Issue Brief: Green Buildings in China
Topic(s)
Net Zero
Smart, green, productive and efficient buildings contribute to urban efficiency and high-performance cities. Buildings don’t turn green with a fresh coat of paint, and building green is not an afterthought. Green, net zero building principles encompass the entire life cycle of a building—from the design and construction phases to the operation and maintenance of the building. Green buildings efficiently select and use resources and engage occupants to live and work in the buildings in a sustainable manner. Those that match their energy demand with on-site energy production can achieve “net-zero” status. Increasingly, green and net zero buildings are demonstrating real market traction - and the benefits are becoming clear. Photo credit: Brad Kahn/Flickr
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Issue Brief: Roadmap to Net Zero
Topic(s) A Second Look at Green Buildings: The Rise of Certifications around the World
Green building is on the rise around the world, through a mix of voluntary certification and mandatory requirements. Once an area dominated by the prevalence of new construction, the green building landscape is looking increasingly familiar: in existing buildings.
Plugging the Plug Load – the Next Opportunity for Net Zero Buildings
In the last five years, net zero mandates and action plans have altered the way designers are approaching their plans for new green buildings. LEED Platinum buildings like the Proximity Hotel1 and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Research Support Facility2 are reducing energy consumption by 40 to 50 percent, getting building design closer to net zero targets. The Integrated Design...
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Technology Brief: Climate Controls/Small Commercial Buildings
Topic(s) Demand Response Programs Across the U.S.
Utilities and grid operators in the U.S. are turning to demand response as a means of increasing reliability and reducing costs. The load reductions are coming from a variety of facilities, from single compressors cycling off in a residential air conditioner to the shutdown of entire manufacturing plants. As demand response continues to gain momentum in the evolving smart grid, commercial building...
Meeting of the Minds: Diverse Experts Explore the Future of Demand Response in Smart-Grid World
Diverse experts explore the future of demand response in smart-grid world Electricity systems around the world are being upgraded with the communication, automation and metering technology that have come to be known as the “smart grid.” The benefits are widely cited: An intelligent system that coordinates the aggregate impacts of both supply and demand promises to increase reliability,
Interview with Ken Sinclair: The Role of Building Automation in Getting to Smart Buildings
Although building-level automation has been around for more than 40 years, there is renewed interest in automation for residential and commercial sites, especially around smart buildings and a smart grid. Ken Sinclair, owner of the AutomatedBuildings.com online magazine and web resource, spoke on “Critical Path Elements of Smart Grid Implementation” at the 2011 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las...
Interview with Mark Modera: Toward Super-Efficient Cooling Systems for Dry Western Climates
The hot, dry climate of the western U.S. poses special challenges for efficient air conditioning. The Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC) at the University of California, Davis, leads a quest for highly efficient cooling equipment specifically for western states, designed to reduce cost and relax pressure on utility generating assets. Its initiatives align with California policies that...
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What is a Smart Building?
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