Peter Curtiss curricula vitae

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (1992), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO; Dissertation demonstrated ability of neural networks to optimize feedback-loop process control and to perform energy management in a commercial-scale HVAC plant.
M.S. in Civil Engineering (1990), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO; Thesis compared methods of deriving solar beam and diffuse intensities from multipyranometer array measurements.
B.S. in Civil Engineering (1986), Princeton University, Princeton, NJ; Thesis examined simplified thermal modeling of salt-gradient solar ponds.

Registrations, Affiliations, and Awards

Professional Engineer, State of Colorado, License # 36201
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Association of Demand-Side Management Professionals, Graduate Research Paper Competition (1993), 1st Place
New Jersey Department of Energy, Alternative Energy Competition (1985), 2nd Place
National Merit Scholar, Princeton University, 1982-1986

Work History

Curtiss Engineering Boulder, CO Owner 1998 - Present	Consulting engineer specializing in energy use simulation and analysis, process control, and distributed generation technologies.
Architectural Energy Corporation Boulder, CO Senior Engineer 1996 - 1998	Project manager for a wide variety of programming and conceptualization tasks for architects, utilities, and control companies.
University of Colorado Boulder, CO Visiting Asst Professor 1994 - 1996	Supervised undergraduate and graduate students in university laboratory, taught classes in monitoring and control, and managed a variety of energy-related projects.
Ecole des Mines de Paris - Centre d'Energetique Paris, France Research Associate 1992 - 1994	Team member on ECC-funded project that examined the external costs of energy production from a variety of power generation facilities.
University of Colorado Boulder, CO Research Assistant 1987 - 1992	Managed HVAC laboratory and state-wide weather station network; programmed and maintained control and monitoring system including sensor calibration and database management; performed experiments for industrial clients.
Princeton University Princeton, NJ Research Assistant 1983 - 1987	Assisted in monitoring of building energy performance, daylighting estimation experiments, and data acquisition system programming.
Blaustein Desert Research Institute Sde Boker, Israel Research Assistant Summer 1986	Monitored building energy performance and performed solar collector testing and air infiltration studies.
Laboratorio Nacional de Engenharia e Technologia Industrial Lisbon, Portugal Research Asst Summer 1985 & Fall 1986	Developed and installed data acquisition system for salt-gradient solar pond.

Journal and proceedings publications

Curtiss, P. S., and J. F. Kreider, Evaluation of cradle-to-grave impacts from potential automotive fuel replacements – an update, Proceedings of ASME ES2009 Energy Sustainability 2009, July, 2009.

Curtiss, P. S., and J. F. Kreider, Life cycle analysis of automotive ethanol produced from municipal solid waste, Proceedings of ASME ES2009 Energy Sustainability 2009, July, 2009.

Curtiss, P. S., and J. F. Kreider, Algaculture as a feedstock source for biodiesel fuel – a life cycle analysis, Proceedings of ASME ES2009 Energy Sustainability 2009, July, 2009.

Kreider, J. F., and P. Curtiss, Comprehensive evaluation of impacts from potential, future automotive fuel replacements, Proceedings of Energy Sustainability 2007, Long Beach, CA, June 2007.

Massie, D., P. Curtiss, and J. F. Kreider, Neural Network Optimal Controller for Commercial Ice Thermal Storage Systems, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 110, Pt. 2, pp. 361-369, 2004.

Curtiss, P.S., and J. F. Kreider, Recent Developments in the Control of Distributed Electrical Generation Systems, Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Vol. 125, pp. 352-358, 2003.

Bailey, M., P.S. Curtiss, P. Blanton, T. B. McBrayer. Thermodynamic and externality analyses of a cogeneration plant, Proceedings of ISEC 2003: International Solar EnergyConference, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, March 2003.

Yewdall, Z., P. Curtiss, and J. F. Kreider, Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Market Penetration Analysis, Proceedings of the ASME ASES June 2002 Conference.

Massie, D. and P. S. Curtiss, Neural Network Basics for Use in Building Mechanical Systems, Proceedings from 2001 International Conference of Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., London, England, October 18, 2001.

Massie, D., P. Curtiss, and J. F. Kreider, Neural Networks for Control and Fault Detection in State-of-the-Art Buildings, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 107, 2000.

Bailey, M. B., J. F. Kreider, and P. Curtiss, Results of a Probabilistic Fault Detection and Diagnosis Method for Vapor Compression Cycle Equipment, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 107, 2000.

Kreider, J. F., and P. Curtiss, Distributed Electrical Generation Technologies and Methods for Their Economic Assessment, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 106, Pt. 1, 2000.

Curtiss, P., Control of Distributed Electrical Generation Systems, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 106, Pt. 1, 2000.

Kreider, J. F., P. Curtiss, D. Massie, and E. Jeannette, A Commercial-Scale University HVAC Laboratory, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 105, Pt. 1, 1999.

Curtiss, P., D. Cohen, and J. F. Kreider, A Methodology for Technical and Financial Assessment of Distributed Generation in the US, Proceedings of the ASME ISEC April 1999 Conference.

