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2rw Consultants, Inc. & Baistar Mechanical, Inc. Awarded Contract from HUD for Energy Performance Contract Review for Western Region of United States

Charlottesville, VA – 2rw Consultants, Inc, in partnership with Baistar Mechanical, Inc, of Manassas, VA has been awarded a five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to review energy performance contracts for Public and Indian housing authorities located in states west of the Mississippi River.

2rw and Baistar have been selected to review energy performance contracts and agreements between the Energy Performance Contractor’s and public housing authorities and provide technical assistance to HUD, public housing authorities and field offices. Energy performance contracts are used to identify, design, fund and install energy and water efficiency projects at Public and Indian housing authorities. Funds are private-sector loans repaid through the utility savings.

Improvements address building envelopes, heating and cooling systems, domestic water system, building lighting and controls. The energy performance contracts will reduce energy and water use as well as operating costs.

Energy Service Contractors prequalified by the federal government provide the financial and construction means to perform the energy performance contracts over a typical contract period of 12 years or 20 years.

2rw is a mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering firm headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, with offices in Washington D.C. 2rw specializes in sustainable design and development of energy reduction strategies.

2rw Consultants Inc. Announces Web Services

Charlottesville, VA – 2rw Consultants, Inc. is proud to announce three new divisions to our web services.

2rw has created EnergyVibe to meet the need of creating awareness by engaging building occupants in the processes and strategies for achieving energy and water efficiency. We created a web-based initiative to educate, entertain and engage people. Our outreach program can help organizations achieve between three and twenty percent savings on utility costs; it also can garner LEED points for any project. Visit EnergyVibe at: www.energyvibe.com

2rw has also created UApro and PHApro to meet the need for fast, accurate utility allowances at a low cost. We created online utility allowance calculators for affordable housing programs including Public Housing and Section 8, and Low Income Housing Tax Credit units. Visit UApro at: http://uapro.2rw.biz/ and PHApro at: http://phapro.2rw.biz/

MVpro was created to meet the need for streamlined and automated measurement and verification for energy and resource savings projects. We created an online tool that gathers, analyzes and produces reports of building system data. MVpro not only tracks resource use but can verify savings. Visit MVpro at: http://mvpro.2rw.biz/

2rw Conducts Energy Audit of NASA Goddard/Greenbelt

2rw energy engineers conducted an energy survey of NASA Goddard/Greenbelt facilities in support of an Energy Performance Contract. The 2rw survey team was responsible for the mechanical systems, including air handlers and air distribution systems, controls, utility metering, ground source heat pumps, and energy innovation.

2rw engineers conducted site surveys at twelve buildings, including the facility that houses the Hubbell Space telescope service bay. The scope of work also included commissioning three facilities.

2rw is a mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering firm headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. 2rw specializes in sustainable design and development of energy reduction strategies.

For more information please contact Laurie Byers at 434-296-2116 or Laurieb@2rw.com.

2rw Consultants Is Proud To Announce Its Fourth LEED® Accredited Engineer

Alex Chapin has recently become 2rw’s fourth LEED® Accredited Engineer. Mr. Alex Chapin, is a graduate from the University of Virginia, majoring in Civil Engineering. Within the discipline, he focused his studies on Environmental Engineering. Mr. Chapin’s responsibilities at 2rw include computer modeling to predict energy use and cost in commercial buildings.

As stated on the US Green Building Council website, “The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

More on LEED® standards can be found at www.usgbc.org/LEED.

2rw Teams with Avid Energy & S L King & Associates
on Chatham County Detention Center

Charlottesville, VA – 2rw Consultants, Inc. is supporting Avid Energy and S L King & Associates (Atlanta, GA) on the Commissioning and LEED Consulting Services for the Chatham Detention Center located in Savannah, GA.

2rw Consultants, Inc. will shepherd the project through the LEED certification process, from initial registration with the US Green Building Council, through design and construction guidance to conform to LEED requirements, to receipt of LEED certification.

As stated on the US Green Building Council website, “The Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.”

2rw Consultants, Inc. is a professional consulting firm providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services, specializing in energy and resource conservation. 2rw is affiliated with the EPA Rebuild America Partnership, is an Energy Star building ally, and employs Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals

2rw Design Group Grows

2rw Consultants, Inc. is proud to have welcomed three members to the firm as part of our growing Design Group.

Mr. Dan Hoffman graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia. While at school, Dan took a strong interest in renewable resources and sustainable design, which led him to 2rw Consultants, Inc.  Here, his responsibilities comprise the design of energy efficient HVAC systems, including many LEED certified buildings.

Mr. Chris Shifflett joined the staff after graduating from West Virginia University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is involved with the design of mechanical, plumbing and fire protection systems, and administering construction projects.

Mr. Paul Stevens graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton. Paul's concentration at the University of Dayton was in energy efficient design and renewable resources. This, in combination with internships at mechanical, electrical and plumbing design firms, is what brought Paul to 2rw. He moved to Charlottesville, VA and began working at 2rw in February of 2008. He now aids in the design of energy efficient mechanical systems.

2rw Expands the Design Group by Hiring Adrienne Hendrickson

2rw Consultants, Inc. is proud to welcome Adrienne Hendrickson, PE as new senior electrical engineer to the firm as part of our expanding Design Group.

Adrienne Hendrickson has a bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University (1986) and a master’s of engineering degree in electrical engineering from the University of Idaho, where her emphasis was in power (1998). She is a registered Professional Engineer in the States of Virginia and Ohio. She was previously with the University of Virginia in the position of Senior Electrical Engineer, where her primary responsibilities were review and in-house consultation for electrical, telephone/data and fire alarm systems. During her tenure, she worked on numerous capital projects and produced value management studies to enhance facilities design and maintain budgetary requirements. Prior to that, she has was an electrical engineer for private consulting firms, the federal government, and Wright State University in Ohio.

