Replacing traditional power grid energy sources with sustainable, green ones is called electrification. In Part 1 of this series, some of the challenges associated with electrification were discussed along with how automation can aid in its efficiency and sustainability. This article, Part 2 of 2, will discuss leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) and zero energy building (ZEB) certifications and how they can reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability.
Leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) and zero energy building (ZEB) certifications represent significant efforts supporting society's desire to reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability. Achieving LEED and ZEB certifications requires a holistic approach that combines electrification that replaces fossil fuels-based energy systems with green alternatives like photovoltaics (PV) and electric vehicles (EVs) with advanced automation and control systems.
The LEED program from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) includes decarbonizing existing buildings and new construction. ZEB efforts are coordinated by the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) office of the US Department of Energy. Achievement of LEED and ZEB certifications requires architects and contractors to take new approaches to how buildings are designed, built, and operated. Compared with ZEB, which focuses solely on energy consumption,
LEED is a more expansive concept that addresses carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality. This second of a two-article series on electrification and sustainability begins by looking at the LEED and ZEB certification levels and what it takes to get those certifications for commercial and industrial buildings, including a comparison of several definitions of a ZEB. It then details an example of how Phoenix Contact used automation
and on-site PV electricity generation to achieve LEED
Using electrification and automation to create more efficient and sustainable power grids – part two of two
Silver and ZEB certification for a 70,000-square-foot addition on its main campus, including how some of the company's own products contributed to the success of the project (Figure 1). It closes with a glance at how LEED buildings can contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
By Jeff Shepard Contributed By DigiKey's North American Editors
Figure 1: Rooftop PV generation was a key factor enabling this Phoenix Contact facility to achieve LEED Silver and ZEB certifications. (Image source: Phoenix Contact)
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