Dodier, R., P. Curtiss, and J. F. Kreider, Small Scale On-Line Diagnostics for an HVAC System, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 104, Pt. 1, 1998.

Massie, D., P. Curtiss, and J. F. Kreider, Predicting Central Plant HVAC Equipment Performance Using Neural Networks – Laboratory System Test Results, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 104, Pt. 2, 1998

Jeannette, E., K. Assawamartbunlue, P. Curtiss, and J. F. Kreider, Experimental Results from a Predictive Neural Network HVAC Controller, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 104, Pt. 2., 1998

Jeannette, E., J. F. Kreider, and P. Curtiss, Neural Network-based Multi-Photocell Array Developments, ASME Solar Energy, 1998

Cohen, D., M Krarti, J. Kreider, and P. Curtiss, Prediction of Energy Savings for Building Retrofits Using Neural Networks, ASME Transactions, Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 1998

Kreider, J. F., C. Gould, P. Curtiss, and P. Tabb, Community Energy and Analysis Decision Support (CEADS), Transactions of the ASME ISEC, June 1998

Kreider, J. F., C. Gould, P. Curtiss, and P. Tabb, Sustainable Community Energy Analysis, Proceedings of WREC 1998, Elsevier Science, Ltd., pp. 2652 – 2655.

Curtiss, P., Examples of Neural Networks Used for Building System Control and Energy Management, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 103, Pt. 2, 1997.

Kreider, J., S. Blanc, R. Kammerud, and P. Curtiss, Operational Data as the Basis for Neural Network Prediction of Hourly Electrical Demand, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 103, Pt. 2, 1997.

Curtiss, P., M. Dreicer and A. Rabl, Environmental impact and costs of nuclear and fossil fuel cycles, Proceedings of the World Renewable Energy Congress - IV, June 1996.

Curtiss, P. and A. Rabl, Impacts of air pollution: general relationships and site dependence, Atmospheric Science, Vol 30, No. 19, pp. 3331-3347, 1996.

Curtiss, P., G. Shavit, and J. F. Kreider, Neural networks applied to buildings - a tutorial and case studies in prediction and adaptive control, ASHRAE Transactions, V. 102, Pt. 1, 1996.

Kreider, J., P. Curtiss and R. Andelman, Knowledge-based tool for Diagnosing HVAC operations and maintenance problems in small office buildings, Seminar presentation, ASHRAE Winter Annual Meeting, Atlanta, February 1996.

Curtiss, P., Experimental results from a network-assisted PID controller, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 102, Pt. 1, 1996, pp. 1157-1168.

Curtiss, P., J. F. Kreider, and G. Goble, The use of neural networks to predict pile loads as a function of the deflection, Proceedings of ETCE Annual Conference, January, 1996

Curtiss, P. and A. Rabl , A software system for the analysis of environmental impacts and costs based on the impact pathways methodology, Solar Engineering, March 1995, pp. 317-324.

Kreider, J. F., D. E. Claridge, P. Curtiss, R. Dodier, J. Haberl, and M. Krarti, Building energy use prediction using recurrent neural networks, ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 117, 1995.

Goble, G., J. F. Kreider, P. Curtiss, and J. Berger, Neural network predictions of load-deflection curves for concrete piles in Florida, Proceedings of the International Conference on Design and Construction of Deep Foundations, Orlando, FL, pp. 738-758, December 1994.

Curtiss, P., S. Starkweather, and J. F. Kreider, Application of neural networks to multipyranometer array data, Proceedings of the 1994 ASME International Solar Energy Conference.

Curtiss, P., Development of an educational software package for use in building systems and HVAC classes. ASHRAE Transactions, 1994, Vol. 100, Pt 1.

Curtiss, P., J. F. Kreider, and M. J. Brandemuehl, Energy management in central HVAC plants using neural networks. ASHRAE Transactions, 1994, Vol 100, Pt 1.

Curtiss, P., M. J. Brandemuehl, and J. F. Kreider, Adaptive control of HVAC processes using predictive neural networks. ASHRAE Transactions, 1993, Vol. 99, Pt 1, pp. 496-504., 1993.

Curtiss, P., J. F. Kreider, and M. J. Brandemuehl, Artificial neural networks proof of concept for local and global control of commercial building HVAC systems. Solar Engineering - 1993, pp. 429-443, ASME, New York, 1993.

Curtiss, P., An analysis of methods for deriving the constituent insolation component from multipyranometer array measurients, Proceedings of the 1992 ASME International Solar Energy Conference.

Curtiss, P. and J. F. Kreider , Laboratory tests of the nonlinearity of outside air percentage as a function of damper position and induced inlet pressure. ASHRAE Transactions, pp. 196-202, Vol. 98, Pt 1, 1992.

Curtiss, P. and J. F. Kreider, Determination of beam, diffuse and reflected insolation components through the use of a multi-pyranometer array. Proceedings of the ASES Annual Meeting, pp. 351-353, June 1988.

