Building on a long-established working relationship, ASHRAE and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently signed an updated memorandum of understanding, committing to further improve efficient use of energy.

The agreement was signed at ASHRAE’s 2011 Annual Conference in Montreal. It represents an update of an agreement last signed in 2007.

Together ASHRAE and the DOE agree to work cooperatively to improve the efficient use of energy, improve the visible and widespread use of renewable energy sources and to minimize the impact of energy use on the environment.

“By renewing our memorandum of understanding, ASHRAE and DOE pledge to combine our collective energy conservation efforts,” ASHRAE President Ron Jarnagin said. “We are committed to leading our country and our world toward a sustainable energy future.”

Specifically the agreement notes that ASHRAE and the DOE are committed to working together in the following goals:

• Promote and support the continued development of ASHRAE standards related to energy efficiency, including:

• ANSI/ASHRAE/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Standard 90.1, Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.2, Energy Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality In Commercial, Institutional, Industrial and High-Rise Residential Buildings
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 100, Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135, BACnet® – A Data Communication Protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks
• ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, and
• Proposed ASHRAE/NEMA Standard 201, Facility Smart Grid Information Model.

• Support a goal for the 2013 version of Standard 90.1 to be 50 percent more energy efficient than the 2004 version of Standard 90.1.

• Promote and support Standard 90.1 through training programs, including self-directed learning, building interaction and ASHRAE chapter-oriented training.

• Cooperate in promotion for the adoption of Standard 90.1 in building codes and in the International Standards Organization (ISO) standards.

• Collaborate on the accelerated development and distribution of advanced energy design guidance publications, such as 50 percent Advanced Energy Design Guides, which can be utilized as an alternative to the prescriptive path in Standard 90.1-2013, for a more sustainable built environment.

• Work within the building community and related professions to encourage the interoperability of building related software and integrated solutions among design disciplines, manufacturers, contractors, building owners and operators, to increase energy efficiency, health and productivity in new and existing buildings.

• Provide and support communication of information regarding technology transfers to building owners and management about the interrelationships between mechanical systems and building operating costs, noting energy, indoor environmental quality workplace performance, client satisfaction and public safety.

• Collaborate to increase the impact of the energy hubs created as part of the DOE Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative.

• Support the development and implementation of next-generation refrigerants that achieve Low-global warming potential targets and concurrently improve equipment energy efficiency.

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