What is Net Zero?

What Does it Mean to Build with Net Zero Principles? 

Net Zero is an important term that you’ll likely begin to hear more frequently in conversations about building and development, and it's an important term for those looking to build for a more sustainable future in Hawaii.

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Hawaii residents use about 6000 kWh (kilowatt-hours) per residential customer annually. In this example, the amount of energy produced on-site would need to be equivalent to the 6000kWh to make the building qualify as net-zero or a zero energy building.

Net Zero achievements are now verified by the certification of LEED Zero, created as a complement to other LEED certifications. LEED Zero Carbon recognizes buildings with net-zero carbon emissions from building consumption, including occupant transportation over a period of 12 months. LEED Zero Resources takes into account the energy, water, and waste balance over 12 months.

One of the leading voices of support for the net-zero building is the World Green Building Council. The WorldGBC defines a net-zero building as: “A building that is highly energy-efficient and fully powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources.”

Renewable energy generation, and net-zero building specifically, are especially important concepts in Hawaii, where nearly 75% of our grid-tied energy comes from non-renewable (ie: fossil fuel) sources. Because of the state’s dependency on fossil fuels, Hawaii has the highest cost for residential electricity in the country. Interestingly, Hawaii has the lowest use of electricity in the nation, which theoretically makes net zero easier than elsewhere, as there would be less energy to produce on-site. Hawaii also is abundant in the natural resources necessary for wind, solar, and hydro technologies, meaning that overall output is likely greater than other areas. 

How to Achieve Net Zero? 

There are many ways to achieve a net-zero building, and it starts with smart design from the ground up. While it is possible to retrofit and economize older buildings, it’s often easier (and less expensive) to design for efficiency from the beginning. 

To address energy usage, builders and developers can focus on how to design for energy reduction from the very beginning of a project. Some of the ways to reduce the energy needs of the house and reduce the overall consumption: 

• Building Envelope Efficiency: Keeping what is meant to be cold, cold and what is meant to be hot, hot.

• Energy-efficient mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, such as efficient lighting and Energy Star appliances;

• Use double- or triple-glazed windows as insulation on windows;

• Using advanced sensors and monitors to help change usage, without requiring extensive behavior or habit changes, which can be challenging for many residents.

Once efficiency has been maximized, then energy modeling can be undertaken to determine the total energy that's needed to offset usage. Additional planning needs to done for on-site energy storage so that it can be captured when produced and used as needed.

As our society begins to take everyday climate action more seriously, many cities and countries are looking closely at net-zero energy buildings. Furthermore, the Paris Climate Guidelines call for all net-zero buildings by 2050.

However, the WorldGBC understands that it’s not feasible for all buildings to become net-zero immediately. Instead, developers can focus on energy-efficient buildings, and if they cannot supply energy on-site, they can supply energy needs from renewable sources (ie: offsets or community solar). This is still a good step, and it still works to reduce emissions and put us on our path towards the Paris goals. 

As a future-focused consultancy, we are working to build better buildings for a more sustainable future, and we think that net-zero building, in tandem with following LEED certification guidelines, are the smartest ways to achieve a more sustainable future.

Learn more about our sustainable development in Hawaii case studies and the sustainability initiatives we are implementing at the various project sites.