Consulting Mechanical Engineering
and Writing Services Offered by
Tom Gibson, P.E. Sustainability Engineer

With a background in mechanical, plant, and facilities engineering and 15 years experience in manufacturing industries designing myriad mechanisms, machines, and systems, Tom Gibson offers consulting services with a unique twist that allows them to parallel the mission of Progressive Engineer magazine. He brings a mechanical engineering perspective to the areas of sustainability and green building. Call it ecoeffective engineering. I'm licensed as an engineer in Pennsylvania and Virginia (this can be expanded to other states as the demand calls for it), and I’m also certified as a LEED Green Associate.

Through publishing Progressive Engineer magazine, I have knowledge of many engineering-related companies and individuals in the sustainability field and operate from a position of being able to research them quickly and extensively. With a broad overview and expertise, I can research many areas and do design work where applicable. When called for, I can network with other companies and professionals to carry out hands-on design, fabrication, and construction.

Energy

Commercial, industrial, and institutional building owners and managers around the country face the task of assessing and documenting their energy use in a process known as benchmarking. The bright side: besides meeting legislation requirements, this can lead to improvements in facilities that bring energy savings and carbon footprint reduction. I can assist you with documenting your energy use through software such as Energy Star Portfolio Manager and consult on implementing energy-saving measures, researching a wide array of choices in the process.

I view this as a three-phase process. First, we start with the energy benchmarking to document your energy use. Then, we research and develop ways to reduce your energy use such as optimizing mechanical and HVAC systems, installing sensors and controls, modifying lighting, implementing submetering, and working with your power utility. Once we've picked the low-hanging fruit, we then look at implementing renewable energy sources such as wind, solar (PV panels for generating electricity and solar thermal for heating water), and geothermal. This may involve installing systems at your facility under various arrangements or buying power from offsite renewable sources. It may also include looking at a green roof, maybe even one that grows vegetables. This could eventually lead to what's known as vertical farming, a form of urban agriculture. Literally, the sky's the limit. Your building can become a net-zero energy user or even a positive energy producer.

Recycling

Why recycling? Besides the sustainability benefits, it just makes sense that an engineer who spent most of his career figuring out how to build things would now focus on how to deconstruct them. Services offered:

• Design and specify equipment and systems for material processing facilities
• Consult with manufacturers on designing products for better recyclability
• Research the recyclability of materials and the marketing of recycled materials
• Conduct life cycle analysis on products and materials
• Research and consult on recycling computers and other electronic devices
• Research, design, and specify equipment and systems used in composting facilities
• Procure sustainable materials for architects and their clients
• Design, develop, and find uses for salvaged and recycled materials (examples include old barn wood, timbers from old buildings, construction and demolition debris, super-insulating houses made from straw bales, roof tiles made from recycled tires to look like slate, and blown attic insulation made from newspaper)

Mechanical Design and Inventing

I have expertise in machine design, liquid pumping and storage, stress analysis, manufacturing processes, hydraulics and pneumatics, and compressed air systems. In addition, like many engineers, I have a creative side that I have applied to inventing in recent years. Services offered:

• Develop new designs or assist in fleshing out your ideas
• Fabricate and test prototypes
• Conduct patent searches and work with patent attorneys in determining patentability and pursuing patents

Writing

The same editorial style you see in our articles can be applied to your writing needs. Services offered:

• Write articles on your company or product for placement in trade magazines. These are often case histories on successful projects. I handle not only the research, writing, and photography but also working with magazine editors in publishing the articles.
• Technical manuals and reports on your products and services
  

For more information or to discuss your needs, contact Tom Gibson at 570-713-4812 or tom@progressiveengineer.com.