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SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Although California is a leader in green building and emissions reductions policy, its commercial structures account for 37 percent of energy use in the state -- and as much as 80 percent is wasted, according to a study released by the nonprofit group Next 10.
"Up to 80 percent of the energy used by commercial buildings is going up in smoke," said F. Noel Perry, founder of Next 10, an independent organization that supports research, education and action to improve California.
"As our state struggles to emerge from recession, relatively low tech energy efficiency fixes could save California businesses and the state government significant money and help to generate jobs," Perry said in a news release about the white paper titled "Untapped Potential of Commercial Buildings: Energy Use and Emissions." The paper published this week was produced for Next 10 by the research and consulting organization Collaborative Economics.
The amount of energy consumed by commercial buildings in the state is close to the national average: Buildings account for 39 percent of the country's energy use, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.
But the amount of waste Perry describes can be surprising. The white paper from Next 10 provides California-specific figures for building performance and efficiency issues that are being wrestled with in other states and by the Obama administration.
In an executive order issued last fall, the president called for the federal government to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. In May, GSA Administrator Martha N. Johnson proposed the government move toward a zero environmental footprint.
That target addresses new and existing facilities. The latter make up the greatest amount of building stock and are the greatest culprits when it comes to wasting energy. They also provide vast opportunities for energy and cost savings, the study said.
However, California has no energy efficiency standards for existing building stock, the paper pointed out.
California's commitment to reducing electricity consumption of state-operated buildings by 20 percent by 2015 covers new and existing structures. Certain voluntary measures in the state's Green Building Standards Code, known as CALGreen, are scheduled to become mandatory in January 2011 for new commercial and residential construction. But there is no equivalent that applies to existing buildings.
The paper acknowledges efforts to improve performance of buildings in the state, but stresses that much more can be done and identifies areas for improvement, potential barriers and solutions.
"Huge untapped potential for energy efficiency exists today in commercial buildings," the study said.
The report also said:
- The state's standards for new buildings should be tougher.
- Commercial electricity consumption has grown over time, yet energy efficiency gains have been incremental.
- Hospitals have become more energy intensive with the increased use of new technology.
- Broad changes to the thermal envelope of existing buildings can dramatically improve efficiency.
- Upgrading building insulation in a typical structure can yield a 30 percent savings.
- Simple improvements to window insulation on average can yield $3 in savings for $1 spent.
- Using CFL or LED technology can produce average efficiency gains of 8-18 percent and 10-20 percent, respectively.
- Behavioral changes in commercial energy use can provide energy savings at very low costs.
The full report is available for free download from Next 10.
Images are CC licensed by Flickr users RodneyRamsey, dsearls and Peter Kaminski.
So this article states that
So this article states that 80% of a building's energy is wasted. I find that hard to believe. Looking at the original paper tells a different story.
"With the application of new and existing technologies, buildings can be made up to 80 percent more efficient or even become ‘net zero’ energy buildings with the incorporation of on-site renewable generation.”
Energy optimization can have
Energy optimization can have a huge impact on energy performance in buildings. By overlaying an energy optimization system on an existing building control/ energy management system (EMS), external factors like weather forecasts, energy prices and tenant comfort can be incorporated into how the building is managed.
BuildingIQ's Energy Optimization System requires no upfront capital to deploy, and can save 10-15% of building energy use. BuildingIQ will learn the building's thermal characteristics, create an optimized energy forecast for the building and continuously optimize energy cost, emissions and tenant comfort by managing the EMS. BuildingIQ is paid for on a subscription basis and pays for itself out of savings.
Energy optimization is one of the most cost-effective ways for the State to meet its 20% energy reduction targets by 2011.
www.BuildingIQ.com
LED lighting is currently
LED lighting is currently pretty costly for interior use [and the light quality is not very good either]. If the ONLY criteria is less electricity use, it may make sense to use them. If cost-efficient construction with life-cycle costing is done, the technology and economy of scale for cost-efficient light fixtures hasn't gotten here yet.
From what I can see, much of design and construction in Southern California is based on the circulation spaces [which are often exterior space] being considered part of the building. This means that most buildings have multiple doors directly to the exterior. If we WEREN'T air conditioning [as at the cities along the ocean] this would make sense. Since all 20 million of us can't live in that 10-mile wide strip of land, most of our buildings are in desert-like climates where many tons [literally] of cooled air are dumped outside every time a door is opened. And how many retail establishments block doors open so the cooled interior invites buyers in?
Strictly from the energy standpoint, campus-like-settings that many malls and even schools utilize don't make sense if cooling and heating efficiency [and thus energy savings] is THE prime concern. There are many other factors that determine and form those layouts, but saving energy is not one of them.
Even if R-values requirements are tripled on every exterior envelope item [very costly], and every HVAC unit's efficency is doubled, energy savings won't be made if the doors are open constantly or repeatedly.
LED lighting is not a cure
LED lighting is not a cure all. The good quality LED's are only now getting equal to T8 fluorescent lighting. However most LED products heavily marketed to the public are garbage and are as efficient as incandescent lamps. There's a wide range in quality of LED lighting.
The best LED products are only going to equal fluorescent right now. So why pay so much more for LED just to get similar results. The best ways to reduce lighting loads in existing buildings is to hire a lighting designer with experience in power savings. All new lighting in the space. Mostly T8 lamps with electronic ballast. Probably lower light levels then currently exist to give just as much light as is needed. Occupancy sensors that are properly adjusted, timed and located. Maybe some task lights where additional light is needed.
Most of California is
Most of California is entirely unsustainable anyways! Such large population densities and lack of necessary resources make energy usage a moot point. At least they're trying, but it doesn't really matter.
Easiest way to save energy though would be to turn off the air condition, and tell everyone to deal with it.
"Although CALIFORNIA is a
"Although CALIFORNIA is a leader in green building and emissions reductions policy, ITS commercial structures account for 37 percent of energy use in THE STATE -- and as much as 80 percent is wasted, according to a study released by the nonprofit group Next 10."
California accounts for 37% of its own energy usage...in California?
Who wrote this?
A number of municipal
A number of municipal utilities in California are turning to the Ice Bear energy storage units to help commercial AC systems more efficiently cool buildings during peak conditions. Ice Bears essentially shift loads to off-peak hours by making ice at night. The AC unit circulates chilled air from the ice during the hottest part of the day using only its fan, the not the compressor.
LED lights would be a great
LED lights would be a great way to combat this energy inefficiency in commercial buildings. Lighting is definitely one of the biggest uses of energy in any business because you gotta see what your working on.
Well LEDs are way more efficient and also last much longer and are more durable because they solid state no filaments or gasses that can break or escape (also creating less hazardous material when finally disposed). Its just win win win when you go with the LED lights. I think that is one of the first steps that will need to be taken to get this number fixed.If you want to find any information on these lights or other green technologies come check me out at.
www.LEDmight.blogspot.com