http://www.optimapa.com Charlotte, NC based engineering design firm specializing in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Mission Critical, Lighting Design, Fire Protection, and Sustainable Design. http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2010-02/article/funding-energy-efficiency-projects.htm There are several ways to fund energy efficiency projects, but none of them seem to be particularly any good in today’s economic climate. Even though reducing energy use in buildings is usually achievable, most property managers cannot utilize those savings on their corporate balance sheets. Also, most commercial mortgages will not allow building owners to take on additional debt. As more and more building owners are interested in spending money to save money in their buildings, how can ..... Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2010-01/article/leed-existing-building-services.htm A review of an existing building to see if it meets the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program will usually take between one and two days of time, and thus cost appropriately for most firms to provide that service, including ours. To engage in an analysis of an existing building to see if it can achieve LEED EB (Existing Buildings), can take up to one year, consume hundreds of hours of time, and produce up to 2,000 pages of documentation. At this point, you are asking, “What ..... Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2009-12/article/small-wind-energy.htm In the world of wind energy there are multiple categories of wind energy production. One category that is beginning to grow very rapidly is small wind. Small wind generally refers to wind turbines that produce 100KW of energy or less. These types of wind turbines can be used by individuals or small businesses looking to harness alternative energy resources. Small wind turbines offer clean, renewable, and sustainable energy allowing for conservation of natural resources and independence from ..... Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2009-11/article/sustainable-facilities-the-standard-of-the-future.htm Sustainable design is a responsible business practice. That’s why it is important for energy efficiency and sustainability to become the accepted standard in commercial construction. Not only will sustainable design help protect our environment and preserve our limited natural resources, it will also save businesses money in the long run. And, the more people know about sustainable design, the more likely they are to embrace the concept for their facility. The ultimate goal of ..... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2009-03/article/sustainable-efforts-within-optima-engineering.htm Moving into Optima Engineering's Platinum LEED workplace has energized us to improve our sustainable efforts within. Knowing that offices contribute a significant portion of our nation's waste, we want to unite with others by putting forth our best effort towards the restoration of our ecosystem. We are constantly evaluating our everyday office procedures and implementing new green practices to lighten our ecological footprint as a company. Working together, we can make a difference in ..... Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2009-02/article/leed-2009-and-energy-modeling-changes.htm One of the big changes in LEED 2009 is the scoring system, specifically in how it relates to energy modeling. Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 2 (minimum energy performance) and Credit 1 (optimize energy performance) have changed significantly.  First, the threshold for the prerequisite has changed from 14% to 10%.  Then the points awarded in the credit have changed from a 1-10 point scale, to a 1-19 point odd numbered scale, awarding basically double the points for same percentage ..... Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2008-11/article/project-control-with-earned-value-management.htm What is Earned Value Management? Earned Value Management (EVM) is a systematic project management process used to indicate variances in projects in an objective manner, based on the evaluation of the work performed compared to the work planned.  When properly applied to a project, EVM provides and early warning indication of project performance issues.  EVM uses principles of Earned Value (EV), which is a project management tool used to measure project performance.  EV ..... Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2008-09/article/steps-to-design-and-install-a-pv-system.htm Is installing a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System an easy thing? Is it something I can do at my home on my own? How hard could it be? I, too, want to "run my meter backward". Well, I can now tell you from experience. We have recently installed an 8.6KW PV system on the roof of our new building.I wanted to quickly go thru the steps, from concept to electrons flowing, in the state of North Carolina.Here it is in a nutshell. Find a suitable location for your PV panels and equipment. You ..... Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2008-07/article/go-green-with-optima.htm Optima Engineering is now exploring new and innovative ways to make our office environmentally friendly. Optima strives to achieve sustainable design with our projects and we see the importance of continuing past the design aspect and executing environmental efforts to reduce office waste and energy.Optima Engineering aims to reduce its carbon footprint and provide a positive example of a company that has successfully "gone green". We would like to share several different green ideas that we ..... Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/blog/archive/2008-07/article/project-management-systems.htm Projects have been managed for, as long as there have been projects.Only till recently has project management been recognized as a science, which could be defined.Project management is a growing profession, which is quickly becoming understood and respected as a necessity in the ever-changing landscape.Much of what is accomplished in today's world, both public and private, is project driven.Project management can be executed in a variety of industries, occupations and situations. ..... Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST