The Building Button, a new tool launched by the Investor Confidence Project (ICP), standardizes the collection of data from energy efficiency projects, and “makes it easy to share that information with investors, building owners, developers, and utilities,” according to a news release.
Based on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Energy Data Exchange Specification, the tool integrates best practices and specifications developed by ICP and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), including the Building Energy Data Exchange Specification (BEDES). Expressing energy efficiency data in a common language, the Building Button allows all parties to compare specifications across multiple projects with one click. This ability helps to reduce underwriting and actuarial analysis costs, builds trust in energy savings, and drives market demand for energy efficiency projects.
“One of the major barriers to wide-scale adoption of energy efficiency is the hassle factor,” said Matt Golden, ICP director. “Every investment is unique, with data lodged in incompatible spreadsheets, documents, and other digital files. The lack of uniform data standards means that transaction costs are prohibitively high. The Building Button helps solve that by establishing guidelines for all project data, streamlining the process of project development and investment.”
In 2017, ICP will join Green Building Certification Inc. (GBCI) to create the first global underwriting standard for energy efficiency projects.
Related Stories
Green | Jan 28, 2019
This is the country’s greenest academic building
Perkins+Will designed the building.
Green | Nov 15, 2018
USGBC launches LEED Zero, to address net zero carbon operations and resources in LEED green building projects
LEED Zero complements LEED to verify the achievement of net zero goals and signals market leadership in green buildings.
Green | Oct 17, 2018
USGBC survey suggests employees are happier, healthier, and more productive in LEED green buildings
Can healthier, more sustainable buildings give employers a hiring edge to attract best in class talent?
Green | Oct 15, 2018
Green, and then some: Architecture firms are helping cities raise the stakes in green design
Architecture firms are answering the call of local governments and institutional clients for higher standards in green building design.
Green | Sep 11, 2018
Chicago becomes seventh city in the world to achieve LEED for Cities Platinum certification
It is the highest level of certification available from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Green | Aug 28, 2018
Chattanooga’s Miller Park set to open after $10.3 million overhaul
Spackman Mossop Michaels and Eskew Dumez Ripple partnered on the project.
Green | Aug 16, 2018
Vertical gardens: Wellness oases in the urban jungle
When there’s only so much real estate available in urban centers for parks, how’s a developer to bring in more green with biophilic design?
Green | Aug 15, 2018
What if your neighborhood could make you healthier?
The WELL Community Standard equips planners to build health promotion into the very fabric of neighborhoods.
Green | Jul 26, 2018
St. Paul aims for zero carbon in all buildings by 2050
The city is working for better efficiency and sourcing green power to reach its goal.
Green | Jul 26, 2018
DOE releases updated version of Better Buildings Financing Navigator
Version 2.0 provides renewable energy financing options, sector-specific and location-specific financing resources, and a smart database of financing providers.
