CTG Energetics - Sustainability Consulting for Buildings and Communities

eVOL is changing the way owners certify their building portfolios By Lisa Stanley

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:17:00 +0000

Lisa Stanley is Director of Sustainable Facilities at CTG Energetics. She is a former property manager for Cushman & Wakefield. Lisa is based in CTG’s Denver office.

Since the beginning of the LEED EB Rating System, there have always been challenges for building owners and property managers wishing to achieve certification for their buildings: LEED EB seems cost-prohibitive on a per-building basis. Which buildings out of the many in my portfolio should I choose? There should be a way to bundle certain tasks together, and combine the efforts of individual buildings.

USGBC actively listens to feedback and is constantly improving their rating systems and programs. As a result of this improvement process, USGBC developed, tested, and recently launched the new LEED Volume Program, with tracks for both Design & Construction and Operations and Maintenance.

CTG has been closely following the development of the LEED Volume Program, especially the Operations and Maintenance track. We were the first company to successfully support submitting (and achieving) certification under the LEED EB Volume Pilot Program – an 18 building portfolio for a major property management firm. And in a current assignment with the U.S. General Services Administration, Public Building Service we were also the first to support submittal of the prototype to USGBC under the newly launched official LEED Volume Certification Process for Existing Buildings. The program we have developed to facilitate Volume Certification for LEED EB O+M is called eVOL™.

>> View Screenshots from the eVOL Program

A Game Changer
Speaking from the perspective of a former property manager, I can say that every so often a new tool or program is introduced which has the power to fundamentally change the way we work with commercial buildings – I call these "game changers." eVOL falls into this category. While many owners are either pursuing or would like to pursue a sustainable facilities program, they run into any number of roadblocks – the most common being: the per-building expense is too high, the logistics are too difficult to manage for an entire portfolio, and challenges of how to make the program long lasting, and not just an event that will fade. eVOL removes many of the barriers and complexities associated with pursuing a sustainable facilities program, and can be deployed for a fraction of the cost of traditional per-building programs.

USGBC conceived the Volume Certification Program to address the issues and drawbacks of a pursuing LEED certification on a building-by-building basis. CTG and our team have taken the backbone and methodology of the Volume Certification Program and built it into a user-friendly and web-enabled interface that is customizable to any number of parameters and systems a client might need. eVOL facilitates building assessments to help determine which buildings should be prioritized for certification, it allows owners to benchmark and compare performance of all buildings, either as a portfolio or as a discrete group, and it enables data management, documentation, and submittal via LEED Automation to USGBC.

Robust Capability
Put simply, eVOL was made to easily facilitate cost-effective greening of large building portfolios. The current version of the program was designed to support GSA in an effort to green their portfolio which consists of more than 9,200 buildings and more than 400 million square feet of development. Using eVOL, CTG and GSA are currently screening 1,000 buildings to find the best candidates to include in the initial phases of the program. More than 50 buildings have been selected for the first phase of GSA's volume certification program, and at least 200 will participate in the second phase.

Cost Savings
Because the USGBC Volume Certification Program is designed to work for portfolios of 25 or more buildings, there are inherent cost efficiencies which can be achieved by certifying multiple buildings at once. At CTG, we're estimating our clients will save as much as 70% on the per-building cost of achieving LEED EB certification by pursuing a portfolio approach. When it comes to customizing and deploying eVOL, the good news for future clients is that the program has already been developed, deployed, and tested, meaning you greatly benefit by leveraging technology which already exists. All you pay for is customization, program development, training, and submittal to USGBC.

If you're interested in learning more about eVOL, how the pricing structure works, or to schedule a demo, please give me a call. I'm based out of CTG's Denver office: 303-573-0070.

Thanks,

-Lisa

Contact: ctg@ctgenergetics.com

Changes Coming to ENERGY STAR By Jenna Lipscomb

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Jenna Lipscomb is a Green Building Consultant with CTG Energetics. She specializes in sustainability for existing buildings, and has managed a variety of LEED EB O&M, LEED CI, and Retro-Commissioning Projects. Jenna is based in CTG’s Denver office.

