Energy Engineering Forums (EEF) are organized by the board of your Columbia River Chapter Association of Energy Engineers, and feature industry professionals to cover a wide range of interesting topics.
These forums are an enjoyable, engaging and educational way to keep updated on topics relevant to engineers working in energy-oriented industries.
We have consolidated some of the EEF presentation materials to serve as a presentation recap, and educational resource.
Industrial Heat Pumps: Their role in industrial decarbonization, applications, and market adoption
Presentation Slides
AEE – Columbia River Chapter is eager to present this energy efficiency forum both LIVE and virtually. This free event consists of a one hour technical presentation followed by thirty minutes of Q&A. A complimentary lunch will be provided to those who attend. AEECRC members who attend in person will also receive certificates for Professional Development Hours. If you’re not already a member but would like to join, click here. If you can’t make it this time, presentation materials will be posted after on AEECRC.org.
Description: This presentation will cover the basics of industrial heat pumps, how and why they are critical to industrial decarbonization, where they can be applied, and steps for market adoption.
Speaker: Regan Cronin, PE – Senior Engineer, Cascade Energy
Regan is a Senior Engineer at Cascade Energy. She provides technical engineering services for multiple demand-side management programs—including those of Energy Trust of Oregon, BPA, Pacific Power, and several corporate clients. Regan has extensive industrial process experience. She is familiar with data logging, identifying energy project opportunities, calculating energy savings, and energy modeling. Regan is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Oregon. Some of her recent work focuses on industrial heat pump (IHP) applications in the Pacific Northwest.
Maximizing HVAC Efficiency, Flexibility, and Resiliency with Very High Efficiency Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems
AEE – Columbia River Chapter is eager to present this energy efficiency forum both LIVE and virtually. This free event consists of a one-hour technical presentation followed by thirty minutes of Q&A. A complimentary lunch will be provided to those who attend. AEECRC members who attend in person will also receive certificates for Professional Development Hours. If you’re not already a member but would like to join, click here If you can’t make it this time, presentation materials will be posted after on AEECRC.org.
Description: With the ever-increasing environmental impacts of local pollution, extreme weather events, and wildfires, there is a necessity for resilient, flexible, and extremely efficient HVAC systems. Unfortunately, while HVAC systems are critical to our comfort and well-being, conventional systems are costly to operate and contribute to over 50% of total energy usage in commercial buildings. Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) are a proven solution for reducing energy consumption since they optimize the control and functionality of ventilation and thermal comfort separately. A very high-efficiency approach to DOAS maximizes energy efficiency by decoupling ventilation air from comfort conditioning, including air-to-air heat recovery, right-sizing of a high-efficiency heating and cooling system, and minimizing fan power. This allows for many benefits, including:
• Demonstrated reduction of building HVAC energy use by an average of 69% over conventional systems,
• Excellent indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort,
• Proven flexibility and resiliency to adapt to changing occupant densities, increased IAQ requirements, and extreme weather events,
• Significant carbon emission reduction with minimal peak electric demand increases in sites that convert from gas to electric heat.
In partnership with local utilities and HVAC experts, this system approach has been installed and monitored in 12 small-to-medium commercial buildings, including in cold climates, that resulted in an average 69% reduction in HVAC energy use and a 48% reduction in whole-building energy use when compared to a code minimum system (often a packaged RTU).
Speaker: Gertrude Villaverde, CEM, CMVP – Energy Engineer, Energy 350
Gertrude is an Energy Engineer at Energy 350. She supports multiple contracts with technical analysis in production efficiency for industrial sites, efficiency upgrades for existing buildings, and market transformation for regional energy efficiency. Prior to Energy 350, Gertrude interned at a manufacturing facility through the Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP) where she completed multiple energy/production efficiency and profit-improvement projects. She also worked in the Energy Systems Laboratory at Oregon State University-Cascades and graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Energy Systems Engineering. Gertrude is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) through the Association of Energy Engineers.
Introduction to Offshore Wind on the West Coast – Recent Trends
AEE – Columbia River Chapter is eager to present this energy efficiency forum LIVE. A complimentary lunch will be provided to those who attend. If you can’t make it this time, presentation materials will be posted after on AEECRC.org.
Introduction to Offshore Wind on the West Coast – Recent Trends & Opportunities – Bill Henry, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust
With demand for carbon-free energy surging across the Western U.S., a new renewable energy option is emerging in the form of floating offshore wind. This resource holds the promise of excellent energy generation performance, vast potential, and co-benefits such as economic development. Yet significant technical, economic, and social challenges remain. The presentation will describe these challenges and opportunities, provide background on the planning activities underway and look into the future, including potential federal initiatives to support deployment on the West Coast.
