Mechanical and electrical engineers, Lauren Blas and Robert Garra, will present during the New York State Engineering Technology Association (NYSETA) conference on Thursday, October 16.
Niagara Falls Culinary Institute – High Performance Culinary Lab
Lauren Blas, EIT, LEED AP
Transformed through the adaptive reuse of the abandoned Rainbow Centre Mall in Niagara Falls, NY, the Niagara County Community College’s Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI) fully engages the community both academically and economically. Six state-of-the-art culinary teaching spaces, designed to accommodate current and future techniques and technologies, provide the education and experience needed to operate the foodservice venues, while a pastry production lab provides daily goods to local businesses.
The NFCI’s solution for mechanical systems in such a dynamic facility required an integrated approach to balance the project’s construction budget with the College’s goals of energy conservation and maintainability of systems with limited operational resources. The systems were also designed to minimize their carbon emissions in a facility type known for inherently high fossil fuel consumption.
Intelligent Lighting Control and Energy Performance
Robert Garra Jr., PE, CDT
How well does the average user understand digital lighting controls and the software that drives it? What about appreciating control systems and infrastructure that are quickly becoming the norm in our industry?
A real-time case study of Coppin State University’s Science and Technology Center will be featured during this presentation. The integration among architecture, mechanical systems and, perhaps most importantly, the end user will be discussed. Attendees will learn how the highly sophisticated lighting control system is contributing to Coppin’s LEED Gold center, is projecting to operate 20% below the baseline for an equivalent code-compliant lab building, and is a major factor in achieving superior performance within the building.
Rob will highlight the Science and Technology Center’s use of time scheduling and occupancy control, plus four additional strategies: daylight harvesting, task tuning, personal control, and load shedding. Combined, these six strategies significantly reduce the building’s electricity consumption and maximize efficiency.
NYSETA is a professional organization representing the New York State faculties and institutions that teach engineering technologies. The conference is being held at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute in Niagara Falls, New York. More information can be found here.