She is also an active member of IEEE and has been a program evaluator for ABET for engineering technology programs. She is currently a TAC of ABET Team Chair for program evaluation visits. Mrs. Hendrickson has also received Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development certification as an electrical plans reviewer and commercial electrical inspector. She has over 20 years of experience in building electrical systems and design.

Bob Somers Named Chairman of the Board for the Virginia Sustainable Building Network

Robert R. Somers II, PE, Ph.D, LEED AP, 2rw president, was recently inducted as Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Sustainable Building Network (VSBN).   This announcement was made at VSBN’s 13th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting “One Planet Living” held June 25 at the University of Richmond.  Governor Tim Kaine was present to kick-off the meeting.

VSBN is the only statewide organization that brings together representatives from diverse sectors who are interested in building healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings and sustainable communities. 

The mission of VSBN is to promote environmentally sound – or Green Building – practices for Virginia.  These building designs, methods, and materials save energy costs, reduce waste and promote recycling, reduce environmental impacts and exposure to unhealthy substances, strengthen local economies and contribute to an enhanced quality of life.

To find out more about VSBN and how to become a member go to the website at www.vsbn.org or contact:
Annette Osso, President
Virginia Sustainable Building Network
P.O. Box 6539
Arlington, VA  22206
Phone: (703)486-2966 Fax: (703)486-8213
Email: vsbn@vsbn.org

2rw Hires New Senior Project Engineer

2rw is pleased to announce the recent hire of Jim Kueck, as Senior Project Engineer.  Mr. Kueck brings to the company 30 years of experience in energy improvements of occupied private and public facilities. Among Mr. Kueck’s accomplishments are projects which employ renewable energy systems with a focus on Geothermal Heat Pumps.

A Certified GeoExchange Designer (CGD), Mr. Kueck owned and operated mechanical contracting businesses in Wyoming and Colorado and has worked for national firms such as Trane and Honeywell developing energy savings performance contracts in federal facilities.

Mr. Kueck also will be providing technical support on energy system projects and designs for 2rw.  Mr. Kueck will further develop 2rw’s rapidly expanding technical support services to energy performance contract companies, geothermal heat pump installers, and utility energy service companies.

School Design Project Wins Awards

The new Poquoson Elementary School in Poquoson, Virginia has received three awards for sustainable and innovative design. 2rw Consultants was part of the Poquoson design team which envisioned, planned and designed the building.

The 82,000 square foot, two-story building received the 2007 GoGreen Design Merit Award from the James River Green Building Council [JRGBC]. Aligned with the mission of JRGBC, the Poquoson Elementary School design project focuses on energy efficiency and environmentally friendly features. It is also LEED registered and pending Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Poquoson Elementary School also has received a 2007 Recognized Value Award from DesignShare, a global facilitator for professionals developing innovative learning environments. Additionally, the school was selected as a recipient of a 2007 Design Concept Award from the Council for Educational Facility Planners International [CEFPI], an advocate for excellence in student learning environments. Poquoson Elementary School is designed to engage students and enhance learning with elements such as “houses” for each grade level, outdoor classrooms, and a wetlands laboratory.

2rw’s work on this project included the mechanical, electrical, piped services and fire protection systems design. Key features include geothermal water source heat pumps for space conditioning, natural lighting and daylight harvesting, and water-conserving plumbing systems. The project also has an informational display, located in the school lobby, which will show how the systems are performing and interacting with elements such as the weather and the surroundings.

2rw Consultants Expands Energy Group

2rw Consultants, Inc. is proud to welcome four new members to the company as part of our growing Energy Group. 

Dr. Benjamin Cameron graduated with a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in May 2007. As the Applied Software Director, he brings technical engineering experience providing logistics for the collection of building and resource usage data. His computer programming knowledge has also facilitated the development of two online utility allowance calculators for public housing.

Mr. Alex Chapin graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2007 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Mr. Chapin had previously worked for 2rw as an intern in the Energy Group. 

Mr. William Schnorr and Ms. Jacquelyn Capotosto both graduated from James Madison University in May 2007 with a degree in Integrated Science and Technology. Both selected Energy their core academic concentration within the ISAT major.

2rw Awarded Contract for Development of Energy/Environmental Awareness Program

2rw Consultants, Inc. is under contract to Beaumont Hospitals, located outside of Detroit, Michigan, to develop and administer an energy/environmental awareness campaign for their employees. The goal of this program is to educate the employees on energy and environmental issues which will ultimately affect behavioral change in their energy use. 

A main component of the awareness program will be a website created specifically for the hospital based on the 2rw “Energy Vibe™” platform.  The website will be a dynamic, interactive and informative way of communicating the hospital’s message of reducing its energy and water use. Feedback on utility consumption at the facility and recognition of conscientious employees will increase action, reduce consumption, and save money. 2rw is also managing the promotional activities and marketing collateral for the hospital’s utility reduction program. Occupying over 6 million square feet at two main hospital campuses, in Troy and Royal Oak, Michigan, the Beaumont Hospital awareness campaign will serve more than 14,000 employees. 

2rw Consultants Is Proud To Announce It’s Third LEED® Accredited Professional

Peter Mackey has recently become 2rw’s third LEED® Accredited Professional Engineer. Peter joins 2rw’s principals Bob Somers and Bob Crowell in obtaining this professional designation.

More information on LEED® standards can be found at www.usgbc.org/LEED.