The EMerge Alliance – an open industry association leading the rapid adoption of safe direct-current (DC) power distribution standards for commercial buildings – today announced the formation of a new Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition.
Chaired by Guy AlLee, of Intel’s Energy Research and Sustainability Labs, the new committee will focus on establishing a standard for the integration of DC microgrids throughout a building or campus. The standard will focus on improved efficiency of integrated on-site power generation, storage, distribution and use by capitalizing on the utilization of native DC power. With input from member organizations, the new Campus Microgrid standard will integrate the other EMerge Alliance standards that enable the use of DC power at various levels and in a variety of spaces. The resulting set of standards will further advance the Alliance’s mission to help building designers and owners achieve greater flexibility, sustainability and savings.
According to EMerge Alliance Chairman Brian Patterson, the Alliance has been working toward a vision of DC microgrids in four key areas – occupied spaces, data and telecommunications centers, building services and outdoor applications – since the organization was founded in 2008.
The Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee is open to all Alliance members at the Governing and Participating levels, and will include consideration of power, infrastructure, peripheral device and control applications required to operate a building using DC power. The group is inviting other innovative organizations in the commercial building industry to join and contribute to this groundbreaking standards development effort. +
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Oct 5, 2022
Co-living spaces, wellness-minded designs among innovations in multifamily housing
The booming multifamily sector shows no signs of a significant slowdown heading into 2023. Here is a round up of Giants 400 firms that are driving innovation in this sector.
Contractors | Oct 5, 2022
Materials shortages, cost spikes throwing Design-Bid-Build process out of whack
The traditional Design-Bid-Build delivery process is under considerable stress this year as materials shortages and cost spikes are upending usual practices, according to a new report from JLL.
Green | Oct 5, 2022
In California, a public power provider’s new headquarters serves as a test case for an innovative microgrid and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Sonoma Clean Power (SCP), the public power provider for California’s Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, recently unveiled its new all-electric headquarters.
Contractors | Oct 4, 2022
Which comes first, the building or the cost estimate?
At the start of a project, don’t forget to establish financial parameters when you’re discussing the design and program. By establishing the costs up front, you can avoid the pitfalls that might derail your project and guarantee its lasting success.
Fire and Life Safety | Oct 4, 2022
Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings
Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.
| Oct 4, 2022
Rental property owners want access to utility usage data for whole properties
As pressure from investors for ESG reporting mounts, owners of multifamily properties increasingly look to collect whole-building utility usage data.
| Oct 4, 2022
In dire need of affordable housing, Aspen, Colo. will get a development that provides 277 affordable homes
A few miles from downtown Aspen, Colo., a development will provide 277 new affordable homes for an area experiencing a dire affordable housing crisis.
Green | Oct 3, 2022
California regulators move to ban gas heaters for existing buildings
California regulators voted unanimously recently on a series of measures that include a ban on the sale of natural gas-powered heating and hot water systems beginning in 2030.
| Oct 3, 2022
The College of the Holy Cross completes a $110 million performing arts center
In Worcester, Mass., a one-hour drive from Boston, the College of the Holy Cross has completed its $110 million Prior Performing Arts Center.
Resiliency | Sep 30, 2022
Designing buildings for wildfire defensibility
Wold Architects and Engineers' Senior Planner Ryan Downs, AIA, talks about how to make structures and communities more fire-resistant.