Sonoma Clean Power (SCP), the public power provider for California’s Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, recently unveiled its new all-electric headquarters. Billed as the world’s first GridOptimal building, the project features an innovative microgrid and intends to go beyond net zero energy standards by reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the state’s electric grid.
Designed by EHDD Architecture, SCP’s new HQ is the initial pilot project for GridOptimal® Buildings Initiative, a joint program of the New Buildings Institute and the U.S. Green Building Council. The program aims to redefine how building design and operations can cost-effectively decarbonize the power grid and support a fully renewable electricity supply.
In Santa Rosa, Calif., the two-year renovation turned a 1979 structure into a building that enables decarbonization of the grid. The all-electric building is powered partially by an on-site solar array, with the rest coming from SCP’s completely renewable and locally generated EverGreen service. The building’s lights, HVAC, water heating, and 23 electric car chargers all draw from the grid only when California has plenty of clean power available. Typically, the battery system charges up midday, when there is abundant solar power. In the evening, the building can use that energy or place it back onto the grid, reducing the reliance on gas power plants.
“Our new headquarters is a ‘test case’ that’s working well, and we want people to know that this can be replicated — that clean electricity and decarbonization are attainable today. We also want people to understand that a 24/7 zero-emissions future for buildings is achievable and practical,” Geof Syphers, CEO, Sonoma Clean Power, said in a statement.
Design began in 2018, with construction completed in 2021. The microgrid installation was finished this year.
On the Building Team:
Owner and developer: Sonoma Clean Power
Design architect: EHDD Architecture
Architect of record: EHDD Architecture
MEP engineer: Guttmann & Blaevoet, with support from Point Energy Innovations
Structural engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers
General contractor: Midstate Construction
Construction manager: Sixth Dimension
Related Stories
| Jan 16, 2014
West Point releases plan to achieve net zero campus-wide
The installation has an ambitious plan to move to 100% energy efficiency through several initiatives including more renewable energy production and energy efficiency retrofits.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Jan 7, 2014
World Expo village in Kazakhstan to be triple net zero
World Expo 2017, planned for Astana, Kazakhstan, calls for an expo village that rates triple net zero—zero net use of energy and water and zero net generation of landfill waste.
| Jan 6, 2014
Green Building Initiative names Jerry Yudelson as new President
The Green Building Initiative announced today that it has named Jerry Yudelson as its president to accelerate growth of the non-profit and further leverage its green building assessment tools, including the highly recognized Green Globes rating system.
| Jan 6, 2014
An interview with Jerry Yudelson, President, The Green Building Initiative
Green building consultant Jerry Yudelson has been named President of the Green Building Initiative and the Green Globes rating program. BD+C's Robert Cassidy talks with Yudelson about his appointment and the future of Green Globes.
| Jan 3, 2014
World’s tallest vegetated façade to sprout in Sri Lanka [slideshow]
Set to open in late 2015, the 46-story Clearpoint Residences condo tower will feature planted terraces circling the entire structure.
| Jan 2, 2014
Measuring whole building energy use among big changes in LEED v4
A new prerequisite in LEED v4 calls for each project to measure whole building energy use, and then share that data with USGBC.
| Jan 2, 2014
Sacramento utility maintenance facility earns LEED Platinum, targets net zero
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s new maintenance facility, which is targeting net zero, has received LEED Platinum certification.
| Dec 27, 2013
Grand Cancun to be first net-zero energy luxury eco-tourism resort
Using a marine platform concept instead of an artificial island, the development will create more space with less impact in the fragile marine ecosystem.
| Dec 26, 2013
WDMA launches project to create ISO-compliant architectural doors
WDMA's National Architectural Door Council has initiated a project to create ISO-compliant Product Category Rules for architectural wood flush and stile and rail doors