Getting to Net Zero Energy or Carbon Neutral Buildings in the Pacific Northwest June 20, 2012

How did we get here and what’s next for the Seattle building industry. How did we get here and what’s next for the Seattle building industry. Critical factors to consider in the Seattle Climate for Net-Zero capable commercial buildings. Critical factors to consider in the Seattle Climate for Net-Zero capable commercial buildings. Lessons Learned from Case Studies of low energy buildings. Lessons Learned from Case Studies of low energy buildings. Presentation Objectives

The building industry was transformed by LEED and the Green Building movement

The region’s focus has shifted to aggressive energy use reductions targets

EUI (kBtu/sf-yr or kWh/sf-yr)

The Progress of Architecture in Seattle

SeaFirst Building 1969; EUI ~ kBtu/sf-yr

Seattle City Hall 2003; EUI ~ 75 kBtu/sf-yr

Alley , EUI ~ 50 kBtu/sf-yr

The Terry Thomas 2008; EUI ~ 46 kBtu/sf-yr

How Far Have We Really Come? 46 kBtu / ft 2 -yr30 kBtu / ft 2 -yr

"We shall not cease from exploring, and the end of our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." ~T.S. Eliot

Net-Zero Energy Reality Check Current PV Technology in Seattle ~12 kWh/sf-yr or 41 kBtu/sf-yr Two-Story Building Solar Budget ~21 kBtu/sf-yr

CBECS Avg Office Energy End-Uses* ~21 kBtu/sf-yr Total Solar Budget for 2-Story Building * EIA 2003 National Survey

Local High Performance Buildings

AIA 2030 Challenge Target 70% Reduction to EUI~28

Local High Performance Buildings Net Zero Energy Target EUI~21

Sensitivity Analysis Research

Different players affect building performance, but to what degree? Staffing Controls Maintenance Commissioning Layout Integration Installation Components & Features Computers Equipment Schedule Habits

Sensitivity Analysis Through Modeling NREL medium office prototype used as Baseline Modeled High, Low, & Base for Envelope Lighting HVAC Operations Occupancy Other

Measure Impacts in Seattle

Air Tightness Leaky Airtight

Envelope Insulation Existing ASHRAE 189 ASHRAE 90.1

HVAC System VAV RTU GSHP Single Zone PRTU

Thermostat Controls 74°F Cool, 72°F Heat, No Setback 80°F Cool, 68°F Heat, Night Setback 76°F Cool, 70°F Heat, Night Setback

Seattle is a Heating Climate Typical Balance Point 65°F : 75% heating hours Super-Insulated Balance Point 45°F: 30% heating hours

Seattle is a Heating Climate 60% Reduction in Space Conditioning Energy

How Low Can You Go? Recent Ecotope Case Studies

The Beardmore. Priest River, ID EUI = 34

Heat Pumps for HVAC EUI = 34

That Was Easy EUI = 34

NW Maritime Center. Port Townsend, WA EUI = 30

Titanium Ocean Source Heat Exchanger EUI = 30

Natural Ventilation & Daylighting EUI = 30

Fire Station 72. Issaquah, WA EUI = 25

Performance of Local Fire Stations

Geothermal Heat Pumps for Space Heating and DHW EUI = 25

Solar DHW, PV, Heat Recovery EUI = 25

Rice Fergus Miller Office. Bremerton, WA EUI = 21

Now What?

RFM’s Performance & Sustainability Goals A healthy place to work 50% Potable Water Reduction Engage Local Contractors / Artisans Give real data back to the design community Quantify the bottom line Design a NetZero (ready) Building

LEED Platinum EUI = 21

Roof: 9,000 sf PV Output: 100 kW, 110,000 kWh/yr Energy Budget: ~18 kBtu/sf-yr The site’s “solar budget” informed the design

Load Reduction Measures 1.Design for Off 2.Super-Insulation 3.VRF Heat Pumps 4.Hybrid Ventilation System (ERV / Operables) 5.Eliminate Simultaneous Heating & Cooling

NO Heat/Cool for 70% of the year! ERV Only (29%) Passive Mode: NO HVAC (42%) VRF Heat+ERV (22%) VRF Cool+ERV (7%)

Super-Insulated Envelope

UA Budget UA/sf

Total UA = 2665 Btuh/sf-°F Heating Load* ~ 12 tons (1350 sf/ton) Cooling Load* ~ 22 Tons (850 sf/Ton) * Including Ventilation

VRF Heat Pump

VRF Heat Pump Efficiency Curve

Fan Coil Energy Use

Fan Energy Load Reduction: Ceiling Fans vs. Ducts to Move Air

Potable Water Savings of 70% 30% Low-Flow Fixtures, 40% Rainwater

Solar PV: WA made Array, 9.3 kW

End Use Reductions

Occupant Feedback Dashboard (Hourly, Daily, Monthly) March 5 th …………..…………………………….…………….March 22 nd, 2012

How Much Did it Cost?

Cost Comparison ($/sf)

Construction Costs breakdown ($/sf)

Incentives & Financing $50k PSE prescriptive incentive $2k/month for 24 mo. $40k WA Made Solar ~ $5000/yr till at least yr 2020 Green Building Appraisal

Occupant Feedback: Priceless

Questions ?