Month: December 2020

Blue Ribbon Committee Update on Preemption, Voter Guides, and the IECC

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Blue Ribbon Committee Update on Preemption, Voter Guides, and the IECC

The Board Committee on the Long-Term Code Development Process (Blue Ribbon Committee) has met regularly since July to discuss many issues of importance to the code development process. In addition to the committee members, interested parties from across the building, construction and design community have participated in the virtual meetings and work groups. At the latest meeting on November 20, the Blue Ribbon Committee discussed the following items.

Federal Preemption: The Blue Ribbon Committee approved in concept a mechanism to address matters of federal preemption. The mechanism should include:

  • A proposed revision to Council Policy 1 Appeals to specifically exclude matters of federal preemption as an appealable action or inaction.
  • The development of a process in which code changes which potentially address preempted issues will be brought to the attention of the International Code Council Board of Directors in a timely matter for consideration and direction.

Voter Guides/Voter Acknowledgment: The Blue Ribbon Committee is investigating the possibility of a voter statement for cdpACCESS for the online governmental consensus vote. This statement would require voting members to acknowledge that they:

  • Are eligible voting members of the Code Council;
  • Are participating in this process in compliance with the ICC Code of Ethics;
  • Have done their due diligence to become informed on the matters they are voting on;
  • And, are aware that voter guides are the opinions of participants in the process, are not endorsed by the Code Council, and that the voters are under no obligation to vote in accordance with such guides.

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Development Process: The Blue Ribbon Committee has approved a recommendation for the Code Council Board to consider updating the commercial and residential energy provisions in the IECC and Chapter 11 of the International Residential Code (IRC) via the Code Council’s Consensus Procedures instead of the governmental consensus process. The Consensus Procedures allow for more timely consideration and an in-depth investigation of energy improvements without the time limits imposed in the code hearings. If approved, the 2024 IECC and Chapter 11 of the IRC will be updated using the Code Council’s standards consensus procedures. The title of the document will remain the International Energy Conservation Code and the residential energy provisions in Chapter 11 of the IRC will be a duplication of the residential provisions from the IECC. The Code Council Board will consider this recommendation at an upcoming meeting.

If you would like to receive email updates related to the committee or join an upcoming Blue Ribbon Committee meeting, please contact Mike Pfeiffer, PE. Click here to learn more about the Blue Ribbon Committee.

International Code Council and National Environmental Health Association launch pandemics task force

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) have established a new task force on pandemics. Recognizing the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on new and existing buildings and construction, this task force will develop resources to help prepare buildings and communities for disease-related threats.

The task force will analyze all aspects of the built environment to find solutions that reduce the risks posed by pandemics. It will complete a comprehensive review of current code requirements, existing guides, executive orders, regulations, white papers, reports and standards, related to design, preparedness, and health considerations for building construction, operation and pandemics. Then, the group will identify best practices and guides to address the design and layout of new and existing buildings and establish a comprehensive package of public information materials.

“The coronavirus pandemic has underscored that safe buildings are essential to maintaining public health,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “A community’s ability to defend against such disasters as pandemics depends on the safety of the homes, buildings and infrastructure that serve its citizens. We are extremely proud to collaborate with NEHA on this pandemic task force.”

“The built environment is a central feature of modern life,” said Dr. David Dyjack, Chief Executive Officer of the National Environmental Health Association.  “Our unique partnership with ICC is one characterized by a common mission, information sharing, and aligned leadership, which in aggregate will serve to reduce risk associated with the pandemic, while we collaborate on methods to safely rebuild the economy”. 

The task force will consist of a broad cross section of building, code, design, insurance, plumbing and public health environmental experts appointed by the Code Council Board of Directors. In addition to the creation of the task force, several work groups made of task force member and other interested parties will be established.

For more information, visit www.iccsafe.org/pandemics-task-force.

