A guide focusing on the critical role of grid interactivity in building decarbonization was recently published by ASHRAE.
The Grid-Interactive Buildings for Decarbonization: Design and Operation Resource Guide provides information on maximizing carbon reduction through buildings’ interaction with the electric power grid. The guide discusses smart technologies, renewable energy sources, and energy storage systems that optimize energy consumption and generation.
These technologies allow buildings to respond in real-time to grid signals, reducing overall demand and greenhouse gas emissions. The guide offers best practices, design considerations, and operational guidelines to target the three primary value streams of grid integration:
- Reduced Carbon Emissions: Covers how to make significant contributions to reducing carbon emissions through smart building-grid interaction.
- Cost Savings: Offers strategies to optimize energy usage and save on operational costs.
- Resiliency: Provides options to enhance a building's ability to withstand and adapt to changing grid conditions, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
The guide primarily focuses on commercial and multifamily buildings but also includes relevant information for the residential and industrial sectors. In addition to design guidance, the resource guide provides operational recommendations for new and existing buildings.
Related Stories
| Jul 5, 2012
Continued tax breaks necessary for widespread adoption of net zero buildings
Tax breaks passed by the U.S. government to encourage construction of green buildings are set to expire in 2012 and 2013.
| Jun 28, 2012
Six buildings now recognized under Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge (LBC), a green ratings system for design and construction that judges a building based on its actual performance, not just its projected performance at the design stage, has recognized six buildings to date.
| Jun 28, 2012
Label for building products will have ‘global warming number’
The director of the 2030 Challenge for Products says that the organization is aiming to place a label on building products that will list what’s in it, and how much embodied carbon each product represents.
| Jun 28, 2012
Top building material executive urges building resilience in sustainability standards
A meeting of 1,000 business executives at the recent Rio+20 environmental conference featured a passionate plea to include building resilience in efforts to boost sustainability.
| Jun 28, 2012
Following spate of skyscraper balcony glass panel breakages, Ontario adopts code change
Ontario's housing minister announced new building code rules to help prevent glass panels from breaking off high-rise balconies during hot weather.
| Jun 28, 2012
Factory worker deaths in Italy raise questions on building codes after earthquakes
Italian officials are questioning seismic building standards and inspection procedures in the aftermath of two damaging earthquakes.
| Jun 21, 2012
Brazilian engineering/construction firm Odebrecht sues Florida over ban on companies doing business in Cuba
Odebrecht Construction Inc., a Brazilian engineering and construction company, is suing the State of Florida over a new law that bans governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.
| Jun 21, 2012
String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario
Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.
