DOE Unveils EnergyPlus
The Department of Energy (DOE) has improved on its widely used DOE-2 software with its new release, EnergyPlus. The computer program allows architects, engineers, building owners and managers to dramatically lower energy use in buildings while optimizing building performance. The earlier version saved a total of $20 billion, according to DOE.
EnergyPlus improves the simulation of whole building approaches in design, planning and construction. Like DOE-2, users can calculate the impact of different heating, cooling and ventilating equipment, and various types of lighting and windows to maximize building energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Now, users can also simulate the effect of window blinds, electrochromic window glazings and complex daylighting systems.
Some of the buildings that have benefited from the program are the Pentagon, Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Francisco Airport, Intel and American Express corporate headquarters, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum in Wisconsin.
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After you’ve used EnergyPlus to optimize energy performance, you can turn to Atlantic Energy System’s Clean Power Estimator to do the same for solar systems.
Enter your zip code and get an estimate of the net annual cost of a PV system (residential or commercial) in your location. The resulting information takes into account: electric rate schedules; federal and state income tax rates; federal, state, and utility economic incentives; local weather data; electric load profiles; and clean energy system performance. The program includes potential economic incentives and tax benefits.
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What States Are Improving Building Codes?
The mission of BCAP, the Building Codes Assistance Project, is to accelerate implementation of building energy codes. You can track their progress in saving energy by enacting stronger building codes through their newsletter. The most recent issue describes states programs that are improving their energy and building codes.
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PVC- Free Database
Construction products that avoid the use of PVC are hard to find. Greenpeace is here to help with their new international database on PVC-free products. The “PVC Alternatives Database” has more than 200 products from companies in 17 countries.
In the U.S., more than 70 percent of the PVC produced is used in construction products such as pipes, wiring, siding, flooring and wallpaper. From its manufacture to final disposal, PVC is associated with toxic emissions and heavy metals. Readily available alternatives are available. Greenpeace points out that at last year’s Olympics, Sydney organizers completely avoided materials with PVC.
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