James Darius Ball’s Post

DOE has issued Part 1 of its definition of a “zero emissions building”. Below are links and key quotes of interest:   https://lnkd.in/e2SBawcU    “Part 1 of the Definition sets criteria for a building with zero emissions from energy used for building operations. It applies to existing buildings and new construction and covers commercial and residential buildings not owned by the U.S. federal government.   At a minimum, a building that achieves zero operational emissions from energy use must be: -Energy efficient. -Free of on-site emissions from energy use. -Powered solely from clean energy.   Implementation guidance included with the Definition provides additional information on the criteria.   The Definition is not a regulatory standard. It is guidance that public and private entities may adopt to determine whether a building has zero emissions from operational energy use, including emissions from tenants. Public and private entities can use the Definition to demonstrate climate and clean energy leadership by adopting or exceeding the guidance.”   https://lnkd.in/eftrfJ2z    “The Definition is not a regulatory standard or a certification. It is guidance that public and private entities may adopt to determine whether a building has zero emissions from operational energy use. The definition is not a substitute for the green building and energy efficiency standards and certifications that public and private parties have developed.    Additionally, alongside today’s announcement: Eight major green building certification programs in the U.S. announced that they will embed or align or exceed the zero emissions definition within their certification. Many certifications go even further to demonstrate climate leadership by exceeding the criteria of the definition. In December 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14057 on Federal Sustainability and issued his Federal Sustainability Plan, which calls on agencies to achieve a federal net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045. As part of today’s effort, the Federal Government will use the National Definition in leasing net-zero emissions buildings, which will become the standard for Federal leases beginning in 2030.”      One other quick note: In the definition, for on-site emissions, there is one exception for the testing and use of emergency backup generators during emergencies.

DOE has issued Part 1 of its definition of a “zero emissions building”. Below are links and key quotes of interest:   https://lnkd.in/e2SBawcU    “Part 1 of the Definition sets criteria for a building with zero emissions from energy used for building operations. It applies to existing buildings and new construction and covers commercial and residential buildings not owned by the U.S. federal government.   At a minimum, a building that achieves zero operational emissions from energy use must be: -Energy efficient. -Free of on-site emissions from energy use. -Powered solely from clean energy.   Implementation guidance included with the Definition provides additional information on the criteria.   The Definition is not a regulatory standard. It is guidance that public and private entities may adopt to determine whether a building has zero emissions from operational energy use, including emissions from tenants. Public and private entities can use the Definition to demonstrate climate and clean energy leadership by adopting or exceeding the guidance.”   https://lnkd.in/eftrfJ2z    “The Definition is not a regulatory standard or a certification. It is guidance that public and private entities may adopt to determine whether a building has zero emissions from operational energy use. The definition is not a substitute for the green building and energy efficiency standards and certifications that public and private parties have developed.    Additionally, alongside today’s announcement: Eight major green building certification programs in the U.S. announced that they will embed or align or exceed the zero emissions definition within their certification. Many certifications go even further to demonstrate climate leadership by exceeding the criteria of the definition. In December 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14057 on Federal Sustainability and issued his Federal Sustainability Plan, which calls on agencies to achieve a federal net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045. As part of today’s effort, the Federal Government will use the National Definition in leasing net-zero emissions buildings, which will become the standard for Federal leases beginning in 2030.”      One other quick note: In the definition, for on-site emissions, there is one exception for the testing and use of emergency backup generators during emergencies.

National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building - At a minimum, a building that achieves zero operational emissions from energy use must be: 1. Energy efficient. 2. Free of on-site emissions from energy use. 3. Powered solely from clean energy.

❇What is the first criteria for defining a zero emissions building? According to The U.S. Department of Energy's recently developed National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, Part 1 - it's energy efficiency.🔌 https://lnkd.in/g8mVrvZr 📝The standardized, consistent, and measurable minimum criteria set forth in the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building to support the buildings sector moving toward #zeroemissions and advance public- and private-sector #climategoals say a building must be: 1️⃣ Energy efficient. 2️⃣ Free of on-site emissions from energy use. 3️⃣ Powered solely from clean energy. 🏙Commercial building owners and operators that want a scalable solution to quickly improve HVAC #energyefficiency should explore Swarm Logic benefits today by contacting Encycle. ➡You can also learn more on our website here: https://lnkd.in/gWisKyfS #Decarbonization #EnterpriseSolutions #GreenBuildings

National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building: Part 1 of the Definition sets criteria for determining that a building generates zero emissions from energy use in building operations. By the definition, at a minimum, a zero emissions building must be energy efficient, free of onsite emissions from energy use, and powered solely from clean energy. Future parts of this definition may address emissions from embodied carbon (producing, transporting, installing, and disposing of building materials) and additional considerations. https://lnkd.in/gPz6hkJz

There are tools we have right now and tools we must innovate to slash greenhouse gas emissions and lower utility bills. 🌇 Adopting modern building energy codes is the former—a tool available NOW that can make a difference by setting energy efficiency standards for new buildings, additions, and major renovations. 🟢 To accelerate this, we’ve made available $90 million to support building energy code adoption, training, and technical assistance at the state & local level. We estimate that from 2010 through 2040 energy codes will have saved homes and businesses $182 billion on utility bills and prevented as much carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere as that of 187 million gasoline-powered cars annually. Details about the funding opportunity and instructions for applying are here: https://lnkd.in/eR9ZDa32 https://lnkd.in/e5vDvXGD

https://lnkd.in/e9FMNfJh This is a significant statement: a building can only be categorized as zero-emissions if it's "energy efficient." This implies that electrification does not necessarily make the building zero-emissions.

Yesterday, revision of Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) have been approved by European Parliament to realize the ongoing decarbonisation efforts of built environment. At 2021, the European Commission adopted the legislative proposal to revise the EPBD, as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Next step is official endorsement by the Council. 🤞 So what are the key takeaways of the revision? -By 2030, the buildings should comply with the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS); energy performance of all non-residential buildings must surpass the level of the 16% worst performing, and by 2033, above the level of the 26% worst performing. -Member States must ensure that the average energy consumption of residential building stock decreases by at least 16% by 2030 and by at least between 20–22% by 2035. -From 2030 onwards, all new buildings must comply with a maximum threshold for energy demand set at the national level to comply with New Zero Emission Building (ZEB) Standard and must not cause any on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels. -Starting in 2025, Member States are required to cease subsidizing "standalone" fossil heating systems to perform fossil fuel phase-out by 2040. -Last key takeaway which I personally find this as an important step is the Whole Life Carbon (WLC) Reporting. From 2030, WLC reporting will become mandatory for all new buildings.  - By the beginning of 2027, Member States must publish a roadmap detailing the introduction of WLC limit values for all new buildings and set targets from 2030. This shows that industry professionals, research institutions, academies, NGOs and consultants who support policymakers in the sector should work together and urgently support the creation of an inclusive and integrated roadmap. Source: World Green Building Council & EU

The National Energy Codes Collaborative is a new national network created to assist states and other localities with the implementation of updated energy codes. The importance of updating building energy codes cannot be understated, relating directly to issues like #energyefficiency, reliability, utility bill savings, air quality, and much more. Get the full story: https://ow.ly/svuO50RRCbO

Top 3 US energy efficiency policy opportunities in 2024: ACEEE. #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #Decarbonization https://hubs.li/Q02nq5rN0