A ZNE building produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year

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Jurisdictions have the potential to rapidly advance local adoption of zero net energy (ZNE) buildings through codes, policies, outreach and goal setting for their own building portfolios. The Action Paths described here present the most effective options for cities and states to systematically plan and make progress toward comprehensive ZNE policy.

Municipal Building LeadershipDevelop and implement goal setting favoring ZNE buildings to lead by example.

Benchmark and Prioritize the Portfolio

Once municipal buildings are benchmarked, remote diagnostic tools can provide further insights into the energy savings opportunities across the portfolio. This analysis can streamline the costs of audits by pinpointing where to focus audits and follow up investigations. This information can inform a strategic approach to deep energy retrofits and ZNE across a portfolio. Prioritize efficiency upgrades based on upcoming renovations, efficiency opportunities, or other building needs.

Implement Deep Energy Retrofit & ZNE Opportunities

Public buildings are excellent opportunities to demonstrate deep energy retrofits and the transition of a portfolio to ZNE. The California Department of General Services, the California Lottery, schools, colleges, and universities are leading examples of

processes, design methods, on-going management strategies, cost information, and financing models. A strategic approach starts at the portfolio level by prioritizing deep energy retrofit and ZNE opportunities. Outside of deep energy retrofits and major renovations buildings can save energy through small no and low cost measures. Develop guidelines for maintenance staff to follow regarding temperate set points and evening setback hours, plug loads, and operations and maintenance activities to improve energy efficiency.

ZNE Action Paths for Jurisdictions

W. Berkley Public Library | Berkeley, CA ©Mark Luthringer Photography

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Leverage Triggers in a Building Lifecycle

Over a building’s lifecycle, many opportunities exist to significantly improve building performance, including building sale or lease, tenant improvements, system upgrades, equipment replacement, and/or building alterations. Local jurisdictions can serve as examples of best practices in transitioning a portfolio of buildings to ZNE by setting energy outcome targets and key building milestones for municipal buildings. A facility master plan should include milestones which trigger requirements for efficiency upgrades to take effect at a building sale or lease, tenant improvement, system upgrade, equipment replacement, and/or building alterations.

Demonstrate ZNE Through Pilot Projects

Consider ZNE as a goal for a new construction or major renovation projects. This can demonstrate that a ZNE building is possible and serve as a model within the jurisdiction. Consider visiting a nearby ZNE project to gain support and buy-in for a project in your area. Success in ZNE pilots provides strong starts to push the market forward through new knowledge of and increased awareness.

Market Leadership & DevelopmentReward early adopters of ZNE buildings and spotlight success through education and recognition.

Provide Public Acknowledgment & Recognition

Official public recognition is important to increase the momentum in ZNE buildings. Programs like the California ZNE Schools Leadership Awards and the Division of the State Architect’s 7X7X7: Design Energy Water awards, earn media coverage, elevate attention to the benefits and possibilities of ZNE across building types, and spotlights best practices and achievement. Identifying pilot projects highlights the initial efforts of organizations seeking a ZNE portfolio. Honoring individual professionals and leading design and construction

firms aid in healthy ZNE market competition. Recognition also adds value to the investments that building owners and stakeholders have made to get to ZNE.

Support Widespread ZNE Outreach

Support ZNE education in the local market to continue exposure and understanding of successful approaches for both deep energy retrofits and new construction projects. Host or co-host events, trainings, and workshops for decision makers including municipal staff, owners, designers, and contractors to expand their knowledge and understanding of ZNE. Develop and share case studies and share lessons learned from projects to highlight the process and efficiency measures that work. Small investments in materials, research and/or competitions can help projects meet their energy goals and encourage development of technologies from the private market.

Connect With Supporting Organizations

Municipalities, cities, counties, and states face unique barriers when developing and implementing climate action plans. Collaborating with other jurisdictions that are developing and implementing plans and polices can assist to advance all plans. Groups like the Local Government Commission, Urban Sustainability Directors Network, the Climate Neutral Cities Alliance, Cool Cities Challenge, Green Cities California, and others can help align opportunities and resources to advance climate action plans. Conferences and workshops facilitated by these organizations can train key municipal administrators, provide inspiration, and help draft opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in individual markets.

Codes & PoliciesCreate public codes and policies that support improved building performance and require enhanced measurement and reporting.

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Honorees at the inagural 2016 ZNE Schools Leadership Awards

Tour of the J. Craig Venter Institute | La Jolla, CA

Accelerate Benchmarking & Disclosure

Benchmarking allows owners to gain a better understanding of how much energy their buildings actually use. AB-802 requires that buildings in California over 50,000 square feet benchmark and disclose their energy use each year using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Local ordinances have lowered this threshold. For example, San Francisco requires buildings over 10,000 square feet to disclose performance. Some jurisdictions provide standard reports back to owners to further enhance awareness of their energy performance within the community.

