The Process Approach of Human-Building Interaction (HBI)

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:00:00 GMT

How can we apply an approach based on usability to help people reduce their energy use in the buildings where they live and work?

in other words: The Important Messiness of Design Thinking

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Design thinking promises creative, empathetic, analytical thinking, but does not promise to deliver solutions neatly or quickly. While design thinking can be applied neatly, welcoming complexity and nurturing it in the problem-solving process will provide better long-term solutions.

Data Collection and Analysis for the Regional Indicators Initiative

Tue, 28 May 2013 15:51:25 GMT

i.e. sat down with LHB's Rick Carter to learn more about data collection strategies and underlying assumptions of the Regional Indicators Initiative and how other regions could track metrics for sustainability.

Reflections on LIGHTFAIR

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

How do the newest lighting technologies perform off the showroom floor, and in which applications could they save money and energy? Staff from CEE's One-Stop Efficiency Shop® explain the implications of the trends at this year's LIGHTFAIR.

Not Forgetting about the Contributions to Ambient Air Quality

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

The recent strengthening of some EPA standards raise the the question: how far can restrictions on point-source polluters be taken? One solution is to find ways to control pollution away from the source. Enter: energy efficiency.

Introduction to Megan Hoye

Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Megan Hoye joined the Innovation Exchange as Engagement Coordinator in April 2013. In this guest post, she introduces herself and how she sees her experience and interests serving the mission of CEE.

How to Start a Green Buildings Program: Part 2

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

“Sustainability is the long-term goal and green buildings are one of the ways to get there... the briefest definition of green buildings is that they are common sense buildings.”

A guest post from NYSERDA’s Craig Kneeland

Background and Assumptions of Our Energy Financing Animation

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:21:22 GMT

A Q & A to describe the various perceptions of energy efficiency's wider economic benefits and the assumptions behind our animation's financing and job creation calculations.

The Energy Challenge'D: Crowdsourcing for Energy Efficiency

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Several recent projects have demonstrated how online crowdsourcing can solve problems, share resources, and spread enthusiasm. So... could we use crowdsourcing to gather energy data or encourage efficiency?

Learning from Public Health about Behavior Change

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

For those of us trying to influence public energy consumption, we need to answer the question: “what makes public health campaigns successful in changing behaviors?”

State Conservation Applied Research and Development Grants to Fund Upcoming Efficiency Research

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources awarded CEE five CARD grants for projects to investigate new technologies with the potential to further energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact and keeping energy rates low for all Minnesotans.

How to Benchmark Your Buildings

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Benchmarking compares the energy performance of one building to a set of other similar buildings. It does not save energy directly, but can give you an idea if behavior change or technological investments could impact your building's performance.

Reflections on "The China Dream"

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:03:06 GMT

Could equating the good life with relationships, opportunities, and health reduce consumption and lower overall energy demand? We review an Ensia Live lecture by Peggy Liu about reframing the idea of prosperity for China’s middle class.

The Regional Indicators Initiative: Metrics to Promote Sustainability

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

This guest post from LHB's Rick Carter describes tracking the progress of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program and outlines key findings so far.

Spring Update from the Innovation Exchange

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Our new website offers a cleaner design, better ways to highlight new work, and more direct access to our library of tools. We hope to continue bringing you insightful knowledge from the field, even if it is a bit muddy and icy at the moment.

Graphics Best Practices

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:24:34 GMT

Like good writing, good visual storytelling requires time and critical thinking. But once you’ve identified the “message” in your data and defined a target audience, you can take advantage of well-tested methods in graphic communication.

Reflections on BuildingEnergy 2013

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

BuildingEnergy is an annual interdisciplinary renewable energy and high-performance building conference and trade show. Highlights included case studies from resilient cities, electric grid security, and a discussion of LEED standards for neighborhood development.

Building Automation System Overview

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

It takes ingenuity to control mechanical equipment optimally. Building automation systems are a key component in assuring that mechanical equipment is operating properly and identfying which energy saving measures to take.

Fieldwork and Evaluation

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

An interview with Michael Blasnik about understanding the actual performance of buildings using measured data.

Behavior and Usability: At the Interface of Human-Building Interaction

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

We need to apply user-centered approaches to the design of the appliances, technologies, and equipment that consume the energy that we use in our homes and workplaces.