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About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

About the National Environmental Health Association

NEHA represents more than 6,700 governmental, private, academic, and uniformed service sector environmental health professionals in the U.S. and its territories and internationally. NEHA is the profession’s strongest advocate for excellence in the practice of environmental health as it delivers on its mission to build, sustain, and empower an effective environmental health workforce.

HUD recognizes the International Building Code and the ICC A117.1-2009 accessibility standard as Fair Housing Act safe harbors

Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council applauds the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for recognizing the 2009 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities Standard, 2009 International Building Code (IBC), 2012 IBC, 2015 IBC, and 2018 IBC as “safe harbors” for compliance with the Fair Housing Act’s (FHA) accessibility requirements. HUD will retain the previously recognized IBC 2000, 2003, and 2006 as safe harbors.

The standard and codes adopted by HUD as safe harbors represent safe harbors when the relevant accessibility provisions are used in their entirety. This final rule will go into effect on March 8, 2021.

HUD received public comments from more than 40 interested parties that supported inclusion of the 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018 and the ICC A117.1-2009 as safe harbors. A Code Council led coalition of more than 30 organizations and businesses, as well as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) – who have been consistent proponents of updating the safe harbor list – all noted that broadening the list of safe harbors  would improve compliance with the Fair Housing Act’s design and construction requirements;  provide code officials, architects and builders with needed the tools to ensure buildings are accessible to people with disabilities’ and align the Act’s requirements with many U.S. Jurisdictions which already enforce one of the listed editions of the IBC and, by reference, the ICC A117.1-2009. 

Many states and local governments adopt current code and standard editions after their publication, such that the Department’s safe harbor list requires periodic updates in order to keep pace with building requirements in much of the U.S. The final rule included a clarification, supported by the Code Council led coalition, which allows HUD to propose and finalize new safe harbors on a faster timeline. With HUD’s finalization of the rule, the Code Council will soon request the Department begin review of the 2021 IBC, which references the updated and strengthened A117.1-2017.

“The decision by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to expand the list of safe harbors to the 2009-2018 editions of the IBC will have immediate positive impact on the government, the accessibility community and the construction industry,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “We appreciate the Department’s diligence and the participation by so many stakeholders who supported the proposed rule to update the Fair Housing Act safe harbors. The revisions HUD adopted to its process will enable faster review of future safe harbors, which is critical to maintaining this momentum. We look forward to reengaging with the Department in short order on its review of the 2021 IBC and the strengthened A117.1-2017 referenced within it.”

“Expanding the list of safe harbors increases the possibilities for everyone,” said Code Council President Greg Wheeler. “Across the building industry and throughout our communities, the impact of this decision will provide necessary clarity and ensure safety.”

Adopted in all 50 states, the International Building Code, developed by the International Code Council, has become the most widely used model code in the United States and in many other countries. Updated on a three-year cycle, the 2012, 2015, and 2018 IBC editions reference the ICC A117.1-2009 for technical requirements for residential accessible design. The Code Council finalized a subsequent A117.1 accessibility standard in 2017, which is referenced in the 2021 IBC.

Many commenters requested continued access to two matrices prepared by the Code Council, which served as a basis for the final rule to “enable designers, developers, and advocates to understand key components of the safe harbors, vis a vis the Act’s requirements.” These documents compare applicable provisions of the 2006 IBC to the 2009‑18 editions and the 2003 edition of the A117.1 standard to the 2009 edition. These matrices may continue to be accessed through the following links:

To access A117.1 and the IBC, click here.

To access the new HUD rule, click here.

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About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

Workforce Development

Back to Energy Efficiency
IECC Adoption
Net Zero Energy and Decarbonization
Resources and Model Policies

Workforce Development for Energy Code Enforcement

Local governments across the United States are increasingly enacting policies and offering programs to drive energy savings, but the success of these activities is inextricably linked to a strong, capable energy efficiency workforce. To ensure that trained workers are available to capitalize on efficiency investments, local governments can set workforce development goals, coordinate training programs, and provide equal access to opportunities to workers and businesses. They can also institute equity-focused energy efficiency workforce development programs and targets to extend these benefits to underserved community members, according to the research report, "Through the Local Government Lens: Developing the Energy Efficiency Workforce."