Utilize Building Performance Targets for Improvement

Aggregated benchmarking data can be a foundation for energy performance targets. When benchmarking data is analyzed, it can help establish meaningful energy performance targets relative to local climate. Raising awareness of absolute energy targets can help set a pathway for reducing energy consumption in existing buildings over time. Energy Use Intensity (EUI) expressed in kBtu/ft2-yr is one such metric. California Department of General Services has set energy targets for its existing buildings to meet ZNE goals for 50% of state owned buildings. Advanced jurisdictions are investigating outcome-based energy codes based on these targets.

Adopt Advanced Energy Codes

The California Public Utilities Commission’s 2013 Integrated Energy Policy Report has a roadmap for California’s energy code to reach ZNE goals. While these goals exist, local jurisdiction can adopt advanced timelines or at least be well prepared for what is to come. With Part 11, Title 24 (CALGREEN), jurisdictions in California have the opportunity to use an energy model in setting a local energy code that is more stringent than the base code. In order to do this, local governments must apply to the California Energy Commission (CEC) for approval, documenting the supporting analysis on how the local government has determined that the proposed local standard will save more energy than the current provisions in Part 6, Title 24, and the determination that the local standards are cost-effective. Santa Monica has pursued this path and developed a ZNE ordinance for single family and low-rise multifamily buildings. In this process, they submitted a cost effective study to CEC for approval before implementing the ordinance forward.

Finance & IncentivesEffective financial mechanisms and incentives remove first-cost barriers that can stall projects.

Provide Financial & Regulatory Incentives for ZNE

Some states and local jurisdictions are already providing tax and other incentives for ZNE projects. Local governments can tune zoning regulations to encourage ZNE projects using well-established tools such as density bonuses, accelerated permitting, rebate of permitting fees, and greenfield development. Review local zoning and code structures to ensure current regulations don’t unintentionally constrain the ability to construct ZNE buildings; revisions to existing code language and regulations may be needed to ensure compatibility. Support programs that provide low-interest financing such as PACE, or develop grant programs that support ZNE performance goals.

Encourage Utility (Municipal Or IOU) Support for ZNE Buildings & Grid Stability

Utility incentive programs and early design technical assistance can help mitigate perceived risks inherent in new approaches to ZNE design and construction. Current California utility programs, including Savings by Design and the Proposition 39 ZNE Schools Pilot, can transform the buildings market toward ZNE by reducing upfront costs. In addition, investigate direct incentives and rate structures for onsite renewable systems. Utilities must also plan to mitigate the impacts of increasing numbers of ZNE buildings on their distribution networks.

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California Codes are moving toward the 2020 and 2030 ZNE target dates.

Administered by California utilities, Savings By Design encourages high-performance, non-residential building design and construction, and a variety of solutions to building owners and design teams. More information at: savingsbydesign.com.

Funding for this effort comes from the utilities’ ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission in addition to incremental funding from the Department of Energy. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Produced by New Buildings Institute. For more information, visit www.newbuildings.org.

Non-commercial reproduction of this content or use in other materials is allowed. Please cite as: “California ZNE Communications Toolkit, May 2017”

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Clean PowerEncourage development of clean power options.

Enable Community-Scale Renewables & Storage Systems

Off-site renewable energy systems can offer economies of scale for distributed generation, and may have advantages over individual building systems. “Community solar” and Community Choice Aggregators (CCA) are particularly valuable in serving the existing building stock with renewable energy. Additionally, new electricity storage in scales beyond

the building site may also offer greater opportunities to manage increased levels of distributed generation.

Encourage Low or Zero Carbon Grid-Based Electricity & Gas

Policies, such as Renewable Portfolio Standards, are leading to a measurable decarbonization of the electricity supply. AB-32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, aims to reduce statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 20% of 1990 levels by 2050. In addition, Senate Bill 350 requires utilities to procure 50% of their electricity from eligible renewable energy resources by 2030. With the decarbonization of fuel supplies, the jurisdictional goals of zero net energy become complimentary to zero net carbon (ZNC) emission goals for the building sector.

ResourcesCalifornia ZNE Watchlist: newbuildings.org/resource/califor-nia-zne-watchlist-winter-2016/

California ZNE Schools Awards and Recognition Program: newbuildings.org/zne-awards/

Division of the State Architect’s 7X7X7 Design Energy Water: 7x7x7designenergywater.com/

NBI’s ZNE Case Studies: newbuildings.org/hubs/zero-net-energy/#case-studies

Urban Sustainability Directors Network: usdn.org/home.html?returnUrl=%2findex.html

Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance: usdn.org/public/page/13/CNCA

Cool City Challenge: coolcitychallenge.org/

Green Cities California: greencitiescalifornia.org/

Assembly Bill No. 802: eginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB802

City of Santa Monica: smgov.net/Departments/OSE/Categories/Green_Building/Overview.aspx

California Public Utility Commission’s 2013 Integrated Energy Policy Report: energy.ca.gov/2013publications/CEC-100-2013-001/CEC-100-2013-001-CMF.pdf

Zero Net Energy Resources for California Local Governments: californiaseec.org/zero-net-energy/