Presenter: Bill Henry – Bill’s work at POET spans multiple disciplines in support of advancing deployment of offshore wind and ocean-based climate solutions generally, which is POET’s mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Prior to POET, his work included natural gas system decarbonization and thermal-energy-as-a-service business development. Before shifting his focus to the renewable energy supply side and overall decarbonization he worked on the demand side in demand response, energy efficiency, and distributed energy resources. He is a Certified Energy Manager with a B.S. from Oregon State University and an M.S. from Portland State University.
Water Treatment, Energy Efficiency Strategy, and Marketing
The AEE Columbia River Chapter is continuing its Energy Engineering Forum series in 2022 in a biannual format. Join us for our next EEF presentation where we will be joined by Dale Edginton.
Dale will cover the launch of a new product in a skeptical energy efficiency marketplace and how EndoTherm is shining a spotlight on water treatment as a valuable part of a wider energy efficiency strategy.
Dale Edginton – Operations Manager of North America, Endo Enterprises Ltd
Dale Edginton is the Operations Manager of North America for Endo Enterprises Ltd. Dale supported the launch of the EndoTherm product initially in the UK in 2013 and has led the products development into Canada / US since 2017. Over the past 5 years, EndoTherm has been piloted in 100s of locations around North America and is now supported by fully prescriptive rebates in British Columbia/Saskatchewan.
- Presented: October, 2022
- Presenter: Dale Edginton, Endo Enterprises, Ltd
Findings and Summary of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council 2021 Power Plan
Presentation Slides (not available)
The AEE Columbia River Chapter is continuing its Energy Engineering Forum series in 2022 in a biannual format. Join us for our next EEF presentation where we will be joined by Tina Jayaweera.
Tina will present findings from the regional power plan recently adopted by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The 2021 Power Plan provides an overview of the Northwest’s future electrical power needs, with the goal of ensuring “an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply” (from the Northwest Power Act of 1980 that created the Council). The plan develops a resource strategy to best meet the projected electricity demands over the next 20 years, based on the understanding that the future is uncertain by examining various scenarios. The presentation will provide an overview of the planning process, highlighting the dramatic changes projected across the region and the greater western interconnection, and what the Council sees as the strategy to best meet the regional needs while balancing cost and risk.
Tina Jayaweera – Power Planning Resources Manager, Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Tina Jayaweera, Power Planning Resources Manager, joined the Council in 2014 and works on energy efficiency and demand response topics as part of the development and implementation of the Council’s regional power plan. Dr. Jayaweera holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Cornell University. Prior to joining the Council, she was a principal in the energy services division and head of the planning and assessment team for The Cadmus Group, a consulting firm.
- Presented: June, 2022
- Presenter: Tina Jayaweera, Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Power to the People – A Journey Through Discrimination to Empowering Others
Presentation Slides (not available)
The AEE Columbia River Chapter is committed to strengthening Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in the Pacific Northwest. We recognize the importance of challenging and addressing systemic inequality, eliminating barriers, and paving the way for an equitable future for all. Our next Energy Efficiency Forum, sponsored by the Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL – a division of AEE national), will feature Portland’s very own Wendy Gibson, who leads Energy Trust of Oregon’s Existing Buildings Program.
About CWEEL:
The Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) is a division of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Its mission is to support career development for professional women, mentoring, networking, and scholarships for aspiring women to pursue technical education and careers in the energy and environmental fields.
The CWEEL programs assist in career development activities of existing industry professionals and aspiring young leaders looking for supportive mentors. CWEEL meets formally three times a year at each of the major AEE tradeshows and expositions. However, we are creating a local CWEEL division as part of the AEE Columbia River Chapter, with the intention of supporting our members who identify as part of any underrepresented demographic in the energy and environmental industries.
Wendy Gibson – Senior Program Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon
In her role at Energy Trust, Wendy is focused on developing a more equitable program by identifying and breaking down both acute and systemic barriers that have traditionally prevented some individuals and businesses from being served by the program. She’ll also share her perspective and experience overcoming gender discrimination and career obstacles as a female non-engineer in an industry traditionally dominated by white men.
Wendy has worked in the facilities and sustainability fields for over 16 years both as a facilities manager and a consultant. She has a BS in Sociology and is an expert at focusing on the people side of buildings. She enjoys supporting organizations through the change management process as they integrate energy management best practices into their company to ensure persistent savings. She is also a skilled presenter and facilitator and enjoys all aspects of bringing people together to learn from one another.
- Presented: November, 2021
- Presenter: Wendy Gibson, Energy Trust of Oregon
Power Generation and Resource Adequacy in the Pacific Northwest Energy Transition
Bill Henry, CEM
Bill is an independent energy industry consultant with an ambition to accelerate the energy system transition by assisting in infrastructure planning in key focus areas of offshore wind and renewable hydrogen. He leads a newly established forum for planning offshore wind transmission infrastructure in partnership with the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust and is engaged in assessing the capabilities and planning needs of renewable hydrogen under deep decarbonization futures. His prior work in consulting and project development spans a wide range including demand response, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, energy market policy, and natural gas decarbonization. He holds a B.S. in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University, and an M.S. in Engineering & Technology Management from Portland State University.