View the topics below, and visit the model policy and resource page for more information.

Getting Started
Existing Workforce
Next Generation
Innovation

Getting Started

Workforce development programs provide an avenue to ensure the existence of a future and present skilled workforce.  A key component of achieving energy efficient and low carbon buildings is having a robust building code workforce. Regardless of the version of the code, or incentive program adopted, energy savings and carbon reductions will not be realized without professional enforcement. As the building systems and codes advance to include new and innovative technologies, and achievement of low carbon goals are further integrated into the model codes, the professionals responsible for adoption, implementation and  compliance must have the knowledge and skillset required to advance with them. Establishing a diverse and comprehensive workforce will allow jurisdictions to better prepare for the implementation of modern and innovative technologies and advanced codes.

Prior to establishing a workforce development plan, it is important to analyze the current landscape of the existing workforce, what educational programs are available, and whether they provide education, certification or the degree necessary to begin a career. Determine how the current code professionals integrate training and education into their job. With over 25 areas of discipline to choose from in the building code sector, it is important to determine the current needs of the jurisdiction and develop a specific plan for outreach and education around those needs. It is also helpful to collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions to identify areas of overlap and peer to peer education opportunities. It is important to consider the current economic situation of the AHJ, the availability of the current staff to participate in educational opportunities and the gaps in education.

A career in the code professional industry requires, at a minimum, a high-school diploma or equivalent. Depending on the area of discipline, additional requirements can vary across states and jurisdictions. Individuals interested in the code profession should consult the ICC website for guidance and resources on careers in code enforcement  as well as education, certification options and resources for other areas of discipline.

Existing Workforce

While keeping an eye on the development of a new workforce is necessary, the current workforce must also be provided with the tools and educational opportunities needed to keep current with modern technologies and updated codes.

The ICC’s Major Jurisdictions Committee (MJC) coordinates the compilation of lessons learned from around the country through publication of the Best Practices guide. Code professionals do not consistently have the luxury of stepping away from the daily requirements of their jobs to participate in educational workshops or seminars, creating a gap in education as well as a lack of awareness of modern and innovative technologies, and updated codes. Discovering the balance between providing quality service to the communities and arming the code professionals with the knowledge needed is a delicate act.

Next Generation

In 2014 the ICC and the National Institute of Building Science (NIBS) partnered on a study to understand what the future of the code profession looked like. During this study it was discovered that about 85 percent of the current code professional workforce was over the age of 45 and many were on the verge of retirement. With most of the profession getting closer to retirement, it is necessary that the younger generation be educated about the industry and the many possibilities for a rewarding career.

Since it is expected that within a finite amount of time the current building professionals will be retiring, taking their institutional knowledge with them; it is glaringly obvious that investing in the future workforce now is critical to making the transition seamless. Integrating code specific curriculum into an existing STEM or STEAM program within a K-12 school district would provide exposure at any earlier age allowing for the younger generation to become familiar with the profession and start thinking about it as a career option. Another path could be to develop and implement a code curriculum in local community colleges providing an avenue to increase educational opportunities and potentially aiding in career placement.

Establishing a comprehensive suite of activities designed to educate and excite K-12 students, can be a way for jurisdictions to begin exposure of the profession to the younger generation. Scholarships, high school signing days, career day booths, presentations from local code professionals, and recognition from community leadership are examples of such activities. These activities could complement each other or stand alone as individual events.

Training and education can be impactful, and several models are available including focused issue-based training, site education, circuit riders and more traditional broad-based code training.  The most effective training provides audience-specific delivery targeted to its needs; technical assistance to key stakeholders; and circuit rider programs to ensure that the building, design and enforcement industry has the required resources to design, build and enforce energy codes.

