SPARK

Discoveries, innovations, and insights that illuminate the future of the built environment

Intern Q&A: Lexie Bright

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How would you describe what you are doing at McKinstry in 50 words or less?

I interact with, benchmark, and analyze energy data. I’m learning how to upload facility condition assessment files into an Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) data base. I’ve been enjoying learning from and connecting with the Energy and Technical Services team!

What has McKinstry been successful in with tackling the challenge of COVID-19 from a company and an intern perspective (i.e. measures taken company wide and measures taken within the BLUE Program)

McKinstry has done an excellent job connecting us despite the virtual nature of this work. Very helpful resources have been provided left and right throughout the B.L.U.E. program. I enjoyed hearing McKinstry’s higher management make a statement on the Black Lives Matter movement. I also appreciated the weekly intern social events. A huge thanks to Bri Kastning (Employee Development Program Manager) who has remarkably guided this internship! McKinstry provides a special atmosphere that encourages growth and enthusiasm despite the challenges presented by COVID-19; the company has also been very clear on required health precautions when employees partake in non-virtual work. If working for McKinstry has been this great of an experience virtually, I can only imagine the bounty of fun it would be to work with these awesome people in person!

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Tyler Pritchard: Getting to know me & my journey to McKinstry’s B.L.U.E. Program

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Currently, I am entering my fifth year at the Colorado School of Mines, pursuing a major in mechanical engineering with minors in energy and public affairs. Having been born in Edmonds, Wash., I was quite shaken by the move to Colorado. The air is so much thinner, the flora is so much drier, and the people are so much more…outdoorsy. Beer is a really big thing here. Oceans are not. Even the Coloradan flag is more cheerful than its Washingtonian peer. Regardless, I found my place in Colorado riding bikes, researching fuel cells, leading Mines Sustainability, and camping in the Rocky Mountains whenever possible.

Since that first jarring transition, I have gone on to bike across the Rockies twice, work as an intern for Senator Chris Hanson at the Colorado State Capitol, play piano on KUVO in Denver, and begin working on the techno-economic analysis of methane synthesis using proton-conducting electrolyzer cells. All the while, I also developed my appreciation for environmentally conscious and human-centered engineering.

During my first year  at Mines, I developed a fascination with the interactions between people, their built environment, and the natural environment. But, as a first-year student, I sat through classes where proficiency and cunning were proven through a talent with numbers and the ability to solve unfamiliar technical problems. There was rarely any consideration for how these numbers on the page translated to environmental or human health beyond. But, it was these  nagging questions — “Where does the exhaust go?,”  “What happens when nitrogen levels are this high?” —  that got me interested in human-centered design and energy engineering. And, this passion and curiosity are precisely what brought me to McKinstry.

My prior internship experiences, experimental fuel cell research and policy research at the Colorado State Capitol, have both given me a taste of academia and policy. But, prior to this summer, I still lacked any substantive experience in industry. Thus, I knew that I wanted to work in industry this summer. Furthermore, I aspire to become an elected official one day. And, during my time in politics, I noticed that one of the greatest shortcomings of our current elected officials is their lack of tangible knowledge regarding how sustainability is realized in a modern capitalist society. These officials do not understand what it takes to carry out a $4.5 billion lighting retrofit, nor do they understand what financing mechanisms tip solar from being economically favorable to being a waste of time and resources. Fearing I would also succumb to such blissful ignorance, I was further motivated to pursue an internship in industry.

Earlier this year, I had many ideas for who I’d like to work for this summer: Stantec, HDR, Siemens. But, in the back of my mind, I always knew that my dream would be to end up at McKinstry.  From McKinstry’s powerED campaign at Mines, I picked up on the dedication to upgrading facilities whilst also encouraging cultures to be more sustainable. Between powerED’s Shut the Sash campaign to its People.Power.Planet pledge page, I fell in love with McKinstry’s holistic approach to sustainability. And from there, I realized that McKinstry was exactly where I needed to be. No place combined my desire to experience industry and champion sustainability more wholly than McKinstry.

Mission: Possible—The energy-saving potential of CHP systems

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At McKinstry, our mission is to make every building we touch more efficient. “Mission: Possible” is a new monthly series featuring projects around the country that demonstrate our mission in action. 

Since 2013, our Seattle energy team has worked with MultiCare (an integrated healthcare network made up of eight hospitals and numerous clinics across Washington) to deliver more than 30 projects and make every MultiCare building we touch more efficient. 

At Good Samaritan Hospital (located in Puyallup, Wash.), MultiCare and McKinstry recently implemented a combined heat and power (CHP) system. This innovative system allows the hospital to generate its own power on-site, which is drastically more reliable, cost efficient and energy efficient. 

At Good Samaritan, the new two-megawatt CHP system came online in late 2019 and was fully implemented in early 2020. The system will cut combined energy and maintenance costs by 25 percent, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent, as compared to just connecting to the standard power grid. 

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A smart, comprehensive approach to a clean energy future

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Jeff Hughes (left) is McKinstry’s Director of Renewable Energy Services.

The clean energy revolution is here, RIGHT NOW! Right-sized, clean, and resilient power generation is the exciting new norm and the future we are building together. Renewable energy has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and widespread adoption has been enjoyed throughout the country in all major market sectors.

This year in the United States alone, 24 gigawatts (GW) of new electricity generation capacity will come online, 66 percent of which will be provided by solar PV, wind, other renewables, or battery energy storage. Eight GW of capacity will be retired, the majority of which is from fossil fuel sources. While this represents significant progress, renewable energy (including hydropower) accounts for just under 20 percent of the overall U.S. energy mix, underscoring the tremendous challenge in front of us—to achieve a 100-percent, clean energy future.

