A variety of energy related topics were presented at the topics. One of the most exciting announcements relating to green roof environmental benefit valuation was the new module for EnergyPlus, a building energy use and cost analysis program that uses DOE2 for the analysis. The new ecoroof module gives the user the ability to model the energy savings due to a green roof. The module was a collaborative effort by Quantec and David Sailor at Portland State University. Quantec is currently developing a web-based tool for assessing the energy benefits of green roofs based on the module within EnergyPlus.

An architectural engineering student from Penn State, Paulo Cesar Tabares Velasco presented preliminary findings of heat flux through a vegetated roof based upon data taken from a climate chamber, which is part of the Building Environment Simulation and Testing Facility. Tabares Velasco is evaluating the flux to determine an associated R-value for the green roof under various conditions. The experimental setup looks really neat and can control for temperature, humidity, and air flow rate.

One of the benefits of green roofs that has been touted for several years is the improved efficiency of solar panels when used in tandem with green roof systems. Manfred Köhler collaborating with Stefan Krauter is exploring the synergy further at the ufaFabrik Berlin where several PV systems are installed above vegetated roof systems. They have seen improvements in efficiency as well as improvement in plant number an growth.