NOW COMPLETED. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE SUMMER NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON JUNE 27-29, 2016.
This agenda reflects the specific needs and interests of people in the Habitat X Network — it’s a fast-track course of study and collaboration for dedicated professionals. Once you’ve registered for the conference, we’ll send you updates with additional information.
- Tuesday July 21
- Wednesday July 22
- Thursday July 23
Registration, beverages, and light snacks in the Grand Atrium outside the Gibbon Lamar Room.
Opening Session. In the Madison Room. Introductions and flash interviews of participants. Plus – the faculty and presenters will deliver four-minute previews of their upcoming sessions.
Break. Snacks and beverages.
Opening Comments: Montana Lieutenant Governor Angela McLean will join us to share an update on the Montana Smart Schools initiative, a widely praised private and public partnership that seeks to improve the performance of Montana schools by increasing energy efficiency, promoting healthy management practices, and reducing waste.
Laying the Groundwork: a planning and brainstorming forum that will feed content into the following sessions and the 2015 Habitat X Journal. This has become the one of most-requested Habitat X session: a methodical evaluation of the state of the industry, sector by sector, with specific outcomes for each sector. With an overview by members of the Habitat X Advisory Board, and moderated by the Habitat X Faculty.
Catered Lunch in the Grand Atrium, with a view of Lone Mountain
The Evolving Role of Modern Utilities: a panel discussion with Robert C. Rowe of NorthWestern Energy, experts Leif Magnuson of Pacific Gas and Electric, Ed Thomas of UtilityExchange.org, and Claudia Rapkoch of NorthWestern Energy. There are huge shifts taking place within the utility industry at present, and these changes will be felt throughout the housing industries for years to come. We’ll look to these experts to gain some ideas of what to expect in the future, and how we each position our industries to take advantage of these changes in the way we generate, transmit, and distribute electricity and gas. This session will be moderated by John Dendy of Habitat X, and will include ample Q & A.
Stand-Up Presentations. These short and to-the-point presentations of 3-10 minutes have become a high point of the Habitat X Conference. If you’d like to participate, and we hope you do, submit a pitch here.
Break. Snacks and beverages
Choosing Value, Cutting Cost, a moderated discussion on quality control in the construction industry with Rick Blumenthal of Knauf Insulation, Brad Turner of Southface Institute, Steve Malon of the High Performance Insulation Professionals, and others. The design, construction and maintenance of buildings is regularly performed based solely on the initial cost of goods and services, with little consideration of the long-term effect on value for the occupants and owners. This discussion addresses this “race to the bottom”, and seeks solutions that add value for contracting community, building owners, and occupants alike. With ample Q & A.
Interview. We’ll cap off this first day by interview a local expert with good stories to tell. Dylan Hoffman is the Director of Sustainability for Xanterra, the organization that manages the concessions — and historic buildings — for Yellowstone National Park. Learn how Xanterra will go about improving the performance of, and achieving LEED certification for, the glorious old lodges of Yellowstone.
Wrap up and debrief.
Hosted reception at The Cabin. Casual attire. Your families or guests are invited.
Informal networking, beverages and light snacks. In the Grand Atrium.
Morning Summary. We gather our notes from the previous day, do a quick synthesis of the information, and capture trends and conclusions for the Habitat X Journal.
Proof is Possible, a fast-moving workshop on using performance testing to supercharge marketing and consumer education, with Corbett Lunsford of the Building Performance Workshop. To understand why private market performance contracting is slow to take off, just trace the original purposes, methods, and even terminology (audit, anyone?), and learn to engage normal people so that clients come to you for more than freebies. PLUS — Corbett’s update on the new nationwide movement: Motivational Metrics, the most effective consumer communication tool to hit the home performance industry in years.
Break. Snacks and beverages.
Session A: The Disruptive State of Photovoltaics, a moderated discussion with Ben Bunker of ICF International. The advent of lower-cost photovoltaics has reduced the investment in energy efficiency in many markets. Yet there are strong opportunities for combined investments that include well-targeted whole-house upgrades. Ben will report on his recent work in this field, and will share some important insights.
Session B: Critical Technical Updates, with Joe Medosch and J West.
- Overcoming the Multi-Family Barrier, a how-to on testing and remediating big buildings.
- Wireless Tools in QC Programs, a presentation on the seamless collection and evaluation of data.
- Game-Changing Insulation Systems, a review of new products and techniques that are displacing many current methods and materials.
Wednesday: catered lunch, with a view of Lone Mountain.
Local Renewables, Utilities, and Community Policy, a roundtable moderated by Heather Higinbotham of the City of Bozeman that showcases an innovative and successful community initiative currently in play that’s bridging industries and leveraging several programs. Guests include Claudia Rapkoch of NorthWestern Energy, Natalie Meyer from the City of Bozeman, and Mayor Jeff Krauss from the City of Bozeman.
