Image credit: orangejon via Flickr

Renewable Energy, including wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems have experienced rapid growth in the last two years. Wind energy now supplies 6% of the U.S electricity capacity and solar just reached 1% in 2012, with both looking forward to continued market growth.

In the Tennessee Valley, wind and solar energy systems now offset enough electricity to power approximately 10,000 homes. Led by Nick Safay of EcoLogical Energy Systems, this program will bring attendees up to speed on all the latest developments and explore Innovative incentive programs and grid-tied systems which have increased demand, lowered costs and made renewable systems more accessible to residential and commercial users.

COST: w/ Lunch- $15 Members/$20 Non-Members. Students admitted at the member rate with College Photo ID.

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Image © Hannaford via Flickr

Familiarize yourself with stormwater technologies, manufactured devices and treatment train options to enhance system performance and sustainability at this Chattanooga Lunch & Learn on May 22, 2013.

In order to operate effectively, stormwater technologies need to be specified according to the intended land use as well as conditions for which those technologies are designed to operate.

Presented by Mark B. Miller, P.G., a research scientist with AquaShield,TM Inc., this topic focuses on green infrastructure designs that rely on Low Impact Development (LID) practices and includes an examination of two case studies in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

COST: w/ Lunch- $15 Members/$20 Non-Members. Students admitted at the member rate with College Photo ID.

Image © Jude Hill

One of the leading causes of energy waste from heating, cooling, and condensation issues in commercial buildings is inadequate insulation. Properly installed, insulation quickly adds up to significant return on investment over the life of a building.

However, choosing the right insulation can be a daunting task. Materials currently on the market offer differing degrees of thermal, fire, moisture and soundproofing protection, and many new and innovative insulation products are available.

Led by building energy efficiency scientist and researcher Jeff Christian, this presentation offers a breakdown of insulation options and applications tailored to make your project as efficient as possible.

COST: w/ Lunch- $15 Members/$20 Non-Members. Students admitted at the member rate with College Photo ID.

Topics covered include:

• Why are our cities and towns so short of resources despite decades of robust growth?
• Why do we struggle at the local level just to maintain our basic infrastructure?
• How do we address our problems in a dramatically different economy?

Led by Chuck Marohn from Strong Towns.

When: Tuesday, April 30, 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Goins Building Auditorium, Pellissippi State Community College

CEUs: 1 AIA/1 GBCI

Cost: FREE

Get a hands on look at some of Knoxville’s most cutting-edge in sustainable and green design on Saturday, May 4, 2013! This open-house format tour will educate tour goers on systems and designs that make up some of Knoxville’s ‘greenest’ buildings, which are healthier, more durable, use fewer resources and save on operations and maintenance costs.

Tour goers will see up to eight (8) structures in a wide price range and building size in or near Downtown Knoxville. Each stop will have on-site experts plus educational materials on sustainable features, economic savings, and construction details.

Featuring guided tours of:

• Scripps Networks Interactive Headquarters (LEED Gold) 
• UT’s Ayres Hall’s Historic LEED Renovation (LEED Silver)
• The Knoxville Transit Center (LEED Silver)
• Three Rivers Market (Designed to meet 2010 LEED Retail NC criteria)
• Ijams Nature Center Solar Array
• Sustainable Future Net Zero Office
• The UT Solar Decathlon House
• East Town Mall Spectrum Solar Exhibit

The tour is open and FREE to the public (RSVP required) and offers 2 AIA and 2 GBCI credits with paid admission. Once registered, attendees will receive a booklet with information concerning the tours, including a map with directions to each tour location.

COST: Free, $15/$25 for two with CEU

WHEN: May 4, 2013 from 9am-2pm

WHERE: In and around downtown Knoxville, TN

To RSVP for the tour, visit the Green+Go Eventbrite Page or contact USGBC-ET at 865-208-7887 and easttnusgbc@gmail.com

Design with appropriate lighting systems featuring efficient light sources, fixtures, and controls- including a combination of daylighting, occupancy sensors, scheduling timers and dimmers- can reduce energy use, improve the visual environment, and affect the sizing of HVAC and electrical systems. Properly done, this can reduce unnecessary use of lighting by 20 to 90 percent, lower electricity costs and reduce CO2 emissions.

Led by Jack O’Hanlon of the O’Hanlon Group, this presentation will help chart a course to maximize these potential savings while complying with new ASHRAE standards.

COST: w/ Lunch- $15 Members/$20 Non-Members. Students admitted at the member rate with College Photo ID.

CREDITS: 1 GBCI credit, 1 AIA LU/HSW credit. Eligible for engineer PDH.

KNOXVILLE: RSVP Online @ Eventbrite
DATE: Friday, Apr. 19, 2013
TIME: 11:30am- 1:00pm
LOCATION: Calhouns on the River (400 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902)

FOR MORE INFO & RSVP CONTACT: easttnusgbc@gmail.com or 865-208-7887

Led by Ken Scalf, AIA, LEED AP, 2009 Chairperson of the American Institute of Architects National, Committee on the Environment and the 2012 President of AIA Middle Tennessee.

COST: w/ Lunch- $15 Members/$20 Non-Members. Students admitted at the member rate with College Photo ID.

CREDITS: 1 GBCI credit, 1 AIA LU/HSW credit. Eligible for engineer PDH.

KNOXVILLE: RSVP Online @ Eventbrite
DATE: Friday, Mar. 15, 2013
TIME: 11:30am- 1:00pm
LOCATION: The Foundry At The Fair Site (747 Worlds Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902)

FOR MORE INFO & RSVP CONTACT: easttnusgbc@gmail.com or 865-208-7887

Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems account for approximately 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings in the United States. Improving control of HVAC operations and the efficiency of HVAC systems, especially in conjunction with efficient, integrated design at the building envelope can drastically reduce costs, maintain adequate building pressurization, indoor air quality and a comfortable environment for building occupants.

Since July 1, 2011, Tennessee has mandated the 2006 IECC. However, upcoming standards, such as the 2012 IECC, promise a 28% improvement over the current standard. The 2012 IECC demands more insulation and better air sealing, raises the hard-wired fixture requirement to 75%, and contains new HVAC duct requirements, among other changes.

COST: w/ Lunch- $15 Members/$20 Non-Members. No Lunch- $10 for members and $15 non-members. Students admitted at the member rate with College Photo ID.

CREDITS: 1 GBCI credit, 1 AIA LU/HSW credit

TRI-CITIES: RSVP Online @ Eventbrite
DATE: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2013
TIME: 11:30am- 1:00pm
LOCATION: The Battery, 601 Spring St. Johnson City TN 37604

FOR MORE INFO & RSVP CONTACT: easttnusgbc@gmail.com or 865-208-7887