Net Zero has become one of the buzz phrases in sustainability. Rating systems like Living Building Challenge require net zero energy, water and waste to achieve certification. This overview will help you understand what being net zero means in these three areas.

1. Presented By:
Jason Kliwinski, AIA, LEED Fellow, CSBA
CEO, Green Building Center llc
Principal, Design for Life llc
5 Penn Plaza, Ste. 1971, NY NY 10001 • 888.667.1178 • info@greenbuildingcenter.com • www.greenbuildingcenter.com

2.  Define what qualifies as net zero energy, waste and water
 Discuss strategies and technologies the contribute to achieving net zero
 Understand synergies and cost/benefits of triple net zero
 Identify challenges and opportunities to create triple net zero results
Learning Objectives

3. LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE STATES:
 Net Zero Energy:
 One hundred and five percent of the project’s energy
needs must be supplied by on-site renewable energy
on a net annual basis, without the use of on-site
combustion. Projects must provide on-site energy
storage for resiliency.
What does Net Zero Mean?

4. US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY STATES:
 Net Zero Energy:
 “..is an energy-efficient building where, on a source
energy basis, the actual annual delivered energy is
less than or equal to the on-site renewable exported
energy.”
 http://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/common-
definition-zero-energy-buildings
What does Net Zero Mean?

5. LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE STATES:
 Net Zero Waste:
 Reduce or eliminate the production of waste during
design, construction, operation, and end of life and
find ways to integrate waste back into either an
industrial loop or natural nutrient loop. (90-100%)
 All Projects must feature at least one salvaged
material per 500 square meters of gross building area
or be an adaptive reuse of an existing structure.
What does Net Zero Mean?

6. US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY STATES:
 Net Zero Waste:
 “…means a building that is operated to reduce,
reuse, recycle, compost, or recover solid waste
streams (with the exception of hazardous and
medical waste) thereby resulting in zero waste
disposal.”
 https://www4.eere.energy.gov/femp/requirements/laws_and_r
equirements/definition_net_zero_waste_building_operated
What does Net Zero Mean?

7. LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE STATES:
 Net Zero Water:
 100% of water needs must be supplied by captured
precipitation or other natural closed loop water
systems and/or by re-cycling used project water, &
must be purified as needed without the use of
chemicals.
 All stormwater and water discharge, including grey
and black water, must be treated onsite and managed
either through re-use, a closed loop system, or
infiltration.
What does Net Zero Mean?

8. What does Net Zero Mean?
US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY STATES:
 Net Zero Water:
 “…a building that is designed, constructed, or renovated and operated to
greatly reduce total water consumption, use non-potable sources as much
as possible, and recycle and reuse water in order to return the equivalent
amount of water as was withdrawn from all sources, including
municipal supply, without compromising groundwater and surface water
quantity or quality.”
 https://www4.eere.energy.gov/femp/requirements/laws_and_requiremen
ts/definition_net_zero_water_building_designed

9.  Real Time:
 Ability to be off grid typically,
 Able to provide power as needed
 Usually requires onsite storage and/or multiple sources
 Annual Basis
 Tied to grid typically
 May draw power from grid certain times of year or day
 Uses grid as battery typically
Achieving Net Zero Energy?

10. Reduce Demand
Efficiency
RE
Net Zero Energy Formula

11. Reduce Demand
ORIENTATION NATURAL SYSTEMS
WELL DESIGNED ENVELOPE

12. Efficiency
HVAC LIGHTING CONTROLABILITY

13. Renewable Energy
SOLAR WIND GEOTHERMAL

14.  Source Reduction:
 Don’t generate the waste in the first place
 New Buildings – Design with systems in mind
 Existing Buildings – Purchasing & waste stream management
 Recycling
 Onsite Source Separation – 98% recycling rate possible
 Single Stream Recycling – 50-75% recycling rate typical
 Waste to Energy - Incineration
Achieving Net Zero Waste?

15. Alternate Sources:
 Indoor Regulated– Blackwater, Rainwater, Greywater
 Outdoor – Native Plantings & Rainwater Catchment
 Process Loads – Rainwater & Greywater
Efficiency
 Plumbing Fixtures – Waterless, Ultra Low Flow, Low Flow
 Irrigation – Moisture sensor system, schedule adjustment
 Process Loads – Increased cycles, reduced run times
Achieving Net Zero Water?

16. US Army – Triple Net Zero Effort
http://www.asaie.army.mil/Public/ES/sustainability.html

17.  BUILDING CODES
 PUBLIC PERCEPTION
 INDUSTRY
 INFRASTRUCTURE
 POLITICS/POLICY
Challenges of Achieving Net Zero

18.  SAFETY
 SECURITY
 RESILIENCY
 COST SAVING
 STEWARDSHIP
Opportunities for Triple Net Zero

19.  Establish Goals
 Select the Right Team
 Work Collaboratively
 Develop Detailed Plans
 Implement & Measure Performance
 Share Your Successes & Lessons Learned
Next Steps on your Next Project

20. Presented By:
Jason Kliwinski, AIA, LEED Fellow, CSBA
CEO, Green Building Center llc
Principal, Design for Life llc
5 Penn Plaza, Ste. 1971, NY NY 10001 • 888.667.1178 • info@greenbuildingcenter.com • www.greenbuildingcenter.com