University:
Boston University
Course:
CAS EE 250 | The Fate of Nations: Climate, Resources, and Institutions
Academic year:

2023
Views:

432

Pages:

14
Author:

Armando Jenkins

Building Emissions Performance Standards Mayor Martin J. Walsh IPCC Our changing climate is causing sea level rise, extreme heat and stormwater ﬂooding in Boston. Communities of color and other socially vulnerable populations are disproportionately bearing the burden of the effects of climate change. Buildings account for 70% of Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions. And just 4% of buildings account for the majority of our building emissions. Our emissions are not decreasing fast enough. We need to accelerate carbon reductions. Building Energy Reporting & Disclosure Ordinance ● ● ● ● ● Established 2013 Covers 35,000 sf + Citywide benchmarking ordinance Annual reporting Energy action or audit requirement every 5 years WHAT AND WHY A building performance standard sets carbon targets for existing large buildings that decrease over time. A performance standard: ● ● ● Directly targets our largest source of emissions; Sets long planning horizons; Provides ﬂexibility in how buildings meet targets and when they make investments. Chief Cook NEW POLICY ELEMENTS ● Many pathways to achieve targets: ○ ○ ○ ○ ● Energy efﬁciency Electriﬁcation and fuel switching Renewable energy Alternative compliance payments 20,000+ sq ft or 15+ units ● Additional ﬂexibility: ○ ○ ○ ● ● Portfolio Individual compliance schedule Hardship compliance plan Review Board Equitable Emissions Investment Fund BUILDING AREA AND EMISSIONS (35k+) EMISSIONS STANDARDS Emissions Standards for Highest-Emitting Building Types (kgCO2e/SF/yr) 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Office 5.3 3.2 2.4 1.6 0.8 0 Multifamily Housing 4.1 2.4 1.8 1.1 0.6 0 Healthcare 15.4 10 7.4 4.9 2.4 0 Education 3.9 2.4 1.8 1.2 0.6 0 INDIVIDUAL BUILDING Options (any combination) “Greening of the Grid” EMISSIONS TARGET 2018 Energy Efﬁciency Fuel Switching* Procure Renewable Electricity Alternative Compliance Payment Target Year Electricity Natural Gas Alternative Compliance Payment ● ● ● ● Provide additional ﬂexibility for covered buildings. If buildings miss their emissions targets, they can pay into the ACP in order achieve them. Ensure onsite efﬁciency work isn't being disincentivized. Set value such that buildings may choose to invest in efﬁciency rather than paying into the ACP. The average cost of abatement could serve as a basis for setting the price of an alternative compliance payment ○ This approach has been used in other jurisdictions Estimated incremental abatement cost in Boston: $234/mtCO2e ○ To be re-evaluated periodically to assess changes in cost of abatement technologies, energy, and grid impacts CASE STUDY: MULTIFAMILY (HIGH EMISSIONS) Multifamily housing ● Low-rise, multi-building property ● 280-300 housing units Gross Floor Area: 140,000-160,000 SF Envelope insulation ● Walls: R-12 ● Roof: R-2.5 (uninsulated). ● Roof expected end of life 2025-2030. Windows: Double pane, vinyl-framed Heating, cooling, HVAC: ● 14,000 MBH hot water boilers. Boilers expected end of life: 2035. ● Split system condensers on rooftop. ● 40 HP hot water circulation pumps without VFD. ● Heating radiators in residences and common areas. Split system indoor units for cooling in residences and common areas. Other: Electricity and natural gas are master metered. Condensing gas water heater Year Built: 1970-1990 Emission Percentile: 97% Lighting: LEDs A/C indoor unit Domestic hot water: ● 3,000 MBH condensing ﬁretube water heaters. ● Water heater expected end of life: 2035-2040 ● Fixtures: 2.5 GPM showerheads, 1.5 GPM sinks Central hot water boilers Process equipment: On-site laundry Cooking: Electric ranges Refrigeration: 18 cu., mostly in poor to fair condition, in need of replacement Photo credits: Conquest, PVHVAC, Patterson-Kelley CASE STUDY: MULTIFAMILY (HIGH EMISSIONS) POSSIBLE PATHWAY ● Building would comply under individual compliance schedule ● Major improvements ○ 2025 add insulation at roof end of life, $1.0M ○ 2035 air-source heat pumps (VRF), $0.1M ○ 2040 heat pump water heaters, $0.5M ● Incremental abatement cost: ○ $1.9M over 30 years ($0.5M over 30 years with energy savings) ○ $89/ton ($22/ton with energy savings) ○ 42¢/SF/yr (10¢/SF/yr with energy savings) CASE STUDY: MULTIFAMILY (HIGH EMISSIONS) POSSIBLE PATHWAY Efﬁciency ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Air seal exterior penetrations Insulate roof (End-of-life replacement) Programmable thermostats Add VFDs to hot water circulation loop ENERGY STAR refrigerators (End-of-life replacement) Low-ﬂow showerheads Smart strip for plug load control Off-site renewable energy purchase (MA RECs) End-of-life heating electriﬁcation: boiler to air source heat pump (commercial VRF) End-of-life water heating electriﬁcation: boiler to heat pump Grid Improvement 2018 Now → 2025 2025 2030 2035 2040 Electricity 2045 2050 Natural Gas CASE STUDY: MULTIFAMILY (HIGH EMISSIONS) U.S. CITY & STATE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Jurisdiction Metric Compliance Starts Exemptions New York City Emissions intensity 2024 Affordable housing, city-owned, houses of worship Denver Energy use intensity 2024 Boston Emissions intensity 2025 St Louis Energy use intensity 2025 Washington, DC Energy Star score or energy use intensity 2026 Washington State Energy use intensity 2026 Industrial, agricultural, historic Colorado TBD 2026 Manufacturing, industrial, or agricultural Industrial, communications