New Wind Power Course + 3 New Webinars

Summer’s heating up at RedVector with more sizzling new content! We’ve added a cutting-edge wind power course plus three LIVE webinars for April and May—including an introduction to Net Zero buildings and an inside look at environmental encroachment.

Wind Power Today
What’s happening right now in the field of wind energy? Find out in this eye-opening course, which delves into the expansion of the wind industry and discusses the latest research and development concerning turbine technology, component development/testing, offshore technology and more. Ideal for architects, engineers and energy professionals, this course also looks at current research being conducted under the Department of Energy’s wind program.

WEBINARS:

An Introduction to Environmental Encroachment (4/18, 1:00-2:00 EST)
This interactive, one-hour webinar explores the many types of encroachment that threaten the environment and our communities—including agricultural, open space, wetland, desertification, desert degradation, habitat destruction, invasive species, floodplain development, bush, forestland, maritime, noise, and light. Case study examples highlight the different types of environmental encroachment and the importance of collaboration to remedy the growing problem.

An Introduction to Net Zero Buildings (4/30, 1:00-4:00 EST)
A building with zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions may seem like a lofty goal, but it’s one that’s gaining particular momentum in the design and construction industry. This three-hour webinar explores the broad definition of ‘Net Zero’ buildings and looks at the different types of Net Zero techniques and technologies. Case study examples illustrate the worldwide application of Net Zero building and help professionals understand its marketability and affordability.

HVAC Design Overview (5/8, 1:00-2:00 EST)

Engineer and Certified Energy Manager Jim Taube leads a thought-provoking discussion about the general guidelines used in the design of HVAC air systems, which can apply to many types of facilities including medical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, and industrial manufacturing environments. Ideal for engineers, architects and facility managers, this one-hour webinar explores HVAC fundamentals such as refrigeration, heat transfer and psychrometrics and discusses the various methods of air distribution.

New Commercial Energy Courses + 2 HOT Webinars!

Have you checked out what’s new at RedVector lately? The design and construction industry is constantly evolving—from breakthroughs in technology to the latest version of LEED—and we’re adding new CE content monthly to help you stay on top of your game. Below are four new audio-driven commercial energy courses, plus two hot new webinars!

U.S. Biofuel Industry: Mind the Gap
While the U.S. biofuel industry has experienced its share of growing pains in recent years, biofuels represent a clean, viable energy source for our future. This course provides a detailed overview of the current state of the industry and the progress made so far. (1 hour)

Clean Energy: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Global Commercialization & Development Update
Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies offer a pathway to the use of clean energy systems to reduce emissions, enhance energy security, and stimulate the global economy. This course presents real-world applications and examines the technical progress of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, including policies adopted by countries to increase technology development and commercialization. (1 hour)

Solar Water Heating: Reducing Green House Gas Emissions
Increases in energy prices, concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions, and improvements in SWH systems have created new interest in the potential of this technology. This course provides an overview of the technical potential of solar water heating to reduce fossil fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. residential and commercial buildings. (1 hour)

Commercial Solar Power Systems Webcast
Fossil fuels won’t last forever, and using them often increase global pollution. Solar energy is renewable, clean, and best of all—free. You can lead the way to a future where solar energy power systems provide electricity in clean, efficient ways. This in-depth webcast provides a history of solar energy and looks at current ways solar energy is being used and the creative possibilities for how it can end our dependency on non-renewable energy resources. (2 hours)

What else is NEW?
RedVector has added two new webcasts on two of the hottest topics in the industry right now: Post-disaster Reconstruction and LEED 2012 changes. Start learning more today!

Post Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Webcast
Post-disaster redevelopment is essential to create (or recreate) a community. Ideal for engineers, architects and contractors, this webcast provides vital disaster recovery information and examines strategies for economic rebound, housing recovery, health and social services, infrastructure, land use, and environmental restoration. (2 hours)

LEED 2012 Changes Webcast
LEED is changing… again! LEED 2012 presents a technical update to the LEED rating systems, including the Building Design + Construction, Interior Design + Construction, Operations + Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, and LEED for Homes rating systems. Find out everything you need to know about proposed changes—including the addition of three new credit categories, changes to technical content, and a revised point distribution. (2 hours)

New Courses & February Webinars!

From green building to power transmission, RedVector has the hottest new courses and webinars on topics critical to your industry. Check out what’s new in February, and don’t miss our LIVE webinars on February 27 & 28!

Green Building Envelope Design
Ready to get your green on? This in-depth webcast provides key concepts, principles, and practices applicable to new construction as well as to your retrofitting projects. It covers important topics including pre-design considerations, energy efficiency, and maintenance and operations. (2-hour webcast)

Ethical Decision Making for Design and Construction Professionals
No doubt about it—designers, planners, architects, and engineers all need to know about and adhere to established codes of ethics. This webcast provides the history of the events that led to our current attitudes regarding ethical decision making, as well as specific examples of the consequences for making unwise decisions. (2-hour webcast)

Heads up for our electrical engineers, electrical contractors and electricians: these courses are our first in a brand new line-up of commercial power courses, with more on the way soon!

Generating Electricity
Brush up on the basics of generating electricity. This course covers the primary types of generation used today, as well as the main pieces of equipment used in electricity generation and how generation is managed to meet the growing demand from customers. (1 hour)

Power Transmission & Distribution
Learn about power transmission and distribution and where we’re headed in the future. This course provides a detailed overview of the topic, including components of transmission lines, transformers and switchgear, substations, and electric power distribution systems. It also provides general information related to electric service loads as well as operational aspects and costs involved in transmitting and distributing electric power.

