ASHRAE is more than just a publisher. It is a global organization of dedicated leaders who share and innovate for making a difference today for tomorrow’s technology. Here is a brief description of a few projects.
DECARBONIZATION
The ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization (TFBD) has been established to develop technical resources and provide leadership and guidance in mitigating the negative carbon impact of buildings on the environment and the inhabitants of our planet.
“In a similar vein to how ASHRAE took the lead in responding to the energy crisis of the 1970s era and defined the energy efficiency journey, ASHRAE has much to offer with respect to paths for responsible decarbonization strategies,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E., HBDP.
Further emphasizing the Society’s commitment to solving the technical challenges of building decarbonization, the board of directors approved the transition of the ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization from an ad hoc committee (TFBD) to the permanent Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization.
ASHRAE and the International Code Council announced joint development of Proposed ASHRAE/ICC Standard 240P - Evaluating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Carbon Emissions in Building Design, Construction and Operation, will provide a whole life carbon approach to support emissions reductions in buildings. The goal is consistent procedures and data to be referenced by policies, codes, and other standards that address new and existing building performance.
“There is growing demand around the world for consistent building decarbonization guidance that acknowledges the impact of carbon emissions transpired at the beginning of the construction phase to demolition, and accounts for the changes in building operation and performance over time,” said 2022-23 ASHRAE President Farooq Mehboob, Fellow Life Member.
ASHRAE’s 2023-24 president, Ginger Scoggins, announced the winners of the 2023 Decarbonization Challenge, a grant program to assist ASHRAE chapters in implementing decarbonization projects in their communities. An impressive 43 applications were submitted and nine chapters will receive grants ranging between $2,000 to $10,000 for a total of $65,850, with additional matching funds from partnering organizations of the selected projects. The projected carbon savings will be on the order of 2.3 million kilograms of CO2 over the life cycles of the selected projects based on submitted calculations.
Decarbonization Challenge winners and photos can be found at ashrae.org/DecarbChallengeFund.
COVID-19
ASHRAE mobilized its resources when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. It formed the epidemic task force and published a series of technical guidance for reopening and operations of public, indoor spaces to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Results include:
SPACE
ASHRAE does not neglect the stars as it promotes sustainable building practices and finds ways to mitigate global climate change on Earth. ASHRAE’s leadership in HVAC&R technology includes guidance suitable for space, as well as applying what is learned above the sky to best practices on the Earth’s surface.
ASHRAE Journal author and podcast presenter John Constantinide, P.E., pointed to ASHRAE’s relevance: ”ASHRAE again has a unique opportunity to get involved with the built environment and space to not necessarily reinvent itself, but continue its mission and envision a healthy, sustainable built environment for all. It doesn’t have to be limited to this planet.” He added, “It can extend beyond the boundaries of this planet, and ASHRAE has an incredible waypoint to extend its mission and vision, and to really hone in on sustainability on extraterrestrial bodies and elsewhere.”
The Journal’s recent coverage of HVACR technology in space includes:
Previous articles appearing on the cover of ASHRAE Journal included technology used in spacesuits and on the International Space Station. The technology learned beyond Earth's atmosphere may drive the technology and applications suitable for the built environment on Earth's surface.