My keynote on the growing large scale net zero energy building industry, with details from our net zero projects at NREL: http://news.agc.org/2013/10/30/the-agc-building-contractors-conference-shares-innovative-ways-to-increase-your-firms-productivity/. Thanks to Tom Hootman at RNL/MKK for some of the slides and great images!

1. Shanti Pless, LEED AP
NREL, Commercial Buildings Research Group
10/18/2013

2. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

3. WHO IS PURSUING
NET ZERO ENERGY?

4. Let’s Review
4
• NREL background
• What is Net Zero?
• Energy performance based acquisition
• Net Zero design
• Construction innovation for Net Zero
• How is it working?
• Additional NREL projects and industry uptake
• Questions
Maximum Efficiency with Deep Integration

5. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Snapshot
• Leading clean-energy innovation for 34 years
• 1740 employees with world-class facilities
• Campus is a living model of sustainable energy
• Owned by the Department of Energy
• Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy
• Golden, Colorado Main Campus
• Wind Technology Site
Only National Laboratory Dedicated Solely
to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

6. Scope of Mission
Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Systems Integration Market Focus
Residential
Buildings
Commercial
Buildings
Personal and
Commercial
Vehicles
Solar
Wind and Water
Biomass
Hydrogen
Geothermal
Grid
Infrastructure
Distributed
Energy
Interconnection
Battery and
Thermal Storage
Transportation
Private Industry
Federal Agencies
Defense Dept.
State/Local Govt.
International

7. What We Do
7
Advanced Commercial Buildings Research, through
applied research and demonstration, supports DOE’s
speed-and-scale goals to reduce building energy use.
Focus areas:
• Whole-building systems integration
• Comprehensive building energy modeling
• Cutting-edge energy efficiency technologies
• Systematic performance metrics and monitoring
Our team’s key strength lies in combining all
these tools to design well-integrated new
buildings and cost-effective retrofits.

8. Net Zero Energy Guiding Concepts
• Buildings can meet all of their energy needs from
renewable sources
• Demand side first, then supply side
• Net zero using grid for energy balance
• Prioritize renewable energy options
• Within Footprint
• On-site
• Off-site?
• Operations goal to align full project delivery
• Lots of Room for Interpretation…

10. Definitions of NZEB’s
Net Zero Site Energy
Net Zero Source Energy
Net Zero Emissions
Net Zero Energy Cost
Boundaries and metrics
ZEB:A – ZEB:D
The Definition used WILL impact
the ZEB design strategies!
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy06osti/39833.pdf

11. NZEB Approach
• Maximize space efficiency
• Envelope and orientation to reduce loads
– Well insulated roofs, walls, floors, windows (with shading)
• Envelope and orientation to meet loads
– Daylighting
– Passive solar heating, Trombe walls
– Natural ventilation
• Lighting design to match daylighting
• Plug loads
– Design vs. owner loads
• Climate specific HVAC designed for the remaining loads
• Commissioning (making sure the building works)
• Metering and evaluation
• Make it simple
• Site specific renewable generation
• within footprint, site, off-site

13. California PUC 2030
ASHRAE Vision 2020
Federal / EISA 2030
Massachusetts 2030
Living Building Challenge
2030 Challenge

14. 1 1
1
1
1 1
1
1
1
1
2
2
6
1
New Buildings Institute
Getting to Zero 2012 Status Update: A
First Look at the Costs and Features of
Zero Energy Commercial Buildings
(March 2012)

15. 1 1
1
1
1 1
1
1
1
1
2
2
6
1
New Buildings Institute
Getting to Zero 2012 Status Update: A
First Look at the Costs and Features of
Zero Energy Commercial Buildings
(March 2012)

16. 1 1
1
1
1 1
1
1
1
1
2
2
6
1
New Buildings Institute
Getting to Zero 2012 Status Update: A
First Look at the Costs and Features of
Zero Energy Commercial Buildings
(March 2012)

17. 13
1K-5K
11
5K-10K 10K-25K 25K-50K
50K-100K >100K
19 5
8 4
New Buildings Institute
Getting to Zero 2012 Status Update: A
First Look at the Costs and Features of
Zero Energy Commercial Buildings
(March 2012)

18. Image courtesy of NREL PIX
13,600 SF
Higher Education
Oberlin, OH

19. 3,600 SF
Interpretive Center
Kona, HI

20. Image courtesy of EHDD Architecture
10,000 SF
Office Building
San Jose, CA

21. Image courtesy of inhabitat.com
2,968 SF
Higher Education
Eureka, MO

22. Image courtesy of BNIM
6,246 SF
Interpretive Center
Rhinebeck, NY

24. 220,00 SF
Office Building
Golden, CO
Image courtesy of RNL

25. 138,000 SF
Office Building
Golden, CO
Image courtesy of RNL

26. 335,000 SF
Office and Shop Buildings
Sacramento, CA
Image courtesy of RNL and Stantec

