BU Welcomes New Director of Building Automation Systems
BU is excited to welcome Elijah Ercolino as the new Director of Building Automation Systems for Facilities Management & Planning.
Elijah graduated with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from BU in January, 2010. While at BU he worked as a building energy efficiency research intern at FM&P, specializing in science and engineering lab buildings. In addition, he was the graduate student representative for the Sustainability Committee’s Energy Conservation Working Group from 2009-2010 and founded the BU Energy Club.
Elijah, who grew up ‘off the grid’ in Montana, has been interested in energy efficiency since taking courses taught by Professor Michael Gevelber in the School of Engineering. Before taking Professor Gevelber’s courses he was more interested in clean power generation and energy independence, but switched his focus as he gained a deeper understanding of building controls and realized that energy efficiency was the quickest way to address sustainability in energy.
Prior to joining FM&P, Elijah recently worked for two Boston area start-ups companies (Nexamp and Retroficiency) as an Energy Engineer and Senior Program Manager (respectively). Elijah provided consulting-engineering services for the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) where he performed ASHRAE Level 2 energy efficiency audits as well as renewable energy feasibility studies in large hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and offices buildings throughout the country.
“Elijah has an eclectic background, that makes him perfect for this job, since I think it requires a combination of having technology savvy, team leadership, being an energy advocate, knowing who’s doing what in the energy space, and being comfortable putting together the business case for energy efficiency projects,” said Gevelber.
The addition of Elijah and his expertise to the FM&P team will help to strengthen the University’s existing building automation efforts.
“The most critical issue for a sustainable world is the reduction of CO2 emissions. The most effective way for us to tackle our emissions is by reducing energy consumption. For BU at the moment, building automation is the most effective path to achieving efficiency.” said Sustainability Director, Dennis Carlberg. “Bringing Elijah on as the Director of Building Automation Systems is a great moment for our efforts to create a more sustainable campus. I have known Elijah since we began working together on the Sustainability Committee’s Energy Conservation Working Group in 2009. He is passionate about building energy efficiency and is focused on what counts.”
“University energy and water consumption will continue to grow. The question is how to slow this growth and use these utilities more efficiently,” said Ercolino, adding “Focusing on building automation will allow our buildings to operate optimally as designed which allows for improved occupancy comfort, reduced maintenance costs, and more efficient use of water and energy”.
Despite the growth of the University, consumption can be reduced with the right controls and processes in place.
Elijah’s first objective in his new role is to execute the administration’s reduction of BU’s energy consumption. In order to do this he will continue to upgrade and deploy building automation systems campus-wide to standardize controls across the University.