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8/9/2019 Zero Net Energy Press Release FINAL
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Media Contact:Lisa [email protected] (office)Lisa cell: 781.801.0347
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association to Award $10,000for Best “Zero Net Energy” Project
Winner to be announced at NESEA’s BuildingEnergy10 Conference and Tradeshow
March 9-11, 2010
(Boston and Greenfield, MA) – January 26, 2010 – The Northeast SustainableEnergy Association (NESEA) is raising the stakes to find projects in the Northeastthat capture as much energy as they use. Called zero net energy buildings, theseprojects are becoming increasingly important as the world embraces sustainabilityand energy efficiency. NESEA’s Zero Net Energy Award comes with the addedbonus of a $10,000 cash prize, which will be presented at BuildingEnergy2010,NESEA’s annual conference and tradeshow March 9-11, 2010.
“The intent of this award is to encourage efficient, elegant, self-reliant buildings andpatterns of occupancy by honoring demonstrated achievement of zero annual netenergy,” says Jennifer Marrapese JD MA, interim executive director of NESEA. “Theidea of zero energy is easily defined, readily understood, and measurable. It hascaptured the public imagination in a way that more abstract concepts of energyefficiency and building performance never have. “
For the purpose of this award, NESEA has adopted a definition of a "zero energybuilding" derived from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory definition:"Zero net energy buildings reduce energy load to the minimum practical level, thencapture on-site the required amount of renewable energy to satisfy remainingneeds." Winning entries must document net-zero energy use while offering a highlevel of comfort, affordability, and reliability.
To be eligible for the award, buildings must be occupied and document net-zero energy use for one year. The competition is open to occupied buildingsin the Northeast-the six New England states plus New York, New Jersey,Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Applicants with smaller renewable energyconversion systems coupled to more efficient buildings with reduced loads andelegantly conceived system designs will be favored over what might be termed"brute force" solutions - ones that rely principally on sufficiently sized solar arrays or
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wind turbines (assuming these to be the most likely on-site generators of renewableenergy) to overcome conventional building loads.
The following additional factors will be considered in judging the success andaptitude with which applicants have achieved the zero energy target:
• Continuous occupancy - it is expected that applicant projects are fully
occupied during the 12 month period during which supporting data isprovided.
• Replicability - it is expected that applicant projects achieve zero energy inways that are reasonably easy to replicate.
• Idiosyncrasy - whereas demonstrated conserver behavior is to be consideredpositively, behaviors that are purely idiosyncratic (for example, acceptance of unduly low thermostat settings; dietary regimens that dispense withrefrigerators; perpetual candlelight reading) will be discounted. Applicantssubmitting an uncommonly low power demand may be asked to provide anitemized listing of appliance loads.
Last week, NESEA and The Green Roundtable/NEXUS co-hosted an informationsession to answer questions about the award requirements. Presenters includedNESEA’s Henry Vandermark, President of SolarWave Energy, Inc. and Chair of theBoston Area Solar Energy Association, and The Green Roundtable’s Ravi Srinivasan,CEM, LEED AP. (See attached photo)
The deadline for entries is January 31, 2010. For more information about theZero Net Energy Building Award go to:http://www.nesea.org/inspirationawards/zeroenergy/
Building Energy is NESEA’s annual conference and tradeshow, now in its 35th year.Held in Boston every March, Building Energy is the oldest and largest regional
building energy and renewable energy conference and trade show for practitionersin the Northeast. NESEA’s Building Energy 2010 (BE10) takes place March 9 – 11,2010 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. This year’s theme is “Reduce,Retrofit, and Renew.” Attendees include architects, designers, planners, builders,policymakers, manufacturers, and installers, and the Trade Show features 160exhibitors showcasing the latest sustainable technologies and products.
To register, call 413.774.6051 or visit our website for online registration athttp://www.nesea.org/buildingenergy/ .
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About NESEA
NESEA is the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (www.NESEA.org), a leadingregional advocacy and membership organization dedicated to promotingsustainable energy practices and whole systems thinking. For more than thirtyyears, NESEA has supported and inspired a growing network of professionals andsustainable energy experts committed to responsible energy use. The organizationcommunicates information about a wide array of sustainable solutions, providesdetailed project case studies with proven results and compelling metrics, and offersaccess to cutting-edge technologies and creative approaches. NESEA’s membershail from the 10 Northeastern states, from Maine to Washington, D.C. NESEA
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members are “practical idealists” – passionate about the need for interdisciplinarycollaboration in order to create a healthy, efficient built environment powered byclean, renewable energy. NESEA members believe achieving these ends willstrengthen the economy, create new jobs, and heal the environment.