27. Image courtesy of EHDD Architecture and Integral Group
330,000 SF
Museum
San Francisco, CA

28. Image courtesy of EHDD Architecture and Integral Group
40,000 SF
Office Building
Los Altos, CA

29. Image courtesy of Bullitt Foundation and Miller Hull Partnership
50,000 SF
Office Building
Seattle WA

30. 40,000 SF
Historic Renovation
GSA Courthouse
Grand Junction, COImage courtesy of GSA, Beck Group and Westlake Reed Leskosky

31. 500,000 SF
Office Building
Singapore
Image courtesy of RNL

32. 32

33. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

34. DOE / NREL: Client
Haselden Construction: General Contractor
RNL: Architecture, Interiors, Landscape, Lighting
Stantec: MEP Engineering, Energy Modeling
KL&A: Structural Engineering
Martin/Martin: Civil Engineering
AEC: LEED, Daylight Modeling, Commissioning
Namaste Solar: Solar Consultant

35. NREL Campus 2007
35

36. Research Support Facility Vision
• A showcase for sustainable, high-performance design
o Incorporates the best in energy efficiency, environmental performance,
and advanced controls using a “whole-building” integrated design
process
• Serves as a model for cost-competitive, high-performance
commercial buildings for the nation’s design construction,
operation, and financing communities
Credit: RNL

37. NREL Campus Today
37

38. NREL Research Support Facilities (RSF)

39. • More than 800 people in DOE office space on NREL’s campus
• 220,000 ft2
• Design/build process with
required energy goals
• 35 kBtu/ft2
• 50% energy savings
• LEED Platinum
• Replicable
• Process
• Technologies
• Cost
• Site, source, carbon, cost ZEB:B
• Includes plugs loads and datacenter
• Firm fixed price of ~$64 million for first phase
• $259/ft2 construction cost (not including $27/ft2 for PV from PPA/ARRA)
• Open first phase June 10, 2010
DOE/NREL Research Support Facility:
Project Goals
Credit:HaseldenConstruction

40. NREL Campus Growth with Design-Build
Procurement process attributes pre-2007:
o Design-bid-build project delivery
o LEED-driven sustainability goals
Procurement process attributes post-2007:
o Design-build project delivery with firm fixed price for >$400 Million of new
facilities
o Specific energy performance requirements in the Request for Proposal
– RSF, office example: 35 kBtu/ft2/yr
– SEB, guard house example: net zero energy
o Energy modeling required to substantiate goals
o Energy end-use metering requirement
o Voluntary incentive ($) program to ensure measurement and verification
outcome has a chance to meet predicted performance

41. Owner Best Practices
41
Select a project delivery method that balances performance, best
value, and cost savings.
• Encourages innovation
• Reduces owner’s risk
• Faster construction and
delivery
• Better cost control
• Makes optimal use of
team members’ expertise
• Establishes measurable
success criteria

42. Owner Best Practices
42
Incorporate measureable energy use performance requirements
into a performance-based design-build procurement process.
• Measurable goals are better
• From bad to good…
o I want a green building
o Design a LEED <rating> building
o Design a building to use 30% less energy than ASHRAE 90.1-
2004
o Design a building to use less than 35,000 Btu/ft2
o Design a [NET] ZERO ENERGY BUILDING
• Influencing purchasing decision—the owner

43. Developing a Performance Based Request for Proposals
43
• Up-front planning drives
success
o Design charrettes
o Based on industry best
practices
o Owner’s representatives
• Design challenge
o Suite of performance
goals to challenge team
o Substantiation criteria
Tier 1: Mission Critical Goals
• Attain safe work/design
• LEED Platinum
• ENERGY STAR® “Plus”
Tier 2: Highly Desirable Goals
• 800 staff capacity
• 35 kBtu/ft2·yr
• Architectural integrity
• Honor future staff needs
• Measurable ASHRAE 90.1
• Support culture and amenities
• Expandable building
• Ergonomics
• Flexible workspace
• Support future technologies
• Documentation to produce “how to” manual
• Allow secure collaboration with visitors
• Completion by 2010
Tier 3: If Possible Goals
• Net-zero energy
• Most energy-efficient building in the world
• LEED Platinum Plus
• 50% better than ASHRAE 90.1
• Visual displays of current energy efficiency
• Support public tours
• Achieve national and global recognition and awards

44. • Performance based design-build with absolute energy
use requirements
o These are NOT bridging documents.
– Owner has significant input into the preliminary design
– Some overlap of A/E costs
o These ARE performance specifications.
– What something must do, not what it must be
– Subcontractor must substantiate that the design meets requirements
– Owner must not give the subcontractor technical direction
No drawings/plans in RFP!
Don’t change your mind
44
Energy Performance Based Design-Build Process

45. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

46. A Value Addition Process
46

47. A value engineering process that adds value
47

48. How Much Did It Cost?
48
• $259/ft2 construction costs for site work, infrastructure,
and building
o Includes interiors, furniture, and cabling
o Does not include PV, land, or design costs
• Third-party-owned power purchase agreement for PV
o $29/ft2 or 11% additional cost if NREL had purchased
all PV without tax breaks or subsidies (at $5/Watt)
o At 2009 PV dollars…
o $2.50/Watt installed today!

