New app lab LEEDs the way

The U.S. Green Building Council has just launched a new app service that should help make it easier for builders to get the most bang out of their LEED buck. The new service, called the App Lab, is a catalog of applications created by third parties that are integrated with LEED data. App Lab is intended to steer more project teams into using USGBC's automated LEED Online system, which will help the organization reach more users. Beyond that, App Lab could also enhance the Obama Administration's SunShot initiative, which has the goal of reducing the cost of renewable energy partly by streamlining local regulations and administrative procedures.

U.S. Green Building Council's App Lab

App Lab is designed to give LEED project teams easy access to compatible software, some of which is already in use. The apps are fully integrated with the LEED Online project management system. The Lab launched with eight applications but USGBC anticipates that it will quickly mushroom. USGBC Senior VP Scott Horst explains:

"The LEED App Lab has been highly anticipated as a way to leverage multiple partners to expand the presence of green building. The potential leverage points are so numerous that we really cannot anticipate the full impact of the App Lab. All we are sure of is that we have created a place to ignite the flames of true innovation and growth. LEED already embodied innovation. Now we are pushing LEED toward an entirely new world of possibilities."

SCIenergy, Inc. announced Nov. 22 it will provide the first app to support ongoing commissioning. The concept was created to make the LEED forms and reporting process faster and easier for project teams. The App Lab collects data by third-party apps, uploads and reviews it, essentially automating the LEED certification process. SCIenergy’s SCIwatch solution is a featured app in the lab customized to satisfy LEED EBOM EA c2.3 and ease the overall commissioning process.