Innovation and Best Practices

Jurisdictions can learn from peers through workshops, case studies and best practices in order to advance the knowledge and skillset of the existing workforce. There are multiple training opportunities and certification programs that can be found within the resources section of the ICC website. Below are two innovative strategies for expanding the energy code workforce.

The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), in partnership with the Illinois EPA Office of Energy, has developed an Energy Code Training Program which offers workshops, webinars, online trainings, resources and technical support to the industry. Currently, SEDAC in partnership with the State of Hawaii and the State of Nevada are undergoing a pilot program that incorporates energy code training at the community college level. The program, if successful, will be a template for other states and jurisdictions to expand the code profession workforce. This is one example of a way to get new professionals interested and knowledgeable on energy codes, thus developing the future workforce.

To ensure a robust pool of qualified candidates are ready to step into the shoes of the current building professionals, the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) has facilitated Career Development Days as part of their annual conference since 2017. "These full-day workshops invite young professionals preparing to enter the workforce to participate in educational activities and network with industry leaders in an effort to demonstrate the tremendous opportunities associated with a career in the code enforcement industry."

Resources

Visit the International Code Council energy resources page for more information.

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Grid Modernization and Connectivity/Electric Vehicles/Energy Storage

Name/Title of Resource Topic Link Organization Notes
ET Biannual State Regulatory Update EV Link EEI Recent developments in Electric Transportation
Community Readiness Guidebook EV Link California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative California Fuel Cell Partnership Guide for local communities adopting zero-emission vehicle policy
NREL-Electric Vehicle Grid Integration EV Grid Integration Link NREL Research and Development
The Gridoptimal Buildings Initiative Grid Modernization - Buildings Link New Buildings Institute U.S. Green Building Council The GridOptimal™ Buildings Initiative. Metrics by which building features and operating characteristics that support more effective grid operation can be measured and quantified. This supports the least-cost decarbonization of the grid through better integration of both distributed energy resources (DER) and utility-scale wind and solar energy.
Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings Grid Moderization Buildings Link DOE Technical reports and core concepts of Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings
Resource Library Grid Mod / DER in general Link Clean Energy States Alliance Resource Library
Mandalay Homes (Arizona) Case Study - Residential Link Mandaly Homes Homebuilders promotional case study
2021 IECC Appendix CB Solar-Ready Zone Commercial Model Code Language Link IECC Appendix CB can be adopted to enourage or require preparing commercial buildings for the future installation of solar energy equipment, piping and wiring.
2021 IECC Appendix RB Solar-Ready Provisions - Detached one- and two- family dwellings and townhouses Model Code Language Link IECC Appendix RB can be adopted to encourage or require providing pathways for connections and requiring adequate structural capacity of roof systems to support the systems.
Solar with Justice: Strategies for Powering Up Under-Resourced Communities and Growing an Inclusive Solar Market Solar Link Clean Energy States Alliance The recommendations in the report set a path forward for increasing solar deployments that result in significant economic, equity, and environmental improvements.
2020 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards: Case Studies of Award-Winning Programs that Are Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition Case Study Link Clean Energy States Alliance Case studies of six programs that have accelerated the adoption of clean energy technologies and expanded clean energy markets.
Types of Energy Storage Energy Storage Link NYSERDA A primer on energy storage
IEEE 1547 Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources. Interconnectivity and Interoperability Link Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers The IEEE 1547 standard provides the criteria and requirements for the interconnection and interoperability of DER into the power grid.
IEEE 1547 and 2030Standards for Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection and Interoperability with the Electricity Grid Interconnectivity and Interoperability Link NREL A short history of the development, the current status and the future direction of IEEE 1547
GridOptimalTM Buildings Initiative Interconnectivity Link NBI provides a metrics by which “building features and operating characteristics that support more effective grid operation can be measured and quantified
Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Interconnectivity Link DOE This report addresses how flexible building loads can be integrated and controlled to benefit consumers, the electric grid, and society more broadly.

