International News
ASHRAE HEADQUARTERS REACHES ‘ FULLY ’ NET-ZERO-ENERGY MILESTONE
The new global headquarters will operate at net-zero-energy ( NZE ) performance following the recent installation of a large photovoltaic ( PV ) system .
“ Completing the installation of our PV system marks a tangible milestone for ASHRAE that will demonstrate to others how to successfully move on the path to NZE status ,” said 2021- 22 ASHRAE President Mick Schwedler , P . E ., Fellow ASHRAE , LEED AP . “ This project is special because it ’ s a testament to ASHRAE ’ s leadership and commitment to sustainability and showcases innovative built environment technology . We are extremely proud of this important accomplishment .”
In January 2020 , ASHRAE began a USD20 million renovation project on its new global headquarters building , located in the popular tech-based corridor at 180 Technology Parkway , Peachtree Corners , Georgia . Built in 1978 , the existing 66 770 square feet building on 11 acres of land became a demonstration project intended to prove the economic viability of a NZE operation .
“ An important part of getting to NZE is the low energy consumption of the building ( low EUI of 21 kBTU / sf / year ) – while maintaining excellent ventilation and IAQ ,” said Ginger Scoggins , P . E . Fellow ASHRAE , CEM , CxA , ASHRAE treasurer and former chair of the ASHRAE Headquarters Building Ad Hoc Committee . “ The installation of the PV panel system is a great example of how to reduce grid-energy consumption and greenhouse emissions in an older , existing building to create a sustainable and innovative environment .”
Completed through Creative Solar USA , the 332kW project was a combination of three sub-arrays :
• 187kW ballasted rooftop .
• 65kW ground mount on a south facing hill adjacent to the building ( allowing narrower spacing between rows and thus higher energy density ).
• 81kW ground mount situated in an unused section of their parking lot .
" The goal of the project was to pursue a design that minimised the environmental footprint on the site , while trying to optimise the use of the building ’ s roof and adjacent areas that did not involve land disturbance or removal of established trees ,” said Chris McMahan , commercial project manager .
The total system size had to be constrained within the maximum cap set by the local electric utility provider for customers wishing to interconnect through the monthly netting program .
PV systems such as the ASHRAE ’ s offer approximately 25 years of performance . The addition of power optimisers , which are small devices that sit behind the panels and are paired to the SolarEdge inverters , mitigate the effect of partial shading , increase safety , and allow ASHRAE to monitor performance down to each individual solar panel .
“ When you consider the total system cost and the very little maintenance associated with it , the levelised cost of energy ends up being around four times lower than the retail rate from the utility ,” said Cesar Prieto , business development director , Creative Solar USA . “ This type of investment is not only good for the environment , but the permanent reduction in the electricity bill is also very good for the bottom line .”
Buildings classified as NZE consumes less energy over the course of a year than is generated onsite through renewable energy resources .
For more information on ASHRAE ’ s Global Headquarters Building , visit their site at www . ashrae . org / newhq . RACA
Photos by ASHRAE
The photovoltaic system recently installed at the ASHRAE headquarters in the US .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I January 2022 13