Atlas Buildings Hub

Storing and Saving: Using Thermal Energy Storage in Commercial Buildings
2023-12-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Thermal energy storage can contribute to both energy savings and load flexibility in buildings and is an effective way to improve your building’s system and loads. Join this webinar to learn more about thermal energy storage and gain insights from example projects exploring this opportunity.

Air-to-Water Heat Pumps: A Cold Climate Solution for High-Efficiency Cooling, Space Heating, and Water Heating
2023-12-19 12:00 - 13:00
Air-to-water heat pump (AWHP) systems are a flexible type of air source heat pump that could extend heat pump savings to more customers and integrate hot water loads. However, with this flexibility comes complexity that may hinder adoption of this new technology. In response, Center for Energy and Environment will share research results in this webinar to fill knowledge gaps and provide context to AWHP systems for Minnesota consumers. System configurations for serving heating, cooling, and hot water loads in cold climate single-family homes will be clarified based on recent market research. The strengths and weaknesses of commercially available AWHPs will be uncovered further by examining detailed field monitoring results of four AWHP retrofits in Minnesota. These field results provide real-world data on the cost-effectiveness and energy saving capabilities of AWHPs in cold climates.

Winter Heat Pump Reality Check: Is Yours Keeping Up?
2024-01-09 11:00 - 12:00
Heat pumps are leading the way as an effective energy reduction and decarbonization strategy, but barriers to implementation persist. In this webinar, Design and Construction Allies will explore the latest heat pump design guidance and technologies, presenting case studies from medium to large buildings that are utilizing heat pumps in both new and retrofitted buildings to decarbonize buildings throughout the winter season and beyond.

Maine IRA Home Energy Rebates Draft Proposal
2024-01-23 09:00 - 11:00
On January 23, 2024, from 9am-11am EST, the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), Efficiency Maine, and MaineHousing will host a public meeting on Maine’s draft plan for deploying Inflation Reduction Act funding for rebates to encourage home energy efficiency and electrification projects. This plan will form the basis of an application to the U.S. Department of Energy for approximately $71.7 million in funding for the State to implement home energy rebate programs. Interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on a draft proposal, which will be made available in advance of the meeting and described further in that discussion.
This is a hybrid meeting with the option for in-person attendance or remote participation. The in-person meeting will be held at the offices of Efficiency Maine, located at 168 Capitol St, Suite 1, Augusta, ME.
To register to participate by phone or online video conferencing, please click here.

3-2-1 Action: Transforming Climate Plans into Action
2024-01-30 11:00 - 12:00
Climate goals and aspirational plans are a valuable first step in the climate planning process. Actionable pathways and milestones are key next steps to make those plans a reality. Join this webinar to learn how organizations across sectors are employing strategies such as building prioritization, technology pilots, collaboration, and financing to de-risk progress in implementing and adapting climate plans to address the urgency of climate change.

The New Cool: The Transition to Low-GWP and Natural Refrigerants
2024-02-06 11:00 - 12:00
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) released into the atmosphere pose a significant global warming impact, prompting regulatory measures from the EPA to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs by 85% by 2036. This webinar will prepare building owners and facility managers to comply with regulations by explaining how the HFC phasedown affects technologies in commercial buildings. In addition, participants will learn how industry leaders are complying with the phasedown by transitioning to natural and low-GWP refrigerants.

Tracking and Tackling: Reducing Commercial Tenant and Scope 3 Emissions
2024-02-13 11:00 - 12:00
Commercial organizations are increasingly accounting for tenant and scope 3 emissions, but reducing these emissions and tracking progress toward a target remains a challenge. Join this webinar to hear from Better Buildings leaders and industry experts about their experiences in defining and reducing these emissions.

Addressing Existing Buildings: Building Performance Standards and Implementation Support Tools
2024-02-15 13:00 - 14:00
There is a great opportunity to make an impact by addressing the energy use and performance of existing buildings. In this webinar, speakers will discuss the use of Building Performance Standards (BPS) and outline best practices, tools, and financial incentives that can be leveraged to support BPS implementation.

