The Role of Natural Gas in a Decarbonized Future

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AEE Energy Engineering Forum • March 25th, 2020 • 12pm – 1pm

UPDATE: This presentation’s materials and recording are now available for review. Click here for the presentation recording and materials.

Join the Columbia River Chapter of AEE on March 25th for our next Energy Engineering Forum, sponsored by Energy Trust of Oregon, as we explore a fascinating and timely topic.

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.

This event is free to attend.Members of the local AEE Columbia River Chapter will receive certificates of attendance and professional development hours.

Guest Speaker:

Anna Chittum

Anna Chittum is Director of Renewable Resources at NW Natural, where she leads the development of renewable natural gas and power-to-gas (hydrogen) opportunities. Prior to joining NW Natural, Anna consulted on best practices in business models and regulatory structures for district energy, microgrids, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. She also has led research around energy efficiency policies and programs with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Anna was a Fulbright Fellow in Denmark, where she researched local district heat planning and the use of CHP to balance variable wind generation. She holds a M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics from Gonzaga University.

Agenda:

45 minute presentation followed by Q&A

Location:

WEBINAR ONLY! No in person meeting this time…..

Celebrating 2019 & New 2020 Board Members

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Recap of 2019

It’s been a wonderful year full of exciting, challenging, and educational events here at AEE CRC. With the turn of the new year, we would like to take the time to recognize a few individuals who have been particularly crucial in making this year a success:

  • Lonny Peet – Lonny has served as president of our AEE CRC board for over three years. He has been instrumental in maintaining the success of our chapter during these years and has done an exceptional job leading the organization. Loni has stepped down as president this year. We are now lucky to have Elin Shepard leading our chapter into 2020.
  • Tina Schnell – Tina organized the CEM training this year. This was a big challenge to undertake, and Tina worked hard to make it a success. If you were lucky to have attended this event, you have Tina to thank for the accommodations, venue, and instructor’s attendance. As a member of the 2019 board, Tina kindly stepped down in order to allow the additional vacancy required for new candidates who’ve expressed interest in joining our board for 2020.
  • AEE CRC Members – Thank you to the many AEE CRC members who helped out with and attended the many Energy Engineering Forums, Building Tours, CEM training, and celebrations we held in 2019.

New Board Members of 2020

There has been a lot of interest in participating as a member of our local chapter’s board. We are happy to announce the addition of several new members of our AEE CRC board.

We’d like to introduce the following four new members of our chapter’s board, all of which are excited to bring unique contributions to the successful operation of our chapter in the coming year!

Gertrude Villaverde, Energy Engineer, Energy 350 and past Student Chapter President at OSU Cascades

My name is Gertrude Villaverde and I am an energy engineer at Energy 350. I graduated with an Honors Baccalaureate in Energy Systems Engineering from Oregon State University – Cascades this last March and started working for Energy 350 in April.

I have been an active AEE member since 2015 and for three of the past four years, I have served on the board of the AEE Cascades Student Chapter, a recognized student organization at the Oregon State University – Cascades campus in Bend, OR. In my time as treasurer, 2016-2017, I worked to increase the chapter’s budget and successfully doubled it for the following year. This was with the intention of maintaining a position on the board and with the goal of expanding services to our members. I served my first term as president in 2017-2018, during which our chapter activities doubled to include not just quarterly guest speakers, but site visits each quarter as well. In my second term as president, 2018-2019, our chapter activities grew to incorporate workshops and collaboration with other student groups, while still hosting quarterly guest speakers and site visits.

Although the number of our chapter activities continued to grow, it was important to the board to reserve enough budget to support up to ten students to go to the AEE West, formerly EMC, conference, which we deemed the most important chapter activity of the year. There is no substitute for in-person networking and this trip served as a relief for the isolation the student members felt, being so far away from everyone else in the energy industry. I hope to share my experience as a former Cascades Student Chapter board member to work with the Columbia River Chapter and not only contribute to its current agenda, but to continue my mission to bridge the gap of isolation for members not in the immediate Portland area.

Gerard O’Sullivan, Sr Engineer, AESC

I am honored to be considered for a board seat!  Honestly, my reasoning for wanting to join is because this group you have assembled are some of my favorite people in our industry.

