Zero Net Energy Buildings

• Author: Brandon Hanson
• Pages: 202-205

202 Sustainable Development Code: Climate Change

ZERO NET EN ERG Y

BUIL DI NGS

Brandon Hanson (author),

Jonathan Rosenbloom & Christopher Duerksen (editors)

INTRODUCTION

e burning of fossil fuels is the prima ry source of greenhouse gas (GHG)

emissions in the United States.1 With the production of energy amounting

to 28% of the U.S. total GHG emissions,2 reducing the amount of energy

produced through fossil fuels can have a large impact on the mitigation of

GHGs.3 is proposal seeks such reductions by establishing zero net energy

requirements. Zero net energy buildings seek to produce as much energy

as they use through renewable resources, typical ly based on annual energy

use and production. Net zero energy buildings a lso promote more ecient

energy consumption habits, as a reduction in consumption correlates direct ly

with the production rate. Local government ordinances add ressing net zero

energy buildings provide for a variety of energ y production types, including

solar, wind, and geother mal.4

is proposal establishes zero net energ y requirements for commercial

and residential buildings. A lternative proposals can focus on creating incen-

tives to build renewable energy sources (see Promote Renewable Energy with

Incentives and Property Tax Exemptions for Renewable Energy Systems) and

reduce energy demands by requiring some level of renewable energy produc-

tion that is short of zero net or work towards net positive energy buildings,

buildings that create more renewable energy tha n they use. In addition, the

ordinances may be draf ted to establish a set requirement for zero net energy

or provide incentives to encourage zero net energy.5

Whether adopting zero net, net positive, or a lesser energy framework,

these ordinances create incentives or establish rm requirements to build

renewable energy systems and reduce energy dema nds. ese ordinances set

forth renewable energy standards for various building types, including new

commercial or residential buildings or signi cant renovation to such build-

ings. e ordinances ca n be drafted to help local governments meet GHG