Achieving Zero Energy Buildings:
Fact or Fantasy?

Paul A. Torcellini, Ph.D., P.E.
Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on assignment to the U.S. Department of Energy. Previously Paul was the Group Manager for Commercial Buildings Research at NREL. He is a recognized expert in methods and technologies to achieve substantial whole building energy savings in both new and retrofit construction. Paul has been at NREL for eighteen years and holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University.

Summary

Over the last few years there has been much talk about zero-energy buildings. The 2012 IECC has been tightened and bring us closer to zero-energy buildings, but how much can we reduce the environmental footprint of buildings?  The discussion will focus on the potential to create lower-energy buildings, what technologies and techniques can be used, and current areas of research. Our speaker will also address how design professionals, owners, developers, and contractors can effectively make better decisions to create buildings with lower energy footprints and what resources are currently available to help this process.

Outline

• Context of energy efficiency in the national energy pie. (Who’s investing and providing R&D?)
• Potential for low-energy commercial buildings. (Who are the players—i.e., government, power suppliers, other organizations?)
• Goal setting and extracting creativity from the procurement and delivery process.
• The significance of the building envelope on building energy consumption.
• Examples of high-performing buildings and why they work.
• End user plug loads and how to predict usage.
• Specific regional considerations for our warm/humid climate.