Books

Curtiss, P. and Breth, N., HVAC Instant Answers, McGraw-Hill, 2002
Kreider, J. F., P. Curtiss, and A. Rabl, Heating and Cooling of Buildings: Design for Efficiency, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2001

Book chapters

Armstrong, P., M. Brambley, P. Curtiss, S. Katipamula, M. Kintner-Meyer, R. Pratt, Chapter 5 - Controls, CRC Handbook of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Engineering, CRC Press, 2001.
Curtiss, P., J. Haberl, J. Huang, D. Jump, J. Kreider, A. Rabl, T. A. Reddy, and M . Sherman, Chapter 6 - Heating and Cooling Loads, CRC Handbook of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Engineering, CRC Press, 2001.
Curtiss, P., Chapter 7 - Principles of Control of Distributed Generation Systems, Distributed Generation: The Power Paradigm for the New Millennium, A. M. Borbely and J. F. Kreider, ed., CRC Press, 2001.
Curtiss, P., J. Kreider, R. Nelson, and S. Huang, Chapter 6 - Mechanical System Controls, CRC Handbook of Mechanical Engineering, CRC Press, 1998.
P. Zannetti, R. Cohen, N. Cook, A. Rabl, and P. Curtiss, Chapter 16 - Environmental Engineering, CRC Handbook of Mechanical Engineering, CRC Press, 1998.
P. Curtiss and A. Rabl, Impact Analysis for Air and Water Pollution: Methodology and Software Implementation, Environmental Modeling, Zannetti, P., Ed. Vol. 3, Chap. 13, p. 393-426, 1996.

Commercial software

HCB: A package of education computer programs used for modeling building energy consumption, performing part load ratio calculations, displaying psychrometric and refrigerant properties, explaining engineering economics, and demonstrating lighting and process control principles. Software included with the textbook Heating and Cooling in Buildings: Design for Efficiency, by Jan Kreider, Peter Curtiss, and Ari Rabl, McGraw Hill, 2001 and available at www.HCBCentral.com.
NetFIT: A Windows-based neural network training and prediction tool. Available from Kreider & Associates, LLC, Boulder, CO.
D-Gen Pro: A GRI-funded software tool used to perform annual simulation and economic feasibility studies of microturbines in commercial applications Available from Architectural Energy Corporation, Boulder, CO.
CEADS: A GUI-based design program used to design and analyze distributed generation technologies at the community scale. Available from the Joint Center for Energy Management at the University of Colorado.
TRAINNET / TESTNET: A package of computer programs used to train and test neural networks. Available from the Joint Center for Energy Management at the University of Colorado.
PATHWAYS: Software package used to perform atmospheric distribution modeling, dose-response function calculation, and determination of the external cost of electricity production from a variety of source and emission types. Registered at the Bibliothéque Nationale in France.

Courses taught

AREN3130: Undergraduate Energy Laboratory, University of Colorado, Spring 96
CVEN5010: Energy Control Systems, University of Colorado, Fall 95, Fall 96, Fall 99
CVEN5050: Solar Design, University of Colorado, guest lecturer, Spring 02, Fall 03, Spring 05, Fall 06
CVEN5830: Renewable Energy Systems, University of Colorado, guest lecturer, Fall 94, Fall 01, Fall 02,
Spring 04, Fall 04, Fall 05, Spring 06

Invited seminars

Evaluation of Potential Automotive Fuel Replacements, Sep 2006, Clean Air Conference, Keystone, CO.
Energy Prices and Economic Decisions with DG Systems, Oct 2003, University of Colorado Building Systems Program seminar series.
Utility pricing strategies, May 2001, TriGen Conference on Distributed Generation in Colorado, Westminster, CO.
Controls for Today and Tomorrow, June 2000, Advanced Building Systems Technology conference and exposition, Washington, D.C.
Optimal Control and Financial Analysis of Distributed Generation, February 2000, Lecture for visiting French engineers, University of Colorado.
An Introduction to Distributed Generation, Deciber 1999, University of Colorado Building Systems Seminar Series.
Technical Analysis of Microturbines, February 1999, Lecture for visiting French engineers, University of Colorado.
HVAC Process Control and Plant Optimization Using Neural Networks, April 1992, October 1994, April 1996, and Noviber 1998, University of Colorado Building Systems Seminar Series.
Estimation des Couts Externes de la Production Nucleaire de l'Electricité (Estimating the External Costs of Nuclear Electricity Production), June 1994, Centre d'Etude sur L'Evaluation de la Protection dans le Domaine Nucleaire, France.
Méthodes de Contrôle avec des Réseaux Neuronaux (Methods of Control using Neural Networks), July 1993 Ecole des Mines de Paris; also presented May 1994, at Bucharest Polytechnic University, Bucharest, Romania (through TEMPUS exchange program).
The Impact Pathways Method for Determining the External Costs of Electricity Production, May 1994, Bucharest Polytechnic University, Bucharest, Romania (through TEMPUS exchange program).