Energy modeling is a crucial tool for decarbonizing the built environment, from analyzing energy consumption to informing design decisions. In Episode 8 of Clear Haze Exchange, Matthew Hazelwood welcomes Matthew Duffy, Vice President of IESVE Sales North America East at IES Ltd., to the podcast.

With over 15 years of experience in sustainability and energy efficiency consulting, Marcus emphasizes the importance of utilizing tools like IES's energy modeling software, from design conception through to construction and operations. Matthew shares how understanding these three elements enables energy modeling to predict a building's energy consumption and inform design decisions that minimize its carbon footprint.

This includes analyzing various factors such as:

• Building Geometry: The layout and dimensions of the building, including walls, windows, and spaces.
• Materials: The types of materials used in construction, which affect insulation and energy efficiency.
• Occupant Behavior: The thermal energy generated by people and equipment within the building.

One of the most significant advantages of energy modeling is its capacity to inform design decisions early in the project lifecycle. Matthew pointed out that, by incorporating energy modeling and using tools like IESVE, designers can conduct parametric analyses to evaluate different design scenarios, such as various HVAC systems or facade options, to determine which configurations minimize energy consumption and carbon footprint.

In summary, energy modeling is an indispensable tool for decarbonizing the built environment. As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of energy modeling will only grow, making it essential for architects, engineers, and sustainability professionals to embrace this powerful tool.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Clean Planet Group is on a mission to turn the tide on plastic waste—with a mix of creativity, innovation, and bold action! In Episode 7 of Clear Haze Exchange, host Marcus Hazelwood welcomes Bertie Stephens, the CEO and board member of Clean Planet Group. Whether it’s sparking young minds through storytelling, transforming unrecyclable plastics into clean energy, or developing futuristic fuels for flight, each division plays a unique role in reimagining our planet’s future. Together, these efforts are paving the way for a cleaner world—one story, one solution, and one piece of plastic at a time.

Clean Planet Foundation: This division allows the Board to take calculated risks and support initiatives that do not require a financial return. The return on investment is far greater from future generations!

As a film director and children’s book author, Bertie appreciates how storytelling can be used to educate, combat plastic waste, and promote sustainability. By engaging younger generations through relatable narratives in chapter books and comics, the Clean Planet Foundation can inspire a new wave of advocates and simplify some of the complex environmental challenges we face.

Clean Planet Energy: By converting unrecyclable plastics back into oil, Clean Planet Group promotes a circular economy where materials are reused rather than discarded. The company’s efforts align with the growing demand for sustainable practices among consumers and businesses alike, as more organizations seek to meet sustainability targets and reduce their environmental impact.

Clean Planet Technology: By focusing on research and development, efforts are being made to advance the technology needed for converting plastic waste into aviation fuel. The implications of utilizing plastic waste as aviation fuel extend beyond environmental benefits. By adopting sustainable aviation fuel derived from plastic waste, these organizations can significantly reduce their carbon footprint associated with air travel, thus contributing to broader climate goals.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

In Episode 6 of Clear Haze Exchange, host Marcus Hazelwood is joined by guest Yolanda Owens, Executive Director of Local Matters, who emphasizes that sustainability involves understanding how to utilize the resources we currently have to ensure a viable world for the next generation.

As a Buckeye from Columbus, Ohio, Yolanda brings her unique perspective on sustainability practices to this discussion about the importance of understanding our consumption habits and their broader implications for energy efficiency and environmental health.

Yolanda defines sustainability as "the responsible use of resources to ensure a viable world for future generations" and explains how everyone should challenge our judgments about the haves and have-nots when it comes to food access. Yolanda's definition of sustainability encompasses social and economic dimensions as well. She points out that sustainability has often been "greenwashed," leading to misconceptions about its true meaning. For her, it involves collaborating with growers who prioritize sustainable practices, ensuring that agricultural land remains productive and healthy for years to come.

At the heart of sustainability lies the principle of wise resource utilization, including considering the inputs used in food production, such as water, soil, and energy. Yolanda discusses the importance of addressing what happens to food that doesn't reach consumers, often ending up in landfills instead of being repurposed or becoming compost. Initiatives like food rescue programs, which Local Matters has implemented, aim to redirect surplus food to those in need rather than allowing it to go to waste. By rescuing food and redistributing it, organizations can help alleviate food insecurity and take actionable steps toward fostering a culture of sustainability that benefits both people and the planet.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.