New community benchmark on water infrastructure resilience released

Washington, D.C. – The Alliance for National and Community Resilience (ANCR) released the third of its Community Resilience Benchmarks—the water benchmark, which addresses resilience of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. The buildings and housing benchmarks were released in 2019.

ANCR’s Community Resilience Benchmarks (CRBs) support communities in assessing their resilience and developing strategies for improvement. These benchmarks take a coordinated, holistic look at the people, services and processes that make communities work.  

The water benchmark was developed by a committee of subject matter experts co-chaired by Andy Kricun, Managing Director at Moonshot Missions and Senior Fellow at the U.S. Water Alliance, and Jennifer Adams, an emergency management consultant. Committee members included representatives from the American Chemistry Council, American Water Works Association, Codes and Standards International, Denver Water, Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association, Dupont Water Solutions, McWane, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Water is such an essential aspect of communities. We’re grateful for the contributions made by committee members to help capture the policies and practices that support resilience in this sector,” said Evan Reis, Executive Director of the U.S. Resiliency Council and Chair of the ANCR Board of Directors.

“We look forward to working with communities to integrate the Community Resilience Benchmarks into their current resilience initiatives,” commented ANCR Executive Director Ryan Colker. “Not only does the Water Benchmark provide an excellent enhancement to the provisions contained the Buildings and Housing Benchmarks, but it also helps communities determine how their water systems and utilities contribute to their resilience goals to inform future investments that help protect residents and businesses from disaster.”

Communities are encouraged to pilot the benchmark and provide feedback to ANCR to support updates. For communities interested in piloting the water benchmark, click here.

ANCR is a joint initiative of the International Code Council and the U.S. Resiliency Council that brings together representatives from the public and private sectors to advance a holistic approach to community resilience.

Download the Water Benchmark.

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About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

About the Alliance for National & Community Resilience

The Alliance for National & Community Resilience, a member of the Code Council family of solutions, is a coalition of public and private entities working to create the nation’s first whole-community resilience benchmark.

Distributed Energy Resources

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IECC Adoption
Net Zero Energy and Decarbonization
Resources and Model Policies

Distributed Energy Resources

Clean-energy, including on-site renewables, energy storage and energy-efficient technologies, such as electric vehicles, separately and together are increasingly being adopted to support energy efficiency and decarbonization goals.  As these technologies become more prevalent on the customer side of the meter, the energy distribution system must evolve to account for them in the supply and demand equation. Integration of these technologies into the electrical grid is critical to ensure that utilities can continue to operate the grid in a safe, reliable and cost-effective manner. View the topics below, and visit the model policy and resource page for more information.

Getting Started
Scalable Technologies
DER
Energy Storage

Getting Started

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) complement regional power plant and fossil fuel distribution systems by providing local points where electricity is generated, waste heat is recaptured and/or excess energy is stored for later use. DER or virtual power plants can interact productively with the regional electrical grid by reducing overall loads and shifting loads from peak to off-peak hours. This allows regional generating systems to reduce fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions, especially when compared to carbon-intensive, highly-polluting peaker plants.

Standby diesel generators, microturbines and other electric generation technologies with lower efficiency and higher emissions than central station power plants can be classified as DER. For the purposes of this document, however, and in the interest of reducing carbon emissions, the focus is placed on DER derived from renewable sources. DER can contribute to the resiliency and reliability of the grid by providing local generation and storage that could be deployed and utilized during failures in portions of the distribution line. Communities with lower system stability and reliability can particularly benefit from the deployment of robust DER systems in key priority locations.

During a two-month period in 2020, communities in Louisiana experienced three hurricanes resulting in a loss of power for over one million people and 73 inoperable sewage stations. Restoring power took weeks. Even short-term power outages can have serious health implications for medically vulnerable persons who rely on electric medical equipment. Recommendations to improve the reliability of the grid included investment in virtual power plants, incentivizing solar+storage in community facilities that function as shelters, and providing equity to environmental justice communities.

