Kendra Tupper: Senior Consultant
Contact Information
Rocky Mountain Institute
Attn: Built Environment Team
1820 Folsom Street
Boulder, Colorado 80302
e-mail: BET@rmi.org
phone: 303-245-1003
Kendra Tupper is a Senior Consultant with the Built Environment Team, and contributes to research work with the Energy and Resources Group. She specializes in building energy analysis and the design of energy efficient mechanical systems and controls. Kendra brings to RMI four years of experience in building systems engineering and PV system design.
RMI Projects:
Kendra has been working on the demand side portion of the Next Generation Utility research project. She is using energy modeling tools to quantify the economic potential of electrical energy efficiency measures across all climate zones and building types in the U.S.
Kendra is working on a number of projects involving building energy analysis and HVAC redesign and retrofits. She uses her practical work experience as an HVAC design engineer, to help push the envelope on building and mechanical system design, and encourages the design team to embrace whole systems thinking.
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 LEED Accredited professional, Kendra most recently worked as a project manager and mechanical engineer with the building energy analysis team at Flack + Kurtz, a large MEP design and consulting firm.
While pursuing her master’s degree at CU Boulder, Kendra worked as a research fellow for the National Renewable Energy Lab's Thermal Sciences Division, helping to develop building energy modeling optimization programs. She also played an integral role in the HVAC and solar thermal and electric design for the University of Colorado's (winning) 2005 Solar Decathlon House. Kendra’s graduate work culminated in a thesis that investigated the life cycle impacts of various hydrogen production technologies, presented and published at multiple conferences.
Education:
Master of Science, Building Systems Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 2005Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Dartmouth College, 2003
Bachelor of Arts, Engineering Science modified with Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College, 2002
Professional Certifications and Affiliations:
Engineer in Training Certificate, State of New Hampshire, 2003LEED AP Certified
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Publications:
1. “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).2. “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).
3. 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.
4. “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.