Overview of Conference Tracks:
1. Fundamentals are the foundation for understanding applications in engineering. Key components of ASHRAE fundamentals include thermodynamics, psychrometrics, heat transfer and fluid flow. This track provides opportunities for papers and presentations of varying levels across a large topic base. Concepts, design elements and shared experiences for theoretical and applied concepts of HVAC&R design are included.
2. HVAC&R Systems and Equipment are constantly evolving to address the changing requirements of the built environment. Papers and programs in this track will focus on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment. There should be a focus on reduced maintenance, increased reliability, lower capital cost, and improved energy efficiency.
3. Refrigeration systems generate and use cold for a range of processes, from food production and temperature-controlled storage to vaccine preservation, to long-term protection of fragile ancient inks of historic documents and others. Differences in technologies and equipment, performance, refrigerants, etc., may hide synergies from which both industrial and commercial systems might benefit. Refrigeration systems and the refrigerants also have environmental impacts including direct and indirect GHG emissions. Papers and programs in this track will focus on refrigeration systems of all types from process cooling to comfort cooling as well as best practices for refrigerants that are used in refrigeration systems.
4. Active research, and the exchange of those research findings, are critical to the development of our HVAC&R industry and built environment. This track invites researchers to share those results, including ASHRAE-sponsored research and research of interest to the ASHRAE community. Researchers are invited to present papers, extended abstracts, seminars, forums or participate in panel discussions. The Research Summit includes a partnership with ASHRAE's archival journal, Science and Technology for the Built Environment.
5. Decarbonization is urgently needed to slow climate change that is affecting the planet. Approximately 10% of global CO2 emissions is attributable to embodied carbon in building materials and construction processes. Energy use in buildings accounts for about 40% of energy-related carbon emissions. Therefore, to accomplish building decarbonization goals, accounting for embodied carbon and carbon emissions from operational energy use is essential. ASHRAE and its members are leading the advancement of carbon neutral, net zero energy and decarbonization strategies in new construction, renovation and HVAC&R design for residential and commercial buildings.
6. Indoor Environmental Quality for Healthy Buildings: Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is a vital consideration during all phases of a building’s life because the indoor environment is closely linked to occupant comfort, satisfaction, productivity and health. Proper fire and smoke control design is also crucial for protecting building occupants. This track explores the design, operation and studies of ventilation, air distribution systems, and all IEQ aspects, including noise, vibration and lighting in residential and commercial buildings. Topics include aspects of ventilation and IEQ, such as filtration, air distribution, humidity control, changeovers, best practices for maintainability, fire ratings/dampers, detection and ventilation for toxic gases, operator safety in equipment rooms, OSHA requirements, industrial and hazardous spaces, additional occupant health and safety considerations and new building materials, and the interaction between IEQ, energy use and building operation.
7. This track focuses on the people, practices, and tools that keep buildings running efficiently, reliably and affordably. Papers and programs in this track will address commissioning and ongoing commissioning, operations and maintenance best practices, building automation and analytics, fault detection and diagnostics, energy benchmarking and measurement and verification, capital planning and total cost of ownership, workforce development and training, and strategies for closing the gap between design intent and operational reality. Topics also include building demolition and disposal, occupant satisfaction, resilience, and the effective use of building data to inform decisions throughout a facility's service life. Should this include commissioning, retro commissioning, and recommissioning?
8. Mini-Tracks provide a flexible way to showcase emerging or specialized topics that do not fit within an existing conference track. Comprised of 6-8 thematically connected technical sessions, mini-tracks bring together experts and ideas around a shared focus area, creating a cohesive learning experience for attendees. All sessions must be submitted individually under the most appropriate existing track by the session proposal deadline. Interested in submitting a request for a mini-track? Click here to learn more. Click here to submit your name so we can follow up on your mini-track.
Types of Presentations Presented
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These sessions present both technical and conference papers. Conference papers are written on current applications or procedures, as well as papers reporting on research in process. These papers differ from technical papers in that they are shorter in length and undergo a much less stringent peer review. Technical papers cover current applications or procedures, as well as papers resulting from research on fundamental concepts and basic theory. Papers presented in these sessions have successfully completed a rigorous peer review. PowerPoint presentations with audio descriptions of the presentations are posted online in the Virtual Conference. Preprints of the papers are available to all attendees who have purchased a conference registration.
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Forums are “off-the-record” discussions held to promote a free exchange of ideas. Reporting of forums is limited to allow individuals to speak confidentially without concern of criticism. There are no papers attached to these forums.
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Debates highlight hot-button issues. Experts, either on teams or as individuals, present different sides of an issue in debate format. Each participant presents evidence for or against a specific statement or question such as ‘Is Sustainability Really Sustainable?”.
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Panel discussions can feature a broad range of subjects and explore different perspectives on issues in the industry. A panel may feature discussions about integrated project delivery among designers, builders and facility management professionals.
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Seminars feature presentations on subjects of current interest. Papers are not available from the Society; however, seminar PowerPoint presentations with audio descriptions of the presentations are posted online in the Virtual Conference. Access is free for attendees who purchase a conference registration. Seminars are available as a collection via subscription to the Technology Portal online and include video files synched with audio, audio files and PDF files of the presentations.
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Workshops enable technical committees and other ASHRAE committees to provide a series of short presentations on a topic requiring specific expertise. These short presentations are provided with an increased emphasis on audience participation and training in a specific set of skills. PowerPoint presentations with audio descriptions are posted online in the Virtual Conference.
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>> Upcoming Deadlines
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- November 11 | Conference Paper Abstracts Due
- December 4 | Abstract Accept/Reject Notifications
- February 17 | Conference Papers & Extended Abstracts Due
- February 24 | Debate, Panel, Seminar, Forum, Workshop Proposals Due
- March 10 | Conference Paper/Extended Abstract Notifications
- March 31 | Revised Conference Papers Due
- April 1 | Debate, Panel, Seminar, Forum, Workshop Scheduling Notifications
- April 14 | Conference Paper Final Accept/Reject Notifications