Energy Priorities [EPXclusives]

Zero Energy Buildings, Blocks, and Cities - Building Priorities Briefing

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:59:23 -0800

Imagine a building so energy efficient that it can generate what power it needs with the solar modules on its own roof -- a net zero energy building. It's not a pipe dream. We've been building them in the United States for a decade. The U.S. Department of Energy wants the "ZEB" to be the standard for new buildings. Why is it important to match renewable energy output with the demand for power on a building-by-building basis? And after ten years of zero-energy design, why do we only have eight buildings to show for it? In this month's briefing Denis Du Bois talks with David Orr, who designed and built the largest zero-energy building in the U.S. If you think that's cool, wait until you hear what Orr is doing for an encore.

Revealing Ratings to Validate Value of Energy Efficient Space - Building Priorities Briefing

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:10:19 -0800

What do Seattle, Austin and New York have in common? They've all enacted regulations to expose energy-wasting buildings. Owners of large buildings will have to disclose their energy scores to prospective buyers, tenants and lenders. Similar laws have been passed in three states -- and more are on the way. In this month's briefing we explore what's driving these mandates, and how they affect building owners and tenants. Some building owners are making improvements now, to raise their energy scores before they're made public. What's the business case? We'll learn about that, as well as where are the best places to look for low-cost and no-cost ways to boost a building's efficiency score. (podcast) (transcript)

Cities and States Mandate Energy Benchmarking for Buildings

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:09:03 -0800

Why are cities and states mandating that building owners measure energy consumption -- and disclose the scores publicly? Denis Du Bois interviews Cliff Majersik, LEED AP, executive director of the Institute for Market Transformation. His nonprofit organization focuses on market-based solutions to advanced green building and energy efficiency. He explains what's behind the new benchmarking requirements.

Energy Star: The Business Case

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:09:02 -0800

Many building owners have been benchmarking their portfolios for years. And they're making improvements, to raise their energy scores even where they're not made public by new disclosure regulations. What's the business case for a landlord to make buildings more efficient, when it's not yet required by law, and doesn't directly save them money? Denis Du Bois interviews Jack Beuttell, Global Sustainability Manager for Hines, a real estate investment, development and management firm.

The 5 Layers of Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Commercial Buildings

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:09:01 -0800

Whether the law mandates energy benchmarking and disclosure, or the market demands more energy efficient buildings, the result is that owners make improvements that reduce energy waste. But where do they begin? How do they know it'll work? And how do they pay for it? Denis Du Bois interviews Ash Awad, Vice President of Energy for McKinstry, a firm that designs, builds, operates and maintains commercial buildings nationwide.

How Green Are the 2010 Winter Olympics? - Building Priorities Briefing

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:00:00 -0800

The 2010 Games are being dubbed the "Sustainable Olympics," but is Vancouver BC setting any world records? In this month's Briefing we examine some lessons from the global spectacle. First we look at the venues that Canada constructed for the upcoming Winter Games, to see if they win any green medals. Seven years after winning the bid, we find Canadians are not entirely happy about the upcoming games. Green business guru Martin Westerman shares his thoughts about how to really make the games green. (podcast)

Green Buildings of Vancouver's 2010 Winter Olympics

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:53:59 -0800

VANOC ordered Olympic host cities to build 9 venues from the ground up, and renovate several existing arenas. All of the new venues will be certified green buildings. VANOC's Vice President of Corporate Sustainability tells us about the green construction projects. Then we're joined by Stephen Lacey, host of "Inside Renewable Energy." Stephen gives us his take on the energy systems in the Olympic Village and beyond.

How To Really Make the Olympics Green

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:52:59 -0800

If the IOC had no choice but to make the Olympics environmentally neutral, how would they do it? Martin Westerman has some ideas. He is the author of "The Business Environmental Handbook," a lecturer on sustainable business for the University of Washington Business School and the Bainbridge Graduate Institute.

Interview: David Helliwell, Co-Founder, Pulse Energy

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:32:02 -0800

Pulse Energy in Vancouver is making it possible for you to watch real-time energy consumption at the 2010 Winter Olympic venues in Vancouver. Denis Du Bois talks with the company's co-founder, David Helliwell.

Timely Investment Summit on Times Square

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:08:03 -0800

The Wall Street Green Trading Summit is coming up on March 23 and 24, 2010, in Times Square in New York City. Launched in 2002, this is one of the longest-running environmental market events in the industry.

Greenbuild 2009: Model to Building to Grid - Building Priorities Briefing

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:23:34 -0800

In this final Briefing of 2009: The New York Times building uses an approach called "total light management" to shave 70 percent off its lighting energy use. We'll hear how they decided on that approach, how it works, and how it's working. Plus: Denis Du Bois interviews Siemens on the building-to-smart-grid interface, and Autodesk on how building information modeling could accelerate the certification process for green buildings. (podcast)

New York Times Building Reduces Lighting Energy by 70 Percent

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:22:00 -0800

The New York Times building uses an approach called "total light management" to shave 70 percent off its lighting energy use. Here's how they decided on that approach, how it works, and how it's working. Denis Du Bois interviews Glenn Hughes about the project.

Will Smart Buildings Mind-Meld with the Smart Grid?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:21:30 -0800

In the realm of intelligent buildings, there's a lot of talk about the smart grid, B2G, and "convergence." Denis Du Bois interviews Siemens, a major player in both sectors. Is there a roadmap for this convergence, or will it be a pile-up?

Total Light Management Combines Strategies to Shave Energy Use

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:21:00 -0800

Lighting is one of the easiest sources of energy efficiency in a commercial building. It's also an important source of points for LEED certification. Denis Du Bois takes a look at Lutron's Quantum system for "total light management" in commercial buildings.

Intelligent Power Loads Provide Flexibility and Energy Efficiency

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:20:00 -0800

Convia takes a different approach to lighting controls. Denis Du Bois talks with Convia at Greenbuild 2009.