The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said it will fund $61 million for 10 pilot projects that will deploy new technology for thousands of homes and workplaces to accelerate renewable energy adoption and grid resilience.
The 10 connected communities will equip more than 7,000 buildings with smart controls, sensors, and analytics to reduce energy use, costs, and emissions. The technology will allow building systems to interact with the electrical grid to optimize energy consumption.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said the projects will “help universalize the technology” and further efforts towards “a carbon-neutral, clean energy economy by 2050.” Connected communities of grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) use smart controls, sensors, and analytics to communicate with the electric grid, reducing the amount of energy they require during periods of peak demand.
A recent DOE study estimated that by 2030 GEBs could save up to $18 billion per year in power system costs and cut 80 million tons of carbon emissions each year. That is more than the annual emissions of 50 medium-sized coal plants or 17 million cars. DOE says its first two connected communities in Alabama and Georgia have already demonstrated this potential by using 42%-44% less energy than today’s average all-electric home.
Related Stories
| Dec 1, 2011
OSHA releases new construction safety videos
OSHA released new safety videos to offer both employers and workers brief, easy-to-understand education about construction safety.
| Dec 1, 2011
GSA Region 5 BIM standards could set national agenda in government contracting
Learning how the GSA wants to work with contractors using Building Information Models (BIM) will dramatically improve your odds of winning federal work.
| Nov 23, 2011
Fenestration council seeks committee members
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is seeking members for a committee to pursue recognition of its ratings procedures from the American National Standard Institute (ANSI).
| Nov 23, 2011
Obama signs repeal of 3% withholding on government contracts
President Obama signed a bill that repeals a law requiring governments to withhold 3% of payments over $10,000 to contractors.
| Nov 23, 2011
USGBC launches app lab for LEED certification process
The U.S. Green Building Council has released the App Lab, a searchable catalog of third-party apps that are integrated with LEED data.
| Nov 23, 2011
Document gives advice on stormwater runoff management
The report, “Rooftops to Rivers II,” provides tips on how cities can use smart infrastructure and green building design to minimize pollution from stormwater runoff and other wastewaters.
| Nov 23, 2011
Zoning changes proposed to make New York City buildings greener
New York City will introduce new zoning proposals next month that would make it easier for building owners to add features that will make their properties more sustainable.
| Nov 18, 2011
AGC offers webinar on Davis-Bacon compliance
Webinar to be held in two sessions, Dec. 7 and 8 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST.
| Nov 18, 2011
New green construction code may help push LEED standards higher
The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is expected to set a floor for building standards and may create the opportunity for LEED certifications to push toward higher ceilings.
| Nov 18, 2011
New OSHA fall safety rule could save contractors money on insurance premiums
The new Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule requiring employers operating in the residential construction industry to use the same methods of fall protection that historically have been used in the commercial construction industry could save them money.
