Throwback Thursday: Remember Showcase 2014?

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager

The 2014 Green Building Showcase featured 75 project displays and had over 200 attendees. What a great event! We can’t wait for October 1st to get here to join in the fun again at the 2015 Green Building Showcase at the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge. Register to show off your Green Building success story or just get a ticket to attend and see all of the other stellar projects by clicking here. We hope to see you there!

Check out last year's projects here!

Stretching the Stretch Code

By Grey Lee

The USGBC MA Chapter, as part of our national agenda, joins with colleagues at Acadia Center and the Sierra Club to urge the Commonwealth to enact better building codes – in particular, a stronger stretch code. Recently, information was made public at a 9/8/15 meeting indicating the State's regulatory agencies are not committed to real improvements of the stretch code, already two years delayed, to help those municipalities designated “Green Communities” reach their energy efficiency goals. Without leadership from regulatory agencies, advocates such as our organizations will look at corrective measures from the legislature including considering where a net-zero pathway for buildings and real estate could play out.

Massachusetts has a great building code. We have excellent regulations on the energy performance of new construction. You can read about the codes here – for some, it is a lot of fun to explore! Due in part to the commitment to improving codes and energy performance in buildings, Massachusetts has become the #1 state in America for energy efficiency, according to ACEEE (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy).

Through the passage of the Green Communities Act of 2008, the Commonwealth created a pathway for communities to strengthen their building code for improved building performance. The optional “Stretch Code” was an “overlay” to the base building code which enabled a municipality to enforce a stronger code for energy performance. The New Buildings Institute has some good information on why stretch codes are good for communities. Almost 150 communities have adopted the stretch code.

The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations & Standards (the BBRS) is the regulatory authority for building codes. They have agreed to a process of continuous updates to the State's building codes, based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IEcc), which updates every three years. Thus, in June 2013 Massachusetts prudently updated its base building code to the 2012 IEcc – requiring that code since 7/1/14. 

However, communities that adopted the stretch code, based on IEcc 2009, have not been given guidance on what or how the stretch code will improve. Since the stretch code was based on the anticipated (stronger) IEcc 2012, when the base code updated to that IEcc 2012, the stretch code is effectively not a stretch. In fact, the detailed comparison finds the non-updated stretch code inferior to the new base code! Yet, without a state-sanctioned updated stretch code, these communities have no way of enforcing more aggressive performance in the buildings being built in their jurisdiction! 

The original purpose of a stretch code was to allow municipalities the option to require a more stringent energy efficiency code prior to adoption by the BBRS. The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) has done a lot of work on this – and we are working with NEEP colleagues Carolyn Sarno Goldthwaite and Kevin Rose. They produced a great overview of the MA stretch code history here. The original stretch code (of 2009, based on the authorization in 2008 of the Green Communities Act) was approximately 20% higher energy efficiency. In residential construction, these increases are measured by a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) developed and maintained by the national Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). In commercial construction, these increases are measured through the IEcc, with some adjustments, and referring to ASHRAE 90.1-2007 energy standards.

A strong stretch code is a good thing. It can align many of the relevant market participants. A stretch code can help people see where base code is going to go – it's like a preview. Having a sense in advance of future changes, it helps builders and product suppliers to compete for future market share – anticipating what will ultimately be needed to get to code. This tends to lower prices for developers and owners.

One concern from the 9/8/15 public meeting on codes at BBRS is that the draft updated stretch code will only apply to buildings over 100,000s.f. – which is a very small portion of buildings being built, and less of additions to buildings. And inherently, focusing on new construction, this code effort does not address existing buildings in any material way. Another concern is that this draft code was actually proffered in April – there haven't been any other meetings since then, but the minutes were only recently posted, reducing the public's ability to participate in the process. We will continue to examine the details but the early observations are that this new stretch code is “too little, too late.” We know authentic concern for energy efficiency would result in a stronger, more widely-applicable and better stretch code. Where is the leadership in the state government to push for something meaningful?

