DEN1: Energy Efficiency Requirements – Above Green

Intent

This Indicator is intended to describe the entity’s strategy to integrate energy efficiency measures throughout design and construction activities. Implementing energy efficiency measures in the design and construction of a building contributes to reducing the energy consumption of the building during the operational phase.

Requirements

Select yes or no. If yes, select all applicable sub-options.

Does the entity have minimum energy efficiency requirements for development projects?

Yes
- Requirements for planning and design include (multiple answers possible)
  - Development and implementation of a commissioning plan
  - Integrative design process
  - To exceed relevant energy codes or standards
  - Requirements for minimum energy use intensity post-occupancy
  - Other: ____________
    - Provide applicable evidence | UPLOAD or URL____________
- Common energy efficiency measures include (multiple answers possible)
  - Air conditioning
  - Commissioning
  - Energy modeling
  - High-efficiency equipment and appliances
  - Lighting
  - Occupant controls
  - Passive design
  - Space heating
  - Ventilation
  - Water heating
  - Other: ____________
- Operational energy efficiency monitoring (multiple answers possible)
  - Building energy management systems
  - Energy use analytics
  - Post-construction energy monitoring
    - For on average years: ____________
  - Sub-meter
  - Other: ____________
No

Post-construction monitoring: If the entity has requirements on post-construction performance monitoring, specify the required number of years. If the entity monitors performance in perpetuity, for an infinite period, enter “100”.

Validation

Evidence: Document upload or hyperlink. The evidence must sufficiently support all the items selected for this question. If a hyperlink is provided, ensure that it is not outdated and the relevant page can be accessed within two steps.

The evidence must sufficiently support the promotion of minimum energy efficiency requirements for planning and design. If "Requirements for planning and design" is selected, the document upload must include information on the selected options (e.g., RFP language requesting integrated design process, above code design, policy documents that include the selected requirements, etc.). The common energy efficiency measures and operational energy efficiency monitoring do not need to be included in the evidence as the evidence only relates to "Requirements for planning and design".

Other:

Other: State the entity’s requirement for planning and design.
Other: State the energy efficiency measure.
Other: Describe the entity’s actions to verify delivered performance.

It is possible to add multiple other answers.

See Appendix 2a for additional information about GRESB Validation.

Scoring

6 points, E

Scoring is based on the number of selected options. It is not necessary to select all options to achieve the maximum score.

Evidence: The evidence is manually validated and points are contingent on the validation decision.

Other: The 'Other' answer is manually validated and points are contingent on the validation decision.

See the Scoring Document for additional information on scoring.

Terminology

Air conditioning: Refers to energy efficient air-conditioning units, such as those rated with a high energy efficiency rating, and secondary measures to promote efficiency, such as strategic location and integration into building functionality design.

Building energy management system: Computer‐based automated systems that monitor and control all energy‐related systems, including all mechanical and electrical equipment in buildings.

Commissioning: Quality-orientated review and verification process during the design and construction phase, to ensure that the performance of facilities, systems and assemblies meet defined objectives during the operational phase.

Energy codes or standards: Energy requirements set in building codes and standards such as US Energy Efficiency standards and International Energy Conservation Code (2012).

Energy modeling: Refers to a virtual or computerized simulation of a building that can be used to estimate the energy use of a building and evaluate its energy efficiency.

Energy use analytics: Analysis of energy use to determine discrepancies between baseline and actual energy use. Energy use analytics help determine whether energy use targets are reached, and can highlight opportunities to improve energy efficiency.

High-efficiency equipment and appliances: Specification and purchase of electrical equipment and appliances that minimize the building’s energy needs.

Integrative design: A design process that considers and involves multiple aspects, stakeholders and functions, instead of addressing each separately, to align and achieve objectives.

Lighting: Energy efficient lighting refers to units such as those rated with a high-energy efficiency rating. Common energy efficient lighting includes: LEDs, CFLs and halogen incandescents. It also includes aspects such as sensors, timers, and the promotion of natural daylight, to reduce the amount of light energy consumed.

Minimum energy-use intensity post-occupancy: Requirement for buildings to achieve a predetermined energy use intensity once the building is fully operational.

Occupant controls: Individual controls for heating, cooling and other building systems. They support individual comfort of building occupants, while reducing energy consumption. Occupant controls also enable occupants to respond rapidly to alleviate discomfort when it is experienced.

Operational energy efficiency monitoring: Monitoring of energy consumed during the operational phase of a building. The operational energy consumption of buildings leads to substantial environmental impact. Monitoring consumption is an important basis for reducing this impact.

Passive design: Passive design uses layout, fabric and form to reduce or remove mechanical cooling, heating, ventilation and lighting demand.

Post-construction energy monitoring: Monitoring of energy consumption during the operational phase of the building, to identify that energy use objectives are being met.

Requirements for planning and design: Policy requirements such as planning obligations, building codes and standards.

Space heating: Energy efficient space heating systems for internal spaces within a building. This includes energy efficient mechanical systems, and maximizing the maintenance of internal heating via insulation, seals and windows and doors

Sub-meter: A system that allows the measurement of utility use by an individual occupant within a multi-tenant property, such as individual electricity meters.

Ventilation: The process of supplying and removing air through an indoor space. Energy efficient ventilation refers to the use of efficient mechanical or natural ventilation systems.

Water heating: Energy efficient water heating systems such as those with a high-energy efficiency rating, including those which are demand-based, that do not lose energy on stand-by heating. Also includes efficient hot water distribution systems to reduce energy losses throughout the building.

References

BREEAM, International New Construction, 2016: 6 Health and wellbeing, 10 Materials

LEED BD+C: New Construction, v4: Sustainable Sites and Materials & Resources

BREEAM International New Construction, 2013: 04 Management and 11 Land Use; and BREEAM Communities Manual, 2012