Students from Vermont State University’s Architectural Engineering Technology (AET) program and the Renewable Energy (REN) concentration of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program attended the ASHRAE winter conference in Orlando, Florida February 7-11, 2025. Engineering Professor Chris Reilly, P.E., who teaches courses related to building energy, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, led the student group comprising members of the VTSU ASHRAE Club. ASHRAE stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers, and it is an industry leader in promoting energy efficiency, green design, and sustainability.
The students participated in social and professional events while at the conference, including attending an ASHRAE Region 1 dinner and multiple technical sessions related to building environments. Technical session topics included “Energy Storage and Grid Resiliency,” “Pathways to Building Decarbonization,” and “Future-Proofing the Built Environment.”
AET students at VTSU learn how to manage energy demand in buildings, through improved insulating practices, better building envelopes in general, and the application of efficient equipment for comfort and productivity. REN students often focus on the supply side of energy for buildings, through the application of solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable sources. There is overlap of the students in several courses.
As to the students’ involvement at the ASHRAE conference, in addition to enjoying a respite from the Vermont winter, Prof. Reilly commented, “The ASHRAE Winter Conference has always been a great experience for our students. They get to meet professionals in the industry, interact with students from other universities, and they see how their education is preparing them for many opportunities in the future. The students who attended this year’s conference came away very energized and excited because they can see how what they are learning directly ties to their experiences at the conference.”
