Publication | June 30, 2022 by Andrea Cherney

City of Madison Microgrid Feasibility Analysis: Engineering Operations and Streets West

Slipstream recently completed feasibility studies on existing sites in two Wisconsin cities, Madison and Sun Prairie. Each city had its own reasons for exploring how a microgrid might help it meet its climate and resiliency goals. More

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Tool | April 26, 2022 by

Lighting and HVAC Integrated Controls Savings Estimator

Describe the characteristics of your commercial building to estimate the potential savings you can achieve with integrated controls. LAUNCH THE ESTIMATOR More

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Publication | December 31, 2021 by

MECA Air Source Variable Refrigerant Flow Field Study

In a field study for Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA), we monitored VRF systems at two hotels—both located in Michigan's notoriously frigid climate. At each site, we collected data on energy usage, space temperatures, and VRF supply temperatures for at least 12 months to ensure that we captured seasonal performance. More

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Publication | December 23, 2021 by

Installed Performance of Heat Pump Water Heaters in a Cold Climate

Slipstream recently conducted a robust monitoring study on heat pump water heaters for MECA, in which we studied the latest generation of HPWHs in the cold climate of the upper Midwest. The project included a field study of HPWH performance in nine homes in rural or village settings. More

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Publication | December 10, 2021 by

Reimagining HVAC for New Manufactured Housing: Energy Modeling and Cost Effectiveness Report

This report supports a DOE Advanced Building Construction project focused on improving the energy efficiency of new manufactured homes through innovations related to space heating and cooling. More

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Publication | December 3, 2021 by

Reimagining HVAC for New Manufactured Housing: Feasibility Assessment Report

This project identified 13 innovations for the HVAC systems installed in new manufactured homes and recommends four innovations for innovation testing. Innovations in HVAC systems could improve energy efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality to the benefit of manufactured home residents and the industry. More

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Publication | November 1, 2021 by

Case Study: Hennepin County 701 Building

Hennepin County, the most populated county in Minnesota, operates a massive portfolio of buildings covering most building types. They also have a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their operations by 25% by 2025. As a result, they have undertaken significant energy retrofits over the past decade, with much effort focused on lighting retrofit. They recently investigated broader uses of smart building controls and were subsequently introduced to Slipstream’s integrated controls pilot. More

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Publication | November 1, 2021 by

Case Study: University of Minnesota Jones Hall

The University of Minnesota wanted to decrease energy costs in Jones Hall, one of their mixed-use buildings on campus with a combination of offices, classrooms, and public space. The building is a historic component of the campus, hosting many functions over the years, and is currently home to the University’s Admissions, Language Center, and College of Liberal Arts classrooms. The building had fallen behind in some of the University’s aggressive sustainability initiatives and needed new lighting and controls. More

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Publication | November 1, 2021 by

Case Study: State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Cedar Avenue truck station is a key facility from which the department maintains the many state roads and highways in the Twin Cities metro area. Prior to the retrofit the building had an older fluorescent lighting system that was overlit and largely operated 24 hours a day without much automated lighting controls. More

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Publication | July 29, 2021 by

Field and Market Assessment of Heat Pump Clothes Dryers

Residential heat pump clothes dryers are a potentially significant advancement in clothes drying technology. Not only are they more energy-efficient than conventional electric dryers but they are ventless, which allows for flexibility in dryer location and can provide indirect space-conditioning benefits in heating-dominated climates. This study examined the features, performance, and consumer acceptance of heat pump clothes dryers as a potential addition to Minnesota Conservation Improvement Programs. More