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Project of the Month
DPR Construction Office | San Diego, CA
Photo Credit: David Hewitt/Anne Garrison Architectural Photography
DPR's concept of "Bringing the outside in" was a key component to reducing the building's energy consumption. Removing suspended ceilings, adding roof monitors, and installing Solatube skylights over the work stations give all employees access to natural daylight and reduces their estimated lighting energy consumption by 53% or 29,000 kwh annually.
Taking advantage of San Diego's mild climate, the building was designed to use cross and stack ventilation strategies to passively ventilate and cool the open office area. By installing operable windows at the north curtain wall and roof monitors at the south side the number of hours our HVAC system will run was reduced by 79% on an annual basis.
To reach DPR's Net Zero Energy goal, a roof-mounted 64 kw-AC photovoltaic panel system was installed. This system will generate enough renewable energy annually to offset their estimated annual energy consumption. According to their online dashboard (linked below), DPR's total annual energy use for 2011 is ~100,000 kwh offset by 118,000 kwh generated through solar PV's.
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| New Research | |
Analysis to Update Energy Efficiency Potential, Goals & Targets for 2013 & Beyond
Prepared for:
California Public Utilities Commission
The Draft Statewide IOU Energy Efficiency Potential Study represents an update to the 2008 study of the technical, economic and market potential for energy efficiency for the four CA Investor-Owned Utilties (IOUs). This work is intended to revise findings to key questions such as the remaining gross market potential for energy efficiency from 2013 through 2024, how the potential for energy efficiency varies by market sector, and avoided cost benefits. The study uses latest estimates of "baseline end-use equipment ownership and load profiles, along with the latest estimates of energy efficiency measure costs, savings, and saturation levels across the service territories of California's four IOUs."
A key finding of the study indicates a "leveling off of available technical and economic potential over the next decade" due to: changes in underlying savings assumptions for energy efficiency measures; changes in codes and standards; potential for emerging technologies; potential for behavioral impacts; decrease in forecasted loads; and changes in the modeling methodology.
For More Information:
View the draft report
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| Issue: 03 | November/December 2011 |
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Featured ZNE Project: DPR Construction, San Diego
Photo Credit: David Hewitt/Anne Garrison Architectural Photography |
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In this Issue
In this issue of the Action Bulletin, you'll find news about two net zero design competitions, new research on plug loads and California energy potential, a daylighting design training, and a new 22-unit affordable ZNE residential project. You'll also learn about recent efforts of the ZNE Commercial Champions Network, plus other news and events to track. See the sidebar for more on our featured ZNE project, the DPR Construction San Diego Office, as well as links to key ZNE resources.
About the Action Bulletin
In response to multiple requests for more information on news and events in the zero net energy (ZNE) buildings arena, New Buildings Institute, in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), developed this ZNE Action Bulletin to keep you informed of new trainings, workshops, innovative buildings and developments with key strategic efforts in policy and planning. |
| News & Events | |
ARCHITECTURE AT ZERO: ZNE DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS
On December 7, PG&E and AIA San Francisco announced the winners of their "Architecture at Zero" design competition. This competition supports the California Public Utitlties Commission's (CPUC) goals for new residential construction to achieve ZNE by 2020 and the CPUC's ZNE Commercial Action Plans for new Commercial buildings to achieve zero net energy by 2030.
Open to both professionals and students, design entries received from all over the world demonstrated a commitment to energy efficiency and site-based renewable energy. A total of $25,000 was awarded to the winners of this "first-of-its-kind Architecture at Zero competition for zero net energy (ZNE) building designs." Winners included: Chris Parlette from Berkeley, CA; Tom Tang and Yijie Dang, from New York; Jihyoon Yoon from Harvard University; Curtis Ryan, Sara Maas, Kyle Blomquist, and Megan Gelazus from University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee; with jury recognition for HOK Architects in San Francisco.
According to the press release " Hosting the Architecture at Zero winners" ceremony is a direct reflection of AIA San Francisco's commitment to driving advancements in zero net energy building design," said AIASF Executive Director Margie O'Driscoll. Competition judges included international experts: Suzan Szenasy, Metropolis Magaine; Bob Berkebile, BNIM; Lawrence Scarpa, Brooks + Scarpa Architecture; Allison Williams, Perkins & Will; and Steve Selkowitz, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.
For More Information: Visit the competition website to see the winners, or see all entry boards on exhibit from December 7, 2011 through January 27, 2012 at the San Francisco AIA gallery located at 130 Sutter St, #600.
Cable Industry Launches Efficiency Drive
From Environmental Leader, Nov 21, 2011: The U.S. cable industry has launched an initiative aimed at improving the energy efficiency of consumer set-top boxes and cable-related services, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association has announced. As part of the program, cable operators providing service to approximately 85 percent of U.S. cable customers have guaranteed that at least 90 percent of all new set-top boxes they purchase and deploy will be Energy Star 3.0 certified, by 2013. A key element of the initiative is the "CableLabs - Energy Lab," a new facility within CableLabs - the cable industry's research and development consortium - that will concentrate exclusively on improving energy efficiency in the industry, the NCTA says. Specifically, the lab will:
- Design an energy tracking program for measuring and reporting energy consumption and efficiency improvements of new set-top boxes.
