Category: Energy Management and Lighting

New Study Finds Building Collisions Kill A Lot More Birds Than Initially Thought

Is your facility a bird-friendly building? If not, what steps can you take to help protect the winged wildlife? A research study published in PLOS ONE has uncovered alarming new evidence that building collisions are killing significantly more birds than previously estimated—well over 1 billion annually in the United States alone. The research, conducted by scientists at American Bird […]

National Lab’s Building Research Helps U.S. Navy Boost Energy Efficiency

With more than 500,000 buildings and structures at more than 500 domestic and international naval sites, the U.S. Navy has an opportunity to achieve significant energy and cost savings by increasing efficiency. To get there, high-quality and consistent data is essential. Research recently completed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) could provide the complex […]

8 Ways to Assess Your Readiness for a Power Outage

Would you be ready for a power outage at your facility if it happened today? Before the power goes out, you need to assess whether your facility can ensure business continuity during an outage. Power outages can be less stressful and manageable with the right prep. Here are 8 questions facilities managers should ask themselves […]

DOE Funds $190M for Clean Energy Upgrades at Public Schools

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced selections for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant, a three-phase, $190 million investment to help K-12 public schools make energy upgrades that will decrease energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments for students and teachers. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, […]

GSA Seeks Innovative Green Tech to Test in Federal Buildings

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced a new request for information (RFI) focused on enabling energy efficiency and decarbonization in commercial buildings, contributing to a more efficient electric infrastructure and improving resiliency and occupant health. This latest RFI comes shortly after the GSA selected 17 emerging […]

Global Demand Grows for Commercial Building Automation Controls

By automating technologies such as HVAC, lighting, fire and life safety, and security and access controls, building owners and facilities managers have realized they can achieve benefits such as more efficient energy consumption, increased response times to emergencies, and a healthier occupant environment. According to a new report from Guidehouse Insights, revenue attributed to commercial […]

Electrical panel with clear safety warning

Illuminating Arc Flash: Unearthing Insights for a Safer Future

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, it’s critical for facilities and building operators to ensure the safety of their electrical infrastructure. One of the two primary electrical hazards are arc flash events, which can result in significant injury to workers and major disruptions to power operations. What Is an Arc Flash? Arc flash: a term […]

UGA Details Major Security Upgrades in Wake of On-Campus Murder

When new and returning University of Georgia (UGA) students come to Athens for the fall semester, they will notice a series of highly visible initiatives to further strengthen campus security—from new signs and perimeter fencing to lighting upgrades, emergency call stations, and automated license plate readers, according to a university announcement. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors […]

State, Local Governments Receive Grants for Clean Energy Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $18.5 million awarded to four states and 20 local governments through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. Applications remain open for future rounds of funding. Governments receiving awards will use program funds to conduct energy assessments and efficiency upgrades at community centers and schools, install solar […]

3 Top Tech Trends for Facilities Management

Driving efficiency is a competitive imperative in the modern-day market. Facilities management is, for many, a large component of a significantly larger initiative. The pursuit of creating a business environment where systems work in tandem to ensure productivity, employee comfort, and process optimization has nearly universal appeal. However, instituting a cohesive facility optimization strategy can […]