Identifying High Potential Zero Net Energy Building Types in Los Angeles County What is Zero Net Energy?
Research Questions
A zero net energy (ZNE) building is one with zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used in the building is equal to or less than the amount of renewable energy generated. A building achieves this first through reduced energy demands through increased efficiency measures such that the remaining consumption is supplied by on-site renewable energy sources, often solar power.
Net Energy Consumption
Purpose
≤
Net Energy Generation
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How can policy effectively embolden the implementation of ZNE capable buildings in Los Angeles County?
Methodology
As Los Angeles County seeks to meet regional and statewide climate and sustainability goals, solar power and Zero Net Energy (ZNE) capable buildings are gaining policymaker attention. •
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What types of buildings are best suited for ZNE potential based on current electricity consumption and solar potential levels across all cities in Los Angeles County?
Motivation: With a growing population, increasing energy demand, and a critical need for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energy investment and increased energy efficiency has never been more important. Electricity production alone accounts for 32% of total carbon emissions in California, the second-largest GHG-emitting state in the country.1 Policy Goals: The state and public utilities have set a goal for ZNE residential construction by 2020 and ZNE commercial construction by 2030.1 1
CPUC Strategic Plan, 2008
This project explores how cities throughout LA County can target high potential ZNE buildings using high resolution energy consumption data.
Data Sources
Database
Analysis/ Results
Query solar potential and energy consumption by
LA County Energy Atlas Database
building type PostgreSQL Relational Database
LA County Solar Potential Map
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1
Data Analysis
Queries
in each city.
Query solar potential and energy consumption by
Create interactive webmap of high potential ZNE capable buildings
building size in each city.
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City of Los Angeles Difference of Annual Net Solar Potential and Electricity Consumption by Building Type Commercial Condo Industrial Multi-Family Residential
Other Single Family Residential -40,000,000,000 -20,000,000,000
0
Annual Net Potential kWh
(Electricity Consumption (kWh) - Solar Potential (kWh))
Figure 2. Example visualization for the City of Los Angeles displaying the difference in net electricity consumption and solar rooftop potential on an annual basis by building type. Multi-family residential buildings have the solar rooftop potential to produce over 60 billion kWh more than was consumed in 2010. Figure 1. Prototype of the LA County Energy Atlas, a publicly accessible interactive web-based platform to be launched in summer of 2015. The solar potential and ZNE potential of building types will be integrated into this platform. Source: CCSC
Next Steps
Webmap Development
Data Analysis
Hannah Gustafson, MURP Candidate 2015 Client: Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability Faculty Advisor : Stephanie Pincetl, PhD
Prepare Findings
Recommendations