49. Compare
49
$201
$215
$240
$246
$247
$253
$254
$259
$259
$266
$266
$271
$273
$275
$281
$284
$288
$291
$293
$298
$308
$311
$316
$318
$326
$354
$369
$371
$384
$393
$412
$418
$442
$460
$503
$521
$530
Heifer International Center - Platinum
NVCI Cancer Research - Silver
Kitsap County Admin Building - Other
RSF Expansion - Total Construction Cost without PV - Platinum
The Signature Centre - Platinum
Great River Energy Headquarters - Platinum
Ft. Carson Brigade/Battalion HQ - Gold
RSF - Total Construction Cost without PV - Platinum
International Fund for Animal Welfare - Gold
Omega Center - Platinum
Chevron Office - Other
Bremerton BEQ - Certified
University of Denver Sturm College - Gold
RSF Expansion - Total Construction Cost with PV - Platinum
Naval Facilities Southeast Engineering Operations Center- Other
Ft. Lewis Barracks and Dinning - Silver
RSF - Total Construction Cost with PV - Platinum
RSF - Total Project Cost without PV - Platinum
Dillard University - Gold
EPA Region 8 Headquarters - Other
Fernald Visitors Center - Platinum
Commerce City Civic Center - Silver
Leo Trombatore Office - Silver
Arizona State University School of Journalism - Silver
Arizona State University College of Nursing & Health - Gold
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City - Other
Leprino Building - Other
San Joaquin Admin Building - Gold
1800 Larimer - Platinum
Las Cruces Courthouse - Other
NASA Sustainability Base - Platinum
Applied Research & Development - Platinum
Aircraft RSF - Silver
National Association of Realtors - Silver
Fort Bragg Forces Command HQ - Gold
San Joaquin Comm. College - Other
DC Federal Building - Other
Data used by permission from
the Design-Build project
database hosted by DBIA at
www.dbia.org

50. • Firm fixed price with required energy goals in design-
build contract
• Integrated architecture and envelope as efficiency
measures
• Simple and commercially viable
• No unique technologies required
• Modular precast wall panels with minimal finishes
• Optimized glazing area
• Repeatable office floorplate
• Takes a coordinated effort with the owner (and all user
groups), architect, builder, and engineers
50
Replicable – Cost Control Review

51. n
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Floor Plans
Credit: RNL

54. 1 60 ft. Wide Office Wings
2 Interior Thermal Mass
3 Thermal Labyrinth
4 Daylighting
5 Natural Ventilation
6 Low Window to Wall Ratio
7 Transpired Solar Collectors
8 Open Workplace
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

57. Energy driven form
115,000 SF
Conventional form
65,000 SF

58. 58
Thermal Mass in Envelope
• Incorporates many passive
heating and cooling
techniques.
• Six inches of concrete on the
interior provides thermal
mass that helps moderate
internal temperatures year
round.
• Nighttime purges in summer
months trap cool air inside,
keeping temperatures
comfortable for the warm
summer days.

60. <30%
Window to Wall Ratio
>70%
Window to Wall Ratio

62. Daylighting and Direct Gain

63. 63
• Daylight re-directed to
cold ceiling
• No direct solar gain on
occupants
• 47% savings in plug loads
• 0.40 W/ft2 peak office
equipment
Daylighting and Internal Gain Reductions

64. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

65. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

66. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

73. HVAC Systems
•Radiant space heating and cooling in office spaces
•Dedicated outdoor air with underfloor delivery
•VAV and Displacement Cooling in conference spaces
•Natural ventilation
• Automatic and manual windows
• Security waiver

74. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

75. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

76. Construction Innovation
76
5 days per deck allowed
– 2 days per deck
– 85% faster
Offsite pre-fab of zones
Offsite pre-pressurized

77. 77
RSF Addition

78. 78
RSF Addition
• 138,000 sq. ft.
• 525 occupants
• $39 million expansion
• Building 17% more
efficient than the RSF
• Cost savings of 5%
• $14/ft2 cheaper