Illuminating Impact: Integrated Lighting Campaign Gives Back to the Community
2024-02-27 11:00 - 12:00
DOE’s Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) recognizes innovative lighting control projects that push the envelope in terms of energy savings, novel capabilities, and non-energy benefits. Join this webinar to learn how two recognized participants upgraded their facilities and brought benefits back to their communities.

The Future of Indoor Air: Policy Solutions for Clean and Healthy Buildings
2024-03-06 11:00 - 12:00
When strategizing health and climate goals in the building sector, the US has a blind spot: indoor air. Despite being one of the country’s top five major health risks, indoor air pollution is currently overlooked and unregulated. Burning fossil fuels in buildings releases additional health-harming pollutants that exacerbate climate change. A recent report from RMI summarizes how indoor air quality guidelines are a critical first step to effectively address indoor air pollutants, and how they can inform policy measures to mitigate risk.
RMI will host a virtual panel discussion on March 6th, 2024 at 11am ET, summarizing their recent report and convening industry experts to illuminate why now is the ideal time to improve indoor air and what policy solutions are available to deploy. They’ll also answer key questions about indoor air pollution and building performance, including those from audience members.

Energy Code Enforcement Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Communities
2024-03-21 13:00 - 14:00
With fewer building department staff, longer distances to travel between job sites, and less opportunity for workforce education and training, energy code enforcement can present unique challenges in rural communities. This webinar will highlight some of these specific challenges faced by code officials and others in the field and describe existing solutions and new opportunities to help improve code enforcement and compliance.

Packaging and Marketing Comprehensive Home Energy Upgrades: Results of a Nationwide Study
2024-04-01 14:00 - 15:00
Comprehensive home energy upgrades can be expensive for most homeowners, but a new report finds that targeting the right audience, with the right messages, and offering attractive upgrade packages with appealing financing can significantly shift behavior. State energy offices putting energy efficiency programs into place can use this information with their marketing partners and contractor networks to maximize uptake and increase efficiency and comfort for homeowners.
Join us for a webinar to learn about the results of this nationwide survey asking 1,500 homeowners to reflect on scenarios in which they would invest (or not invest) in comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades. Attendees will hear insights from experts in both the marketing and residential energy efficiency fields who will discuss the potential impacts of the research.

Maximizing Municipal Energy Strategies
2024-04-03 08:00 - 17:00
The U.S. Department of Energy State and Community Programs (SCEP) office is launching a new educational webinar series focused on Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) in the non-federal sector. The next webinar in this series, “Maximizing Municipal Energy Strategies” is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th 11:00 am PDT and will feature an interview with Lindsay Hawes, Municipal Energy Program Manager at City of San Diego. Lindsay will share how she is navigating the challenges of implementing a new ESPC strategy that promises to address the modernization needs and decarbonization efforts of municipal government.
Attendees will also learn how eProject eXpress (ePX) makes it easy for project owners and their ESCOs to manage project documents, track data, and report on project achievements. All municipal stakeholders, including leadership, sustainability, finance, legal and facility staff are welcome!

Decarbonizing Residential Space Heating in Cold Climates
2024-04-03 13:00 - 14:00
Decarbonizing home heating can be challenging in the coldest U.S. regions. Electric heat pumps can operate in very low temperatures, but with reduced performance and the potential for increasing winter peak electricity demand. Hybrid systems with biofuel backups for the coldest days could help economically yet wouldn’t achieve full decarbonization. How can clean heating be achieved in the most extreme winters without straining household budgets?
Join this webinar to hear the results of a new ACEEE report examining the future costs of decarbonized heating in the coldest areas of the country. Report authors and outside experts will discuss the impacts of several possible technologies, including common heat pumps, furnace and boiler options, the use of low-carbon backup fuels stored in small tanks, and adoption of air-to-water heat pumps.

