California Municipal Building Takes Net-Zero Standard to Another Level

Published by Facilities Net: The Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) city building in California provides power for about 500,000 people in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, and is going beyond the net-zero goal line by recently unveiling its all-electric headquarters after a two-year renovation process. The transformed 1979 structure is being touted as the world’s first GridOptimal building, described as a building that accelerates decarbonization of the power grid.

The SCP headquarters is the first pilot project for the GridOptimal Buildings Initiative, a joint program of New Buildings Institute and the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a press release. The program aims to redefine how building design and operations can cost-effectively support decarbonization of the power grid and a fully renewable electricity supply.