79. Off-Site Glazed Wall Panels
79

81. RSF Addition Daylighting Enhancements

82. User Friendly Windows

83. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

84. Photovoltaics
•PV contractor involved with installation
•Installation technique improvements
•Standing Seam Roof
C-Wing PV
RSF Addition PV
RSF PV

85. PRODUCTIVITY
Please estimate how your productivity is increased or decreased by the
environmental conditions in this building (e.g., thermal, lighting, acoustics,
cleanliness):
76% of the respondents felt that their productivity
was improved by the IEQ conditions in the building
Credit: CBE (Gail Brager and Margaret Pigman)

86. EMPLOYEE
SATISFACTION

88. SAVE A SEAT FOR
YOUR DESIGN-
BUILD TEAM?

89. 89
World Class Efficiency is Possible within our
Construction Budgets!
• Spend the time to get RFP right
• Include absolute EUI requirements if possible
• Set up acquisition process to “force” integrated design
• Energy modeling guides conceptual design decisions
• Architecture and envelope are also efficiency measures
• Unwavering commitment to problem statement
• Unleash power of design/build team of experts to meet your
needs – true value engineering
• Commit to your objectives and don’t adjust
Process for Replication at Scale

91. DOE/NREL Research Support Facility
RFP Design/Build Requirements:
• 50% energy cost savings over
ASHRAE 90.1
• 35.1 kBtu/ft2/yr
• Net zero energy use
• Performance assurance plan
with incentives
Design/Build Results:
• Net zero energy use
• 36 .4 kBtu/ft2/yr
• Demonstration of max
efficiency in an institutional
office building on typical
construction budgets using
energy performance based
design/build delivery and
procurement methods
• $259/sqft construction costs –
$250/sqft - $300/sqft typical

92. DOE/NREL RSF 3rd Wing
RFP Design/Build Requirements:
• 27 kBtu/ft2/yr
• 50% Energy Cost Savings
• Performance assurance plan
with incentives
Design/Build Results:
• 20 kBtu/ft2/yr measured
• Demonstration of additional
cost savings, energy
efficiency, and schedule gains
over phase 1
• 17 % more efficient than the
RSF
• Cost savings of 5% ($14/ft2
cheaper)

93. DOE/NREL 1800 Car Staff Parking Garage
Design/Build Requirements:
• 0.5 kBtu/ft2
• 175 kBtu/stall
• Net-zero energy Site
Entrance Building
Design/Build Results:
• 90% Energy cost savings
• 138 kBtu/parking stall
• $14,172 per parking space
• $15,500 to $24,500 for
typical parking space in
Denver area

94. DOE/NREL Cafeteria
RFP Design/Build Requirements:
• 35% energy cost savings over
ASHRAE 90.1
• Best in class commercial
kitchen equipment
• Performance assurance plan
with incentives
• LEED Gold
Design/Build Results:
• 36% energy savings
• Demonstration of max
efficiency in a commercial
kitchen using energy
performance based
design/build delivery and
procurement methods
• LEED Platinum

95. DOE/NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility
Design/Build Requirements:
• 27 kBtu/ft2 Office wing
• 1.06 PUE Super computer
• No mechanical cooling
• Waste heat reuse
• 30% savings for all labs
Design/Build Results:
• 26 kBtu/ft2 Office wing
• World class efficient super
computer
• 36% savings in labs

96. Influencing New High Performance Buildings
96
"It may sound corny, but after seeing the RSF, it really was the
first day of the second half of my career. I saw the integration at
RSF, the total comprehensive thinking, and thought, 'I've got to
get involved in a project that's going in this direction.'”
— Kenner Kingston
Director of Sustainability for ARCHITECTURAL NEXUS, INC.
Designing an administrative office space in the area of Salt Lake City, Utah.
"We've had quite a bit of input from NREL, and my visit to the
RSF showed me the opportunities to be deeply energy efficient.
The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority is partnering with us and contributing funding to the
design effort.”
— Robert R. Bland
Senior director for energy and sustainability with Cornell University
"It was very impressive, the degree to which NREL is monitoring
the things that people are doing on their side of the plugs. We'd
known that we could do dramatic things with efficient
refrigerators, dishwashers, and lighting, but the fact that NREL
was paying so much attention to the real work side of the house
— the computers, monitors, printers, and task lights — caused
us to go back and look at our IT really carefully.”
— Denis Hayes
Bullitt Foundation President
Credit: Dennis Schroeder
Courtesy of Kilograph 2012
Credit: Dennis Schroeder, 19911

97. Final Thoughts…
• Net zero energy
• Easy to understand
• Important to define
• Evolving industry
• Small to large
• Varied value justification
• Energy security
• Market leadership
• Mission alignment
• Federal and state requirements
• LEED Platinum PLUS net zero energy?

98. Thanks and Questions
Shanti Pless
Shanti.pless@nrel.gov
www.nrel.gov/rsf
98