Senate Sets Timeline for Zero-Net-Energy

Last week the Senate passed H.R. 6, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (CLICK HERE for more information about the bill). While most news articles are focusing on how this bill will affect automobile fuel efficiency, the bill does have a provision that sets a timeline for creating zero-net-energy commercial buildings, which I’ve talked about in several earlier posts.

Section 422 of the bill requires that the appointed commercial director of the Office of High Performance Green Buildings (established by the bill) lead the zero-net-energy commercial building initiative to reduce the quantity of energy consumed by commercial buildings and achieve the development of zero-net-energy commercial buildings. The commercial director, working with the High-Performance Green Building Partnership Consortium (also created by the bill), will conduct research and benchmarking on design and materials; offer technical assistance activities to encourage adoption of technology and products; provide training for “building professionals and trades;” and support state and local code-setting organizations in developing minimum performance standards that “recognize the ready availability of many technologies utilized in high-performance energy-efficient buildings.” The bill would also develop separate incentive strategies for builders and purchasers, and landlords and tenants. The section authorizes set appropriations through 2018.

This bill, like H.R. 3221, sets a timeline; this one would require any new commercial buildings after 2030, fifty percent of commercial building stock after 2040 and all commercial buildings after 2050 be zero-net-energy.

H.R. 6 has been moved to the House, where it awaits another vote. If it, or another bill like it is passed, what will be the implications for the glass industry? What will be the biggest challenges toward going net-zero? Post your thoughts here.

A Time to Give

As the holidays approach, it’s been getting festive here at our office. We recently took part in the tenth annual Festival of Trees, a local event that included a silent auction of decorated Christmas trees. Proceeds from the auction went toward the Hope House, which provides shelter for homeless women and children in the area.

Our office decorated a tree according to the theme “A Storybook Christmas.” Being a publishing company, it seemed only right to promote the wonderful books written about the holiday season. Our little tree was filled with familiar ornaments—Rudolph, Frosty and the Nutcracker, for example—and the referenced books were nestled among the branches. It turned out to be a fun way to get ready for the holidays, in addition to a great way to give back to the community.

We’re also preparing for our annual Secret Santa gift exchange next week. I’m not sure if it’s like this in other offices, but there’s always a group here that will analyze each detail of every present, from when and how it is delivered to the type of packaging used, to try and guess the Secret Santa of every individual in the office. It’s amazing how the holidays can bring out the competitive side of people!

How does your office celebrate the holidays? Do you decorate and exchange gifts? Do you give back to the community? Do you get together for a special meal? Please share your stories by sending me an email or commenting here. (Our social committee will appreciate any ideas you can send their way!)

Also be sure to let the staff of USGNN know if you are planning to close for the holidays. An announcement will be run on the daily newsletter next week—yes, next week is already the week before Christmas!—to let your customers and colleagues know when your office will be closed. You can reach the survey HERE to respond.

My Net-Zero Reading List

I’ve been doing a little reading this last week about net-zero energy buildings. USGNN.com ran a story on August 14 about the pending legislation that would require net-zero energy commercial buildings by 2050 (the House has passed this bill and now it sits waiting for the Senate) – you can see that story HERE. The term net-zero energy is used because it isn’t that these buildings don’t use any energy at all, they just don’t use more energy than they’re able to produce. What I’ve found so exciting is that in every article about this that I’ve read, glass and window performance is featured prominently.

The technology needed to create these net-zero buildings doesn’t just involve ways of creating energy, such as through solar power. It also involves limiting the amount of energy that is used. It’s the same emphasis on energy efficiency but to a whole new level.

I asked in an earlier post if you think net-zero energy buildings are really attainable. But it seems like many people out there do in fact think this is possible – the designers of Integrated Design Associates’ (IDeAs) new corporate headquarters, for instance. Check out the IDeAs Z2 Design Facility, a very real net-zero building, HERE and notice how prominently daylighting and “advanced glazing” are featured on the website.

One of many interesting facts about this building is that it was actually a remodel—so individuals who believe that net-zero energy may be attainable in new construction but not retrofits may lose some of their argument after reading about this project.

Kim Swanson with EHDD Architecture, the firm that helped to design the remodel, explained to me during a recent conversation that the building started out as a concrete block that had few to no windows. “Part of getting the zero-energy is getting some daylight,” Swanson said. So the first step for EHDD was cutting into the concrete on the south façade to create room for a full wall of sliding glass doors.

The building also now sports a number of skylights. “We cut a dozen or so skylights into the existing roof also … so we could rely on daylight as much as possible,” Swanson said.

In addition to high performance glass throughout, the building also features electrochromic glass on its East façade.

Daylighting and electrochromic – those words pop up frequently in articles about net-zero energy buildings. But in what other ways can the glass industry contribute to these requirements and make net-zero energy a reality? Post your comments on this blog or feel free to drop me a line at mheadley@glass.com. Or share what you’re reading these days and see if that makes it into next week’s blog!