- Serve as a testing and development facility for designers of energy efficient software and hardware.
- Assist in developing applications and products that will help consumers manage their overall residential energy consumption.
In September, cable firm Comcast was criticized by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for the lack of information it provides about its carbon footprint. The company was named along with Apple, Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway as one of the largest companies not to respond to the CDP S&P Report 2011.
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| Education & Training |
Office Plug and Process Loads: Energy Use and Savings Opportunities | Webinar - January 26, 2012
PIER webinar featuring speakers from NBI and Ecova (formerly Ecos Consulting) will discuss findings from a commercial office plug load field monitoring study. The study inventoried plug loads in two LEED-certified California buildings and did detailed metering on office equipment. Low- and no-cost strategies were implemented, and the equipment was remetered. Study findings will be presented along with recommendations for how they can be used for savings opportunities, as well as actions that building owners, utilities and policy-makers can take to achieve these savings in commercial buildings.
Speakers
*Cathy Higgins, Program Director, NBI
*Amy Cortese Renbarger, Senior Project Manager, NBI
*Chris Calwell, Policy and Research Vice President, Ecova
*Catherine Mercier, Project Lead, Ecova
Principles of Effective Daylighting Design | Free Webinar
One-hour webinar on the principles of effective daylighting design and capabilities of an innovative design tool, the Daylighting Pattern Guide.
Lighting consumes 15-19% of all electric power generated in the United States. The effective design of buildings to provide daylight as a source of functional illumination offers the potential to realize substantial lighting power savings and benefit occupant health, comfort and productivity. Presented by Daylighting Pattern Guide developers, Christopher Meek, AIA, with the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab and Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg of the University of Idaho Integrated Design Lab, this one-hour webinar will demonstrate the ways the Guide can support the integration of proven daylighting strategies into commercial building projects through:
* Built examples across a variety of building and climate types * Advanced simulations of each space * Identification of key variables that contribute to daylighting success. |
| Planning & Policy | |
ZNE Action Plan Update
Prioritizing Resources at the ZNE Champions Meeting
Since the last gathering of ZNE Commercial Action Plan leaders in June, NBI and CPUC have been working closely to develop a Roadmap for ZNE Buildings and a prioritization approach to evaluate which efforts need extra emphasis now to advance the concept and build the base for the movement. The December 7, 2011 Champions Workshop included an overview of the results from a recent ZNE Priorities Survey and presentations by multiple Champions on their latest work to provide guidance for the Champion Network. Presentations included:
- Deep Savings in Existing Buildings - Overview of Existing Building Renewal Research (Dave Hewitt, NBI)
- Draft ZNE Roadmap to 2030 (Dave Hewitt, NBI)
- Plug Loads: Where are we now and we're going, what are the gaps, and how to get there? (Pierre Delforge, NRDC)
- Path to Zero Campaign Plan (Keri Bolding, Resource Media)
- ZNE Priorities Survey - Preliminary Results
For More Information: Contact Jordana Cammarata at the California Public Utilities Commission
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| Innovative Buildings |
. Photo Credit: Zeta Communities
Tierra Del Sol Affordable ZNE Homes, Stockton California
Zeta Communities, in partnership with Visionary Builders has created a new 22-unit zero energy community in northern California. ZETA designed these affordable homes for net zero energy performance working in concert with DOE Building America partner, ConSol. Approved under California's new CALGreen building code, the homes include an ultra-efficient building envelope, high efficiency heating and cooling system, Energystar kitchen appliances, Energystar stacked washer/dryer, solar PV panels, and sustainable building materials.
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| Other Announcements | |
RE:GENERATION - 2011-2012 Leading Edge Student Design Competition
The Leading Edge Student Design Competition is sponsored by the California Energy Commission, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and New Buildings Institute. This year's theme is a ZNE co-housing community aimed at active "baby boomer" retirees, emphasizing vitality and incorporating elements devoted to recreation, technology and a wellness center.
- Challenge 1, for 3rd- and 4th-year and graduate students: A zero-net energy, mixed-use building of approximately 40,000 square feet containing 8 to 10 units of cohousing, a yoga studio, exercise gym and meeting space. Three units of office/retail and a landscaped courtyard with bicycle parking and other outdoor amenities.
- Challenge 2, for 1st- and 2nd-year students: A zero-net energy 4- to 6-unit townhouse style residential building with an outdoor children's play yard and an internet café / juice bar open to the public.
The competition has been around since 1991 and is open to undergrad and graduate design students. First prize for each challenge is $3,000; the school receives $1,500. Second prize for each challenge is $2,000; the school receives $1,000. Merit citations are also awarded to those entries showing excellence in a particular aspect of design. Competition deadlines are listed on the home page linked below.
For More Information: Visit the Leading Edge website or read the Competition Overview |
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We look forward to hearing about your ZNE efforts. If you want to get the word out on related upcoming ZNE events, new research, buildings or other CA ZNE Action Plan news, please send info to Heather Flint Chatto, heather@newbuildings.org. |
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