Personally, I am looking to strengthen my outreach to our local community and the energy landscape we find ourselves in here in the pacific NW.  AEE is core to what I do on a daily basis as a Senior Engineer at AESC, where I help lead up our SEM delivery and technical analysis studies.  I also just took on a role with GridFWD, a non-profit helping to advance grid modernization in the PNW where I will be the strategic initiative & content lead, helping guide development of content for GridFWD activities, specifically the Utility Roundtable ‘Forward Focus’ workshop initiative.   Other basic background info, I am a CEM and CBCP through AEE.

My interests with the group are not yet defined. If I was going to pick from the options you outlined, I would think I would have the most interest in events & training as this aligns with the work I already perform.

Thanks again for your consideration and happy holidays!

Candice Norton, Energy Engineer II, Wildan 

My name is Candice Norton, I work for the WilldanPerformance Engineering office located in Beaverton. I’ve been in the energy efficiency field for over six years now. Istarted at Willdan Energy Solutions as an intern during my senior year of college. Once I graduated from Cal Poly in Mechanical Engineering Technology, I supported Willdan with energy audits and utility incentive applications. Over the last two and a half years I’ve moved within the company to support the Willdan Performance Engineering office in Beaverton Oregon with performance contracting/turn-key projects.

I’d like to be a board member for AEE CRC because over the last two years this chapter has been the group I’ve enjoyedbeing involved with the most, and I’d like to support the Chapter further. I’d also enjoy having an opportunity to voteon what subjects that are selected for AEE trainings and forums that support the local energy community. I especially enjoyed attending this year’s Certified Energy Manager (CEM) training.

If you select me for this board position, I will eagerly support the Columbia River Chapter in any way I can. I am especially fond of organizing and think that I would really enjoy organizing an event. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Tom Prevish, President, NWESI 

My name is Tom Prevish, and I have been a member of AEE since obtaining my CEM in 2018.  There are a lot of organizations vying for people’s time these days, but it was clear to me, early on, that the Columbia River Chapter of AEE has a good mixture of professional continuing education and camaraderie, with a well-established backbone necessary to ensure members are challenged to participate, without fear of being overwhelmed by more than they can handle as volunteers.  AEE’s mission is one to take pride in, as everyone agrees on the importance of energy in our daily lives.  I believe my experiences in leadership, and commitment to follow-up on what I say I will do, will help the Board accomplish events or activities that they’d like to add, providing even more value to attendees and therefore increasing membership.  Specifically, I would like to get involved in marketing (is an engineer allowed to admit that?!), as well helping plan new events (perhaps regional ones, with other chapters?) and trainings.

I am a mechanical engineer, with a background in thermal fluids and combustion, have worked on distributed energy generation products for 17 years, and for the last several years, have worked in the building industry, for a company that does Commissioning, Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing, Building Envelope Testing, and other services.

Thank you for your consideration.

November 2019 Energy Engineering Forum

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AEE Energy Engineering Forum • November 20th, 2019 • 12pm – 1pm

Energy Efficiency as a Locational Resource

Learn how Energy Trust of Oregon and Pacific Power are deploying Energy Efficiency as a strategy for reducing peak demand in capacity constrained regions. Our speakers will present the results of their Targeted Load Management (TLM) project in the North Santiam Valley and provide an overview of the next phase of the TLM project currently underway in Southern Oregon.

Join the Columbia River Chapter of AEE on November 20th for our next Energy Engineering Forum, sponsored by Energy Trust of Oregon, as we dive into this topic with two experts in the field.

Registration:

AEE Energy Engineering Forum: Click Here to Register

This event is free to attend and a complimentary lunch will be provided. Members of the local AEE Columbia River Chapter will receive certificates of attendance and professional development hours.

Guest Speakers:

Quinn Cherf

Quinn Cherf is a senior project manager at Energy Trust of Oregon, where she leads cross-functional teams focused on identifying new strategies to reduce peak demand in geographically targeted areas. Currently she is responsible for managing and implementing two complex and innovative location and community-targeted energy efficiency and renewable energy pilot projects. Working collaboratively with Energy Trust utility partners, the projects aim to reduce peak load capacity constraints by using targeted energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.

Prior to joining Energy Trust, Quinn worked in the United States Antarctic Program, deploying to McMurdo Station to manage the hazardous waste department and spill response teams. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and is PMP certified.

Angela Long

Angela Long is a Planning Manager for PacifiCorp’s Customer Solutions teams. Angela is responsible for demand-side management (DSM) and distributed energy resource (DER) program planning, design and valuation. In her role, she supports multiple internal departments and serves externally as a company liaison and subject matter expert to organizations such as state commissions, DSM and DER stakeholders, Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC), Regional Technical Forum (RTF), Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO), and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Angela has over 10 years of experience in energy conservation for the public and private sector and holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a specialization in energy efficiency and renewable energy from Ohio State University.

