Optical sensors have distinct advantages when used in ocean observatories, autonomous platforms, and on vessels of opportunity, because of their high-frequency measurements, low power consumption, and the numerous established relationships between optical measurements and biogeochemical variables. However, the issues of biofouling and instrument stability over time remain complicating factors when optical instruments are used over periods longer than several days. Here, a method for obtaining calibration-independent measurements of spectral particle absorption and attenuation is presented. Flow-through optical instrumentation is routinely diverted through a large-surface area 0.2-mm cartridge filter, allowing for the calculation of particle optical properties by differencing temporally adjacent filtered and whole water samples. This approach yields measurements that are independent of drift in instrument calibration. The method has advantages not only for coastally moored deployments, but also for applications in optically clear waters where uncertainties in instrument calibration can be a significant part of the signal measured. The differencing technique is demonstrated using WET Labs (Philomath, Oregon) ac-9 and ac-s multi-and hyperspectral absorption and attenuation meters. For the ac-s sensor, a correction scheme is discussed that utilizes the spectral shape of water absorption in the near-infrared to improve the accuracy of temperature and scattering-corrected spectra. Flow-through particulate absorption measurements are compared with discrete filter-pad measurements and are found to agree well (R 2 5 0.77; rmse 5 0.0174 m 21 ).

There are many factors that drive the energy consumption and demand in high-rise commercial office buildings. Understanding the effects of individual building parameters and two-factor interactions can be very useful for directing building audits and developing energy simulation models. A fractional factorial analysis was conducted to evaluate a large number of building parameters in an effort to quantify their effect on building energy consumption and demand. The analysis utilized building data collected from 22 building audits of high-rise commercial office buildings located in the downtown Chicago Loop area. Simulation results for three of the buildings show the effects of each factor and two-factor interactions on energy consumption and demand over a set of climate zones. The factors of primary importance include lighting and equipment power density, chiller efficiency, window U-value, the mass of interior furnishings and supply fan static pressure.

A net positive cash flow, meaning that the annual energy cost savings is greater than the annual payment of an energy efficiency investment. Energy Cost Savings: A reduction in utility bills resulting from an investment in energy efficiency. Energy Performance Guarantee: A guarantee from an energy service company or contractor ensuring that a certain level of energy savings is achieved. Energy Savings Threshold: The minimum desired energy savings that a building owner or evaluator expects to achieve cost effectively. Energy Service Company: A business that provides a wide range of energy saving services to a building owner. Energy Use Intensity: Normalized whole-building energy use by building square footage. EUI is represented in the units kBtu/ft 2 /year. Full Initial Costs: The total costs for an energy efficiency building improvement. Incremental Costs: The additional cost of an efficiency improvement that goes beyond the cost of a code-minimum system. Major Renovation: A comprehensive building renovation that includes an overhaul of the major building systems. Net Cash Flow: The difference between the expected annual energy cost savings and the total first year cost for an energy efficiency building upgrade. Net Initial Costs: Costs for energy efficiency building improvements that include relative first costs and incremental costs together. Split Incentive: A dynamic between a building owner and a tenant where the energy savings benefits may not impact the person who pays for the transaction.

NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications. Communication and Outreach ApproachA communication and outreach approach has been developed to engage organizations and expert stakeholders in relevant aspects of the report. Its goals are to increase the impact of the recommended key focus areas (see Table 5) and broadly disseminate the results. This approach includes a framework to support effective and coordinated communication that supports the key focus areas for the next 3-5 years. It also provides guidance for all communication activities that are necessary to build capacity and engage interagency and nongovernmental expert stakeholders. Goals and ObjectivesTo successfully reach target audiences in the SBSP sector, the communication approach should:1. Increase awareness of the key focus areas by maximizing interagency and nongovernmental stakeholder relationships and developing new stakeholder partnerships.2. Ensure that interagency and nongovernmental expert stakeholders understand the focus areas outlined in the report.3. Mobilize key stakeholders to enhance current efforts that promote energy efficiency solutions.The communication approach should also implement creative, cost-effective, and impactful communication and outreach strategies and techniques that engage stakeholders. It should:1. Leverage communication tools and networks to engage priority stakeholders.2. Achieve coordinated communications, both internally and externally, by developing key messages and talking points to establish "one clear voice" in all communication channels and all stakeholder audiences.3. Enable key stakeholders to communicate information to the SBSP sector.4. Engage representatives from national, state, and local organizations in implementing communication and outreach strategies.5. Establish strong, positive connections between DOE, stakeholders, and their communities.This approach will lead to measurable outcomes that are expected to include:1. Increased number of new partnerships with key stakeholders 2. Increased capacity and influence of key stakeholders 3. Increased awareness and knowledge of opportunities for implementing EEMs.

Plug and process loads (PPLs) already represent a significant fraction of total energy use in commercial buildings and their contribution is expected to increase in the future. Although plugin devices are typically not monitored or controlled, new wireless technologies are being developed that can provide these functions. These "smart" outlets collect data from connected devices and transmit it to cloud services for energy measurement, tracking, and control purposes. In parallel, energy management information system (EMIS) platforms are being developed and sold to collect and visualize building data and to control other building systems like lighting and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. Often these smart building platforms optimize individual building systems rather than the building as a whole. Today, smart PPL systems and EMIS technologies have developed to the point that the stage is set to integrate PPLs, lighting, and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning into EMIS platforms for whole-building management, energy optimization, and delivery of demand response grid services. Based on a literature review, a recent industry roundtable, and a U.S. Department of Energysponsored technology field validation of an advanced wireless smart PPL meter and control (smart outlet) system, this paper describes emerging PPL technologies, the characteristics necessary for successful integration into EMIS platforms, and research questions the U.S. Department of Energy and the national laboratories can pursue to rapidly advance the state of the art. The research conducted in this investigation was guided by the following questions: • What is the current state of the wireless smart outlet market? • How are PPL meters and controls already integrating into building automation system or EMIS platforms? • At present, how easy is integration? • At present, how costly is integration? • Where is the market headed? • What gaps need to be filled to push the market forward?