This new stretch code is not okay. It will leave major savings, economic benefits, and opportunities “on the table.” We should have a stretch code that enables communities to meet their local market conditions more appropriately and a code that really pursues excellence and ambition – rather than being a watered down “moot code” which distracts us from our goals of improving energy performance in the built environment.

 

Green Apple Day of Service – Boston Green Academy (Project 2)

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


All fifteen, 10th grade environmental studies students participated in the Green Apple Day of Service, which focused on energy.  The service project actually lasted over the course of 6 days in November, as they completed the project during their class from 8-9 every morning.  The service project culminated in 2 different products: 1) a display of power station to light bulb for the middle school, 2) an energy audit of the building with plans for reduction, and 3) smart strips


 Day 1: The service project started off learning about what energy is.  They learned about solar, chemical, thermal, mechanical and electrical through a varietyof different hands-on activities.  They then honed in on electricity and spent the rest of the class building and learning about how circuits work and how electricity flows.

 Day 2: The students then researched how electricity gets from the power station to the lights in the home.  They then chose one of the system parts (example: high voltage lines, power station, low voltage lines) and created a large visual of this part.  

 Day 3: Students continued to work on their art project and wrote a blurb explaining what function this part of the system served.

 Day 4: Students learned about what is usually burned in a power station (fossil fuels) and learned through fun, hands-on activities how fossil fuels are made.

 Day 5: Through a variety of experiments students learned what happens when you burn fossil fuels.  Specifically, they learned what carbon dioxide is and why excess carbon dioxide is harmful.

 Day 6: Students did an energy audit of the school, looking for areas in the school that are wasting electricity.  They will soon purchase Smart Strips for their classrooms and teach their teacher about how to use it.  In addition, this audit will be used by the 7th grade during their Green Apple Day of Service when they will make signs for the school reminding us to save electricity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Day of Service – Boston Latin Academy (Project 2)

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


In partnership with staff from NELSON and thanks to a mini grant sponsorship from TOTO, Boston Latin Academy was able to design and build a large terraced garden in front of their school in celebration of Green Apple Day of Service. Last year two garden beds were installed along the side walk in front of the school to grow vegetables and annuals but this new bed is more extensive and exciting to students because it will allow them to plant perennials, such as strawberries, and expand the school garden to include more fruit and vegetable production.

 

 


The BLA greenhouse club works hard throughout the year to promote sustainable agriculture and locally farmed produce, and this garden bed is a visible and exciting addition to the club’s efforts and is something the whole community will watch “grow”. The greenhouse club will be responsible for maintaining the new garden space and they will continue to raise funds to support the program through their successful annual spring plant sale – a huge hit for BLA community members who want to grow their own vegetables. Thanks to our partners and volunteers on the Green Apple Day of Service, BLA students will now have a large enough garden bed to plant their own fruits and vegetables and see their aspirations literally come to fruition on the front steps of the school! 

Day of Service – Boston Latin Academy (Project 1)

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


Thanks to a mini grant sponsorship from MassSave Program(administered by ICFI), over fifty Boston Latin Academy students, parents, staff, and community volunteers spent Saturday, October 3rd, beautifying the school grounds, weeding garden beds, organizing the greenhouse, planting spring bulbs, and building a large raised bed. This is the 4th annual fall schoolyard Green Apple event that BLA has hosted, and it was a great success!  Despite the intermittent rain, our volunteers were busy at work with shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, and an assortment of other supplies (including hot chocolate!) all morning and afternoon.  The result was to make great strides in our ongoing efforts to make BLA, a school in the heart of the city, into a little urban oasis, with clean grounds dotted by fruit trees, shrubbery, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. 


All of these efforts are important steps to ensuring that BLA is not only a place where academic excellence shines through, but that our high performance school building shines as well. The BLA community is grateful to the USGBC MA Chapter, ICFI for their sponsorship and the volunteers who worked hard to make another Green Apple Day happen. The students and staff at the school can't wait to get our hands dirty again in the spring!

GRESB Networking Night

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager



We are please to partner with USGBC National and EnerNOC and we are excited to learn about the next level of green building market transformation. 

