grid neutral

Grid Neutral – First and Key StepTo Energy Independence

AndNet Zero Schools

Lorenz V. Schoff, PEEnergy Efficient

Solutions

14 April 2010 Columbus Green Building Forum

http://www.usgbc.org/

http://www.usgbc.org/

• Background– 45+ years in Facilities Management

• USAF Civil Engineering Officer• Director of Facilities and Transportation – K-12

– Original member of US DOE –EnergySmart Schools Team

– Member of ASHRAE AEDG, LEED for Schools and CA Grid Neutral Committees


Taking the First/Key Step

• Topics For Today– Basis / Basics for Grid Neutral– Goal of Grid Neutrality– Why Go Grid Neutral?– How do you Achieve Grid Neutrality?– What’s Happening Now?– Bottom Line


Basis / Basics for Grid Neutral

• Basis– The Economy– Executive Orders – National / State – Environmental Concerns– High Performance / Green / Sustainable

Design– Desire to Achieve Energy Independence– The First Step to Net Zero Buildings



• Basic – Definitions ( Net vs Grid)– Net Zero

• Cost – Cost of purchasing energy equals income from sale of electricity generated on site

• Off-site energy use – 100% of energy purchases from renewable sources, even if generated off the site

• Off-Grid – Stand alone• Source Energy Use – Generates the same energy

used including the energy used to transport – accounts for losses during transmission



• Basic -- Definitions– Net Zero

• Basic -- The amount of energy used equals amount of energy produced on-site

• Emissions -- Outside the US/Canada – Carbon emissions generated from on/off-site fossil fuels = on-site renewable energy production

– Grid Neutral • Focuses on the amount of electricity you consume from

the utility grid and the amount you produce on site Consumption = Production


• Goal of Grid Neutrality– To improve the electrical energy efficiency of

new / renovation of existing schools, through design, operations, maintenance and education resulting in the Lowest Life Cycle Cost of producing an equal amount electricity on-site from renewable sources


• Why Go Grid Neutral?• Policy Objectives

– Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions– Increase Use of Renewable Sources

• Manage Utility Costs• Cost Effective • Future Regulations, Statutory Requirements• Educational Opportunities• The First Step toward “Net Zero” Buildings


• How do you achieve Grid Neutrality?– Comprehensive Planning– Energy Efficient Design– Energy-Generating Technologies– Energy Measurements– Maintenance & Operation


• Comprehensive Planning– Wider Range of Participants

• Teams for Finance, Legal, and Construction• Composition – Sponsors, Beneficiaries, and Implementers• All support agencies

– Establishment of Performance Goals• Determine current electricity baseline• Develop Electrical Power Master Plan• Set Electricity use Targets (15-30% below Codes)

– LEED, CHPS, State Energy Codes


How do you Achieve Grid Neutrality?


• Energy Efficient Design– LEED or CHPS– ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design– Remember, It’s the Little Things– Areas Where Electrical Efficiency can be Improved

• Lighting • Electrical Distribution Systems• Day-lighting• HVAC• Passive


• Energy Efficient Design– Lighting

• Switching• Illumination Levels • Sensors (occupancy / day-lighting)• Dark Schools • Exterior Lighting

– Electrical Distribution• Distribution Transformers (TP-1 vs. C-3) 5%• Occupancy Sensor Control of electrical outlet

– Computers, LCD projectors, TV’s, VCR’s, DVD Players



Energy Efficiency

Energy Being Lost Behind

Closed Doors

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficient Transformers(New)

EPACT 2005 TP-1 75kVA

<5%VS.VS.

Energy Efficient Transformer C-3

The Difference at Least 2 - 100W light bulbs

Would you leave the lights on for 50 years ?Would you leave the lights on for 50 years ?

Energy Efficient Transformers(Exsiting)

Existing 75 kVa Transformer

VS.VS.

Energy Efficiency

>5%

Energy Efficient Transformer C-3

The Difference at Least 7 - 700W light bulbs

Would you leave the lights on for 50 years ?Would you leave the lights on for 50 years ?

• Energy Efficient Design– Day-Lighting

• Use of Clerestories • Use of Light Shelves• No shades or blinds

– HVAC• Interlocks on Windows and Doors• Displacement / Underfloor Ventilation• CO2 / Occupancy Sensors• Under Size System – not for Peak



• Energy Efficient Design– Passive

• Use of Natural Ventilation• High reflective paints (interior and exterior)• Opportunities from climate zone and natural features

– Key Design Consideration • It’s the Little Things



All Reduce the Electrical Needs of the Building

“Make Your Designs Renewable Ready”

• Energy Efficient Design -- Changes coming in Code– Energy Code 2009 Conference Projected

changes• ASHRAE 90.1– Future

– Distribution Transformers will be a regulated Load– Controls on electrical outlets




• Energy Generating Technologies– Once the Electrical Energy Needs are reduced to

an achievable level then address the Renewable Energy Sources to be used

• Photovoltaics Systems• Wind Turbines• Related Technologies

– Solar-Thermal– Geo Exchange



• Energy Measurements– Benchmarking– Utility Bill Analysis– Sub-metering (consider Smart Circuit)– Problem Identification & Correction– Conservation Program Persistence

Controls entire circuitsEmbedded web serverAccess data in real timeSwitch Loads off manually USB port for direct access from PCGood for Plug load management


• Maintenance and Operations– M&O Staff Critical

• Involvement in all phases of Construction

– Evaluations• Facility • Energy• Investment Grade Audits

– Training & Education• Training (the “How”)• Education (the “Why”)




• Education– Awareness at all Levels – Provide the Thread

to Weave it into the Culture– Foster Agent of Change – Use of Electronic Means

• Windows on the World• EPA Portfolio Manager• School Dude Utility Direct


• What’s Happening Now!!!– Butte County Community College – 2015 (GN)– Los Angeles City Schools – 2012 (GN)

• 50 Megawatts of Solar by 2012• El Dorado Elementary First School to go Grid Neutral (09)

– Richardson Elementary, KY (NZ) (Open Fall ‘10) http://schooldesigns.com/Project-Details.aspx?Project_ID=3244

– Irving Texas Middle School, TX (NZ)


http://schooldesigns.com/Project-Details.aspx?Project_ID=3244

Bottom-Line

• In today’s world, designers and administrators of educational buildings should reflect not only the needs and goals of the district but also the needs and goals of the Nation. The First Step is the design of a Grid Neutral Building. Is your Design Renewable Ready?

• By taking and achieving this first step, you are laying the foundation for the school staff and students to Understand and Demand NET Zero Energy Schools, buildings and homes in the 21st Century. It’s Not Rocket Science

Columbus Green Building Forum14 April 2010

Contact INFO

• Lorenz (Larry) Schoff. P.E.– Energy Efficient Solution

• 2906 Tall Oaks Drive• Blacksburg, VA 24060• PH: 540-961-2184• Cell: 540-230-9262• Fax: 540-961-3117

– Website: www.E2energysolutions.com


http://www.e2energysolutions.com/

General Info

• Resources– Grid Neutral Document

• www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/pubs/gridneutralpub.pdf

– New Net Zero School in Irving Texas• http://www.irvingisd.net/ppage/NetZeroMiddleSchool2.htm

– New Richardson Elementary, Kentucky• http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2009-03-03-

85395.113117_Kentuckys_NetZero_Triumph.html


http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/pubs/gridneutralpub.pdf

http://www.irvingisd.net/ppage/NetZeroMiddleSchool2.htm

http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2009-03-03-85395.113117_Kentuckys_NetZero_Triumph.html

http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2009-03-03-85395.113117_Kentuckys_NetZero_Triumph.html

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