Three Buildings Net Zero Energy - Building Priorities Briefing
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)
April 15, 2008
Podcast
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Music by Alexander Blu
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.
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The rooftop solar array atop Ferreira's headquarters helps the building operate on net zero outside energy. (Photo courtesy Ferreira) |
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.
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Peter Busby presented two carbon-neutral commercial designs at the Globe 2008 conference in Vancouver. (EP photo) |
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)
Your mail: [how to reach us]
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.
Earth Hour web site
Small Energy Group web site