Our friends at EnerNOC are excited to take us on a tour with presenters from GRESB international headquarters. 

The 2015 survey results are out and we want to invite you to join us and our friends at GRESB to review the results together at EnerNOC’s upcoming networking night on September 22nd. Complimentary drinks and appetizers will be served!

Where: EnerNOC Headquarters – 1 Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA

Agenda:

5:15 pm – 6:00 pm   Networking, Drinks and Appetizers

6:00 pm – 6:10 pm  Opening remarks, EnerNOC

6:10 pm – 6:40 pm  2015 GRESB Results and Q&A , Chris Pyke, COO, GRESB

6:40 pm – 7:00 pm  Conversation with Boston Properties

·         Dan Winters, Head of North America, GRESB

·         Amy Gindel, SVP Finance & Planning, Boston Properties

·         Ben Myers, Sustainability Manager, Boston Properties

·         Jon Hartnett, Commercial Real Estate Team Lead, EnerNOC

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Drinks reception and networking

 

Hope you can join us. Register today!  

 

New CEO at USGBC, Meet Mahesh Ramanujam

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager

 

Washington, D.C. – (Sept. 8, 2015) – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Board of Directors announced today that USGBC’s Chief Operating Officer Mahesh Ramanujam has been named incoming Chief Executive Officer, and will move into the role after Rick Fedrizzi, the visionary co-founder of USGBC and current CEO, steps down at the end of 2016.

“Mahesh has a highly impressive track record of success in both his role as USGBC’s COO and as President of Green Business Certification Inc.,” said USGBC Board Chair Marge Anderson. “He is a proven leader who has exhaustive knowledge of the organization, respect from its volunteer leadership and strong support from its team. He has extensive global experience and broad business acumen. He is the perfect choice to lead the organization into the future.”

“As a founder, I could not be happier, and as a CEO, I could not be more satisfied that I’ll be able to leave USGBC in the best hands possible,” said Fedrizzi. “Since Mahesh first joined USGBC in 2009, he has transformed every corner of the organization, focusing on high performance and putting the needs of our customers and community members first. His personal core values are deeply aligned with our mission and his comprehensive understanding of our work make him the ideal leader for this role.”

“I’m deeply honored that Rick and the Board have placed their trust in me, and I will serve the organization and our movement with a long-term vision – keeping innovation as a top priority,” said Ramanujam. “As USGBC’s CEO, I pledge to continually modernize and enhance our capabilities and performance to ensure we deliver the future that our founders envisioned.” 

Ramanujam joined USGBC in 2009 as Senior Vice President, Technology, before being named COO in September 2011. In December 2012, he was also named President of the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) where he broadened offerings to better serve a wider client base, leading the organization to change its name to Green Business Certification Inc. earlier this year. 

Prior to joining USGBC, Ramanujam was COO for Emergys, a business transformation consulting firm in North Carolina. As a consultant to IBM, he was part of the team that led various business transformation initiatives including the sale of IBM PC systems to Lenovo and its printer divisions to Ricoh. He also was part of the team that led business transformation at Lenovo to ensure the successful establishment of Lenovo’s global manufacturing and operating platforms.

Ramanujam is a native of Chennai, India, and holds a bachelor’s of engineering in computer sciences from Annamalai University, where he began his career in software and systems analysis and product development.

This Week’s New Green Building Showcase Sponsors: National Grid, View Dynamic Glass, and Suffolk Construction

By Allison Maynard, Communications Associate


We are excited to welcome gold level sponsors National Grid, View Dynamic Glass, Suffolk Construction to our quickly growing list of Green Building Showcase 2015 supporters and presenters. This week's collection of sponsors includes an international energy company, an innovative architectural glass company, and a smart-building construction company. A dedication to innovation and sustainability in theory and in practice is what unites this variety of companies, and their best projects will be on display along with over 75 others in just a few weeks.

 

Join the Showcase as a sponsor for an incredible media, marketing, and networking opportunity. More details of sponsorship are available here, and if you would like to attend to view these projects and meet their creators you can register here.