WEBINARS:

Downcycle, Upcycle, Precycle and Recycle
Presented by Dr. Rumanda Young
February 27, 2012 from 1pm-4pm EST
In an era of resource conservation, the idea of reuse is paramount to meeting sustainability goals. This interactive, 3-hour webinar introduces green-minded professionals to the concepts of downcycling (reclaiming), upcycling (refashioning), precycling (reducing waste), and recycling (reuse).

Power of an Energy Audit
Presented by Dr. Rumanda Young
February 28, 2012 from 1pm-4pm EST
An energy audit is often the first step in energy consumption reduction. This in-depth 3-hour webinar examines the importance of conducting an energy audit to assess energy use and measures to implement for energy conservation. It will also focus on how auditing can help identify cost-saving opportunities and prioritize improvements.

Green Building is Still Red Hot: Top 5 Trends for 2012

By Vicki Zambito

The future looks bright for the green building industry. Green Building Consultant Jerry Yudelson recently published his annual list of green building MegaTrends. Yudelson says that green building will continue its rebound globally in 2012 in spite of ongoing economic difficulties. Below are his top five insights.

1. Green building in North America will rebound in 2012 with faster growth in green retrofits, ongoing college and university projects and NGO activity making up for the fall in commercial and governmental construction.

2. A strengthened focus on greening the executive branch will benefit sustainable building due to a commitment to a minimum of LEED Gold for all new federal projects.

3. The greening of existing buildings continues to grow as research finds that green buildings have rents and asset prices that are significantly higher than those documented for conventional office space.

4. Growing concern and awareness of the decrease in fresh water supply is leading more building designers and manager to take steps to reduce water consumption in buildings.

5. Global green building projects will continue to rise as more countries create their own incentive and develop their own Green Building Councils.

For more on these green building MegaTrends, visit: http://www.greenbuildconsult.com/pdfs/2012_GreenBuildingMegaTrends.pdf

Look What’s New at RedVector!

RedVector is continually expanding its online education library to meet the needs of our design and construction professionals, and recently we added two new courses focusing on key topics driving the industry: ADA Guidelines 2010: Building Blocks and Renewable Energy Fundamentals. Check it out!

ADA Guidelines 2010: Building Blocks provides essential information about new ADA standards scheduled to go into effect in March of 2012. The 1-hour course outlines the basic building blocks of accessibility established by the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and includes key changes and compliance guidelines.

Renewable Energy Fundamentals is a 2-hour webcast that focuses on the growing need for alternative energy sources and explores new and existing technologies as well as the advantages and disadvantages of implementing, operating, and maintaining various renewable energy sources.

Both courses were authored by architect and certified planner Rumanda Young, PhD. Dr. Young works currently as a Military Master Planner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Planning, Environmental, and Regulatory Branch and is involved in a variety of military planning, programming, and design projects.

Green Goes Mobile: 4 Great Green Apps for Your Smart Phone

By Vicki Zambito

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the winners of its “Apps for the Environment Challenge” at the end of last year and if you missed it, below are four of the winners. The challenge encouraged developers to use EPA data to create innovative new smart phone and web applications.

1. Best Overall App: Light Bulb Finder – Light Bulb Finder is a free mobile phone application that makes it easy to switch from conventional light bulbs to energy-saving equivalents with the right fit, style and light quality.

http://www.lightbulbfinder.net/

2. Runner-Up, Best Overall App: Hootroot - Hootroot was created by the folks at Brighter Planet to show how providing just a little information about environmental impact in just the right place can help change a mind here or there. When you search for directions using the app, they'll show you all the ways to go—driving, walking, biking, and transit—along with a comparison of your carbon footprints.

http://www.hootroot.com

3. Best Student App: EarthFriend – EarthFriend is an educational game, providing instruction on climate, water and pollution issues, while offering tips on what you can do to contribute to a better environment.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/earthfriend/id455165523?mt=8

4. Popular Choice: CGSearch - CGSearch is a mobile Green IT application that enables users across the United States to know and visually compare the air quality index, air pollutant levels, energy consumption of various U.S. cities with Atlanta.

http://ec2-174-129-212-31.compute-1.amazonaws.com/cgsearch/cgsearch.html

Look What's New! LEED 2012 Webinar

RedVector is continually expanding our green building and LEED course library to meet the needs of our design and construction professionals. In January, RedVector is holding one of our hottest green-related webinars yet! See below for details.

01/31/2012: LIVE WEBINAR: LEED 2012 Changes Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, 1pm-4pm EST

The U.S. Green Building Council® LEED system is changing! This three-hour webinar focuses on the proposed LEED 2012 changes. LEED 2012 is a technical update to the LEED rating systems, including the Building Design + Construction, Interior Design + Construction, Operations + Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, and LEED for Homes rating systems. This course is important for professionals associated with green building (LEED A.P., architect, landscape architect, engineer, or other green building professional) , in order to stay up-to-date with the LEED rating systems. This course will focus on the proposed 2012 changes including the addition of three new credit categories (Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, Performance), changes to technical content , and a revised point distribution. Finally, this course will look at the revision process and associated timeline for adoption.

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