The Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) at Washington State University Tri-Cities is dedicated to advancing a sustainable clean energy future. INEF takes an integrated systems approach to optimize the balance between emerging clean technologies, existing resources, and their economic, social, and political impacts. The institute fosters collaboration, innovation, and policy development to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon electricity and transportation fuels. As a virtual hub, INEF connects experts, drives research, educates future clean energy leaders, and engages with communities and tribal groups. Their goal is to create resilient, affordable, and environmentally harmonious energy systems.

Joining us for this episode are Karl Englund and Hui Li of WSU's Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC) who discuss their use of low-value feedstocks in the engineering of new and innovative products. Karl and Hui delve into their experiences in the timber and polymer industry, sharing their unique work of turning what is otherwise trash (such as wood pulps, fibers, etc) into useable and durable products for construction.

This episode we talk with two experts from Puget Sound Abatement who cover all aspects of abatement services, as well as talking about the risk of things in homes such as lead pipes, and asbestos. These experts walk through the job site etiquette and discuss the future need for abatement services.

In this episode of BUILDING HEROES, we bring on three experts from the Hydraulic Institute to discuss the importance of pumping systems, why pumps matter in our built environment, and savings that can be achieved through the use of smart pumping technologies. Smart pumps—often termed a ‘self-sensing’ or ‘sensorless’— integrate variable speed controls to optimize operation based on system requirements. Smart pumps reduce operational pitfalls and enhance efficiency through streamlined control. Pumping systems are essential to the daily operation of most commercial buildings and industrial facilities. With new energy standards for clean-water pumps taking effect in 2020 and a new Energy Rating label program from the Hydraulic Institute, now is the time to evaluate the efficiency of commercial and industrial pumps, and circulators.

In this episode of BUILDING HEROES, we bring on two energy engineering experts to discuss Washington State Energy Code (WSEC), the Clean Building Performance Standard (CBPS), and efficient dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) considerations in the new 2021 ICC and WSEC code cycle. Jordan and Derek discuss the sometimes complex nature of HVAC design, and how a Very High Efficiency DOAS system might be the best option for selected small and medium commercial buildings in the state of Washington, as well as potential occupant and energy benefits achievable through this approach.

The next step in the ongoing evolution of HVAC design, very high efficiency DOAS uses the most efficient HVAC equipment and key design principles to provide cleaner and safer indoor air, enhance indoor comfort, and reduce commercial building HVAC energy use by an average of 69% (when compared to a code-minimum system).

Philip Agee serves as an Assistant Professor for Building Construction and Assistant Director for the Virginia Center for Housing Research, both in the Myers-Lawson school of Construction, with a combined 15+ years of fieldwork, design consulting, building diagnostics/analytics, and research experience in the built environment. He joined Virginia Tech in 2019.

Agee’s research focuses on employing industrial engineering design and evaluation methods (e.g., human factors) for the built environment. He has expertise in human-building interaction, applied building science, zero-energy buildings, and human-centered design. His teaching focuses on the theory, design, and construction of integrated building systems and applied building science. His work aims to improve human-technology interaction outcomes in the built environment. This podcast dives into his vast experience in multiple industries, how those industries collide, as well as the importance of occupant behavior and interface design.

In 2017, Russ founded Vaagen Timbers to produce state-of-the-art Mass Timber products for the buildings of the future. After a groundbreaking in May of 2018, Vaagen Timbers was open and certified in July of 2019. The company has delivered projects all over the US and even projects in Europe. Russ has spent countless hours working on forest collaboration to thin and restore overstocked forest stands and believes strongly that mass timber provides the best value and exposure to how we can restore our forests and build low-carbon footprint buildings in the future.

“Using an eco-friendly and integrated approach, Vaagen Timbers aims to develop and deliver beautiful, strong and versatile wood products that customers can be proud of. Their vision is to change the way people think about the places they live, work, and play, and to deliver the best product while connecting forests and communities together.” https://vaagentimbers.com/

BACKGROUND

Matt and his wife, Theresa, started Matt’s Place Foundation just after diagnosis and have since helped raise awareness of ALS and create support for PALS (people with ALS) and CALS (caretakers for ALS). Definition: a disease in which neuron cells in the brain and spinal cord slowly deteriorate. Over time, ALS destroys the ability to; walk, speak, eat, swallow, and breathe.

In this episode, Theresa talks about the needs and strategies to make homes more accessible for progressive diseases or aging in place.

ABOUT MATT WILD

In 2015, Matthew Wild, a 41-year-old former U.S. Marine, began experiencing strange feelings in his hands and arms, showing signs of muscle deterioration. Nearly a year of diet change and healthy eating had not alleviated his symptoms. In February 2015, a neurologist confirmed the initial diagnosis that Matt has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. As a former Marine who revels in the challenge of a seemingly impossible task, Matt wanted to be an inspiration for others battling ALS. Soon after his diagnosis, Matt came up with a slogan: “Uncrushable Spirit.”

WHERE TO LEARN MORE

To learn more about what was discussed in this episode of the Building HEROes Podcast, please use these additional resources.

• Matt’s Story at https://www.mattsplacefoundation.org/matts-story

• Hope & Housing Youtube Series https://www.youtube.com/@MattsPlaceFoundation

• Donate here! https://donorbox.org/matt-s-place-foundation-1

Two leaders from McKinstry explain how new builds and renovations can remove waste and climate harm through engineering, design, and technical procedures. With integrated methodology in construction projects, the company seeks to understand how increasingly complex buildings work with new legislative compliance issues, and how we can come up with innovative solutions that drive the efficiency of buildings The role of both the building operator and occupants are discussed, including passive and active strategies for both parties that can help minimize carbon impact. Customers often have big, complex problems to solve, and McKinstrey then creates partnerships to meet the needs of these problem statements.