Agenda:

45 minute presentation followed by Q&A

Location:

Ecotrust (Billy J Frank Conference Center)

721 NW 9th Ave #200, Portland, OR 97209

FAQs:

  • Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
    • No – we’ll have a sign in sheet at the door!
  • Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
    • Yes – you’ll be prompted during the registration process.

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Webinar Info:

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/713377725

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122

Access Code: 713-377-725

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/713377725

 

Holiday Party 2019

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Holiday Party • December 4th, 2019, 5:30-8:30pm

Register for this event

Join us for our 2019 holiday party!

All are welcome, regardless of membership status. This will be a fun event, so make sure not to miss it!

Admission is free and drinks and appetizers will be provided.

Please join us in the Pendleton Room (upstairs) for our annual holiday celebration and annual meeting. We’ll hold a brief meeting to conduct officer elections, announce the recipients of the Wrench of the Year Award, and then it’s on to celebrating the End-of-the-Year season!

This is a free event open to members and non-members. All are welcome to attend – feel free to share the invite with coworkers and friends.

There will be:

  • Drinks!
  • Appetizers!
  • Networking!
  • Opportunities to inform our 2020 initiatives!
  • Award Winners!

Please confirm your spot by registering here!

The Wrench of the Year Awards, given by AEE CRC, are two $500 cash awards given to the individuals that best exemplify the spirit of hard work, hands-on responsibility, and determination that resulted in the successful implementation of an energy efficiency project over the last two years. Specifically the award targets on-site facility personnel that often go overlooked in major efficiency projects but whose hard work and attention are key to the successful implementation. To nominate a candidate visit: https://aeecrc.org/awards/

October 2019 – Building Tour & Networking Event

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Building Tour & Networking Event • October 15, 2019 • 2pm – 4pm

Registration

Building Tour Details

As part of Sustainable Building Week, the Association of Energy Engineers Columbia River Chapter (AEE CRC) and Energy Trust of Oregon are pleased to announce an upcoming building tour of the Multnomah County Central Courthouse.

This is a rare mid-construction tour to see behind the walls of the impressive new facility just west of the Hawthorne Bridge. The new courthouse is 463,000 sq ft, 17 stories, and will house 44 courtrooms, district attorney’s offices, judges’ chambers, and secure holding of detainees. The facility is enrolled in the Energy Trust of Oregon Path to Net Zero program and features innovation throughout the envelope and mechanical design, including high efficiency chillers & boilers, active chilled beams, and radiant floors. The project also incorporated advanced seismic bracing and resilient strategies to increase safety.

Please note: due to the fact the project is still an active construction site, we need to keep tours to a maximum of 20 people. Therefore, we will offer two tour times. Please register for the tour you would like to attend.

Please bring your own PPE (hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, close-toed shoes) to the tour.

Link to building webpage, including construction videos and renderings: https://multco.us/central-courthouse-project

To register for the building tour and optional networking event, click here

Networking Event Details

In addition to the tour, there will be an optional networking event after the tour at Paddy’s Bar & Grill, 65 SW Yamhill St, in Portland to continue the conversation. We’ll start at 3pm for the folks ending the first tour and continue until 6pm. There will be some tasty appetizers and one drink included. Come join us!

Building Tour Information

  • Date: October 15, 2019
  • Time: 2:00-4:00 pm (see agenda below)
  • Location: meet up location TBD
  • Cost: $15/CRC members+1.5 PDH; $25/non-CRC members
  • Reminder: Please bring your own PPE (hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, close-toed shoes) to the tour.

Networking Event Information

  • Date: October 15, 2019
  • Time: 3:00-6:00 pm (see agenda below)
  • Location: Paddy’s Bar & Grill, 65 SW Yamhill St, Portland
  • Cost: Free with Building Tour Registration

Agenda Summary

For any questions on the day of the event, please contact:

  • Elin Shepard, LEED AP BD+C, CEM
  • Vice President of the Association of Energy Engineers, Columbia River Chapter
  • (503) 314-9021

 

September 2019 AEE Energy Engineering Forum

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AEE Energy Engineering Forum • September 19, 2019 • 12pm – 1pm

Leveraging Commercial Benchmarking Data: A Discussion with AEE CRC Members

To achieve energy and carbon reduction goals, Cities like Seattle and Portland have been requiring commercial and residential building owners to measure and report their energy performance. Now, there is a set of longitudinal information on these buildings. What’s being done with all this data? What insights can we as energy engineers, utility program administrators, and energy managers glean from these initiatives?

