Steps to Change Sustainable

Designs into

"Net Zero Buildings Designs"

Matthew WiechartPE, LEED AP, CxA

Senior Mechanical Engineer / Principal

Curtis WadeC.E.M., PMP, B.E.P., LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O&M

Director, Department of Utilities and

Energy Services

Walk-Don’t Run

TLC Engineering for Architecture is a Registered Provider with The

American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit

earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records

for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are

available on request.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing

professional education. As such, it does not include the content that

may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the

AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of

handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA CEU’s

AIALearning Objectives

Understanding the challenges regarding progressive sustainable

designs, both through cost and efficiency.

Leveraging challenges into opportunities to design infrastructure for

progressive technologies, including “Net-Zero” Building.

Realizing the importance of participation in early design decisions.

Understanding the challenges of carbon neutrality from an

institutional perspective.

What Is Sustainability?

Sustainability is avoidance of

the depletion of natural

resources in order to maintain

an ecological balance.

Power Plants are fueled by resources

that will some day “run-out”.

What is a Net-Zero Design?

A Net-Zero Design is a building with zero

net energy consumption, meaning the total

amount of energy used by the building on an

annual basis is roughly equal to the amount

of renewable energy created on the site.

Amid growing concerns about rising

energy prices, energy independence,

and the impact of climate change,

statistics show buildings to

be the primary energy

Consumer in the U.S.

Net-Zero Movement Gaining Traction

High Level Approach to a Net-Zero Design - Site Selection

North and East Façade Main Entrances

Shading from adjacent structures/landscaping limits

Photovoltaic Renewable Energy Production

High Level Approach to a Net-Zero Design - Architecture

Proper Wall and Roof

Insulation

Exterior Shading

High Level Approach to a Net-Zero Design - HVAC Systems

High Performing Systems that Perform at Both Full/Part Loads

Sophisticated Building Automation System with Setback Controls

Water Conscious Design Features

Image Courtesy of Ben Tanner

Efficient technologies reduced 32% over code compliant building

High Level Approach to a Net-Zero Design – Electrical Systems

Highly Efficient Lighting

Sophisticated Lighting Control Systems

Image Courtesy of Macbeth Studios

High Level Approach to a Net-Zero Design

Significant load reduction is a sustainable design –

But not necessarily Net-Zero

Image Courtesy of Little Architects

Darden PV: 1.3 MegaWatts

Reduced current building energy loads

High Level Approach to a Net-Zero Design – Renewables

Building’s

Use / Occupant

Expectancy

Obstacles to Net-Zero Designs

Site

Constraints Technology

Utility

Tariff

Land and/or

Building Space

for On-Site

Renewable Energy

Production

UCF Challenges to Energy Master Planning

• Utilities are not a high

priority – unfunded

infrastructure

• How do we forecast

commodity pricing

volatility?

• Pressure(s) from

constrained budgets

• Fixed PO&M

• PSC Filing # 07277-2017

• Rate forecast and impact to forward price curves

UCF Challenges to Energy Master Planning

• Resistance to change: “Utilities are not the university’s core business”

• Adversary vs. Partner

• Campus distributed energy systems & micro-grids- perceived as threats?

• Commodity capacities and tipping points

• Match diversified load projections to the Utility Campus Master Plan

• GHG trajectory as a result of additional utility demands from load growth

• Deploying a renewable and reliable energy future

• Regulated Market Impacts

Courtesy:

UCF Current Energy Portfolio

268.2

248.8

205.5198.1 195.4 194.2

187.4177.1

170.0166.1

170.7 163.9

153.9 144.9

90.3

83.2

68.6 66.6 65.9 66.2 63.574.2

81.1 78.1 73.9 79.3 78.3 77.3

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) University of Central Florida

Historical Consumption per GSF + Projection

SOURCE EUI SITE EUI

En

erg

y U

se

Pe

r G

ross S

qu

are

Fo

ot

(kB

tuco

nsu

mp

tion p

er

GS

F)

Source EUI

Site EUI

<--- Actual Projected --->

Source EUI = Total "onsite and offsite" energy consumptionSite EUI = Energy consumption in campus facilities

5.5mW Cogen Start --->

Over 38% energy consumption reduction per GSF from FY05/06 through FY16/17

Over $26 million cost avoidance realized through FY16/17

Courtesy:

GHG Inventory Projection – B.A.U.

