Kendra Tupper, PE, BEMP is a Senior Consultant within RMI’s Building’s Practice and has nine years of experience in building system engineering and energy simulation. Kendra also has experience in energy efficient HVAC design and controls, energy audits for existing buildings, and design and analysis for renewable energy systems. Kendra's work focuses on creating tools and templates to streamline energy modeling processes, developing content for education and training programs, and providing master plan guidance and increasing coordination within the larger energy modeling community.
RMI Projects
- Bureau of Land Management – New Field Headquarters, Farmington, NM, Energy Modeling and LEED® Consulting
- University of Hawaii C-MORE – New Laboratory Building, Honolulu, HA, Energy Modeling, HVAC Design Recommendations, and LEED® Consulting
- Next Generation Utility – Utility Research Project, United States, Efficiency Potential Estimates and Financial Analysis
- Empire State Building – Retrofit of Existing High Rise Office Building, New York, NY, Review of Energy Modeling
- Major Automotive Group (Confidential) – RMI is partnering with a major automotive group to identify solutions that will have a large scale impact on both new and existing auto dealerships to improve building efficiency. RMI is providing 'whole systems' energy audits on select facilities, comprehensive energy analysis, life cycle cost analysis, and the creation of a business case that will guide the industry toward cost effective building retrofits.
- Major Solar Cell Manufacturer (Confidential) – New Fabrication Plant and Office Building, Malaysia, Energy Modeling, HVAC Design Recommendations and LEED® Consulting
- Grand Prairie – New Adult Activity Center and Public Safety Building, Grand Prairie, TX, Energy Modeling and LEED® Consulting
- Burundi Embassy – New Embassy Prototype Design, Bujumbura, Burundi, Energy Modeling and HVAC Design Recommendations
- Hunter Douglas – Energy Analysis of Window Shades
Background
Prior to joining RMI, Kendra worked in the solar industry for Zapotec Energy, contributing to the design and installation of many PV systems in the Boston area. A licensed professional mechanical engineering, Kendra also worked as a mechanical engineer with the building energy analysis team at WSP Flack + Kurtz.
While pursuing her master’s degree at CU Boulder, Kendra worked as a research fellow for NREL’s Thermal Sciences Division, helping to develop building energy modeling optimization programs. Kendra currently serves on the ASHRAE TC 7.6 Committee (Building Energy Performance), the ASHRAE Energy Position Document Committee, and teaches professional training courses on energy modeling fundamentals and best practices. Kendra is frequently called on to speak at conferences, often on to effectively use energy modeling as part of an integrated design process.
Education
- Master of Science, Building Systems Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 2005
- Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Dartmouth College, 2003
- Bachelor of Arts, Engineering Science modified with Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College, 2002
Qualifications
- Professional Engineer - Mechanical, State of Colorado, 2009
- U.S. Green Building Council, LEED® Accredited Professional, Building Design & Construction
- ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP)
- ASHRAE High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP)
Professional Affiliations/Recognition
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Publications
- “Optimal Building Designs on the Path to Zero Net Energy,” C. Christensen, G. Barker, and K. Tupper, Proceedings of the Solar 2004 Conference, American Solar Energy Society, pp. 883-888, (2004).
- “Optimization of Hybrid Village Power System Operation,” K. Tupper, R. Jensen, J. Cloyd, C. Sullivan, and R. Wills, ASME Solar 2004 Conference Proceedings, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2004).
- Tupper, Kendra and Jan Kreider: A Life Cycle Analysis of Hydrogen Production for Buildings and Vehicles, in Life-Cycle Analysis Tools for "Green" Materials and Process Selection, edited by Stella Papasavva, Vasilis Fthenakis (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 895, Warrendale, PA, 2006), 0895-G02-04.
- “Life Cycle Impacts and External Costs for Various Hydrogen Pathways,” K. Tupper and J. Kreider, Proceedings of the Solar 2006 Conference, American Solar Energy Society, 2004.