Topic: Energy and the Built Environment - Developing a Sense of Flow and Potential

Energy is constantly flowing through us and the buildings we design and live in.  Gaining a better understanding of the nature of energy will help us identify opportunities to utilize available energy more effectively, and improve overall occupant experience, while helping to preserve the natural environment.  This talk will explore how and where energy is used in buildings, and how various HVAC, envelope and occupant strategies manage energy flows and take advantage of energy potentials available on-site.

Mark Firestone, PE, LEED AP
Senior Mechanical Engineer, PAE Consulting Engineers 
Mark has over 25 years of experience designing mechanical systems for a wide range of building types in diverse climates.  His expertise also includes energy analysis and lifecycle cost analysis for HVAC system selection.  He has analyzed and designed mechanical systems of many types, including open and closed loop ground source heat pumps, dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS), underfloor air distribution (UFAD), radiant heating and cooling, evaporative cooling, natural ventilation, heat recovery, solar hot water, cogeneration and variable volume exhaust systems.
 
As a senior staff member at PAE Consulting Engineers, Mark has provided expertise for many LEED-rated or LEED targeted projects and for dozens of other high performance buildings.   He is a former president of ASHRAE’s Oregon chapter and is a registered professional engineer in three states.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Miami University of Ohio and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University.

The Portland LEED User's Group (PLUG) meets on the second Thursday of every month from 12:00 - 1:30 pm, to discuss topics related to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System.  Attendees of these meetings represent many disciplines within Portland's green building community, and new attendees are always is welcome.

Upcoming PLUG Meeting Dates:

September 10 - Less Gravy, More Green: BC study on Pervious Surfaces & Prairie Crossing in Illinois

October 8 - International Rating System

Click here for a list of PLUG events from past years

 For additional information about PLUG, or to suggest future meeting topics, contact:

Dan Saddler           dSaddler@earthadvantage.org