The document discusses taking the first step toward achieving grid neutrality and energy independence through net zero schools. It provides background on grid neutrality and how to achieve it, including through comprehensive planning, energy efficient design, energy generation technologies, energy measurements, and maintenance and operations. Examples of grid neutral schools being built now are mentioned. The goal is to encourage designing schools that balance the electricity they use from the grid with the renewable energy they produce on site.

1. Grid Neutral – First and Key Step
To Energy Independence
And
Net Zero Schools
Lorenz V. Schoff, PE
Energy Efficient
Solutions
14 April 2010 Columbus Green Building
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2. • Background
– 45+ years in Facilities Management
• USAF Civil Engineering Officer
• Director of Facilities and Transportation – K-12
– Original member of US DOE –
EnergySmart Schools Team
– Member of ASHRAE AEDG, LEED for
Schools and CA Grid Neutral Committees
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3. Taking the First/Key Step
• Topics For Today
– Basis / Basics for Grid Neutral
– Goal of Grid Neutrality
– Why Go Grid Neutral?
– How do you Achieve Grid Neutrality?
– What’s Happening Now?
– Bottom Line
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4. Basis / Basics for Grid Neutral
• Basis
– The Economy
– Executive Orders – National / State
– Environmental Concerns
– High Performance / Green / Sustainable
Design
– Desire to Achieve Energy Independence
– The First Step to Net Zero Buildings
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5. Basis / Basics for Grid Neutral
• Basic – Definitions ( Net vs Grid)
– Net Zero
• Cost – Cost of purchasing energy equals income from
sale of electricity generated on site
• Off-site energy use – 100% of energy purchases from
renewable sources, even if generated off the site
• Off-Grid – Stand alone
• Source Energy Use – Generates the same energy
used including the energy used to transport – accounts
for losses during transmission
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6. Basis / Basics for Grid Neutral
• Basic -- Definitions
– Net Zero
• Basic -- The amount of energy used equals amount of
energy produced on-site
• Emissions -- Outside the US/Canada – Carbon
emissions generated from on/off-site fossil fuels = on-
site renewable energy production
– Grid Neutral
• Focuses on the amount of electricity you consume from
the utility grid and the amount you produce on site
Consumption = Production
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7. • Goal of Grid Neutrality
– To improve the electrical energy efficiency of
new / renovation of existing schools, through
design, operations, maintenance and
education resulting in the Lowest Life Cycle
Cost of producing an equal amount electricity
on-site from renewable sources
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8. • Why Go Grid Neutral?
• Policy Objectives
– Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
– Increase Use of Renewable Sources
• Manage Utility Costs
• Cost Effective
• Future Regulations, Statutory Requirements
• Educational Opportunities
• The First Step toward “Net Zero” Buildings
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9. • How do you achieve Grid Neutrality?
– Comprehensive Planning
– Energy Efficient Design
– Energy-Generating Technologies
– Energy Measurements
– Maintenance & Operation
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10. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Comprehensive Planning
– Wider Range of Participants
• Teams for Finance, Legal, and Construction
• Composition – Sponsors, Beneficiaries, and Implementers
• All support agencies
– Establishment of Performance Goals
• Determine current electricity baseline
• Develop Electrical Power Master Plan
• Set Electricity use Targets (15-30% below Codes)
– LEED, CHPS, State Energy Codes
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11. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Energy Efficient Design
– LEED or CHPS
– ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design
– Remember, It’s the Little Things
– Areas Where Electrical Efficiency can be Improved
• Lighting
• Electrical Distribution Systems
• Day-lighting
• HVAC
• Passive
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12. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Energy Efficient Design
– Lighting
• Switching
• Illumination Levels
• Sensors (occupancy / day-lighting)
• Dark Schools
• Exterior Lighting
– Electrical Distribution
• Distribution Transformers (TP-1 vs. C-3) 5%
• Occupancy Sensor Control of electrical outlet
– Computers, LCD projectors, TV’s, VCR’s, DVD Players
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13. Energy Efficiency
Energy Being Lost
Behind
Closed Doors

14. Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficient Transformers
(New)
EPACT 2005 TP-1 75kVA
VS. <5%
Energy Efficient Transformer C-3
The Difference at Least 2 - 100W light bulbs
Would you leave the lights on for 50 years ?

15. Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficient Transformers
(Exsiting)
Existing 75 kVa Transformer
VS.
>5%
Energy Efficient Transformer C-3
The Difference at Least 7 - 700W light bulbs
Would you leave the lights on for 50 years ?

16. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Energy Efficient Design
– Day-Lighting
• Use of Clerestories
• Use of Light Shelves
• No shades or blinds
– HVAC
• Interlocks on Windows and Doors
• Displacement / Underfloor Ventilation
• CO2 / Occupancy Sensors
• Under Size System – not for Peak
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17. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Energy Efficient Design
– Passive
• Use of Natural Ventilation
• High reflective paints (interior and exterior)
• Opportunities from climate zone and natural features
– Key Design Consideration
• It’s the Little Things
All Reduce the Electrical Needs of the Building
“Make Your Designs Renewable Ready”
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18. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Energy Efficient Design -- Changes
coming in Code
– Energy Code 2009 Conference Projected
changes
• ASHRAE 90.1– Future
– Distribution Transformers will be a regulated Load
– Controls on electrical outlets
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19. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Energy Generating Technologies
– Once the Electrical Energy Needs are reduced to
an achievable level then address the Renewable
Energy Sources to be used
• Photovoltaics Systems
• Wind Turbines
• Related Technologies
– Solar-Thermal
– Geo Exchange
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20. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Energy Measurements
– Benchmarking
– Utility Bill Analysis
– Sub-metering (consider Smart Circuit)
– Problem Identification & Correction
– Conservation Program Persistence
Controls entire circuits
Embedded web server
Access data in real time
Switch Loads off manually
USB port for direct access from PC
Good for Plug load management
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21. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Maintenance and Operations
– M&O Staff Critical
• Involvement in all phases of Construction
– Evaluations
• Facility
• Energy
• Investment Grade Audits
– Training & Education
• Training (the “How”)
• Education (the “Why”)
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22. How do you Achieve Grid
Neutrality?
• Education
– Awareness at all Levels – Provide the Thread
to Weave it into the Culture
– Foster Agent of Change
– Use of Electronic Means
• Windows on the World
• EPA Portfolio Manager
• School Dude Utility Direct
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23. • What’s Happening Now!!!
– Butte County Community College – 2015 (GN)
– Los Angeles City Schools – 2012 (GN)
• 50 Megawatts of Solar by 2012
• El Dorado Elementary First School to go Grid Neutral (09)
– Richardson Elementary, KY (NZ) (Open Fall ‘10)
http://schooldesigns.com/Project-Details.aspx?Project_ID=3244
– Irving Texas Middle School, TX (NZ)
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24. Bottom-Line
• In today’s world, designers and
administrators of educational buildings
should reflect not only the needs and
goals of the district but also the needs
and goals of the Nation. The First Step is
the design of a Grid Neutral Building. Is
your Design Renewable Ready?
• By taking and achieving this first step,
you are laying the foundation for the
school staff and students to Understand
and Demand NET Zero Energy Schools,
buildings and homes in the 21st Century.
It’s Not Rocket Science
Columbus Green Building
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25. Contact INFO
• Lorenz (Larry) Schoff. P.E.
– Energy Efficient Solution
• 2906 Tall Oaks Drive
• Blacksburg, VA 24060
• PH: 540-961-2184
• Cell: 540-230-9262
• Fax: 540-961-3117
– Website: www.E2energysolutions.com
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26. General Info
• Resources
– Grid Neutral Document
• www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/pubs/gridneutralpub.pdf
– New Net Zero School in Irving Texas
• http://www.irvingisd.net/ppage/NetZeroMiddleSchool2.htm
– New Richardson Elementary, Kentucky
• http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2009-03-03-
85395.113117_Kentuckys_NetZero_Triumph.html
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