Building electrification through the use of heat pumps is gaining traction as an effective means to reducing emissions from building operations. However, barriers remain to 100% adoption of this technology, especially in existing buildings where cost, space or other constraints exist, requiring creative approaches to maximize emission reductions per dollar spent. In this webinar, experts from both professional practice and research demonstrated how they are creating deep emission reductions through right-sizing heat pumps, better HVAC design, integration of thermal storage and hybrid solutions. They covered diverse project types including existing buildings, new construction and district plants.

Researchers and faculty at UC Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment are pursuing wide-ranging research in collaboration with leaders from industry and academia to study technologies and design approaches for decarbonizing buildings while improving indoor environments. This course will feature insights and research findings that hold valuable lessons for commercial building stakeholders, with a focus on benefits and strategies for integrating ceiling fans with HVAC systems, while also sharing newly completed design resources.

This Greenbuild 2023 session featured leaders from industry and academia who are deeply engaged in the design, construction and/or study of low-carbon affordable housing. They presented emerging design strategies, insights from recent research and case studies, with completed projects and work ‘on-the-boards’ that represent the leading edge in this rapidly evolving area, including projects targeting LEED-Platinum certification and/or net-zero energy performance.

Numerous tools and resources have been created for decarbonizing buildings, including life-cycle assessment (LCA). However, these have varying built-in assumptions, and combined with a lack of reliable information are leading to calls for more guidance. This session featured building decarbonization experts from practice and academia who provide an overview of LCA methods and other tools, and explain best practices, various use cases and examples.

Dr. Carlos Duarte led a seminar, Overview of High Thermal Mass Radiant Systems as part of a seminar on’ Thermally Active Buildings: A Resilient Future.’ He also hosted a poster presentation on the Field Demonstration of the Brick Ontology to Scale up the Deployment of ASHRAE Guideline 36 Control Sequences. Dr. Aki Nomoto presented on a Field Study of Thermal Infrared Sensing for Office Temperature Control, research completed in collaboration with CBE partner Daikin and LBNL.

Modular and industrial construction methods offer many advantages compared to traditional construction, and are being rapidly adopted and driving innovation, including ways to rapidly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. This symposium includes expert industry practitioners who are involved in developing and implementing industrialized buildings, and researchers who are leading advanced studies to better understand the potential of these innovations for decarbonizing the built environment.

Paul Raftery presented new findings on distribution losses in heating hot water systems in large commercial buildings; Patrick Wendler presented temperature stratification, performance and myths surrounding heating hot water systems; and Akihisa Nomoto presented research on CO2 occupant emission rates in an office setting.

Using massive data sets, combined with and automatic analysis and interpretation of data, we can understand problems, set achievable goals, and monitor progress towards these goals. This session featured industry leaders, from companies large and small, who are applying data science in new and innovative ways to mitigate climate change effects that result from our built environment.

Research shows that approximately 40 percent of commercial building users are dissatisfied with their thermal environments, achieving just half of the industry goal of 80 percent, and thereby representing one of the most bothersome aspects of indoor environments. This class covered key concepts of thermal comfort, how it can be improved, and how this knowledge can be used to create low-energy and comfortable buildings, including in buildings with radiant systems and ceiling fans that can provide equivalent or superior comfort.

The Livable Buildings Awards recognize projects that demonstrate excellence in architecture, sustainability and occupant satisfaction. This award is unique as projects must qualify by meeting high standards as measured by the CBE Occupant Survey. This event featured design professionals who will discussed their design processes and client collaborations that led to the creation of livable and sustainable buildings, all demonstrating low- or net-positive performance.