Call for Abstracts Announced for 2021 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Phoenix

Abstracts are now being accepting for the 2021 ASHRAE Annual Conference June 26-30, 2021 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and the Phoenix Convention Center. The deadline for abstract submissions is August 12.

The conference includes a technical program comprised of eight tracks and a mini track, representing areas of focus common among ASHRAE membership.

“Our world has experienced fundamental change in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The HVAC community continues to respond addressing challenges in how we design, build and operate buildings.” said Christine Reinders, conference chair. “The 2021 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Phoenix will focus on critical environments, hot climates and future proofing. The technical program, including the research summit and professional development, fosters sharing of knowledge to allow us all to serve our communities and solve society’s greatest challenges.”

The “Fundamentals and Application” track lays the foundation for understanding applications in engineering. Key components of ASHRAE fundamentals include thermodynamics, psychometrics, fluid and mass flow.

The “HVAC&R Systems and Equipment” track will focus on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment.

Active research, and the exchange of those research findings, are critical to the development of the HVAC&R industry and built environment. The “Research Summit” track includes a partnership with ASHRAE's archival journal, Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

The “Professional Development” track will cover all aspects of business outside of engineering/technical applications and lends itself to interactive session types such as workshops and forums.

The “Design, Control and Operation of Critical Environments” track includes innovative designs and strategies that adapt to the standards and special requirements presented by healthcare, cleanrooms, data centers, laboratories, isolation rooms, and pharmacies. Papers and presentations will also address how controls systems, smart building technologies and security systems and other technologies are adapting to the emerging needs of critical environments.

Papers and programs in the “HVAC&R for Indoor Plants and Animals” track will present the challenges and opportunities associated with energy and water utilization for indoor growing spaces, including standards and regulations that guide the design of plant and animal habitats.

The “Future Proofing – Renewable, Regenerative, and Resilient” track will highlight the innovative technologies and strategies that are reimagining our relationship with the built environment now and into the future.

Finally, the “Hot, Hot, Hot” track is for papers and presentations that address humidity control, outdoor cooling, passive cooling, water scarcity considerations, other design opportunities, and innovative technologies that help HVAC&R professionals adapt to the hottest climate trends.

Abstracts submissions for conference papers are due Aug. 12, 2020. If accepted, final papers will be due December 2, 2020.

In addition, technical papers (complete 30-page maximum papers, published in "ASHRAE Transactions") are also due Aug. 12, 2020.