Expo introduces building professionals to
newest electric technologies
 |
| Tony McFarland (left), owner of Mold Masters,
and handler Rebecca Rasmussen demonstrate Watson’s
mold-detecting technique for a local reporter at West River
Energy’s fourth annual Electro-technology Expo. The
trained dog sniffed out the canister containing mold spores
every time. (Photo courtesy of West River Energy Services) |
Western Energy Services Representative Ron
Horstman and Watson
the mold-detecting dog were among the experts covering the
latest topics in electric technology for the building industry
at the fourth annual Electro-Technology Expo, January 22.
Input from Western, utilities,
participants creates program schedule
More than 200 professional builders, developers, contractors,
realtors, engineers and architects attended the all-electric
educational event at the Ramkota Best Western Inn in Rapid City,
S.D. Western customer West
River Electric Association and investor-owned Black
Hills Power co-sponsored the expo. “I went to a similar
show Mannkota Power System did for contractors, and I knew this
would be a great thing for builders in our area,” said
Marketing Representative Dave
Holte. “Black Hills liked the idea too, so we teamed
up and it’s been getting bigger every year.”
Exhibitors help offset the cost of putting on
the one-day event with paid sponsorship. Many vendors, like
Marathon hot water heaters, also offer attendees special discounts
on their products and services.
In addition to exhibits, the expo presents a
program of four concurrent sessions on issues and technologies
to improve energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.
This year, topics ranged from commercial green building design
and energy efficient electric products to utility line service
policies and electric incentives for new construction. “We
look for experienced speakers on hot topics, and at the end
of the conference, we ask participants what they would like
to see on the next schedule,” said Holte.
Western and Black Hills were instrumental in
putting the program together, Holte added. “I’ve
used Western as a resource a lot. They have the technology,
the education—everything we need.”
Sessions show how Energy
Services can help building professionals
 |
| Members of the building industry Energy
Services Manager Ron Horstman represented Western at the
expo. Building industry professionals could pick up the
latest Energy Solutions information at Western’s exhibit
or attend one of Horstman’s three presentations. (Photo
courtesy of West River Energy Services) |
Ron Horstman participated in last year's expo
and presented one session on "Green Building Design and
Construction Strategies," and was asked to do a second
session on "Energy Efficient Home Construction Dos and
Don'ts." This year, Horstman was scheduled to make three
presentations: "Resources For The Energy Services Professional,"
"Operations, Maintenance and Recommissioning" and
"Tools to Enhance Electric Technologies."
Western's
Energy Services Web site featured prominently in "Resources
for Energy Services Professionals" when Horstman showed
the audience how to use the various Web site features to fit
their individual needs and the needs of their customers.
During the OM&R session, he promoted Western's
Equipment Loan Program, demonstrating tools like the infrared
cameras and the Dranetz 4300 power quality analyzer, and showing
how to make reservations
online.
“Tools to Enhance Electric Technologies”
highlighted new emerging energy-efficient technologies. “I
had researched 25 new technologies and just didn't have time
to cover everything,” Horstman explained. “When
the allotted time for the session had expired, the class indicated
the desire to continue. They wanted to know more.”
A wide range of professionals attended the sessions,
Horstman said, giving him the chance to address familiar subjects
from different perspectives. “With a diverse group of
architects, engineers, real estate agents and students, I was
getting really interesting questions and comments,” he
recalled.
West River invited students and instructors from
area vocational and technical schools. Holte noted, “Nothing
is better than getting the next generation of builders started
off on the right foot.”
The expo also offered continuing education credits
for real estate agents and electricians.
Trained dog controls cost of mold remediation
The opportunity to learn about the latest technologies and receive
education credits was a big draw, but the biggest star of the
expo may have been Watson, the mold-detecting dog. The three-year-old
terrier is the secret weapon of Mold Masters, Inc., an Anoka,
Minn., mold detection and remediation firm.
“East River [Electric Power Cooperative]
told me about Mold Masters,” recalled Holte. “Air
quality has become a big issue, even in new construction, so
we invited them to bring Watson. People were pretty excited
about seeing him in action.”
In recent years, indoor mold
contamination seems to be on the rise, causing serious health
problems and devaluing property. Cleaning up the growth will
restore the building’s air quality and usually return
the property to its pre-contamination value. The trick, however,
is to find the mold, which favors a dark, damp, hidden habitat.
Accurately pinpointing the source of mold can significantly
lower remediation costs, and trained mold dogs, like Watson,
are the most effective technology for the job.
A dog’s nose is so sensitive that
it can detect the slightest traces of harmful molds, growth
so faint that sophisticated electronic sensors can't pick it
up. Mold Masters demonstrated Watson’s ability at the
expo by mounting several sealed containers—one with traces
of mold—on a large wheel. The specially trained canine
found the right container every time.
“It was an impressive display of technology, useful for
many of our attendees and a lot of fun to watch,” said
Holte. “If we have room on next year’s schedule,
we would definitely consider bringing Watson back for an encore.”
Fitting so much information into one day
has been a challenge for expo planners, but they prefer to keep
the busy format. “We tried doing a two-day event once,
but people in the construction industry have a hard time getting
away for more than one day,” explained Holte.
Whatever is in store for the fifth annual
Electro-Technology Expo, attendees can be sure that the schedule
will be packed with sessions, technologies and demonstrations
to support healthier, more efficient buildings.
