IES Blog

 Well not really, but it’s potentially been usurped.  The GBCI unveiled the new three tiered LEED-AP program last year, and since then, those in the building profession world have been waiting to see how the market responds to figure out what to do next.  Myself included.  I’ve finally buckled down and figured out what I should do and I thought I’d share my process with you.  Here’s the CliffNotes version.

First, I had to figure out what’s what in the world of LEED-AP with this latest tiered program. 

• Pre May 2009, there was simply LEED AP.
• The new version keeps the LEED AP, now known as LEED-AP without Specialty or Legacy LEED AP.
• LEED Green Associate: usually students or manufacture representatives.
• LEED-AP with Specialty (i.e. LEED-AP BD+C): core exam for those who work on LEED projects. 
• LEED Fellows: are the gurus and the exam has yet to be created.

Here’s my frankensteined diagram trying to explain this:

Second, I figured out what options I had.  When I took the exam eons ago, there was one exam.  The choices were:
1. Take the LEED-AP exam
2. Don’t take the LEED-AP exam

Over time it has grown more complicated, not to mention more expensive and there’s more paperwork. (Click Image to open PDF)

** All dates are based on my personal Enrollment Window: 10/5/2009 – 10/4/2011.  Check “My Credentials” on www.gbci.org for your dates.

Finally, I came to a decision: I’m waiting.  I’m not convinced the market will require anything more than a LEED AP which I have and will always have.  Maybe I’m wrong.  Maybe we’ll start seeing “LEED AP with specialty” requirements in RFPs.  Maybe I’ll change my mind next summer.  But until then, I’ll forgo the paperwork and save my money.

Check out www.gbci.org for more information.  And if you’re working on LEED projects, your old LEED AP still counts for IDc2.

Next Time:  LEED AP: Continuing Education
LEED AP: What to Study and How to Study.

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Tags:Building, LEED, students

In this blog I’d like to take a look at the University of Copenhagen and the effort they are making to green their 1,000,000 square meter campus!

The University of Copenhagen are ambitious in terms of reducing their workplaces energy consumption and CO2 emissions this regardless of expected growth.

Their goals for 2013 are:
• The energy consumption of the University of Copenhagen must be reduced to a level 20 % below that of 2006, measured as energy consumption per work year of employees and students.
• The University of Copenhagen’s CO2 emission from energy consumption must be reduced to a level 20% below that of 2006, measured as CO2 emission per work year of employees and students.
The University expects to meet these goals by;
• Improving the Fabric of the existing university buildings which are quite old. They plan to do this by bettering the insulation in the buildings, replacing the existing windows and ensuring they are well sealed
• They hope to make significant savings through increasing the energy efficiency of energy intensive plant such as -80 degreeC Freezers, Fume Cupboards and other equipment used for experiments. The university also hope to make smart improvements to the building HVAC systems as well as energy efficient lighting
• The university plans to implement energy smart conduct procedures for both employees and students such as; closing all windows and turning off lights, equipment, and facilities when leaving a room as well as the encouragement of increased communication between the facilities’ users and its managers which the university sees as being very important.

The University is creating pilot and demonstration projects one of which is Green Light House. Green Light House is a demonstration project promoting CO2 neutral Construction.

See a really good introductory film of the Green Light House Project via the following link;
http://greenlighthouse.ku.dk/english/film/

Till next time,
Gary

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Tags:Building, reduce, students, University of Copenhagen

I was recently asked to complete an interview questionnaire for the CIBSE Young Members website. Having benefitted from CIBSE Young Engineer’s activities over the years, I was more than happy to help out.

CIBSE YE offers graduates and school leavers an opportunity to find out more about the industry, meet recent graduates working in the profession, and gives young engineers a chance to network with peers and even prospective employers.

One of my interview questions focussed on advice to students and graduates. My guidance was to take heed of the rapidly changing nature of the industry. With sustainability at the centre of what we do, forward-thinking young engineers are in a strong position to make a real difference to the way we design buildings. This was summed up very well in an interview I read recently with David C.J. Peters, an HVAC consulting engineer for US firm Southland Industries. You can read the full interview at Consulting Specifying Engineer here.

In addition, one of my colleagues Liam Buckley, was one of the six shortlisted in the this year’s CIBSE/ASHRAE Graduate of the Year Award.  You can read about all their hopes for their careers and the future of building services engineering in CIBSE Journal - unsurprisingly it oozes green ambition!

Many graduates and school leavers are unaware of the sheer scale of the building services industry, and the myriad of career opportunities within. So, if you’re a student or recent graduate considering a career in the built environment, CIBSE YE is a great first point of reference.

Check out mine and past interviews on the CIBSE YE website.

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Tags:ASHRAE, building services, careers, CIBSE, graduates, Green Building, students, sustainable buiding, young engineers