Commercial Buildings Research Staff
Members of the Commercial Buildings research staff have backgrounds in architectural, civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering, as well as computer science, physics, and chemistry.
- Brian Ball
- Kyle Benne
- Eric Bonnema
- Larry Brackney
- Alberta Carpenter
- Michael Deru
- Ian Doebber
- Kristin Field
- Katherine Fleming
- David Goldwasser
- Luigi Gentile Polese
- Brent Griffith
- Rob Guglielmetti
- Elaine Hale
- Bob Hendron
- Lesley Herrmann
- Adam Hirsch
- Eric Kozubal
Brian Ball, Ph.D., Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
Modeling algorithms to calibrate building energy models; DEnCity
Specializes in:
Solving partial differential equations, nonlinear equations and optimization, multi-scale modeling and control of smart material systems; modeling, control, and simulation of physical systems; numerical analysis and numerical methods
Kyle Benne, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Software development supporting whole building energy simulation; large-scale data abstraction and interface design
Specializes in:
Graphical user interface development; HVAC system design and modeling; software configuration and package management
Eric Bonnema, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Sector-wide energy modeling; Advanced Energy Design Guides; 179D DOE Calculator
Specializes in:
Software development for building optimization and modeling; commercial sector whole-building energy simulation; scientific computing; software configuration and package management
Larry Brackney, Ph.D., Section Manager
Research Focus:
Building sensing and user interface technologies; advanced combustion, air-handling, and hybrid powertrain controls; applied controls and systems modeling; section manager
Specializes in:
Developing and deploying advanced control systems for a variety of complex systems; developing controls for rapid prototyping, production tools, and analysis processes
Alberta Carpenter, Ph.D., Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
U.S. Life Cycle Database; carbon accounting, energy accounting, and life cycle assessment projects for industrial materials and biofuels
Specializes in:
Life cycle assessment for the management of industrial by-products
Michael Deru, Ph.D., Section Manager
Research Focus:
Whole building and system performance metrics; energy modeling; source energy and carbon accounting; U.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database; HVAC; ground heat and moisture transfer
Specializes in:
Development of analysis methods; metrics and necessary data for whole building and system performance energy and environmental performance; demonstrations and deployment of advanced technologies; energy modeling of advanced systems
Ian Doebber, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
HVAC and façade systems; advanced modeling programs
Specializes in:
Testing, modeling, and field monitoring of standard and advanced HVAC systems
Kristin Field, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
DOE's Superior Energy Performance in Commercial Buildings; DOE Retailer Energy Alliance for restaurants
Specializes in:
Computer simulation of standard energy performance and improved energy-efficient design of commercial buildings; outreach for energy efficiency strategies
Katherine Fleming, Ph.D., Engineer
Research Focus:
Software projects and web applications for research and commercial and non-profit organizations
Specializes in:
Database and Web applications for energy analysis of commercial buildings
David Goldwasser, M.C.M., M.Arch., Contractor
Research Focus:
Development, training, and user support for OpenStudio software
Specializes in:
Workflows and tools to integrate energy modeling into the architectural design process
Luigi Gentile Polese, M.S., Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
OpenStudio open source processes and development; cross-platform software
Specializes in:
Protocol specifications and standards; architecture definitions; requirements engineering; software engineering methodologies; project management
Brent Griffith, M.S., Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
EnergyPlus
Specializes in:
Large-scale, simulation-based studies of national opportunities in the commercial sector; simplified EnergyPlus modeling
Rob Guglielmetti, B.A., Engineer
Research Focus:
Application of high dynamic-range imaging (simulations and photographs)
Specializes in:
Integration of physically-based lighting simulation with whole-building energy simulations
Elaine Hale, Ph.D., Engineer
Research Focus:
Building energy simulation and radiance for daylighting simulation; policy-scale building energy simulation studies
Specializes in:
Analysis framework, mathematical analysis; optimization algorithms for large-scale and uncertain nonlinear programming
Bob Hendron, M.S., M.B.A., Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
Advanced house performance analysis and field testing methods; technical and management support for the Building America Program
Specializes in:
Retrofit guides for existing commercial buildings; field test and analysis of prototype buildings; training curriculum for energy performance-based design-build processes
Lesley Herrmann, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Building energy modeling for low-energy design solutions for commercial buildings and military deployable shelters; liquid desiccant dehumidification applications for efficient air-conditioning strategies
Specializing in:
Design, model, and test innovative HVAC concepts; monitor and analyze building energy use; apply laboratory knowledge to recommend building design and operation; member of ASHRAE's technical committee for desiccant-based cooling and evaporative cooling
Adam Hirsch, Ph.D., Engineer
Research Focus:
Commercial Building Partnerships; Advanced Energy Design Guides; International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Task 40/Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems; Annex 52 project "Towards Net Zero Energy Buildings"
Specializes in:
Statistical and technical analysis to achieve 50% energy savings in commercial buildings; detailed energy measurements after occupancy; outreach programs
Eric Kozubal, M.S., Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
HVAC systems design recommendations to manufacturers; ASHRAE standard 174 "Method of Test for Rating Desiccant-Based Dehumidification Equipment"
Specializes in:
Design, laboratory, and field testing of HVAC systems that use desiccants, evaporative cooling, and vapor compression technologies including manufacturer recommendations