The Intersection of Energy Codes and Electrical Codes on the Road to Decarbonization
2024-04-18 13:00 - 14:30
As the U.S. housing stock electrifies and decarbonizes in the coming decades, hundreds of millions of new electric loads will be added to new and existing dwellings. The cost and burden of this transition will depend, in part, on the need to upgrade the nation’s electrical infrastructure. The National Electric Code (NEC) is used nationally to calculate electrical loads and size service infrastructure and has been identified as an obstacle in addressing existing dwellings. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) has led an effort funded by the US DOE to review the existing electrical code for barriers to household electrification, which led to an analysis by LBNL of sub-metering data to support proposed changes to the code. This session will address NEC requirements around solar PV, home batteries, and Energy Management systems. Speakers will summarize the barriers identified in the current electrical code, present an overview of project data analysis, and review proposed code changes.
Continuing education credits (AIA and ICC) will be offered for most of the live events. Instructions for requesting certificates of completion will be provided during each webinar.
Learn more about the BECP Energy Code Webinar Series: https://www.energycodes.gov/becp-energy-code-webinar-series

Ductless cold climate heat pumps for multifamily applications
2024-04-25 12:00 - 13:00
Approximately 25% of multifamily units in buildings with four units or fewer and more than 40% of units in larger multifamily buildings (MFB) in Minnesota are heated with electric resistance heat (MN Energy Efficiency Potential Study, 2018). This is particularly prevalent in lower-income buildings whose occupants can least afford high heating costs. Technological advances in cold climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) technology offer an opportunity to reduce heating energy use and occupant energy costs in this underserved housing sector. However, retrofit applications of ccASHPs to MFBs is distinctly different from that in single-family homes, and it is crucial to effectively recognize and address these differences for ccASHPs to meet their truly large savings potential in MFBs.
Hear key findings from Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) on a field study of a sample of ccASHPs in four Minnesota multifamily buildings, where CEE installed, monitored and evaluated the performance of these ccASHPs over at least one full heating season. The presentation will cover the detailed performance data to unpack the trade-offs of different ccASHP applications and approaches, installation best practices, the importance and impact of good controls, and interactions with existing and supplemental heating sources.

Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 Infrastructure
2024-04-26 13:00 - 15:30
Schools are invited to watch the White House’s first-ever Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 Infrastructure on April 26th, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to providing communities equitable access to energy efficient, climate resilient, and healthy school facilities that are conducive to learning. This summit will highlight the pressing need for sustainable 21st-century school infrastructure and the impact that facility conditions have on student and teacher health and learning outcomes.
The event will also provide deeper insight into the tools and existing commitments offered by the federal government to invest in school sustainability and infrastructure. Students, educators, administrators, parents, and other school stakeholders are invited to tune in to the opening plenary and panels on April 26th from 1 – 3:30 p.m. ET.

2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard: Are Cities Living up to their Climate Commitments?
2024-04-30 12:30 - 13:30
As the primary drivers of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cities are facing an urgent need to quickly take actions that will reduce their carbon footprint. Many have set ambitious targets to lower GHG emissions, increase renewable energy, electrify the buildings and transportation sectors, and to do so while advancing racial and social equity. But are cities’ leaders doing their part to meet these goals?
Join us and find out as we reveal city rankings from the 2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard. We’ll also discuss emerging trends in clean energy plans, policies, and programs across the country. Attendees will hear from officials in several leading cities about what they are already doing, and planning, to reduce energy use and GHG emissions, while simultaneously advancing racial and social equity.

Your Guide to an Equitable Energy Transition
2024-05-09 14:00 - 15:00
Join Enterprise, Housing Partnership Network, and RMI on Thursday, May 9th for a deep dive into our new digital resource, the Affordable Housing Decarbonization Hub. We’ll introduce each of the partners involved in creating this resource, guide you through navigating the site, and offer opportunities to provide feedback to help us grow the Hub to empower your decarbonization journey.

