Net Zero Future
"Net Zero Future" explores the dynamic field of net-zero (NZ) buildings - buildings that produce as much (or more) energy than they consume. What seemed impossible only a few years ago is a reality today, as more and more NZ buildings come online. Jim Young, a veteran technical expert in energy use in buildings, explores such topics as smart buildings, data analytics, energy-efficient lighting systems, lighting and daylighting controls, energy standards (e.g., ASHRAE 90.1), and renewable energy sources (e.g., photovoltaics, solar hot water). With case studies of successful NZ projects, technical reports, new products and technologies, mobile apps, and more.
The installation has an ambitious plan to move to 100% energy efficiency through several initiatives including more renewable energy production and en...
World Expo 2017, planned for Astana, Kazakhstan, calls for an expo village that rates triple net zero—zero net use of energy and water and zero net ge...
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s new maintenance facility, which is targeting net zero, has received LEED Platinum certification.
Events Facilities | December 27, 2013 | Jim Young
Using a marine platform concept instead of an artificial island, the development will create more space with less impact in the fragile marine ecosyst...
Education Facility | December 16, 2013 | Jim Young
Lee Elementary School, scheduled to open in fall 2014, will be net-zero-ready, and if the school board decides to sell district bonds and allow the pu...
Government Buildings | December 09, 2013 | Jim Young
The Finger Lakes village of Skaneateles, N.Y., renovated its vacant firehouse into Skaneateles Village Hall, the first municipal net-zero energy build...
For the U.S. Army, creating secure sources of energy is an important driver for its net zero goals. Critical military missions are at a high risk of f...
Under the new Title 24, all new residential construction must be net zero by 2020, with all new commercial buildings achieving this goal by 2030.
A big driver to achieve net-zero was to offer affordable housing with reduced energy costs for low-income seniors.
The installation of 49 large rooftop solar panels at the 49ers new stadium outside San Francisco will help the arena achieve net-zero energy use, acco...
Architects | November 05, 2013 | Jim Young
The Living Building Challenge has released the Net Zero Energy Building Certification to provide clearer definitions regarding what net zero really me...
Building Owner | October 28, 2013 | Jim Young
The Packard Foundation’s 49,000-sf headquarters recently achieved Net Zero Energy Certification through the International Living Future Institute (ILF...
Building Owner | October 21, 2013 | Jim Young
University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute (GCI) building in Australia showcases on-site solar energy sources, biomimicry-based design feature...
The Craftsbury (Vermont) Outdoor Center has broken ground on a new activity lodge and fitness center. An energy modeling computer simulation was used...
Building Owner | October 07, 2013 | Jim Young
The school will employ a geothermal system to heat and cool a portion of the building. Other energy-saving measures will include LED lighting, room oc...
The Outagamie County Regional Airport’s new 8,000 sf general aviation terminal was designed to achieve net zero.
Building Owner | September 23, 2013 | Jim Young
Queens, N.Y.-based beverage distributor Big Geyser’s energy efficiency retrofit project and rooftop solar array installation have positioned the compa...
Building Owner | September 16, 2013 | Jim Young
Passive solar strategies and an enhanced envelope are keys to achieving net-zero on the new 230,000 sf Department of Electrical and Computer Engineeri...
A new design for Jinshui Science and Technology Park in Zhengzhou, China is aiming for a zero-carbon footprint.
Building Owner | September 03, 2013 | Jim Young
After a two year renovation, the 95-year oldWayne S. Aspinall Federal Building and Courthouse in Grand Junction, Colo., is being evaluated for LEED Pl...
The Public Safety Academy at College of the Desert, designed by HMC Architects
Building Owner | August 27, 2013 | Jim Young
A 60-acre solar farm next to the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, Calif., along with a number of sustainable building features, are projected to...
Recent high-profile projects, including stadiums in Brazil for the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics and a bank headquarters in the U.K., reflect...
Building Owner | August 12, 2013 | Jim Young
An elementary school on Staten Island will be the first net-zero energy school in New York City and the Northeast. The school is designed to use half...
Building Enclosure Systems | August 06, 2013 | Jim Young
Australia's first carbon neutral office building, featuring a distinctive pixelated façade, recently opened in Melbourne.
VIESTE Energy, LLC has teamed up with ESD (Environmental Systems Design, Inc.) to design a national portfolio of net zero data centers.
Photo: thinkprogress.org
July 22, 2013 | Jim Young
The progress that 17 U.S. Army installations have made in becoming more energy efficient and environmentally conscious has led the Army to begin expan...
Building Owner | July 15, 2013 | Jim Young
The Swallows Nest cultural center in Taichung, Taiwan, employs bioclimatic architectural elements and complex geometry with a goal of being a zero car...
July 08, 2013 | Jim Young
Several tools and strategies that will be keys to achieving net-zero are catching on quickly, according to this column by Ingersoll Rand executives.
July 01, 2013 | Jim Young
A proposed high-rise structure in downtown Nashville, Tenn., is designed to meet LEED Platinum standards and the 2030 Challenge's energy-efficiency st...
June 26, 2013 | Jim Young
Large tech companies including Apple, Facebook, Google, Samsung Electronics and Nvidia have plans for ultra-green sustainable campuses in California's...
