Dashboard for Dollars
Lynda Boomer, P.E., LEED AP®, Michigan State University
Dashboards have become a popular mechanism to share results with large diverse audiences for sustainability related issues, such as energy consumption, water use, etc. Dashboards are also used for facility managers to track operations and make adjustments based on real-time feedback of mechanical systems. We use dashboards daily on an individual basis to provide immediate feedback on operation of a vehicle, treadmill, etc. Research has shown utilizing the feedback mechanism of a real-time dashboard display has the ability to change behavior. This session will include a frank discussion on implementation of new technologies in laboratories, the challenges, and the rewards from an owner's perspective. Included in the discussion, the owner of a number of university research facilities will share data regarding implementation of the air quality measurement systems on campus, integration with existing networks, and piloting a dashboard concept to share the results with the campus community. Displaying results of energy conservation measures in real time can provide many benefits beyond energy savings, including improving health and safety, identifying items that need repair, and improving laboratory work habits. The facilitator will seek to share experiences of the use of dashboards, benefits, and challenges, as well as discuss future needs identified by owners, researchers, and designers in this area.
Lynda Boomer's work experience includes 26 years at Michigan State University (MSU) in the Physical Plant Engineering and Architectural Services (EAS) design group as project manager for renovation projects and new construction. Ms. Boomer graduated from MSU with a degree in electrical engineering and started in Physical Plant EAS in 1985. Initial responsibilities in EAS included designing controls for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment and electrical design for renovation projects. Her current position as energy and environmental engineer for the campus involves a variety of duties including: participating on the Energy Transition Team, leading several sub-teams regarding energy conservation, utility metering upgrade project for campus, and working with a building Retro-Commissioning Team to identify energy savings. Another accomplishment of Ms. Boomer's was developing the baseline carbon dioxide emissions inventory for the campus in 2007. MSU has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2015.