DER technology is relatively new and rapidly evolving. Policies aiming to encourage the use of DER technology should be flexible enough to account for innovation. Policies should also be performance-driven, emphasizing goals for carbon reduction and energy efficiency over prescriptive language or strict adherence to specific technologies.

Demand-responsiveness typically requires an agreement between a building owner and the local utility but can also be set up independently by a building owner as a means of reducing power usage, and thus high electrical rates, during peak hours.

A modernized grid that is resilient, reliable and flexible is based on two key elements: front-of-the-meter and behind-the-meter components. The front-of-the-meter component involves the integration of DER into the utility power grid. The behind-the-meter component requires building-to-grid integration in the form of an information loop between buildings and the grid that, at a minimum, tracks patterns of energy production (if any) and consumption.  Buildings account for 75 percent of electricity consumption in the US;[ii] a policy that does not include building performance or building-grid interaction has limited potential to reach energy-efficiency goals.

Multiple fundamental decisions must be made as building-to-grid integration policies are developed. Before consideration of renewable energy or other demand response strategies, a foundational step should be a careful analysis to determine whether all available passive design strategies  and energy efficiency measures have been optimized. Some considerations are listed below as a starting point for DER policy development.

DER policies might be documented in or integrated with codes such as:

  • Building Codes
  • Electrical Codes
  • Fire Codes
  • Energy Conservation Codes
  • Land Use Codes

The policies might be applicable to:

  • New construction projects
  • Major alterations
  • Existing buildings

Within each of those project categories, policies may be applied to building types:

  • Single-family
  • Multifamily
  • Commercial
  • Industrial

Policies may also be implemented for building of a given size:

  • All buildings
  • Buildings over 2,500 square feet
  • Buildings over 20,000 square feet

The minimum required capacity of on-site or off-site zero-carbon energy systems could be based on:

  • Typical energy use intensity for the building type (schools and office buildings may require less, while hospitals may require more. Utility bill records could provide use data.)
  • Available roof area
  • Building floor area

Decisions must be made regarding whether DER policies will include sector-specific targets such as DER deployment in the transportation, industrial, commercial and residential sectors. Where investments and incentives are being proposed for the use of DER technologies, policies may also set targets for a portion of the sources being directed to those specific sectors and/or to disadvantaged communities, consistent with the municipality’s environmental justice goals. Decisions must also be made regarding whether “EV ready,” “renewable ready” (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, etc.) or “demand response readiness” should be required for new construction, to facilitate future installation or expansion of such systems.

Scalable DER Power Technologies

Scalable technologies include both on-site generation resources and off-site renewable alternatives.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays are the most common form of distributed renewable energy. Costs for PV systems have fallen drastically over the years, and continue to fall, while their efficiency at converting incoming solar rays to electricity improves. PV installation is most feasible and cost-effective when coordinated with new construction. When installation during construction is not an option, the next best choice is solar readiness (Appendices CB and RB of the 2021 IECC). Given the right solar orientation, systems are commonly installed on existing roofs or on-ground where land is available.

Solar thermal arrays for generating hot water are another possibility for on-site renewables. Once the on-site storage tanks are sufficiently heated, however, there is generally no further productive use for the excess solar energy, as opposed to PV arrays which can either store on-site or export excess electricity out to the grid. While the technology of the systems is relatively simple and time-tested, the system’s pumps, exterior piping and controls require ongoing maintenance. The cost of long-term maintenance needs to be considered in the pay-back analysis.

Building-mounted wind turbine generators are available in several varieties. Their suitability for a particular site and a payback that includes maintenance need to be carefully evaluated.

