They’re known as zero net energy buildings, and they are generating lots of talk these days.
General Electric says it will deliver zero net energy homes by 2015.
Are zero-net energy buildings a stretch goal -- a distant dream -- or a present-day reality?
A bit of both, says Scott Shell, an expert in sustainable design at EHDD Architecture of San Francisco, a firm that has designed several zero-net energy buildings in California and has more on the way. “Very few people see it coming,” he says, “but the world is going to change in a profound way in the next few years.”
If he’s right, and I think he is, net-zero energy buildings will open up some big business opportunities in the coming years -- for design and architecture firms, builders, and companies such as GE, Johnson Controls...
As Scott explained to me by phone, the idea behind zero-net energy buildings is fairly simple: You design the building to be super-efficient, using natural light, energy-conserving appliances, insulation and the like so they use as little energy as possible. Then you try to generate the rest from on-site renewables, usually solar PV but potentially wind as well. Any surplus energy gen
To be sure, none of this is simple or achievable overnight. You need the right regulation -- the ability, at minimum, to sell distributed electricity back into the grid, which isn’t available in all states. The business case is stronger if utility rates are high, as they are in California, and if the sun shines a lot. Low-lying single story buildings are easier to build or modify because they have more rooftop space.
“The construction industry is one of the largest in the country, and we have so little actual public performance data,” Scott told me. The stakes are high -- by some estimates, buildings generate 40 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Imagine if we could drive that figure a lot closer to zero.
Please read full at New York Times
Haase - It is important to note I am a STRONG supporter that the utilization of net zero buildings and small scale renewable off grid communities are the fastest and most prosperous way for our nation to become energy independent, actually reduce energy use while we grow. It is NOW technology with no excuses, just proven solid energy and resource conservation that insures the safety and prosperity of our future.
This 'higher ground' approach would not only turn all of our nations 'energy and environmental crisis's into abundant opportunities', it would also lead all other nations to model this success. It is to ONLY tangible, real and fiscally feasible option that does not bury us in a risky future of toxic nuclear or fossil wastes costing trillions.
I think it is why I have google, regulators and legislators buzzing about it ;-)
Cited Resources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/business/energy-environment/30energy.html
http://www.architecture2030.org/news/news_031609.html
http://www.denverpost.com/greenbusiness/ci_12335133
http://www.gcommunities.org
http://www.greenchange.org
Also see more at ENN