Using LIHEAP and WAP to Expand Low-Income Solar Access
2024-05-09 14:00 - 15:00
Low- and moderate-income households make up fewer than 20% of solar adopters, despite representing over 40% of U.S. households. Federal assistance programs—like the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)—can address this solar access gap through a variety of pathways for low-income households. Just last year, WAP and LIHEAP issued guidance to support the inclusion of solar. The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have published new resources to help integrate solar into these services for low-income households, including a decision guide, implementation toolkit, case studies, and more: http://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/solar-resources-wap-and-liheap
A new report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), “Solar Pathways in Federal Energy Assistance Programs: Expanding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP),” chronicles NREL’s efforts to document successful implementation pathways through analyzing LIHEAP and WAP annual plans, surveying LIHEAP grant recipients and WAP Grantees about obstacles to solar implementation, and conducting interviews and workshops with program administrators. Read it here: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy24osti/88519.pdf In this webinar hosted by the Clean Energy States Alliance, report authors will discuss their findings and explore effective ways that WAP and LIHEAP state agencies can bring solar to their clients.
Speakers:
– Juliana Williams, Energy Markets and Policy Specialist, NREL
– Jenna Harmon, Researcher, Decision Support Analysis, NREL
– Matt Ohloff, Clean Energy States Alliance (moderator)

Public Workshop: Zero-Emission Space and Water Heater Standards
2024-05-14 08:00 - 17:00
The California Air Resources Board (CARB or Board) staff invite you to participate in a virtual public workshop to provide input on the development of zero greenhouse gas emission standards for space and water heaters. These standards seek to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from new space and water heaters sold in the state to help meet California’s climate goals and federal air quality standards. At this workshop, staff will solicit input on an updated draft regulatory proposal. Staff will request feedback on zero-emission technology types, costs, and adoption rates to include in the modeling work to estimate emission reduction and cost impacts for the regulatory proposal. Staff will also solicit input on suggestions for alternative regulatory concepts for inclusion in the Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment that will be prepared for this regulatory action. In addition, this workshop will also serve as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) scoping meeting to solicit input on the scope and content of the Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) to be prepared for the proposed project.

This workshop is one in a series of workshops and focused meetings with interested parties that CARB will be hosting to inform the rulemaking process for zero-emission space and water heater standards.

Getting Cashback for Clean Energy: Direct Pay Tax Credits for Nonprofits
2024-05-21 13:00 - 14:00
The DOE Renew America’s Nonprofits Program is hosting a webinar Tuesday, May 21 at 1PM ET highlighting a new funding opportunity: Elective Pay (also called “direct pay”). As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, nonprofits are now eligible to receive direct cash payments equal to the full value of tax credits for qualifying clean energy or transportation projects.
Hospitals, housing providers, religious institutions, and other community-based organizations are invited to learn more about eligible technologies and how tax-exempt entities can take advantage of tax credits worth up to 70% of the project cost.
Speakers include:
* Alex Kate Halvey, AAAS Fellow, DOE Office of Policy
* Daniel Bresette, President, Environmental and Energy Study Institute
* Ben Evans, Federal Legislative Director, U.S. Green Building Council

Navigating Organizational Funding for Home Energy Upgrade Programs in Justice 40 Communities
2024-05-21 13:00 - 16:00
The federal government is releasing historic amounts of funding to advance home energy upgrades in the United States right now, with many specifically dedicated to delivering energy savings, comfort, and health benefits to Justice 40 communities. Many of these funding opportunities come with difficult applications and complicated requirements due within short timelines.
Join us for a three-hour workshop to hear actionable advice on the nuts and bolts of applying for Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law grants, prizes, and technical assistance. Participants will hear from municipal staff and community leaders about their experiences applying for federal grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000,000. Industry experts will detail best practices for finding federal opportunities that match participant priorities and completing a successful application. The workshop will culminate in a breakout room session where participants will work through a sample funding opportunity notice, creating a sample project plan and drafting an outline to complete a successful federal grant application.
This is the first workshop in a series organized by EPA and R2E2 and designed to support community-based organizations, small businesses, and local governments in creating equitable efficiency and electrification home upgrade programs.

