Low Carbon Leaders: Demonstrating Ways to Zero

We have the technology. We have the expertise. We have the capital. It’s time for radical collaboration.

The LA Better Buildings Challenge is proud to announce the launch of a new pilot program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy called “Low Carbon Leaders.” Through this program, our most motivated partners will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading building scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Department of Energy and local experts to develop real-world pathways to zero-net carbon by 2050. The two-year pilot is designed for market leaders who are willing to share their process, progress, challenges faced and lessons learned to pave the way for others to follow in their footsteps.

What might that path look like? We propose a “priority waterfall” for building owners, with energy efficiency topping the list, followed by electrification, on-site renewables, grid interactivity, off-site renewables and renewable energy certificates or carbon offsets. Let’s explore what each of these priorities mean in more detail.

First, energy efficiency. Reducing overall energy use is foundational to any zero-net-carbon plan. The DOE recommends building owners and investors adopt ultra-efficiency equipment and building management practices, with an aim to achieve 40 to 60 percent less energy use than would a typical building in the same sector. Adopting best practices like those in the the Advanced Energy Design Guides can reduce energy use intensity below the ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standard and California’s Title 24 Energy Code, resulting in higher ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager scores while also improving both building comfort and marketability.

Next, electrification. After optimizing energy use, building owners should take measures to electrify their buildings. Eliminating combustion at the property level goes a long way in helping a property hit zero-net carbon targets. Cities throughout California are increasingly mandating that new properties be electric only, and the topic of electrification as a solution to carbon emissions is a major focus for the 2022 code cycle in Sacramento.

Then, on-site renewables. Generating the energy that a building needs to operate on-site is ideal, but not always feasible. As a broad second step on a building owner’s journey to net zero, the Department of Energy encourages where possible the installation of solar, wind, waste-to-energy, energy storage and other distributed generation on or near the building site.

Critically, grid interactivity. Buildings can further reduce carbon emissions by interacting with the electric grid or becoming responsive to the availability of carbon-free electricity and minimizing grid congestion. Tactics that make a building a grid asset may include the installation of smart technologies—including storage—to enable dynamic demand management; load shifting; and feeding renewable and other low-carbon electricity onto the grid during periods of high demand.

As needed, off-site renewables. As the emissions impact of each of the above measures is exhausted, one should next consider investing in or purchasing renewable energy from off-site sources. This can be done through utility or bilateral contracts with power producers via models such as power purchase agreements, green power procurement, community solar or utility-scale renewables.

Finally, renewable energy certificates or carbon offsets. For any remaining emissions that cannot be reduced through the above measures, building owners have the option of purchasing renewable energy certificates or carbon offsets. In order to reach zero-net emissions in the most meaningful way, it is important that any purchased certificates or offsets focus on high-quality local products with clear additionality.

And let’s not forget water. Saving water saves energy—roughly 0.01 kWh per gallon, depending on the source of the water and its end use and location. It makes good business sense to optimize water efficiency and reduce use now, as water conservation is expected to be mandated soon. Opportunities to do so include through upgrades and retrofits to cooling towers, plumbing, irrigation systems and the capture and reuse of groundwater, where possible.

Each building—its construction, orientation, siting, tenancy, use, and more—will present a unique set of challenges and hurdles to overcome. The specific combination of measures will look different from one building to the next. But however much these pathways might twist and turn along the way, they all lead to the same place: zero-net carbon, and ultimately, a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.

LABBC is taking applications through March 31.  Selected participants will be announced at the Better Buildings Summit in May.