The 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference technical program is comprised of eight tracks, selected to represent areas of focus common among ASHRAE membership. The track focus areas include HVAC&R fundamentals and applications, systems and equipment, refrigeration and refrigerants, and other specific topics including novel approaches to HVAC&R systems and buildings for contemporary concerns and analytical techniques to economically automate buildings.

"The 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference will feature a strong technical program including presentations and discussions on best design practices and standards, incorporation of innovative technologies, and cutting edge approaches applicable to a wide range of buildings-related engineers, architects, and professionals," said Conference Chair, Melanie Derby.

1. HVAC&R Fundamentals and Applications:  Fundamentals are the foundation for understanding applications in engineering. Key components of ASHRAE fundamentals include thermodynamics, psychrometrics, fluid and mass flow. This track provides opportunities for papers and presentations of varying levels across a large topic base. Concepts, design elements and shared experiences for theoretical and applied concepts of HVAC&R design are included.
Track Chair: Maggie Moninski
maggie.moninski@gmail.com

2. Systems and Equipment:  HVAC&R Systems and Equipment are constantly evolving to address the changing requirements of the built environment. Papers and programs in this 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.
Track Chair: Sonya Pouncy
sonya.pouncy@gmail.com

3. Refrigeration and Refrigerants: Refrigeration is a critical element of modern life, from preserving food and medicine to maintaining comfort.  With significant changes on the horizon for refrigerant regulations, along with new applications for refrigeration systems being frequently applied, there is more need than ever to understand both the fundamental and advanced concepts and issues related to refrigeration.  Papers and programs in this track will focus on refrigerants, refrigerant regulation, refrigeration cycles and refrigeration applications.
Track Chair: Stephen Idem
sidem@tntech.edu

4. Cutting Edge Approaches:  This track focuses on novel approaches to HVAC&R systems and buildings due to changing energy, economic, and environmental concerns. Papers and programs will focus on emerging approaches such as the critical Water-Energy nexus, natural/emerging refrigerants and other cutting edge approaches pertaining to HVAC&R systems and buildings.
Track Chair: Marianna Vallejo
marianna.vallejo@jacobs.com

5. High Efficiency Design and Operation: Submissions are requested regarding high efficiency design and operation of commercial and residential buildings, including specialty building types.
Track Chair: Ryan MacGillivray
ryan.macgillivray@dwel.com

6. Big Data and Smart Controls: This track examines the use of big data, advanced algorithms, occupancy-based control strategies, data mining and other analytical techniques to economically automate buildings. Given the intersection with the larger world of IT, cybersecurity is also a topic of interest in this track.
Track Chair: Leticia De Oliveira Neves
leneves@gmail.com

7. Ventilation, IAQ and Air Distribution Systems: This track solicits submissions pertaining to the design, operation and study of ventilation and air distribution systems in residential and commercial buildings. The intersection of these systems with respect to indoor air quality and health effects are also of significant interest for this track.
Track Chair: Robert Cox
bob.cox@jacobs.com

8. Standards, Guidelines and Codes: ASHRAE is a leader in the development of standards and guidelines pertaining to the indoor environment; these standards and guidelines are used to shape codes. This track invites submissions pertaining to standards for buildings, HVAC&R systems and IAQ
Track Chair: Lee Riback