth day!

Liam

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Tags:Building, climate, earth day, Environment, Sustainability