From a collaborative effort to rebuild after World War II to “microgrids” and buildings selling back un-used electricity, the basic concept has gone under several names and come a long way. Here, the authors discuss how facilities pursuing high performance can make sense of the many energy-related services and programs to help finance capital improvement projects and infrastructure upgrades.
What makes a building green and intelligent? With a growing focus on net zero energy buildings after the Energy Independence and Security Act became law in December, a host of new questions will attempt to reconcile green, intelligent, and net zero energy. For many building professionals, this is just confusing and it leaves most of us wondering if we are missing a major opportunity.
Energy, buildings, and the environment are intertwined in a symbiotic relationship, and the results of this interaction are optimal in smart buildings.