I. The real intent of ASHRAE standard 62 cannot be met with an all air VAV system (that leaves those who design this way wide open to litigation).  Therefore, a separate, dedicated OA system must be used to supply conditioned air directly into each space of the building (it can not be mixed in with an all air VAV system).

II. Condition the OA to a dew point low enough (around 45F) to accommodate 100% of the space latent loads.  This can be accomplished very energy efficiently with a dual-wheel heat-recovery system in conjunction with a chilled water coil.  This de-coupling of the latent and sensible space loads essentially eliminates microbial problems throughout the building and paves the way for the 3rd pillar.

III. The remaining sensible space loads can be accommodated with a parallel system that could be fan coil units, unitary equipment, a VAV system, or radiant ceiling panels (all operating with dry surfaces!).  Energy transport, via cool water (55F), can be accomplished by the functional integration of the un-insulated fire suppression system (clearly approved in NFPA 13) at a marked reduction in first cost.  I happen to favor the radiant ceiling panel approach, something our European colleagues have been very successfully using for over 15 years.  Intense activity is currently underway by my grad students and I in the development of the optimal ceiling radiant panel for this application. The improved IAQ, and thermal comfort that results from de-coupling the sensible and latent loads cannot be underestimated.  Further, the first costs and energy costs of the new paradigm when using radiant cooling are significant.  Finally, savings in ceiling plenum depth, with ductwork for only about 20% of the normal all air VAV system and flat radiant panels could easily be three feet or more per floor.  This could represent a significant reduction in the initial construction costs of such buildings.

As I see it, there are three near-term goals that must be achieved:

1.  The paradigm must be implemented into buildings located in each of the 4 major quadrants of the USA, and that is where you could really help me.  I am optimistic that the US Department of Energy will want to be involved with the projects by funding a portion of the design expense and by funding the instrumentation and performance monitoring/analysis tasks.  

2.  A professional development program must be developed and deployed around the country, aimed at engineering and contracting professionals, as well as building owners.  Holding these programs in a major transportation hub and near one of the prototype buildings with the new paradigm in place will give the owners and design professionals a chance to "kick the tires," so to speak.  By so doing, a rapid implementation of the new paradigm is more likely.

3.  The U.S. ceiling radiant cooling panel industry must be developed/geared up to meet the potential $5 billion/yr to $50 billion/yr business opportunity.  Otherwise, unnecessarily expensive panels must be imported from Europe.