Join the Columbia River Chapter of AEE on September 19th for our next Energy Engineering Forum, sponsored by Energy Trust of Oregon, as we dive into this topic with two experts in the field.

Registration

Guest Speaker: Alex Novie

Alex is a Senior Project Manager at Energy Trust of Oregon, where he manages new initiatives and analytics strategy for the commercial energy efficiency portfolio. Before joining Energy Trust, he worked as a technical consultant developing analytics and tools for energy and sustainability program administers, evaluators and policymakers with an equity lens. He holds a Master of Urban Studies in applied sustainability research with a graduate certificate in Energy Policy & Management from Portland State University. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Guest Speaker: Lisa Timmerman

Lisa Timmerman manages two mandatory energy efficiency scoring and disclosure programs on behalf of the City of Portland. She has been assisting commercial building owners to fulfill the City’s mandatory energy performance reporting requirements since 2017 and also manages the Home Energy Score requirements, which went into effect in 2018. She came to the City from 3Degrees, where she developed program marketing strategy for PacifiCorp’s Blue Sky voluntary renewable energy program. Prior to that, Lisa spent seven years designing and implementing public engagement strategies for environmental, sustainability and infrastructure projects while employed at the Port of Portland and consulting firm, EnviroIssues. Lisa holds a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from Western Washington University and a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Louisiana State University-Shreveport.

This event is free to attend and a complimentary lunch will be provided. Members of the local AEE Columbia River Chapter will receive certificates of attendance and professional development hours.

Agenda:

  • Overview of benchmarking ordinance and data analysis (10-15 minutes)
    • How we’ve used the data
    • Energy Trust participation overview
  • Discussion:
    • How often do you ask customers about building EUI and/or Portfolio Manager score?
    • What resources would be helpful from energy managers and facility managers to act on this information?
    • What trends in benchmarking do you think are important?

Location:

FAQs:

  • Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
    • No – we’ll have a sign in sheet at the door!
  • Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
    • Yes – you’ll be prompted during the registration process.

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Webinar Info:

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/679926293

You can also dial in using your phone. 
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412 

Access Code: 679-926-293 

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/679926293

 

M&V – Best Practices for Commercial and Industrial Programs

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M&V – Best Practices for Commercial and Industrial Programs

Tuesday – June 11th, 2019 • 12:00pm – 1:00pm

– REGISTER HERE FOR THIS EVENT – 

The Association of Energy Engineers Columbia River Chapter and Energy Trust of Oregon are proud to announce the next Energy Engineering Forum. This free event consists of a forty-five minute panel discussion presented by measurement and verification experts, followed by fifteen minutes of Q&A facilitated by Lonny Peet, the AEE CRC Board President.

A complimentary lunch will be provided. Members of the local AEE Columbia River Chapter will receive certificates of attendance and professional development hours.

Event Location:
Ecotrust
721 NW 9th Ave #200
Portland, OR 97209

Chris Smith

President, Energy350

Topic: M&V – Added Expense, or Cheapest Energy Savings Available?

Chris is President of Energy 350 and a Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager, Certified Building Commissioning Professional, and Certified Demand Side Manager with nearly 20 years of experience in the energy efficiency field. Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University at Buffalo and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Oregon.

Jeff Crop

Principal, Cadmus

Topic: Bridging the Gap – The Evaluator’s Approach to M&V

Jeff Cropp is a principal at Cadmus. He has more than 14 years of experience in project management, program evaluation, on‑site measurement and verification, qualitative data analysis, market research, and photovoltaic and solar thermal system design. Jeff has led more than 50 energy efficiency program evaluations for a diverse range of clients throughout North America. His current focus involves managing the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s regional Commercial Building Stock Assessment study and the evaluation of Avista Utilities energy efficiency portfolio. In this panel, Jeff will cover what evaluation is, why it’s performed, and how evaluators approach M&V in a different context from most engineers.

John Whitchurch

Energy Smart Industrial Partner, Cascade Energy

Topic: Eliminating Live Power Measurements from a Large Industrial EE Program

John Whitchurch is the Energy Smart Industrial Partner manager and has been on the ESI team since it was formed in 2010.  John is a professional Engineer with a BSME from the University of Idaho.  Prior to his ten plus years in energy efficiency engineering, he was an electrician on submarines for six years and a production/maintenance manager at a food processor for two years.  John was on the team that drafted and rolled out ESI’s new power measurement policy that expressly prohibits live power measurements.

For those attending remotely, please see below for webinar information:

Webinar Link

USA Toll Free: +1 (872) 240-3212

Access code: 849-976-349

In addition to the educational experience, several reasons to join the next association of energy engineering event include:

  • A wonderful opportunity to network with energy professionals in your area
  • AEE members of the local CRC chapter receive certificates of attendance containing professional development hours towards licensure, certification, etc

CEM 2019

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Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Training

Tickets Now On Sale for 2019 CEM Training

The Association of Energy Engineers Columbia River Chapter (AEE-CRC) will host a comprehensive five-day Training Program for Energy Managers in Portland October 28th – November 1st, 2019. Attendees will be eligible and equipped to take the certification exam proctored on the final day of training. Graduates of the program will receive the increasingly recognized and requested Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification.

The special five-day seminar provides an in-depth, comprehensive learning and problem-solving forum for those who want a broader understanding of the latest energy cost reduction strategies. The program begins by examining the fundamentals within all key areas of energy management. Students then learn, system by system, how to diagnose and analyze energy savings opportunities.

Course includes tuition, textbook (Guide to Energy Management Handbook), CEM workbook, application and exam fee ($400), one year of AEE membership, local chapter membership, and daily light breakfast and full lunch.

Register here!

Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) instructor Tim B Janos, CEM, CEA, CDSM, CSDP, BEP, will teach the course. Mr. Janos, who instructs internationally, has worked with many clients throughout the US in the automotive, industrial, educational and commercial facilities sectors on a variety of demand and supply-side energy business opportunities.

For questions, contact Tina Schnell (tschnell@aesc-inc.com).

If you are a current student interested in taking this course, we do have a limited number of discounted student tickets available – email us for more information.

A group discount for registration of three or more participants is available. This is an exclusive offer that requires manual registration and is only available by contacting us directly.

 

April 2019 – Building Tour & Happy Hour

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Tuesday – April 30th, 2019 • 2:00pm – 4:00pm

– REGISTER HERE FOR THIS EVENT – 

The Association of Energy Engineers Columbia River Chapter is pleased to announce an upcoming building tour of the Salesforce.com office in Hillsboro. Salesforce’s new offices were complete in 2013. Join us to hear more about their recent efforts to save energy and visit their amazing, fun workspace filled with color and amenities.

In addition, there will be an optional happy hour after the tour from 4-6 pm at the McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse to continue the conversation and networking (AND avoid the rush-hour traffic back into Portland). There will be some tasty appetizers and one drink included. Come join us!

Please note: there is no photography allowed on the tour and you need a picture ID to check in. There is only one kiosk for check in, so please arrive early to allow for a timely process.

Photo credit: Daily Journal of Commerce

Event Location:
Salesforce
2035 NE Cornelius Pass Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124

Cost and Registration:
$15 for Columbia River Chapter members
(Not a local CRC member yet? Become one!)
$25 for general admission
Register Here

Event Agenda:
2:00-2:30pm: Welcome – Steve Barbo, Salesforce.com
2:30-3:00pm: Overview of energy project – Jackson McDonald, Willdan
3:00-4:00pm: Tour of Facility – Steve Barbo
4:00-6:00pm: Happy Hour (Optional)

Photo credit: Fortis Construction

In addition to the educational experience, several reasons to join the next association of energy engineering event 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

March 2019 EEF – Ultra High-Efficiency Ventilation For High Performance Buildings

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As building designs continue to pursue greater user comfort coupled with efficient HVAC systems, ventilation becomes an increasingly vital part of the solution. Delivering fresh air via Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems with Heat Recovery Ventilators is becoming more common practice, however the cost of de-coupling ventilation air from conditioned air often holds back better building designs.

To demonstrate the economic benefit of de-coupled systems, we will explore the building types and situations where a DOAS/HRV system makes the most sense, how to zone indoor spaces most cost-effectively, and what target CFM/ton can be pursued to keep the payback of these systems within an acceptable range to keep them from becoming value-engineered out of a design.

REGISTER HERE

PDF Copy of Presentation

PDF Copy of Case Studies

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