Three Buildings Net Zero Energy - Building Priorities Briefing (Energy Priorities)

We explore three commercial buildings without power bills, and contrast the many meanings of "zero" in energy and carbon. First, a commercial building proven to be zero energy -- and then some. In the first 12 months after construction, this building produced more energy than it consumed. Then we learn about two more buildings presented in the ZEB session at Globe last month. The Energy Minute is about the meaning of zero: What should be counted when designating a building "net zero energy" or "zero carbon"? In the Program Notes we have photos and links to more information for those of you who are researching the net-zero option for your own buildings. (podcast) (photo)

Denis Du Bois
April 15, 2008

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Program notes

What is the meaning of zero? We explore zero energy buildings and contrast that with carbon neutral buildings.

Case study: 31 Tannery Road, Branchburg, NJ.

Thirty-one Tannery is the corporate headquarters for Ferreira Construction. It's also the first zero energy commercial building in the U.S. Two hundred people work in this 42,000 square foot living lab of sustainability. It has 1,200+ PV modules on the roof -- 223 kilowatts -- and solar thermal provides its hot water.

The radiant HVAC system has nine miles of tubing in the slab. The condensing boiler operates at 95 percent efficiency and above. The list goes on -- sensors, controls, monitoring -- it's a hands-on showcase of energy efficiency and renewable energy systems.

Denis Du Bois interviews Joe Grabowski, Vice President for building owner-occupant Ferreira Construction, who was very involved in the design of the building.

The rooftop solar array atop Ferreira's headquarters helps the building operate on net zero outside energy. (Photo courtesy Ferreira)

Thirty-one Tannery will have its second anniversary in July 2008. It's the first zero energy commercial building in the U.S. To be precise, it's a net zero electric energy building; it still uses natural gas. It's not completely accurate to say it has no power bill, because utility demand charges and standby charges still apply. And the building isn't carbon neutral. In its first 12 months the building's avoided emissions were 530 metric tons of carbon, roughly equivalent to the CO2 from 100 typical American cars.

Ferreira Construction web site

Energy Minute: The Meaning of Zero Energy and Carbon Neutral.

Zero energy, zero carbon -- what do they mean, and what's the difference?

Third half: Two carbon-neutral ZEBs presented at the Globe 2008 session.

Zero energy buildings were the topic of a popular session at the Globe Conference on Business and the Environment, March 2008 in Vancouver British Columbia.

Peter Busby presented two carbon-neutral commercial designs at the Globe 2008 conference in Vancouver. (EP photo)

The panelist with the most interesting information to share about commercial buildings was Peter Busby, Managing Director of Busby Perkins + Will and Chair of the Canada Green Building Council. Busby talked about two of his firm's projects that are net zero energy buildings. Both are in the design phase, and both will be carbon neutral.

Canada is serious about green building. It has its own Green Building Council, and the World Green Building Council is based in Toronto Ontario.

Busby Perkins + Will web site
Canada Green Building Council web site
World Green Building Council web site
"Globe Conference Draws Leaders from around the World" (EP)

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From Canada -- A whole community shuts off its power.

Earth Hour. Millions of people in cities on six continents turned off their lights. Participants in more than 400 countries made a highly visible statement in support for global action on climate change. Hartley Bay, BC, Canada went a step farther.