flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Initiative will introduce open-source software for commercial and public building retrofits

Codes and Standards

Initiative will introduce open-source software for commercial and public building retrofits

Energy analysis tool will identify energy efficiency opportunities.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | January 22, 2019

Courtesy Pixabay

A partnership composed of Johnson Controls, CBRE, World Resources Institute (WRI), and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was recently launched to test and deploy an open-source, web-based energy analysis tool to identify energy efficient retrofit opportunities in commercial buildings.

Johnson Controls developed the LEAN energy analysis technology over the past eight years, and has used the tool to analyze retrofit opportunities in over 700 buildings. Berkeley Lab is working with Johnson Controls to automate and improve the tool and create an open-source version for public use.

CBRE will be an initial deployment partner, using the tool to help their enterprise customers target cost-effective energy efficiency retrofit opportunities across their real estate portfolios. WRI will use the open-source tool to help local governments around the world target the best opportunities for retrofitting public and private buildings within their jurisdictions.

“We believe this initiative will help drive greater investment in energy efficiency by turning readily available, monthly building energy consumption data into specific, cost-effective recommendations for improvement,” said Clay Nesler, vice president, global sustainability and regulatory affairs, Johnson Controls. An alpha version of the open-source LEAN energy analysis tool is available on GitHub at https://github.com/LBNL-JCI-ICF/better.

Related Stories

| Dec 22, 2011

Federal home weatherization program has impacted 6.8 million homes

More than 6.8 million homes have been weatherized using federal, state, utility, and other funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

| Dec 22, 2011

Group developing BIM data standards

A collaboration among Georgia Tech’s Digital Building Lab, the Precast Concrete Institute, the American Concrete Institute, and the American Institute of Steel Construction aims to develop global standards for transportation of three-dimensional digital models among fabricator, architecture, engineering, and construction groups.

| Dec 22, 2011

New green code spells out thermal requirement for roof retrofits

The 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) includes a straightforward approach to minimum thermal requirements for roof and wall systems.

| Dec 22, 2011

AGC’s safety conference Jan. 11-13 in San Antonio

The Associated General Contractors of America’s national meeting for safety and health professionals will take place Jan. 11-13, 2012 in San Antonio, TX.

| Dec 22, 2011

Proposed New York City zoning revamp encourages rooftop solar and wind energy

New zoning regulation proposals to make it easier for building owners in New York City to make their structures more sustainable have entered the public approval process.

| Dec 15, 2011

Dayton, Ohio schools saving $2.6 million annually by building to LEED

On average, green schools save about $100,000 a year on operating costs, including energy and water savings.

| Dec 15, 2011

Building to LEED standards can pose new risks for construction workers

Workers on these projects suffer a 24% increase in falls to lower levels during roof work, which researchers attributed to the installation of solar panels, and a few other risks.

| Dec 15, 2011

NRDC charges Maine governor with weakening green wood requirement

The FSC program is administered through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and requires wood to be harvested in a sustainable way.

| Dec 15, 2011

Post-tornado, Tuscaloosa seeks to create walkable urban, retail areas

Block sizes initially were limited to a maximum perimeter of 1,750 feet, with no side of the block being longer than 500 feet.

| Dec 15, 2011

Allentown, Pa. city council asked to repeal union-friendly law

The mayor of Allentown, Pa. asked the City Council to repeal a year-old ordinance that forces contractors to hire union workers for large city projects funded with state and federal dollars.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021