According to ASHRAE, a major focus of the technical programs will be existing and emerging technologies that lessen the impact of HVACR on the environment. Advances in supermarket refrigeration will be explored in a symposium and papers will be presented evaluating new refrigeration system configurations that could offer the potential to reduce energy use and refrigerant charge.

ASHRAE says that a number of jurisdictions in the United States are currently developing or implementing policies, including tax credits, to stimulate energy efficiency or green building design. Some of these policies use ASHRAE standards as the performance base. A seminar will be presented during the meeting to explore the options being considered, as well as pros and cons of tax credits as policy drivers.

Solar energy and geothermal heat pumps will be discussed in two forums addressing alternative and sustainable technologies. ASHRAE believes that building owners and energy managers are interested in geothermal heat pumps (GHP) due to the significant energy savings that can occur when conventional HVAC equipment is retrofitted with GHPs. Another forum will explore what ASHRAE and its members can do to help increase solar energy use.

Other sessions will focus on building security. One forum will explore problems with designing HVACR systems to operate under emergency conditions, while another seminar will examine building automation computer security after Sept. 11.

Several other sessions will be available, which will cover a number of other topics including safety, standards, and more. For additional information on the winter meeting, go to www.ashrae.org (website).

Publication date: 09/23/2002