Direct Energy, one of North America’s largest energy and energy-related services companies, through its parent company Centrica, has agreed to acquire Panoramic Power, a leading provider of device-level energy management solutions, for $60 million.

Heat was the focus of two ASHRAE student competitions. The 2015 Design Competition focused on a three-story classroom and office building in Doha, Qatar, while for the Applied Engineering Challenge, students were required to design a collapsible portable conditioned shelter for treatment of heat illness victims.

A new report, “Global Construction 2030,” forecasts that the volume of construction output will grow by 85 percent to $15.5 trillion worldwide by 2030, with three countries — China, the U.S., and India — leading the way and accounting for 57 percent of all global growth.

Installed Building Products Inc., a leading installer of insulation and complementary building products, has announced the acquisition of Sierra Insulation Contractors Inc. and Eco-Tect Insulation Inc.

A new study finds that doubling the ventilation rate in typical office buildings can be reached at an estimated annual energy cost of between $14 and $40 per person, resulting in as much as a $6,500 equivalent in improved productivity per person per year.

Master-Bilt®, manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment, has introduced its new Alternative Industrial Refrigerant (AIR) Initiative which outlines the use of hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blended refrigerants and foaming agents to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) guidelines.

Lime Energy Co. has been awarded a contract by Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) to implement a portion of its Direct Install Program for government, nonprofit, and small business facilities.

NetworkThermostat, a leading communications-based thermostat manufacturer, announced it has received the WFX 2015 New Products Award for two new IP thermostats, the UP32HE-IP and the UP32HE-WIFI.

The global industrial refrigeration market is forecast to grow from $22.57 billion in 2014, and reach $33.90 billion in 2020, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1 percent, according to a report from P&S Market Research.