 

Silver Sponsorship Package $795

  • 2 tickets to the event
  • Entry of one Board into the Showcase
  • Detailed project story and picture in event program
  • 1/2 page color ad in event program that will receive distribution to New England Real Estate Journal’s 20,000+ readers
  • Logo on all pre-event marketing material and social media promotion
  • Logo on event signs as Silver Sponsor

Gold Sponsor Package $1995

  • 4 tickets to the event
  • Entry of up to three Boards into the Showcase
  • Project story and picture in event program
  • Full page color ad in event program that will receive distribution to New England Real Estate Journal’s 20,000+ readers
  • Logo on all pre-event marketing material and social media promotion
  • Logo on event signs as Gold Sponsor
  • Reserved table at the event for your firm and its guests
  • After the event you will receive a list of attendees
  • Company Picture with your firm's project boards

 

Vote for your favorite MIT Green Buildings Solution!

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager

Green Building Community, 

 

I hope that you all are enjoying a well deserved Labor Day weekend! If you have not heard, the MIT Climate Colab is in its final week of public voting and the buildings category has a few ideas which could be a catalyst to the green building mission. One of the final ideas, Open Control Building, has been a project that I have been working on with Alec Danaher and Scott Balboni, both members of the USGBC MA! The idea is to use a third party to temporarily turn off your smart electric device for a period of time, while power plants rev up. This is called demand response and there is a commercial market for this and rate payer can make money this way. The idea allows residential home energy management systems like the Nest, and EV chargers to tie into the program and increase impact/revenue. 
There is a more robust explanation below via link. Your support would really help. Please forward to your network if you would like to share the idea and support. Please vote!

http://climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1301412/planId…

Thanks and have a nice weekend,
Celis

 

Description

Summary

 

Buildings consume more than 39% of all energy consumed in the U.S. each year. More stringent building energy codes and advances in lighting and HVAC technologies have reduced the energy use intensity of buildings. A study by the EIA indicated that new homes built after the year 2000 are on average 30% larger than homes built before the year 2000, but use only about 2% more energy (EIA, 2013). Energy Used in Buildings

As construction standards improve and more efficient equipment is installed in homes, additional savings must come from improving the way we control the energy-consuming equipment in the home. Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) can optimize the energy use within a home by coordinating the timing of lighting and HVAC systems, as well as an increasing number of “smart” devices. Additionally, HEMS systems can benefit both homeowners and grid operators by increasing the ease and compliance with demand response events.

One of the primary challenges of implementing a HEMS system is the upfront cost to purchase and install the equipment. Additionally, the large variety of technologies on the market can create choice paralysis that makes it difficult for consumers to select and implement a system for fear that they are betting on a system that will not integrate with future technologies.

We propose promoting the widespread implementation of Home Energy Management Systems by providing simple systems at no cost to homeowners in exchange for their participation in automated demand response events. We will install a smart thermostat and a few simple controls in homes and provide homeowners with a secure platform to integrate our controls with other smart devices they may have in their home. Homeowners will then have the nucleus of a HEMS system – provided free of charge – to which they can then add additional components to outfit their smart home. 

 

 

 

Meet our Members: Kimberly Le

By Allison Maynard, Communications Associate


Our Chapter Member Kimberly Le is Chair of the Residential Green Building Committee. She organizes and leads fun and engaging monthly meetings where learning and exchanges of ideas, concepts, and experiences within green buildings are discussed and practiced. She enjoys collaborating and being around like minded people that share similar passions and goals, and it brings her a sense of community and belonging to a group that is working to make miracles. USGBC acts as an extension of herself coupled with her goals. They provide many opportunities to network with the professional movers and shakers within Green Building in Massachusetts. 

She is also currently a Senior Solar Advisor at EnergySage and has worked in solar since 2012. At EnergySage, they help people shop for solar using an apples-to-apples comparison tool through their online marketplace. They provide educational content on their site to make shopping for solar as simple and easy as possible for end consumers, residential, commercial, and non-profits alike. She is an active and licensed Realtor along with her GREEN Designation.