Power demand is skyrocketing. What should utilities do about it?
2024-05-29 13:00 - 14:00
The U.S. is in the midst of a major electricity growth spurt — and power grids aren’t ready to handle it. New data centers and factories are pushing near-term power demand growth way beyond forecasts, and electric vehicles and building electrification will add even more strain in years to come.
A number of utilities are asking regulators to approve the construction of new fossil-gas power plants to meet rising demand, but they threaten to derail the country’s fight against climate change. Cleaner, cheaper alternatives are readily available.
Join Canary Media and expert guests for a live online discussion on the challenge posed by fast-rising electricity demand and what utilities should be doing about it.

Leveraging the Most Effective Messages on Appliance Standards
2024-05-29 13:30 - 15:00
The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) and The American Council at an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) are delighted to invite you to a webinar unveiling new audience and messaging research to enhance our collective communications and advocacy efforts for strong energy efficiency standards. Please join us for a presentation and Q&A session where we will walk through the key takeaways from recent audience and messaging research and testing, including messages that move specific audiences to action. We will also offer actionable recommendations for how our allies and like-minded organizations can employ the research findings in our communications and advocacy plans to influence the narrative and policy around efficiency standards.

In Case You Missed It: 2024 Better Buildings Summit Sample
2024-06-04 11:00 - 12:00
In April, the Department of Energy hosted the 2024 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit. This webinar showcases Summit presentations from the higher education, industrial, public, and multifamily sectors. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to catch one of the talks you might have missed

Marketing and Promoting Electrification Using Behavioral Science
2024-06-05 13:00 - 14:00
A new nationwide survey of nearly 2,000 homeowners and renters found that among those interested in transitioning their homes from fossil fuels to efficient electric systems, the most common reasons were the environment, health and safety, and energy efficiency. Perceptions of the expensiveness of switching to electricity and specific preferences about cooking with gas dominate the barriers to electrification. And customers with specific beliefs and experiences are most likely to switch. Putting these findings into practice is the real challenge. How do we encourage electrification more broadly using behavioral science?
Join us for a webinar as we delve into the details of this new report and discuss the findings with experts in the field. Attendees will learn about programs that have successfully moved households to electrify from Washington, DC, and the rest of the country.

Now What? Putting the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to Work
2024-06-06 12:00 - 12:30
In April 2024, the EPA awarded $14 billion to three applicants under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF). One of the applicants was Power Forward Communities, a coalition led by Enterprise Community Partners, Rewiring America, Habitat for Humanity International, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and United Way Worldwide. They were awarded $2 billion to decarbonize homes across the U.S. In this Monthly, our guest Aimee Witteman from Rewiring America will talk about the award and what the coalition is planning to do.

Hacking the Code: Building Performance Standard Integration and Implementation
2024-06-11 11:00 - 12:00
Building Performance Standards (BPS) empower state and local governments to achieve decarbonization, energy, and water goals. Hear from the BPS Technical Assistance Network and Better Climate Challenge partners on the value of having BPS and how building owners are integrating them into their planning.
Presenters:

Billierae Engelman, U.S. DOE
Michael Miranda, National Housing Trust
Jennifer Pritchard, Seattle Housing Authority
JoAnna Saunders, District of Columbia

RMI and National Grid Examine the Role of Non-Pipeline Alternatives in the Energy Transition
2024-06-17 13:00 - 14:00
As the United States strives to meet ambitious climate targets and transition to cleaner energy sources, the changing role of natural gas utilities is paramount. With over 77 million customers receiving energy from gas utilities, a shift away from fossil fuels is challenging but essential. In this webinar, utility decarbonization experts from RMI, National Grid, and PG&E discuss the research findings from a recent RMI-National Grid joint report on the role of non-pipeline alternatives (NPAs) and integrated energy planning in shaping the energy transition.
Non-pipeline alternatives aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce costs by offering alternatives to traditional natural gas systems. These can include electrification of a building’s equipment or connection to lower-carbon infrastructure like thermal energy networks. National Grid and RMI’s research focused on nine case studies from the US and Europe that shed light on current efforts underway, and what challenges must be addressed to advance this promising solution in step with better integrated energy planning by utilities.
