EVENT | TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM of analysing dynamic flow conditions are required to understand how systems and networks perform and how water efficiency can be integrated within a property without introducing unintended consequences, Jack said. Lighthouse moment In his keynote presentation on the ASHRAE Digital Lighthouse and Industry 4.0, ASHRAE President Charles (Chuck) Gulledge looked at the production process in engineering and construction. We can differentiate ourselves from the competition, identify Charles (Chuck) ourselves as the innovators, Gulledge improve our profit margin, attract and retain a digital-savvy workforce, and deliver value. Our evolution to digital maturity can deliver this harvest and more. Gulledge identified current construction industry issues, including chronic waste and the cost of rework, which is associated with poor data and communication. He pointed to the lack of productivity growth 1% over the past two decades and the sectors poor record in digitisation and use of data. Over many decades, we have perfected the dance of the silos risk and liability keep us from optimising the whole, Gulledge said, pointing to firms working to protect individual interests rather than widening the scope of what can be achieved. He said lean collaboration would lead to the sharing of risk and reward, and that digital technology would connect knowledge, to enable numerous iterations and testing with dynamic digital models. Americas carbon challenge Ben Skelton, president of Cyclone Energy Group, delivered a keynote presentation discussing Net-zero buildings from a US perspective. He began by referring to Cyclones Walgreens zeroenergy retail-store project in Chicago, which opened in November 2013. Since Ben Skelton 2012, however with the economy growing the interest for such buildings had dwindled, said Skelton. He highlighted some notable developments in zeroenergy buildings, focusing on McDonalds recent opening of its latest global flagship store outside of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The building was designed to be zero energy, featuring a variety of sustainable energy and ventilation solutions. Skelton said the New Buildings Institute has created a voluntary database that tracks new buildings across the United States of America that are seeking to be zero energy or have been verified as zero energy. The database currently has 549 buildings registered, 134 of which have been verified as zero energy. Skelton highlighted ASHRAE design guidelines to encourage zero-energy building design, and AIA Architecture 2030 Challenge initiatives. He also outlined policy drivers for zero energy, with California leading the way with its energy efficiency building codes. Access the online Technical Symposium content from 50 for members, until 8 December, at bit.ly/CJOct20access THE DEBATE: REAL OUTCOMES V THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS The symposium young engineer debate was hosted by Cundall graduate mechanical engineer Laura Luckhurst (left), who is the current CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year. The debate was on whether designing for building performance needed to focus on real outcomes rather than theoretical calculations. The session featured three prominent CIBSE YEN engineers: Munis Hameed, Ramboll Middle East and YEN in the Middle East; Erato Vasileiou, Overbury and CIBSE YEN London chair; and Anastasija Taranenko, WSP and CIBSE YEN New Zealand Region chair Vasileiou says theoretical calculations are still needed to create a benchmark. Its not that we dont need theoretical values the [process] needs to change. She said that the design intention was not being achieved in reality and there needed to be more feedback. There is more information we could gather at the end of the design process in the onsite and commissioning phases, she added. Taranenko said the issue was that, once a building is constructed, engineers move onto the next project. How many of us take a break and analyse building performance? she asked. We dont include this in our scope of works. Accreditation schemes, such as Greenstar, would push designers to look at building performance, she added. The panel agreed that regulations would help. Regulations are one of the most effective methods of making designers follow rules, said Taranenko. When Luckhurst asked whether engineers should focus on live data, rather than calculus, Hameed said there was already plenty of usable data. We cant go back to the same argument of not having enough data, he said. Taranenko said it was hard to predict how the building would be used. Sometimes the performance gap is because of how occupants use the building, she said. It was important to adjust the design to full the purpose of the building, rather than just focus on accuracy, she added. The panel agreed there is a danger of tweaking calculations just to get the design to meet requirements in Part L or Breeam. Munis said that using software to meet clients performance requirements must not be at the expense of buildability. You have to appreciate your input as designers. It has to be practically possible on site and achievable by the contractor, he said. Debate host: Laura Luckhurst 22 October 2020 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Oct20 pp20-22 Technical symposium.indd 22 25/09/2020 14:36