Brian McCowan, Zondits Staff, 2/9/2022. In late 2021, 197 nations met to discuss climate change issues, assess progress, and set international goals. Commonly known as COP26, the 2021 Conference of Parties has been viewed as a qualified success by many, but also as an event that focused attention on the enormity of the challenges ahead. … Read more
Taylor Patterson, 4/6/21. Zero energy buildings are the future of sustainable living – be it commercial, industrial, or residential settings. Arlington County, VA embraced this future with the design and construction of their zero-energy public elementary school. The building is powered by over 1,700 solar panels, has a geothermal athletic field that funnels into a … Read more
Built Environment Plus, 2/4/21. We are calling on the Massachusetts building community to advocate for a Net Zero Stretch Code within the Climate Roadmap Bill now in the Legislature. We need you to call your Senator and Representatives where you live and work, and tell them that based on your building industry expertise that you support … Read more
Optimizing the Use of Smart Windows and BIPV to Achieve Net Zero Written by Jim Paull, ERS, May 9, 2018. Windows present an opportunity to reduce electrical consumption in buildings by producing power with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) or by reducing air-conditioning loads with solar heat gain control. Taking advantage of windows is especially important in … Read more
This study investigates decision-making patterns and funding practices, as well as the feasibility of implementing Zero Net Energy (ZNE) in kindergarten through twelfth grade schools (K-12) and community colleges (collectively referred to as “K-14”). While California has seen several notable verified ZNE schools constructed recently, no schools have yet been retrofit to meet this standard; … Read more
Investment In Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy On The Rise Facility Executive, October 12, 2017 Global interest and investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy is on the rise: 70 percent of organizations are paying more attention to energy efficiency than a year ago, and 58 percent are expecting to increase investments next year. These are … Read more
Here’s How to Convert a Building Into an Energy-Efficient Predictive Piece of Architecture Harvard University’s on-campus council for all things green building is creating the most energy-efficient retrofit attempted so far. The Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (CGBC) is collaborating with Snøhetta to convert its headquarters, a 1924 stick-built house in Cambridge, into … Read more
Boulder Commons Sets New Standard for Net-Zero Leases Just two miles from downtown Boulder, Colorado, a new net-zero energy (NZE) development is under construction: Boulder Commons. The project consists of two commercial buildings totaling roughly 100,000 square feet of professional office space and boasting a restaurant, coffee shop and community gathering flex space — all … Read more
UMass Amherst Celebrates Economics Department’s New, Net-Zero Crotty Hall UMass Amherst, March 22, 2017 The University of Massachusetts Amherst department of economics has opened Crotty Hall, anew 16,800-square-foot net-zero-energy building housing 35 offices and four conference rooms. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 22, Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy said the “stunningly beautiful” building advances the … Read more
Valerie Eacret, ERS, for Zondits A number of leaders of industry associations and the NRDC together penned a letter to the Commissioners of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) to voice their concerns over California’s prospects of meeting its Zero Net Energy (ZNE) goal for new homes by 2020. … Read more