Better Buildings Better Business, Energy Center Wisconsin presentation

Date Occurred: 15 0312   Presented a workshop on the "Fundamentals and applications of thermodynamics". Our goal was to create an intuitive, visceral and intellectual understanding of our living environment using pictures and graphics of the earth's physical systems. The presentation covered the basics of thermodynamics and how these principles can be used to understand climate, site conditions and how buildings respond to their environments. We explored how the sun’s energy drives our planet’s climate and influences site micro-climates, occupant comfort and building systems in observable ways. We looked at how differential solar irradiation creates heat, high and low pressure areas, winds and currents. We reviewed examples of different environmental systems functioning at different scales to see the same principals operating from the atomic to planet wide scale. Finally, we considered how the human body operates in different climates and environments and how to design indoor and outdoor spaces for maximum comfort. The session ended with a great question and answer period for 34 attendees.