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Feasibility Study for a Net-Zero Energy Campus Retrofit
Abstract

In order to realize significant decreases in the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels, many commercial buildings must become net-zero energy in the near future. In addition to net-zero energy new construction, many buildings must also be retrofit to be net-zero energy. Compared to new construction, which only represents about two percent of the existing building stock in any given year, retrofitting existing facilities to meet net-zero energy standards presents difficult technical and economical challenges (Brown, Southworth, & Stovall, 2005). Foremost among these challenges are the lack of usable space for renewable energy installations and the cost of both renewable energy systems and energy-efficiency improvement projects.


This paper first discusses a path to net-zero energy for the Akron Zoo campus that may be a model for other commercial facilities. This path includes aggressive energy-efficiency combined with on-site renewable energy installations. Next, the analysis focuses on major implementation constraints, particularly on limited usable space for renewable energy generation. Further, economic comparisons between energy-efficiency and renewable energy are used to determine optimal economic decisions. Next we present analysis of possible energy-efficiency opportunities and how we arrived at unexpected conclusions. Finally, we present conclusions that support the Akron Zoo’s capability to achieve net-zero energy status.

Feasibility Study for a ZNE Campus Retrofit

Raffio, G., Mento, C., Seryak, J., and Tatari, M. Proceedings of the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Buildings, August 2012, Pacific Grove, CA.

Citation

31 - Feasibility Study for a Net-Zero Energy Campus Retrofit
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Charles Schreier, PE

Charles Schreier, PE

Gregory Raffio, PE, LEED AP BD+C

Gregory Raffio, PE, LEED AP BD+C

John Seryak, PE

John Seryak, PE

Mohamed Tatari, PE

Mohamed Tatari, PE

Peter Kleinhenz, PE

Peter Kleinhenz, PE

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