Ground source heat pumps transfer heat from one area to another and capitalize on the relatively constant temperatures a few feet below the earth’s surface to capture heat during the winter and to dissipate heat during the summer. Air source heat pumps perform a similar function and are less expensive, but their efficiency is 25 to 50 percent lower than that of ground source heat pumps. One alternative to achieve higher efficiency and lower cost is a dual-source heat pump.

On-site energy generation goals can also be coupled with a jurisdiction’s environmental justice goals. The Energy Trust of Oregon was one of the recipients of the 2020 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards for their Inclusive Innovation Project. The project makes solar energy generation affordable and accessible to low income, rural, and traditionally under-served communities.

Where a building and its site lack sufficient wind, solar exposure or space for the installation of on-site renewables, as is the case with some slender buildings or buildings with heavy process loads, some off-site source of renewable energy might be desired or required by local policies or regulations. The ownership and billing credit for off-site generation requires the cooperation of a local utility. The purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) is another alternative, but it can be challenging as it is often unclear whether such purchases result directly in the construction of new renewable energy resources, and how far into the future that renewable energy benefit might extend. Community solar programs provide an attractive option in those areas where such programs are available. At the utility level, offshore wind generation is an alternative for coastal states. Large scale offshore wind projects have been implemented in New York State as part of the state’s clean energy and public health goals.

EV Infrastructure 

EVs have an important role to play in strategies for decarbonization and reduction of harmful emissions. One of the barriers to successfully reaching EV goals is range anxiety, or the fear that an EV will have insufficient charge to reach a charging station. At the larger scale, infrastructure investment and incentives can be implemented to provide charging stations at existing service stations, parking lots and along public ways. At the building scale, EV charging at buildings and building sites can be required as part of decarbonization and energy-efficient policies; cities such as New York City already do so. Since the 2016 version, the California Green Building Standard (CALGreen), has required EV readiness for residential and commercial buildings as part of the state’s Zero-emission Vehicles Action Plan. Vehicle batteries provide one convenient option for storage and use of excess renewable energy generation, either directly to plugged-in vehicles or indirectly into dedicated energy storage. This avoids the losses that occur with DC to AC power conversion.

Energy Storage 

By large, the most accessible forms of renewable energy are intermittent by nature because solar energy is only available during daylight hours and wind speed is variable. Those hours don’t always coincide with the hours of peak energy demand. A school or office building might be empty on a sunny weekend afternoon but bustling early on a winter morning with little or no sun. Excess energy could be fed into the grid where the utility offers net-metering options. This would reduce the overall cost of energy for the property owner or operator; however, it does not contribute to the reduction of peak demand, nor does it improve resiliency or reliability during an outage. As an alternative, the excess energy could be stored in an Energy Storage System (ESS) for later use or converted to thermal energy. The logical synergies between solar energy generation and energy storage, often referred to as Solar+Storage, also extend to the reduction of peak demand loads.

A heat pump water heater can efficiently convert solar energy to hot water for use that same evening or the following morning, and excess solar energy can be used to freeze ice storage for the following day’s cooling. Useful heat can also be recaptured from drain water or exhaust air, either to be used immediately or stored for later use. The use of such systems takes stress off the grid during peak events, reduces demand charges, and reduces overall energy use and carbon emissions.

Multiple energy storage technologies have been developed and are currently available; other emerging technologies are in different stages of development. The most common type of ESS consists of lithium-ion batteries arranged on a rack. This is the same battery technology used in small electronics and in electric vehicles. Due to the popularity of electric vehicles, the cost of lithium-ion batteries is in decline.

One example of efficient use of energy generated from on-site resources, such as PV panels, produces energy during the hours of peak production, stores it in an ESS, then transfers that energy onto the battery of an EV for use the following day. ESS has also been used successfully in remote areas where access to the grid is impractical. One such location is the Energy Conservation Management Division in Cimarron, New Mexico, a fire command center for the state’s northwestern region.

Resources

Visit the International Code Council energy resources page for more information.

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