Zero-Net-Energy USA Federal Buildings
Encyclopedia
A Zero-Net-Energy Building is an official designation in the United States for a building whose construction and operation creates zero net emissions of greenhouse gases, as specified in President Obama's Executive Order 13514 of October 5, 2009.
This Executive Order mandates that at least 15% of existing federal buildings and leases (75,000 buildings) meet Energy Efficiency Guiding Principles by 2015, and that annual progress be made toward 100% conformance of all federal buildings.
100% of all new Federal buildings must achieve Zero-Net-Energy by 2030.
The U.S. government is the largest consumer of energy in America. It has roughly 500,000 buildings, and most of these buildings are energy-inefficient.
In Executive Order 13514, President Obama stated that "the Federal Government must lead by example ... increase energy efficiency
; measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions from direct and indirect activities ... design, construct, maintain, and operate high performance sustainable buildings in sustainable locations; strengthen the vitality and livability of the communities in which Federal facilities are located; and inform Federal employees about and involve them in the achievement of these goals."
The implication of "No net emissions
of greenhouse gas
es" is that nothing will ever be burned onsite, or by the public utilities supplying the facility, that emits the types of air pollution
which endanger human health by contributing to worldwide climate change
.
"In August 2009, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) broke ground for the Ames Sustainability Base, which is expected to be completed in late 2011. The Base will feature innovative technology, including 72 on-site geothermal wells, efficient heating and cooling through sub-floor systems, high performance insulation
, ultra low-flow plumbing, and non-toxic and bio-friendly materials. Through thoughtful design and building systems, the Base is targeting a 90 percent reduction in potable water consumption compared to traditional buildings of similar size. NASA estimates the building will pay back the increased initial cost within 6 years."
"The Department of Energy
's National Renewable Energy Laboratory
’s (NREL) new Research Support Facility is among the first large net zero energy buildings in the world. The 220,000-square-foot (18,580 square-meter) office facility will generate as much energy as it uses, including solar arrays atop its adjacent parking garage. The building incorporates a number of new technologies, such as NREL- developed transpired solar collectors that pre-heat outside air to cut down on the energy required for heating; as well as traditional design practices such as orienting the building to take maximum advantage of the sun."
This Executive Order mandates that at least 15% of existing federal buildings and leases (75,000 buildings) meet Energy Efficiency Guiding Principles by 2015, and that annual progress be made toward 100% conformance of all federal buildings.
100% of all new Federal buildings must achieve Zero-Net-Energy by 2030.
The U.S. government is the largest consumer of energy in America. It has roughly 500,000 buildings, and most of these buildings are energy-inefficient.
In Executive Order 13514, President Obama stated that "the Federal Government must lead by example ... increase energy efficiency
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency may refer to:*Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency.*Energy conversion efficiency, the ratio between the output and input of an energy conversion machine....
; measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions from direct and indirect activities ... design, construct, maintain, and operate high performance sustainable buildings in sustainable locations; strengthen the vitality and livability of the communities in which Federal facilities are located; and inform Federal employees about and involve them in the achievement of these goals."
Definition of Zero Net Energy Building in Executive Order 13514
"Zero-Net-Energy Building means a building that is designed, constructed, and operated to require a greatly reduced quantity of energy to operate, meet the balance of energy needs from sources of energy that do not produce greenhouse gases, and therefore result in no net emissions of greenhouse gases and be economically viable." - President Barack Obama Executive Order 13514 "FEDERAL LEADERSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL, ENERGY, AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE"
The implication of "No net emissions
Zero emission
Zero emission refers to an engine, motor, or other energy source, that emits no waste products that pollutes the environment or disrupts the climate.-Zero emission engines:...
of greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
es" is that nothing will ever be burned onsite, or by the public utilities supplying the facility, that emits the types of air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
which endanger human health by contributing to worldwide climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
.
Details of the Executive Order
The timeline and means for achieving the stated goal of Zero-Net-Energy USA Federal Buildings can be summarized as follows:- Green roofGreen roofA green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems...
s are explicitly recommended for government buildings. - Zero-Net-Energy goals are to be incorporated into the process of buying or leasing new government properties.
- As of 2020, all planning for new Federal buildings requires design specifications that achieve Zero-Net-Energy use by 2030.
- Large government buildings have to start showing progress by 2015. More specifically, at least 15 percent of any agency's existing buildings and building leases above 5,000 gross square feet must conform to Zero-Net-Energy by Fiscal Year 2015. Ongoing improvement is required.
- Historic buildings may be retrofit to comply with the order.
Progress as of March 30, 2011
"In the last two years, agencies have invested $5.8 billion in energy efficiency projects for Federal buildings.""In August 2009, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) broke ground for the Ames Sustainability Base, which is expected to be completed in late 2011. The Base will feature innovative technology, including 72 on-site geothermal wells, efficient heating and cooling through sub-floor systems, high performance insulation
Building insulation
building insulation refers broadly to any object in a building used as insulation for any purpose. While the majority of insulation in buildings is for thermal purposes, the term also applies to acoustic insulation, fire insulation, and impact insulation...
, ultra low-flow plumbing, and non-toxic and bio-friendly materials. Through thoughtful design and building systems, the Base is targeting a 90 percent reduction in potable water consumption compared to traditional buildings of similar size. NASA estimates the building will pay back the increased initial cost within 6 years."
"The Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
's National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory , located in Golden, Colorado, is the United States' primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility; it is funded through...
’s (NREL) new Research Support Facility is among the first large net zero energy buildings in the world. The 220,000-square-foot (18,580 square-meter) office facility will generate as much energy as it uses, including solar arrays atop its adjacent parking garage. The building incorporates a number of new technologies, such as NREL- developed transpired solar collectors that pre-heat outside air to cut down on the energy required for heating; as well as traditional design practices such as orienting the building to take maximum advantage of the sun."