- Presented: September, 2021
- Presenter: Bill Henry, CEM
Industrial Compressed Air: Best Practices, Top Project Opportunities, and Stories from the Field
Presentation Slides (not available)
This quarter’s presentation will cover a topic that is relevant for almost any industrial facility (and even some commercial ones): Compressed Air.
We’ll be joined by compressed air expert Jimmy Sauter of Cascade Energy as he walks us through compressed air best practices, top project opportunities and stories from the field of what NOT to do. This session will be appropriate for audiences of all levels of compressed air experience with plenty of time for Q&A.
Jimmy Sauter, P.E. Project Engineer, Cascade Energy
Jimmy has over 14 years experience evaluating compressed air systems and implementing industrial energy efficiency projects at hundreds of facilities across the United States. Prior to joining Cascade in 2012, Jimmy spent 6 years at Compression Engineering specializing in energy efficiency studies of compressed air, pump, and fan systems. He’s a U.S. Department of Energy qualified AIRMaster+ specialist and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University.
- Presented: May, 2021
- Presenter: Jimmy Sauter, Cascade Energy
High-Performance Window & HVAC Solutions
Q & A – Follow Up from Presentation
This educational session will cover two promising commercial building solutions—secondary windows and very high efficiency dedicated outside air systems (DOAS)—and how envelope and HVAC upgrades like these can be sequenced for even greater energy savings and tenant comfort. This session will provide an overview of these proven technologies and design approaches, including energy savings potential, building owner and tenant benefits and example case studies from real world projects.
About BetterBricks:
A commercial resource of Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), BetterBricks helps Northwest building professionals gain a competitive edge in the market. Whether you design, build, manage, and operate commercial buildings, BetterBricks partners with Northwest utilities to provide the resources and tools you need to incorporate energy efficiency, and its many benefits, into your buildings and business practices.
Presenters:
Jeff Rigotti, Sr. Product Manager, NEEA – As the Senior Product Manager at NEEA, Jeff works closely with stakeholders to identify and prove innovative and energy-efficient commercial HVAC products, practices and services with the goal of creating lasting market change. Jeff’s background includes roles in product management, engineering program management, and operations in industries such as 3D printing, manufacturing and prototyping for semiconductors. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Portland.
Rachel Zakrasek, Program Manager, NEEA – Rachel is a Program Manager at NEEA, working in the Lighting and Envelope product groups, including managing the Window Attachments program. With seven years in the energy efficiency industry, Rachel has worked in multiple sectors including Commercial, Industrial and Residential, and across multiple product categories such as HVAC, water heating, lighting, strategic energy management and secondary windows. Rachel holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Middlebury College
- Presented: March, 2021
- Presenters:
- Rachel Zakrasek, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
- Jeff Rigotti, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Providing Safe Air and Energy Efficiency in the Wake of COVID-19
COVID-19 has brought health and safety challenges we didn’t foresee twelve months ago. The pandemic prompted the question; can we still provide a safe indoor environment without sacrificing energy efficiency in commercial buildings?
This presentation will present some best practices and real-world findings demonstrating that – yes, you can have both! Mitigation strategies to be discussed include:
- Comfort controls with air-pressure management
- Hi-MERV, low resistance, anti-bacterial outdoor and indoor HVAC filters
- Duct mounted Photo-Catalytic Oxidation to kill the remaining airborne and surface virus, bacteria, and fungus
A case study will be shared validating this approach including indoor/outdoor particulate matter sensor data, laboratory testing results of surface swabs, and in-house data trending from building control systems.
- Presented: November, 2020
- Presenter: William Hickner, Unity Controls
Trends and Technology in Wastewater Energy Efficiency
As wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) turn into water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), process design and equipment has started to focus more on the energy implications of processing wastewater. We’ll cover some basics up front, then take a little tour through some of the innovative products and processes that are starting to hit the market. And, we’ll have some fun – it’s wastewater, how can you not?
- Presented: May, 2020
- Presenter: Layne McWilliams, Cascade Energy
The Role of Natural Gas in a Decarbonized Future
NW Natural is committed to aggressively reducing the carbon footprint of what is going through its pipes. A 2019 Oregon bill, Senate Bill 98, established the most aggressive goals in the country for renewable natural gas, and NW Natural is working hard to replace fossil natural gas with renewable natural gas and renewable hydrogen. Hear about this strategy and how NW Natural is working to ensure the natural gas pipeline serves as a critical low-carbon resource for the region.
- Presented: March, 2020
- Presenter: Anna Chittum, Director of Renewable Resources at NW Natural
In addition to the educational experience, several reasons to join the next energy engineering forum include:
- A wonderful opportunity to network with energy professionals in your area
- AEE members of the local CRC chapter receive professional development hours towards licensure, certification, etc
- A complimentary lunch and certificates of attendance will be provided