Post-Session Week 11

Net Zero and Living Building Challenge Financial Study: A cost comparison report for buildings in the district of Columbia

In reference to the financial analysis from the above article!

I had a scan through the executive summary and was then naturally intrigued by the financial analysis. I feel like most of society still feels as though all this sustainability stuff is too expensive - a chronic misconception. Table D was particularly interesting showing the simple pay back on a $3 million plus, multi family building constructed with as a net zero building with energy conservation measures to be just 3 years with a return on investment of 33% (given tax credits/deductions in the District of Columbia).


I also liked the example of the building owner who wants to create a net zero building, but to do so with just PV would need 17 times the roof space. This leads to the ideas of treating energy consumption as a district wide issue - the Living Community Challenge.

It's suggested that to power a DC building (to net zero energy) 35% is going to need to come from a combination of advances in PV technology and scale jumping - i.e. extending the energy provision and consumption beyond a singular building and into the wider community.


It's a long way off and we have a lot to strive for but it's great to think this is where we're headed.