Raising the Profile for Net Zero: Deep energy retrofits for zero emissions

Published by Electrical Contractor: Net-zero building is gaining attention. In a world acutely focused on decarbonization, a building’s ability to combine energy efficiency and renewable energy generation to consume only as much energy as can be produced has regained the spotlight. Remodeling will also play an increasing role. Based on its tracking, New Buildings Institute (NBI) in Portland, Ore., reports that while the market is small, the number of net-zero buildings has increased tenfold since 2010 and currently represents 80 million square feet of commercial building space. The market will be propelled by retrofitting of existing buildings for zero emissions. Market- and policy-based drivers seem to crop up everywhere you look. Building owners, designers, policymakers, civic leaders, operators and others have taken note.