Agenda Packets - 2017/11/06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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INNOVATION EXCHANGE A core component of CEE's nonprofit mission is to advance the field of cost-effective energy efficiency in the public interest. The Innovation Exchange houses research and education activities that are grounded in the practical approaches of our program and field experience. RESEARCH Research informs all of our programs. We field test systems and equipment in buildings ranging from homes to high rise office towers, generating objective data on measured energy savings. We conduct technology and market assessments to identify tomorrow's energy strategies. Our nationally recognized research staff has published over 100 technical papers on building and mechanical system performance. Building energy systems and enclosures — CEE is leading efforts to field test combination water and space -heating systems and develop combustion safety protocols through a Northern STAR DOE Building America team. State of Minnesota -funded work includes field studies of advanced rooftop HVAC unit controls, condensing boiler efficiency optimization, and reducing the energy cost of effective ventilation in multi -unit buildings. We are also measuring the reduction in energy use for air sealing older low- and mid -rise commercial buildings in Minnesota. Behavioral aspects of energy use— CEE is evaluating energy savings and customer satisfac- tion from two types of feedback mechanisms on energy use provided to residential customers. We are also evaluating a service providing energy use feedback to owners/managers of multi- family buildings. Indoor air quality — CEE is monitoring incursions of secondhand smoke into non-smokers' apartments in multifamily buildings, as well as secondhand smoke transfer in hospitality venues. EDUCATION & OUTREACH The Innovation Exchange is CEE's resource for practitioners and experts to share best practices, evaluate novel ideas and discover the next generation of energy solutions. We encourage energy practitioners to explore tools based on lessons learned from our programs and research. Knowledge Dissemination — We maintain an online resource center of technical documents and data -driven tools, host events and webinars, and use innovative communication technologies to share insight and information with energy professionals. Information Visualization— We use design to synthesize information ranging from efficient lighting to the history of energy in Minnesota to both technical and non-technical audiences. Our video animations demonstrate research project procedures and results. Internally, we visualize program data sets to identify trends. Minnesota Energy Challenge—The Minnesota Energy Challenge is a free, online action guide to help Minnesotans reduce energy waste at home. Since its launch in 2006, more than 29,500 Minnesotans have pledged to save $13 million in energy costs, avoiding 240 million pounds of CO2 emissions. The Tolby (Turn Off Lights Behind You) program educates Minnesota youth about energy efficiency. PC)L11GV As a nonprofit, an integral part of CEE's mission is to foster public policies that strengthen the long-term economic and environmental interests of all Minnesotans. We focus on saving energy, which remains the lowest cost and lowest impact way to meet Minnesota's future energy needs.