Feitau Kung, M.A., Engineer
Research Focus:
Guidance and tools for improved planning of energy measures and evaluation of system energy performance; outreach for improving energy savings in commercial buildings
Specializing in:
Technical and economic analysis of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for buildings and campuses; sustainable energy planning
Rois Langner, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Energy efficiency projects for military and large commercial retail buildings; outreach support for integrated design teams in procuring low and net zero energy building designs
Specializes in:
Energy modeling of new and existing buildings using EnergyPlus to analyze and optimize building design and performance
Matt Leach, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Energy simulation and whole-building integrated design solutions; 179D DOE Federal Tax Deduction Calculator; automated workflows to process energy simulations for commercial buildings; best practices for specifying whole-building absolute energy use targets; optimization-based business plan for net zero renovation projects
Specializing in:
Best practices for net zero renovation projects
William Livingood, M.S., Acting Group Manager
Research Focus:
Building performance monitoring; controls; systems engineering; test engineering; systems simulation
Specializing in:
Commercial Building Energy Alliances; end-use metering; distributed generation; combined heat and power
Nicholas Long, B.S., Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
Energy analysis tools: OpenStudio and Building Component Library; building energy modeling and analysis training
Specializing in:
Building energy modeling and large-sector analyses of proposed codes and standards; multivariate, multi-objective optimization program (Opt-E-Plus) using EnergyPlus; software development and client/server software architecture
Daniel Macumber, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Development and maintenance of the OpenStudio software; maintenance of the OpenStudio SketchUp plug-in for defining building energy simulation geometry; interoperability with other software programs
Specializing in:
Scientific computing, statistical methods, control systems, and signal processing; development of a portable electronic auditing tool for commercial buildings
James Page, Research Technician
Research Focus:
Space allocation for experiments; setup, configuration, and repair of HVAC equipment
Specializing in:
Operation of all electronic test equipment and diagnosis and repair of electronic equipment and computer systems
Andrew Parker, B.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Process automation enabling easier design of high-performance buildings; energy audits on commercial buildings
Specializing in:
Building energy modeling; building energy auditing
Shanti Pless, M.S., Section Manager
Research Focus:
Applied research and design processes for commercial building energy efficiency and building integrated renewable energy
Specializing in:
Cost-effective net zero energy commercial buildings; Advanced Energy Design Guides; whole buildings systems integration; facilitation of the integrated design/building process to create low and zero energy commercial buildings; best practices for controlling capital costs while reaching net zero energy goals
Jennifer Scheib, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Lighting energy efficiency for large commercial buildings; outreach support for integrated design teams in procuring low and net zero energy building designs
Specializing in:
Lighting control applications; physically-based daylighting simulation; high dynamic range imaging techniques; building occupant interaction and occupant comfort research
Marjorie Schott, B.S., Project Leader
Research Focus:
Interface design of software tools (OpenStudio and the desktop Building Agent); web application design for Technology Portal, BCL, Model Maker, and HPBD; building data visualization design for Building Agent
Specializing in:
Interface design of software tools and web applications; design research; and data visualization
Michael Sheppy, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Innovative energy efficiency strategies for commercial buildings; improved plug and process loads; findings applied to NREL's Research Support Facility
Specializing in:
Commercial building energy efficiency; plug loads; measurement and verification; data centers; hospital energy monitoring
Greg Stark, P.E., M.S., M.B.A, Senior Engineer
Research Focus:
Financing energy efficiency in small buildings; systems engineering-based building design
Specializing in:
Multi-building approaches (e.g., neighborhood- or community-based) to reducing energy use, with a focus on both engineering and economic challenges
Justin Stein, M.A.E., Engineer
Research Focus:
Whole-building energy simulation and analysis for commercial buildings using EnergyPlus; improving and simplifying the building design and analysis processes
Specializing in:
Identifying and analyzing commercial building energy saving opportunities; improving energy analysis practices with a focus in grocery store refrigeration systems
Daniel Studer, M.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Development of NREL's Technology Portal project
Specializing in:
Whole-building energy simulations to identify large-scale areas for energy savings; optimization of commercial building energy consumption
Alex Swindler, B.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Iteration and release builds for OpenStudio software and the Building Component Library; web interfaces, databases, and support of energy analysis for commercial buildings; large-scale high-performance computing energy simulations and development of an image processing occupancy sensor
Specializes in:
Correcting computer software coding errors; build environment testing on newer operating systems and dependencies for interoperability; dashboard 3D energy systems integration visualization maintenance to provide live, interactive energy data superimposed in geographical space
Paul Torcellini, Ph.D., P.E., Manager, Commercial Buildings Group (On Temporary DOE Assignment)
Research Focus:
Zero-energy buildings; whole building design and control optimization
Specializing in:
Energy Simulations; control algorithms; design delivery processes; zero energy building definitions
Evan Weaver, B.S., Engineer
Research Focus:
Developing whole-building energy modeling tools
Specializing in:
Graphical user interface and algorithm development; power generation controls; engineering; sales and marketing
