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/news/archive/2010-09/article/optima-engineering-fulfills-sustainable-commitment-with-solar-powered-dc-flexzone-grid-solution-and-gains-leed-platinum-certification.htm Optima Engineering fulfills sustainable commitment with solar-powered DC FlexZone grid solution and gains LEED platinum certification. Optima was featured in the  Renewable Energy Focus magazine's Sept./Oct. issue - Read Case Study . Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-08/article/new-elementary-school-goes-green.htm New Century Elementary School - The highest performing school in North Carolina opens this school year in Cumberland County. Optima Engineering utilized the most efficient systems available based on a 30 year life cycle cost analysis. 12 different HVAC systems were analyzed and compared to determine the most efficient system for the facility – a geothermal HVAC system will be utilized. In addition daylighting, sophisticated building management and lighting controls, low water use ..... Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-08/article/keith-pehl-p-e-speaking-at-58th-nchea-annual-conference-exhibition.htm Keith Pehl, P.E. will be speaking at the 58th NCHEA Annual Conference & Exhibition. In his sessions he will discuss Energy Efficiency in Healthcare Facilities and Solar Photovoltaics. Keith is the founder, the President, and the CEO of Optima Engineering, P.A. located in Charlotte, N.C. Optima Engineering has approximately 35 employees and provides a wide range of engineering services for the built environment, from mechanical, electrical and plumbing design for buildings, to ..... Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-06/article/u-s-sen-kay-hagan-climbed-onto-the-roof-of-optima-engineering-and-touted-her-support-for-a-bill-that-would-make-it-easier-for-small-businesses-to-get-loans.htm U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan climbed onto the roof of Optima Engineering on Monday and touted her support for a bill that would make it easier for small businesses to get loans, allowing them to invest more in renewable energy. Read Full Article Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-06/article/senator-hagan-tours-optima-engineering.htm Senator Hagan visited Optima Engineering today to discuss her efforts in Washington to support small businesses. Hagan wants to create an environment that makes it easier for NC businesses to create jobs. Hagan supports a bill currently on the Senate floor that contains key provisions for small businesses. Tonight at 5:30 p.m.: Senator Hagan to tour Optima Engineering - WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC- http://www.wbtv.com/global/story.asp?s=12645002 ..... Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-06/article/myers-chapman-industrial-renovation-earns-leed-silver-certification.htm For More Information: Bo South, Vice President 704.940.3905 bsouth@myers-chapman.com CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 8, 2010 – An industrial facility renovated by Myers & Chapman (www.myers-chapman.com) has earned LEED© Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Rock Hill, S.C., building is occupied by Carolina Ingredients, an international food production company that blends and packages seasonings. The 70,000-square-foot building serves as the ..... Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-06/article/national-association-of-students-against-violence-everywhere-recognizes-charlotte-engineers-as-2010-volunteers-of-the-year.htm RALEIGH, N.C — Dr. Pamela L. Riley, Executive Director of the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), has announced the 2010 Gary N. Brown National SAVE Volunteers of the Year awards. The awards recipients are: Keith Pehl, President of Optima Engineering in Charlotte, directs the ACE (Architect Construction Engineering) After School Mentoring Program in Charlotte area schools; and Katie Spearman, Senior Preconstruction Project Engineer ..... Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-05/article/duke-s-solar-effort-clouding-growth.htm Developers, contractors and renewable-energy advocates see Duke Energy Carolinas putting the squeeze on the local solar industry. Independent solar companies say they can’t even get in the door to negotiate with the Charlotte energy giant. “It’s not difficult to do a deal with them,” says Richard Harkrader of Carolina Solar Energy in Durham. “It’s impossible.” Critics say that’s slowing the growth of the nascent solar industry despite ..... Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-04/article/natasha-herting-presents-on-the-science-behind-greenhouse-gases-at-charlotte-s-clean-and-green-event.htm   Natasha Herting presented during Charlotte's Clean and Green event a class on the science behind Greenhouse Gases(GHGs), their sources and environmental trends. She then described what a GHG Inventory is including scope, reporting, and data quality. After reviewing how to calculate emissions, Natasha evaluated the many incentives at how businesses gain competitive advantage while reducing ..... Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-04/article/first-leed-food-lion-receives-leed-silver-certification.htm Summit Commons Food Lion: Columbia, SC LEED Silver.  Optima Engineering had the opportunity to provide engineering services for the first Food Lion store to be built to LEED standards, the 34,000 square foot store includes extensive daylighting and lighting controls. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-03/article/energy-efficient-buildings-would-save-north-carolina-families-1400-per-year-while-reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions.htm Contact: Kassidee Fisher, Field Associate, Environment North Carolina (919) 833-0015 x100, kfisher@environmentnorthcarolina.org Charlotte, NC− North Carolina families could save $1400 every year on their energy bills by 2030 if the government invests in the energy efficiency of our buildings today, according to a new report by Environment North Carolina. Saving energy in our buildings would also help North Carolina’s fight against global warming by reducing projected ..... Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-03/article/optima-engineering-welcomes-timothy-mcelroy-leed-ap-qcxp-to-the-energy-division.htm Optima Engineering would like to welcome to the Energy Division Timothy McElroy, LEED AP, QCxP - Energy Analyst / Commissioning Agent. Timothy expertise includes Energy Audits, energy analysis, energy modeling, and commissioning of new buildings as well as retro-commissioning existing facilities. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-03/article/matt-hicks-help-architects-and-engineers-better-understand-revit.htm Matt Hicks, an electrical designer at Optima Engineering, is our resident Revit Expert. He participated in a Revit Panel in Columbia, SC on Tuesday, Feb. 16th in an effort to help architects and engineers better understand Revit in the engineering fields. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-03/article/tanger-outlet-at-the-arches-receives-leed-silver-certification-for-core-and-shell.htm Optima Engineering would like to congratulate all of the team members involved with the Tanger Outlets at the Arches located in Deer Park, NY. This project has been certified as a “LEED SILVER” core and shell project by the USGBC. The outlet has16 buildings with a total of over 800,000 square feet of retail space. Optima Engineering provided all of the LEED engineering design for all 16 buildings (including energy modeling). Some special design considerations include High Voltage ..... Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-01/article/optima-engineering-expands-renewable-energy-division.htm We would like to welcome Natasha A. Herting. Natasha has joined Optima Engineering’s Renewable Energy Division as a Project Manager. Natasha will be responsible for all aspects of establishing and conducting energy audits, energy efficiency studies, and resource conservations studies. She will also develop technical strategies for quantifying energy savings and other resource reductions for facilities. Natasha graduated from NC State with a BS in Industrial and Systems ..... Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.optimapa.com/index.cfm/p/news/archive/2010-01/article/creative-thinkers-award-for-optima-s-platinum-leed-office.htm CRE The Counselors Of Real Estate presented Keith G. Pehl with the “Creative Thinkers Award” for Optima’s Platinum LEED Office. The award was given to individuals who have demonstrated insightful real estate and economic development decision making that was significant in a real estate related project. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST