DACUM Research Chart for High Performing Building Operations Professional (2016)
By The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology
This DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) is provided by the BEST Center and was facilitated by the Center on Education and Training for Employment, known as CETE, at Ohio State University. It identifies job duties, tasks, and skills needed to manage ‘high performance buildings’ and is intended to be a tool to develop curriculum for training “High Performance Building Professionals”.
This is part of a BEST Center project with the California investor-owned utilities, Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and with collaboration from the State Sector Navigator of Energy Efficiency & Utilities, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the National Science Foundation.
High Performance Building Operations Professional Chart
Printable booklet version: HPBOP Building Operations Professional Chart
High Performance Building Technician Training & Certification (2015)
High Performance Building Technicians Training & Certif. Research Report (2016)
By the Building Intelligence Group, in partnership with BEST Center
The goals of this research project are: a) to provide information to the BEST Center regarding the training and certification of high performance technicians involved in the maintenance and operations of commercial buildings, and b) to explore the potential for a national certification that would complement a two-year associate’s degree. Download a) the 2015 or b) the 2016 report.
Four Case Studies of Facilities Management and Operations Best Practices (2012)
By the Building Intelligence Group, in partnership with Laney College
These four case studies on best practices in facilities management and operations include:
- Adobe Systems Headquarters – San Jose, CA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center – Seattle, WA
- Smithsonian Institution – Washington, DC
- eBay Data Center – Salt Lake City, UT
In these examples, best practices are replicable, proactive strategies and activities that demonstrate excellence in the operations, maintenance, and management of a commercial or institutional facility. Such practices typically meet end-use requirements, improve occupant comfort, reduce energy consumption and meet sustainability goals, improve cost effective operations, and stimulate occupant engagement in energy-conscious behavior. Building technicians play a critical role in each of these studies, whether the practices are more technical or strategic in nature. Download the 4 case studies: Adobe Systems Headquarters, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Smithsonian Institution, or eBay Data Center.
Workforce Development
Attracting Students to the Skilled HVACR Trades: Barriers & Opportunities (2016)
By Kristin Heinemeier, Megan Saucke, & Katherine Bannor (UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center); Ireri Valenzuela, Gregory Harmon & Mike Howe (Research and Planning Group for CA Community Colleges)
This project’s goal was to gather information from different stakeholders concerned about issues facing the HVACR technician trade such as an overall workforce shortage. The findings and recommendations are intended to help community college and partner institutions in their efforts to attract, retain, and successfully graduate students in HVACR programs. Download the report.
HVACR Labor Analysis Reports (2015)
By HVACR Workforce Development Foundation and Burning Glass Technologies
The HVACR Workforce Development Foundation commissioned three studies to explore workforce supply and demand in the United States and Canada. The goal was to understand the opportunities available for HVACR workers and address the unique issues constraining the pipeline of talent for HVACR roles. Download a) Executive Summary, b) Labor Supply or c) Labor Demand.
Current Situation and Trends in Buildings and Facility Operations (2010)
By the Building Intelligence Group
Supported by the National Science Foundation, Laney College’s Environmental Control Technology department commissioned a study on the major challenges in buildings and facility operations. The research focuses on how technician training is impacted by global issues of energy, emissions, sustainability, market trends, legislation and regulation, technology and systems, people and processes, and the existing buildings portfolio. After examining various gaps including education, technology, and lack of standardized practices, the report outlines the steps necessary for technicians to become effective in operating high performance buildings. Download a) the report synopsis or b) the full report.
Energy Efficiency Careers: Commercial & Public Buildings (2010)
By Skill Up Washington & Workforce Development Council of Seattle‐King County
This study spotlights careers in commercial energy efficiency and inventory training programs available through local colleges, industry certification programs, and registered apprenticeships. The report features a number of jobs projected to grow over the next few years in energy efficiency in Washington State. Download the report.
Preparing Energy Technicians for the 21st Century Workforce (2011)
By Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) and Association of Community Colleges
This document summarizes discussions from the National Energy Technician Education Summit held in December 2010 in Washington DC and supported by the National Science Foundation. The report provides recommendations from energy experts and stakeholders for the facilitation of energy technician education in the U.S. Discussion centers on current and projected industry needs, financial opportunities and constraints, and enhancements to the technician educational programs that provide the energy industry with their workforce. Areas include traditional energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and transportation. Download the report from here.
Preserving Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in Buildings Operations: A New Paradigm for Technician Education (2008)
By Peter Crabtree, Dean of Career & Technical Education, Laney College
Presentation on the energy efficiency industry workforce development challenges and Laney College’s application of new energy efficient building technologies, given at NREL by Peter Crabtree for ATEEC/NREL’s Sustainable Energy Education and Training (SEET) Workshop for high school and community college educators. Download the presentation from here.
Technical
Building Commissioning: a Golden Opportunity for Reducing Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States (2009)
By Evan Mills, Ph.D., LBNL
A major update and expansion of a 2004 study, this report analyzes the world’s largest database of commissioning case studies for new and existing buildings. Evan Mills, a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, demonstrates that commissioning maximizes the quality and persistence of energy, cost, and emissions reductions. However, he argues that commissioning remains a practice whose visibility severely lags behind its potential. Download a) the report synopsis or b) the full report.
Review of Selected Home Energy Auditing Tools: In Support of the Development of a National Building Performance Assessment and Rating Program (2010)
By SENTECH, Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is embarking upon an effort to develop a national program to assess the energy performance of houses. As a component of this program, DOE is interested in understanding the variety and characteristics of currently available audit tools that have national validity. Of particular interest is the ability of these tools to accurately analyze residential building performance–regardless of climate, fuel source, architectural style, and building system–with a reasonable level of tool inputs. Additionally, DOE is interested in the ability of these tools to produce reports on estimated fuel consumption and lists of recommended building energy efficiency improvements. Download the report.
Teaching Improved Methods of Tuning and Adjusting HVAC Control Systems (2006)
By Russell Marcks, Sinclair Community College, OH
HVAC energy consumption and resultant interior conditions are strongly influenced by the accuracy with which building controls are tuned. This paper summarizes the findings from an NSF-funded project intended to a) develop a low-cost, robust method of data collection in the field independent of manufacturer or controller model, b) allow the method to be deployed by an educated control technician rather than requiring the expertise of a control engineer, and c) develop an instructional learning module on proper control loop tuning for commercial buildings. Download the report.