PV PPAs – In a Regulated Environment

• UCF participation through a PPA is prohibited under the Florida Public

Service Commission Decision: Docket 860725-EU; Order 17009 (1987).

This order does not allow a third-party ownership PPA model.

• Sticking point to allow a PPA is contained within the Florida Statute 366.02

and its definition of “Public Utility”. The statute in part reads;

“(1) “Public utility” means every person, corporation, partnership,

association, or other legal entity and their lessees, trustees, or receivers

supplying electricity or gas (natural, manufactured, or similar gaseous

substance) to or for the public within this state…”.

• The term highlighted “…to or for the public”, has been construed to

potentially mean delivery to a single customer. Interpreting this definition as

described, would label UCF as the only customer and the lessor as a ‘public

utility’ since the output of the project would be dedicated to one customer.

UCF Energy Transition Plan

• Accelerating campus high-performance building design standards above

ASHRAE 189.1

• FL SS 255.2575 & FL SS 255.252

• FBC Adoption of the Florida Energy Conservation Code

• Strong commitment to LEED & Sustainability

• University Energy Policy 3-111.1

• Treating energy efficiency as “utility systems assets”

• University utility policy

• Aggregating the rate base through low carbon district energy asset

deployment

High Performance Building Impact

• Environmental stewardship

• Create, access – reduce

OPEX

• Program space productivity

• Engagement

• Performance based credits

• Third party validation

• (21) LEED buildings, 16 Gold

and 5 Silver

Courtesy:

High Performance Building Results

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Lab & Environmental Support

Classroom Building II

Performing Arts Center

Research I

Physical Sciences Building I&II

Morgridge Center

Fairwinds Alumni Center

Global UCF

District Energy Plant IV

Career Services

Burnett Biomedical Sciences

College Of Medicine

Partnership III

LEED Impact to E&G Building Use Reductions

Water Reduction Energy Reduction

Courtesy:

High Performance Buildings - Process

Design & Construction Requires Progressive Collaboration

Planning

Utility Master Plan

CIP

Funding

Owner Requirements

Design

ASD

DD

CD

GMP

Construction

Construction Cx

Utility toUCF

Post Construction

Owner

Warranty

Courtesy:

How Do We Actually Achieve Carbon Neutrality?

GHG Trajectory with PV Deployment

UCF Electric Bill

Owner Project Requirements

Key decisions made up front on capital intensive MEP Systems

Stakeholder engagement and commitment

Progressive energy modeling – scenario engagement between A/E and Owner

MEP commissioning using ASHRAE 202 • Owner technical staff on hand to bridge gaps in construction

delivery (Enterprise BAS, commissioning, T&B)

Applying lesson’s learned from similar past projects

Progressive Elaboration – TCH’s Integrated Design Process

UCF Trevor Colbourn Hall’s Owner’s Project Requirements

• Cutting edge teaching facility

• Improve indoor environment

• Expand the university’s

renewable portfolio

• Conserve water resources

• Achieve most energy-efficient

campus building

• “Platinum & Z.N.E. Planning”

• Optimally use university’s

resources

• Provide value to students, staff,

and faculty

• Operational flexibility

Global UCF

High Level Approach to a Net-Zero Design – Example

PV at UCF Trevor Colbourn Hall for Future

Structural Support for

Photovoltaic Panels

Plan for an Inverter Room to Convert Photovoltaic Energy

Provide Infrastructure to Support Future On-Site Generation

Need to Ensure Building Operates to Optimized Design

Commissioned Building

Economics & Results with Energy Modeling

Bifacial Estimated

Energy Production

Static Estimated

Energy Production

Building’s Estimated

Energy Consumption

1,256,780 kWhper year

401,903 kWhper year

335,079 kWhper year

32%of full energy

need

27%of full energy

need

Not All Buildings Are Good Candidates for

Net-Zero

Planning For Future: Technology

Improvements

Dealing with Obstacles to Eventually Achieve Net-Zero Designs

As Revenue Producing Technology – Renewable

Energy Can be Bonded

Look for local / state / federal grants to help subsidize

the funding.

Grants / Bonding

Net Zero seems challenging but planning can allow for

positive changes in the future

Conclusion