ASHRAE has announced the technical program for its “Energy Modeling Conference: Tools for Designing High Performance Buildings,” Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2015, in Atlanta at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center.

The conference focuses on the practical application of high performance building modeling. In addition to the three-day Technical Program, the conference includes software demonstrations by vendors, networking opportunities, and the new ASHRAE “LowDown Showdown,” an interactive modeling challenge for conference attendees.

 “What makes this conference unique from the previous Energy Modeling Conferences and other industry events is that we will be engaging the vendors and the conference participants in the practical application of modeling tools,” said Dennis Knight, conference chair. “Between the very strong line-up of speakers and the ASHRAE LowDown Showdown challenge, conference goers will come away with hands-on information that can be taken back and implemented in the workplace.”

The conference sessions are organized into two tracks.

• Modeling Tips and Tricks includes modeling techniques, modeling workflow, daylighting, parametric modeling for design, code compliance, and optimization.

• Modeling Best Practices includes conceptual design; business cases for BIM and BEM; incentive programs; new tools and techniques; thermal comfort; HVAC systems modeling; calibration, measurement, and validation; and weather.

New to the conference this year is the ASHRAE LowDown Showdown modeling challenge. The showdown showcases the work of several teams competing to model a net zero or below building. The purpose is to give conference attendees the opportunity to work with the vendor/developer of their choice to showcase their abilities using the vendor’s simulation tools, innovative workflows, and creative problem solving to model a high performance building while having fun. Participants are required to sign up by Monday, June 1, and to register for the conference. To sign up for the ASHRAE LowDown Showdown, go here.

Prior to the start of the conference, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, ASHRAE will present a six-hour course titled, “Energy Modeling Best Practices and Applications.” See www.ashrae.org/modelingcourse for more information.

In addition, six pre-conference workshops will be presented by software companies on Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29. Visit www.ashrae.org/EMC2015 for the complete list.

Post conference, ASHRAE will offer a Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) certification exam, as well as certification exams for Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP), Commissioning Process Management Professional (CPMP), Healthcare Facility Design Professional (HFDP), High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP), and Operations & Performance Management Professional (OPMP). The certification exam session will take place Friday, Oct. 2, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Apply by Sept. 10 at www.ashrae.org/emcexams to sit for the ASHRAE certification exams.

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities and the conference schedule, or to register, go to www.ashrae.org/EMC2015.