The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of its Zero-Net Energy Commercial Building Initiative (CBI) and the establishment of the National Laboratory Collaborative on Building Technologies (NLCBT).
Both efforts focus on developing marketable zero-net energy commercial buildings by 2025. Such buildings would use cutting-edge efficiency technologies and on-site renewable energy generation to offset their energy use from the electricity grid.
"DOE’s Commercial Building Initiative and the Collaborative are urgently needed to accelerate innovation and market adoption in the field of high performance buildings," said Deputy Assistant Secretary David Rodgers. "Now we are bringing to bear the unprecedented collaboration in scientific resources of five National Laboratories to bring about the needed transformation of the built environment, lower our carbon footprint in buildings and accelerate commercial deployment of clean, efficient building technologies."
In 2005, commercial buildings used 18% of energy in the United States, accounting for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. The Zero-Net Energy CBI strives to make new commercial buildings capable of generating as much energy as they consume.
Activities of the Building Technologies Program will include:
- Technology research and development;
- Sponsorship of pilot and demonstration projects across multiple climate zones;
- Provision of technical assistance to encourage widespread technology adoption;
- Development of training materials and programs for builders;
- Public education on the need for efficiency in new and existing buildings;
- Work with code-setting bodies to ensure technologies are properly deployed;
- Analysis of incentives for builders, landlords, and tenants to ensure that cost-effective investments are made on a life-cycle basis;
- Development of a means for measurement and verification of energy savings.
To help fulfill these responsibilities, the Department will use the intellectual and scientific resources of DOE’s National Laboratories: Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
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