Stand-Up Presentations. These short and to-the-point presentations of 3-10 minutes have become a high point of the Habitat X Conference. If you’d like to participate, and we hope you do, submit a pitch here.
Break. Snacks and beverages.
Session A: Optimum Utility Programs, a roundtable moderated by John Dendy, the former head of DSM programs for DNV-GL and NorthWestern Energy. Experts include Danie Williams of NorthWestern Energy, Tiger Adolf of UtilityExchange.org, and Griffin Hagle of Richard Heath and Associates. This discussion will address two simple questions. How would we design an ideal utility program? How can we make that program work in the real world? You can learn more about the background for this session here at the ACEEE website.
Session B: My Nemesis: Measuring Air Flow, a hands-on demo with Bill Spohn of TruTech Tools. Bill will tell us why it’s so important to measure in Buildings and HVAC systems, but so difficult to do. Expect to see some surprising new results and (slightly) simpler solutions that are having a surprisingly wide effect on industry.
An Interview with Larry Zarker of the Building Performance Institute, Kevin Kennedy of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, and Leif Magnuson of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Larry, Leif, and Kevin are all engaged in moving their respective organizations toward active roles that connect health and energy. We’ll be keen to learn more about the solid science that connects asthma to poorly-performing homes, and the solid funding mechanisms now in place for the remediation of homes occupied by asthma victims. This interview will be led by Tiger Adolf of UtilityExchange.org. With ample Q & A.
Wrap up and debrief
Tried and True, or Tried and Failed, a sharing of ideas and experience moderated by Bill Spohn of TruTech Tools. Everyone is invited to submit an idea — from business, technology, or personal practice — that is either Tried and True, or Tried and Failed. The best ideas, as chosen by all attendees, will be presented by their submitters to the entire group in 5 to 8 minute informal presentations on Thursday 2:30 – 4:00.
You’re invited to share the results of your research, project, or avocation. If you’d like to present a poster, submit a proposal here.
We place our most respected experts in an informal consulting environment so you can get some focused face-time to discuss the topics of your choice.
Optional no-host dinner with faculty and participants. Outdoor attire. Your families or guests are invited.
Informal networking, beverages and light snacks. In the Grand Atrium.
Morning Summary.We gather our notes from the previous day, do a quick synthesis of the information, and capture trends and conclusions for the Habitat X Journal.
Mind of the Homeowner: Measured Insights, a presentation of a syndicated study by Garry Upton of Decision Analyst. This long-awaited study assesses the purchasing habits of homeowners when maintaining or upgrading HVAC systems. There are gems in this study which are highly relevant to both the HVAC and home performance industries.
Break. Snacks and beverages.
New Business and Science of Materials, a round table discussion with Mike Lynch of Refuge Sustainable Building Center, Rick Blumenthal of Knauf Insulation, and others. The construction industry has often been driven by historical accidents of local tradition, inefficient distribution, and patchwork regulation. Yet many manufacturers are now re-writing the ways in which they conduct primary research, manufacture and distribute materials, engage in advocacy, interact with utilities, and support the construction community. We’ll look to this group of experts to gain an understanding of the channels that now link research labs more directly than ever to the construction community and building owners. With ample Q&A.
Compiling the 2016 Position Statement, an all-hands-on-deck exercise in which we gather components from our work together, and create a forward-looking vision for each sector. We’ll identify barriers to implementation, describe opportunities for industry success, and create talking points for regulators, policy-makers, and industry leaders.
AUGUST 14: We have now compiled the Position Statement.
Thursday: catered Lunch in the dining room.
The Audit of the Future, a visual tour of present and future technologies with Joe Medosch of and Bill Spohn of TruTech Tools. This insightful presentation points toward an integrated and relevant approach to collecting and analyzing field data.
Performance in Paradise: a case study delivered by 2015 Habitat X Fellow Griffin Hagle of Richard Heath and Associates. Using a net zero energy retrofit of a 1,100-square foot home as a case study, Griffin follows a sustainability expert as he explores the readiness of contractors to design coherent solutions that rely on utility rebate programs. In the process, Griffin learned a lot about communicating the value of home performance to homeowners stuck in the “mild climate” mindset. This case-study delivers insights that are surprisingly relevant to any climate zone.
Break. Snacks and beverages.
Tried and True, or Tried and Failed. Presenters will each share a hard-won method, whether successful or not, in a 5 to 8 minute informal presentation. Proposals will have been submitted Wednesday 5:15 – 6:00, and attendees will have chosen the best for presentation. This session will be moderated by Bill Spohn of TruTech Tools.
Optional no-host dinner. Outdoor attire. Your families or guests are invited.
