It is often said the devil is in the detail.  This idiom is generally applied as a warning, most likely from an individual who has experience in the impact of a detail being missed.
 

It’s long been hard to find certification offerings that address all critical elements of the data center into a single, cohesive certificate. 

The definition of an Intelligent Building has evolved over the years. Today, what does it mean, exactly, to be an Intelligent Building?
 

Even though the chiller can have the largest peak load of any component in a chiller plant, it may not be the largest contributor to total annual energy consumption.
 

Intelligent Building solutions are becoming increasingly popular, and ESD has been involved with instituting a number of them in office buildings, including at the Zurich North America headquarters.
 

Companies look at space, whether for desks, server rooms or beyond, as revenue generators. So when firms can do more with less space – such as when they use lithium-ion batteries in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems -- they take notice.
 

Chiller plant design can be challenging; one may not know where to start. Below are the five design considerations to get going.
 

Office buildings are often technologically complex, so it’s always good to gather experienced engineers to discuss present trends and future possibilities in these important spaces.
 

As more mergers take place, the number of potential data center clients has declined over the years. Once in the hundreds, the number has fallen to 50.
 

As information-technology equipment becomes more robust, it is better able to handle humidity in its area and is less likely to suffer an outage that can hamper a business.
 

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process that helps drive efficiency in projects. Few spread the word about BIM better than Julide Demirdoven.
 

Rising energy costs, denser cities and the effects that burning fossil fuels may have on the environment all place new demands on the producers and consumers of energy.
 

As global data center markets continue to see new demand, the value of experts sharing their insights about best industry practices increases.
 

Many will be captivated by the beauty of the next generation of tall buildings – but few will understand they couldn’t exist without the latest, greatest iteration of building systems.
 

Certification to UL 3223 will help mitigate risk for data center owners and operators by providing a set of criteria to increase end-user transparency, provider accountability, and proper data center documentation.
 

Many cities across the world are committed to reducing carbon emissions – and Chicago is no exception.
 

For marketing to succeed, engaging current customers is crucial; it builds loyalty and helps bring a positive return on investment. But what are the best ways to achieve customer engagement?
 

Technology and MEP infrastructure constitute the majority of costs on most tenant improvement projects, which makes it important for all project team members to get together before a lease is signed. 

In 2017, UL announced a partnership with ESD to develop a new data center certification program that aims to provide end-user transparency, provider accountability and proper data center documentation. Next week, ESD and UL representatives will share their insights on the program at a major conference.
 

Improving the efficiency of building systems is always the goal of building owners, facility managers and others – and Jim Vallort knows how they can achieve that goal.
 

Every month, Illinois Green Alliance (previously USGBC IL) highlights passionate and motivated volunteers. This month, they put the spotlight on one of our own.
 

Thirty-one years ago, when I was in college, I used to work in the summer at Weisser Optical... 
 

As director of ESD’s San Francisco office, Aliza Skolnik has volunteered her time to take part in a number of Bay Area organizations.
 

Last May, ESD announced that it had been selected by UL to help develop a new data center certification program to certify data centers internationally. 
 

Being appointed to a position by the mayor of a major city is quite an honor.

Magazines often need guidance from experts to help put out the most compelling and relevant articles for readers.
 

ESD always enjoys promoting from within. This year, 25 employees have earned new job titles.
 

Engineering has often been considered a male-dominated industry, but women are increasingly being promoted to important executive positions.
 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that Chicago will implement an Energy Rating System that makes energy use information for large buildings easily accessible to residents while encouraging energy savings, a move applauded by ESD’s Energy+Eco Group.
 

Commissioning is a growing industry. According to Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine, the top 25 Cx firms made $331.9 million in revenue during the latest fiscal year, a 10 percent jump from the top 25 firms in 2016.