This data shows we’re chasing a moving target—a growing target that still adds eight GW of fossil fuel capacity every year. For us to achieve the future we desire, we must think holistically and with resolute purpose. By adding solar and renewable energy to our electricity grid, we are all helping bring clean energy to our communities but only addressing part of the problem: we are ignoring our energy use and we are ignoring our behavior toward energy.

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Connecting sustainable spaces with healthy places

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Did you know that the average American spends 85 percent of their time within a building?

Sarah Spencer-Workman, a Technical Services Senior Manager based in McKinstry’s Golden, Colo. office.

As a result, building industry professionals and owners have started to realize that the built environment has direct and indirect effects on human wellness and productivity—even if occupants are often unaware.

Specifically, industry health and building experts from leading institutions are making it a priority to investigate the link between indoor environmental quality, cognitive function and decision-making performance.

One particular study, known as COGfx, placed 24 participants over the course of six full work days in an environmentally-controlled office space of fluctuating ventilation conditions—ranging from conventional office buildings to green buildings and green buildings with enhanced ventilation. Subsequently, the study yielded noteworthy results demonstrating:

  • 101 percent higher cognitive performance scores in green buildings with enhanced ventilation
  • An eight percent increase in employee decision-making performance equates to approximately $6,500 improved productivity each year
  • A productivity increase that was 150 times greater than the resulting energy costs

With higher employee satisfaction, a substantial increase in productivity and minimal cost to the employer, the COGfx study has provided peer-reviewed evidence for the connection between sustainable building and occupant health.

Further, in an Urban Land Institute survey, 92 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that health and wellness features in a real estate property can impact its market success and economic value.

Connecting studies to real-world results

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How to engineer an engineer

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Greetings once again! For those who don’t remember my first post, I’m Jason Orr. I’m working as a mechanical design intern on the Energy team in Seattle this summer. Since arriving in May, I’ve experienced a steep learning curve. Luckily, my all-star team is full of patient and flexible people willing to help a rookie like me.

Jason Orr, at his desk in Seattle.

In short, McKinstry’s Energy team is responsible for projects that involve existing buildings. Since humans aren’t perfect, the buildings we design aren’t either. We try to ensure that, say, a hospital that’s been standing for 100 years is there for 100 more. In the age of sustainability, another goal of ours is to make everything more efficient. How can we save the customer money while also saving the planet?

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Clarissa Ferreira: Getting to know me & my journey to McKinstry’s B.L.U.E. Program

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My name is Clarissa Ferreira and I am a construction intern in the Phoenix office. I enjoy outside activities like hiking and off-roading—when the Arizona heat permits. I love country music, traveling and am a huge foodie. Usually—on the weekends—I can be found out at a food truck festival, sightseeing in a new city, or hanging out with my family.

Clarissa Ferreira.

I started out as an architecture and construction management dual major at the University of Texas, San Antonio, and it didn’t take me long to realize I don’t think like an architect. I just didn’t find as much passion for being artistic and creative as I’d originally thought I would. I ended up moving back to my native Arizona and taking some time off to be with my family. I am currently a senior and a construction management major at Arizona State University (ASU).

I come to McKinstry with more than six years of experience in the construction field. Before transferring to ASU, I worked as an administrative assistant (in the engineering and work management departments) and participated in “fire watch” during outages at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Tonopah, Ariz. Fire watch was a hands-on safety experience. Staff paired with welders and pipe-fitters to go out into the shutdown unit and monitor as workers made repairs to mitigate the chance of fire.

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Spooky energy savings at Wayzata School District

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Wayzata School District in Minnesota isn’t afraid of creative ways to save energy. The suburban district located 13 miles west of Minneapolis is a longtime powerED participant at each of its eight elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school.

Wayzata School District students excel because they have access to enthusiastic teachers that know how important it is for students and parents to get engaged. More than 10,000 teachers, students and parents have pledged to cut energy waste since engaging in McKinstry’s powerED program. That call to action has paid off. The district has reduced energy consumption by 26 percent and avoided more than 5,600 metric tons of carbon emissions.

On October 30, Oakwood Elementary is taking energy savings one scary step further in a combined Halloween and Energy Action Month celebration. For one “spooky day,” the school will keep as many lights off as possible to raise awareness and demonstrate action.

Grab your flashlight and watch the energy savings roll in!

Join McKinstry and our clients as we celebrate Energy Action Month by pledging to take action. If you think you can’t affect the future of energy consumption, you’re wrong. It takes all of us, every day, taking actions small and big. Together, we CAN build a thriving planet.

Innovation is thriving at McKinstry

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Whether you’re talking about technology, systems, hiring or even building materials, the answer is the same: The construction industry is ripe for innovation. As our computers and phones have gotten more and more sophisticated, our buildings haven’t always kept up. However, this won’t be the case for much longer! As we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women in Construction Week, we spoke with three women at McKinstry who are on the front lines of innovation in the built environment:

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Getting To Know: Taylor Blevins (Portland)

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Taylor Blevins.

Hello! My name is Taylor Blevins, and I’m a B.L.U.E. Program intern in McKinstry’s Portland office. I first met with a McKinstry representative at the Oregon State University career fair and once I learned more about the company, I knew it would be a good fit for me.

I’m currently a rising senior at Oregon State studying Energy Systems Engineering. I also have some experience in BIM (Building Information Modeling) from my last internship with an architectural firm.

Ever since that internship ended, I’ve wanted to further-develop my skills in building systems and learn more about how buildings consume energy. As an engineer, it’s important that I learn how to help reduce that energy consumption.

Since McKinstry focuses on the mechanical systems of buildings and the energy aspect of buildings, I knew I was in the right place. So far my experience with McKinstry has been tremendous and I’m learning constantly.

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