ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Illuminating Engineering Society are exploring the development of biomass requirements for inclusion in their co-sponsored green building standard.
ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance Green Buildings, contains requirements for the use of renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal. The Standard 189.1 Committee recently considered a proposal to add biomass to the definition of renewable energy systems.
The proposal defines biomass as organic material, such as wood and crop waste, that can be burned to generate thermal energy. At ASHRAE’s recently held 2015 Winter Conference, the committee voted not to accept the proposal to simply add the word biomass to this definition. But the committee said that it intends to work on a definition of biomass as well as requirements on the use of biomass.
The standard currently has no restrictions on biomass as an energy source. However, it does not allow it to be used to meet the renewable energy requirements.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 28, 2017
New York man alleged to have posed as licensed architect faces possible prison time
He is charged with defrauding construction companies, business owners, and local governments.
Codes and Standards | Apr 27, 2017
Extensive list of plug load efficiency utility incentives available for free download
The Dept. of Energy resource is a state-by-state compilation with hundreds of listings.
Codes and Standards | Apr 26, 2017
Chicago commits to 100% renewable power for all city buildings
In doing so, it becomes largest U.S. city to make such a pledge.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2017
Concerns over increased construction costs following Trump executive orders
‘Buy American’ requirement and revised H-1B visa restrictions could raise prices on supplies, labor.
Codes and Standards | Apr 24, 2017
‘Staggering delays, exorbitant costs’ in New York City library, cultural building construction
Study finds significant problems with how city manages capital projects.
Codes and Standards | Apr 20, 2017
California lawmakers have had little success in attracting sports stadiums
Only one of several attempts has had an impact in recent years.
Codes and Standards | Apr 19, 2017
Dept. of Energy releases updated versions of EnergyPlus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools
The updated versions include full support for variable speed DX coils, enhanced plant auto-sizing, new fan model, and support for non-rectangular windows.
Codes and Standards | Apr 18, 2017
K-12 school daylighting initiative created to promote best practices
Eneref Institute creates networking group of school administrators for ideas to overcome market obstacles.
Codes and Standards | Apr 17, 2017
OSHA delays enforcing crystalline silica standard in construction industry
Enforcement will begin Sept. 23, three months later than planned.
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2017
Former OSHA official publishes safety citations on his own
Under Trump orders, agency had stopped issuing ‘shaming’ press releases on major fines and safety violations.
