November 2025 ASHRAE ATLANTA CHAPTER MEETING
Tuesday, November 11th, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Maggiano's Little Italy, Cumberland Mall (1601 Cumberland Mall, Suite 200)
Please note this is a dinner meeting.
Note: Register by Friday 11/7 for discounted Chapter and Society Member Rates
Technical Program Description
Please join the ASHRAE Atlanta Chapter for a presentation by Georgia Tech Professor Dr. Simmons. Energy innovation is occurring at an unprecedented rate, and understanding the opportunities and challenges has never been more crucial. Intelligent sensors, networked communications and distributed energy systems have made data more abundant and valuable, which can lead to efficiency gains, emissions reductions and cost savings. At the same time, personal convenience and lack of awareness can often reverse these benefits. In addition, the integration of multiple devices and synthesis of disparate data steams is increasingly complex, slowing progress. Rich Simmons will share insights from living lab tests beds at Georgia Tech involving the interplay of electricity generation, storage and demand, and invite an open discussion about the central role of buildings and enhanced coordination as enablers in our energy future.
Speaker
Dr. Richard Simmons
Dr. Rich Simmons is currently Director of Research and Studies at Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) where he leads cross-cutting energy projects with an emphasis on clean electric power, vehicle efficiency and alternative fuels. Over the past five years, Richard has provided the vision behind signature regional energy initiatives, including the Georgia’s Energyshed project, the Southeast Electric Transportation Regional Initiative (SETRI), the Model Solar Ordinance for Georgia, and convergence research programs in vehicle-grid, energy-public health and energy-national security.
He is also a Principal Research Engineer and faculty instructor in the Georgia Tech School of Mechanical Engineering, and holds a courtesy appointment in GT’s School of Public Policy. Richard received his BSME from Georgia Tech, MSME and PhD from Purdue, and currently instructs Georgia Tech courses in Energy Systems, Renewable Energy, Mechatronics and Design. Rich is also a licensed professional engineer (PE) with more than 25 years of RD&D and leadership experience in automotive, alternative energy and fuels. From 2009 to 2012, he served a prestigious AAAS science policy fellowship at the U.S. Department of State, providing technical analysis on renewable energy. He has multiple patents and has authored numerous publications related to clean energy and electrified transportation. In 2022, he released “Energy 101 SE,” an open access 8-video short course that provides a high-level overview on energy supply, demand, policy and economics.
