The next two decades will see billions of square feet of new construction and remodeled facilities across the U.S.—homes, offices, public facilities, and whole communities. The potential exists to make these facilities far more efficient than current codes require, and to work synergistically to make
entire communities energy efficient. However, more knowledge is needed to predict what the actual potential is, as well as what it would take, in terms of technologies, strategies, and policies, to achieve that potential.

In 2008 the state of California set bold energy-use reduction goals, targeting zero-net energy (ZNE) use in all new homes by 2020. Currently, there are relatively few examples that showcase the technical and market feasibility of affordable ZNE multifamily housing developments. To meet California’s bold goals, much work will be needed during the next nine years to gather and synthesize information about the essential planning, elements, conditions, and tools that are necessary to create successful multifamily ZNE projects.

Aquascape’s RainXchange™ System is designed to capture, filter and reuse our world’s most precious resource…water. Intended as a storm water management solution, the flexibility of the system allows it to be utilized in a variety of unique applications including the provision of clean drinking water. The Aquascape Foundation’s trip to the Kuve Village in Ghana, West Africa became an especially memorable opportunity to put this system to good use. The system is actually quite simple and is not new, since rainwater capture has been used by many cultures throughout the world for thousands of years. Aquascape has updated the system a bit for the 21st century.

An independent statewide report1 says Lutron® lighting controls are delivering “considerable energy efficiency” as the school district in Lewiston, Maine aims to cut high energy costs and improve the learning environment with Quantum®  total light management and the  
EcoSystem® lighting control solution. 

A close look at the official city seal for  Lewiston, Maine, incorporated as a town  in 1795, reveals the Latin word Industria,  a recognition of Lewiston’s industrial heritage.

Demand-response (DR) programs, in which facilities reduce their electric loads in response to a utility signal, represent a powerful tool for cutting peak demand and reducing stress on the electric power grid. It is also an effective strategy for customers to control energy costs. Lighting reductions can be a significant element of DR programs because lighting use coincides with periods of peak demand, and light levels can be reduced significantly for short periods with little impact on a building’s occupants. Commercially available advanced lighting-control systems can be used today to reduce demand, but the cost, the potential savings, and the best way to implement these systems have not been adequately defined. technologies considered included land-line phones, text messaging, commercial and dedicated radio, pagers, powerline communications, TV cable, and satellite.

Hotel Indigo Athens is located five blocks from the University of Georgia in the historic city of Athens, Ga., 75 miles east of Atlanta. One of 33 upscale boutique brand hotels developed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hotel Indigo Athens (Hotel Indigo) is one of only five hotels in the nation to achieve LEED Gold. It is also the first LEED Gold certified hotel in IHG’s extensive portfolio of 4,500 hotels in 100 countries and territories around the world. 

Hotel Indigo was developed by Atlanta-based Rialto Partners, LLC (Rialto) and is managed by Park Place Hospitality Group, Charlotte, N.C. As property owners, Rialto is under a license agreement with IHG. Rialto specializes in sustainable development, bringing to market projects that meet LEED criteria and promote environmentally responsible building practices.

A recent project completed by the national direct-manufacturer Comark Building Systems, Inc. and it's subsidiary Modular Structures International out of California exemplifies the best in modular construction. Working with the city of Berkeley, California planners and the architectural firm of Gelfand Partners, the Shorebird Nature Center is a viable sustainable building solution accomplished through modular construction.

The city of Berkeley, California needed classrooms for its Shorebird Nature Center. With a commitment towards environmental awareness, this planning team went well beyond the task of simply solving a space problem.

Performed by Sustainable Energy Partners

Abstract
In January 2009, Sustainable Energy Partners (SEP) began the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process for the Fillmore Center; a multifamily commercial property located in San Francisco, California.  In March 2010, SEP began the final submittal process and is currently awaiting approval of the project site’s compliance with LEED standards as set forth by the US Green Building Council.  The following document outlines the primary environmental and economic benefits, as well as the project challenges and highlights SEP encountered while satisfying LEED points for a multifamily commercial property.

“Responsible for managing all schools in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, School District # 50 required a method of benchmarking, monitoring and analyzing real-time energy trends to help them reduce consumption and optimize demand.” said Bruce Cullen, Community Power Expert. “In addition, the District wanted to provide its facility managers with immediate alerts when heating systems did not operate as commissioned. Energy management software meets these needs, and also allows managers to measure and verify data on energy and financial savings from energy re-commissioning, while tracking and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Hotchkiss School is at the head of the class in its use of innovative technology to drive energy efficiency.Partnering with Honeywell, the school has installed advanced building systems, measured and minimized energy use, and kept systems running at peak performance through ongoing, preventative maintenance – trimming energy costs by nearly $1.4 million.