Advanced Energy Design Guide
The Advanced Energy Design Guide was developed to provide contractors and designers with a simple approach to exceed energy savings of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999 by 30%. Without resorting to time consuming analysis, the guide offers a means for construction professionals to provide owners with more value through a combination of optimized process and proven design practice. Written for office buildings no greater than 20,000 square feet, the guide is meant as a supplement to the 90.1 standard, with an outline that reads more like a textbook than code specification. The energy saving goals and means are broken down by building component; envelope, lighting, HVAC, service water heating, and more. Hour-based energy analysis software verified the 30% savings in energy. This guide provides detailed tables, climate zone-specific examples, and stepwise methodology.
Is Changing Climate Driving Water Management Processes?
Written by Donald Keer, PE In light of the ongoing drought in the Midwest which is affecting food production, transportation and industry operations, a review of Federal recommendations is appropriate. Not only is corn production stunted but the Mississippi River was...
Information Management in an Electronic Age
John P. Sieminski, Esquire Burns, White & Hickton, LLC Information Explosion The world is going digital and the business world is no exception. It is estimated that over 90% of new information is created on an electronic device in digital form. Of that electronic...
Marcellus Shale: Future Energy Source or Fracking Mess?
Written by Don Keer, PE, MDCSystems® Consulting Engineer The Marcellus Shale natural gas deposit is currently the focus of intense exploration and development that could provide energy for the entire U.S. for the next 100 years. As with any development of an energy...
The Internet of Things : Managing Risk & Reward
A hot topic in the industry today is the “Internet of Things” (IoT). The IoT is the use of “smart” devices, transmitters and systems to facilitate the real time transmission of information, control of equipment and optimized operation of systems; often including or via some Internet-based communication network. The objective is to make the information available anywhere, easily and in real time to improve decision making and operations. Information is collected by the devices and transmitted via a wireless network to a centralized and/or cloud-based “head end” and control commands are sent back via the same system. The IoT has been enabled by advances in the miniaturization of computer processing power, the development of interoperable communications and processing platforms and the growing ubiquity of high-speed, wireless, broadband networks. That’s the stuff that puts your email on your smartphone.
Hurricane Sandy – Another Storm, Same Recovery Challenges
In my personal experience, gasoline lines (fuel shortages) and communications problems have been predictable after effects of major storms for fifty years. My first storm recovery effort was Hurricane Agnes in 1972. At the time I was a student at Penn State University (recently released from four years of active duty) and a Captain in the Pennsylvania National Guard based out of Lewistown, PA. During the storm we performed rescue and evacuation work in and around Lewistown and then food distribution and fuel delivery to local municipalities on the I – 80 corridor from Altoona to Scranton. Many roads were destroyed in Central Pennsylvania and many bridges were missing resulting in isolation for many communities.
Water Treatment & Distribution
Donald R. Keer, P.E., Esq. MDCSystems® Consulting Engineer Clean water is necessary in almost every aspect of an industrialized society. Ironically; the greater the industrialization, the harder and more expensive it is to treat water to ensure its purity. Moreover;...
Solar Analysis Report
Amal Kabalan
MDC Systems®
Consulting Engineer
Today there is a lot of dialogue about ‘being green’, ‘energy efficiency’, and ‘carbon footprints’. One of the main promises of campaigning politicians is investing in renewable energy technology. Every other commercial on TV or in a magazine speaks about green energy. Solar power is a major component of the renewable energy mix. By now, most people know that solar energy is a pollution free technology; it has the potential to reduce your carbon footprint and provide clean energy for future generations. In 2010 state imposed rate caps on electricity are set to expire, and utilities are positioning themselves for massive rate increases in Pennsylvania.
Fukushima – The Rest of the Story
Fukushima - The Rest of the Story[1] ( AKA Paul Harvey ) By Robert C. McCue, P.E. The complete Japanese investigation of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant disaster of 2011 was recently released in a 641 page report ( the “Official Report”) with the conclusion that...
Building Envelope Investigations
MDCSystems® has performed building exterior envelope investigations for over forty years on all types of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Some of these investigations have included unique aspects of work concerning: