The CUNY Building Performance Lab (BPL) was established in 2006 to improve the operation and energy performance of existing commercial and public buildings. It is part of the CUNY Institute for Urban Systems, a university-wide institute led by civil engineering professor Robert “Buz” Paaswell; Michael Bobker was appointed BPL’s founding director. 3
Based in New York City, BPL works with city agencies and building-sector professionals, while its research and training have also gained national reach. Its core activities combine continuing education for facility managers, building operators and energy professionals; paid internships for CUNY students; and research and development on building systems and operations. The lab says its work has helped reduce energy use in New York City buildings and educate more than a thousand building professionals. 3
A long-running example is the Energy Data Lab, launched in 2012 with the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). It trains CUNY interns to use energy data and tools to help the city assess investments in municipal buildings. 34 Other public-service work includes the NYC Sustainability Help Center, which provides free assistance on building sustainability laws, and building-operator training developed with the Department of Buildings. 4 BPL also supports city efforts on energy audits, building operations and compliance with climate-related requirements. 4