I wanted to alert you of some recent Energy Star changes that may affect your building and Portfolio Manager account. If you only have time for the highlights, here they are:

As of June, 2010 it is no longer permissible to subtract from building totals the square footage and metered energy consumption of data centers or server closets.

Data Center Space Type should be used in place of subtracting data center SF and energy consumption

Data center energy consumption data should ONLY include IT load, not cooling, lighting, etc. This might require a meter configuration change

Consumption estimate function can be used until June 2012 if meters are not installed

Data center meters required as of June 2012 in order to use the "Data Center" space type.

Details:

In June of 2010, the EPA reevaluated the way Data Centers should be classified and how their energy consumption should be reported. It is now no longer permissible to subtract the square footage and the metered energy consumption of the data centers out of the total building square footage and total building energy consumption. Data centers must be broken out into a 'data center' space type.

Data centers are now defined as "spaces specifically designed and equipped to meet the needs of high density computing equipment such as server racks used for data processing and storage. Typically these facilities require dedicated uninterruptible power supplies and cooling systems." This space type no longer includes server closets and computer training rooms. If there is any square footage in your portfolio previously defined as data center, please reevaluate what amount meets the new definition of data center. All other spaces (hot spots, data closets, computer rooms, etc) that do not meet this definition should be added back to the office space type. The energy being sub-metered from such non-data center spaces cannot be used (deducted) in Portfolio Manager.

By June 2012, the spaces meeting the definition of data center must to be sub metered in order to take credit for having a data center. The requirements for sub metering have also changed. It is no longer permissible to meter the entire disproportionate load on the data center (IT, cooling, lighting, etc). EPA now requires that only the IT load be measured and reported. This will most likely require a change to your metering configuration to accommodate this data collection.

At CTG we recently investigated the reasons for this seemingly strange requirement. We learned that the EPA has spent years collecting data on the energy consumption of data centers of various sizes and their cooling and lighting loads required to sustain the energy intense operation. As such, the EPA built the data center space type algorithm off of the IT load, such that an appropriate cooling load is allocated based on the IT consumption. In this way, the EPA is setting a baseline for the non-IT disproportionate power that adjusts based on the IT load the data center is carrying. The result is a standardized method of measuring the performance of data centers against each other, and incentivizes data centers to be run more efficiency (sizing cooling loads appropriately rather than just adding more cooling units when servers get added).

What this means for you

We've been working with our clients to determine whether metering configuration changes are required. Given that the 2-year window the EPA has allowed for metering changes is set to expire in June 2012, we are encouraging clients to make changes as soon as possible. After June 2012 you will no longer be able to use an 'estimate' function within the data center space type, and metered data will be required. If you install sub-meters by June, you'll be able to collect and report on a year's worth of accurate data.

... If you decide to wait

If you decide to wait and metered data is still unavailable as of June 2012, your data center square footage cannot be defined as "data center" and must be added back into the “office space” type. Needless to say, this will lower the building score and will not be an accurate reflection of your building performance. A little bit of work now will position you for an easy transition next June, and will help you maintain your ENERGY STAR rating.

What to do now

I recommend reviewing additional literature from the EPA that discusses these changes in greater detail – we've posted the document here.

If you have any further questions regarding these changes and how they affect your specific Portfolio Manager account, I'm happy to answer any questions you have. I can be reached in CTG's Denver office at 303-573-0070.

Thanks,

-Jenna

Contact: ctg@ctgenergetics.com

Pre-Greenbuild 2010 Blog By Malcolm Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:35:00 +0000

Malcolm Lewis is Chairman and CEO of CTG Energetics.

As everyone travels to Chicago for the annual Greenbuild Conference, one’s thoughts turn to what we might expect at this year’s conference: What will the mood be? What new trends and technologies will be revealed? My predictions are described below:

The mood will be very upbeat, and there will be more attendees at this year’s Greenbuild than at any prior one.

Green building is the major growth element in the real estate industry in 2010.

The demand for booth space for the GreenBuild Expo has far out-stripped supply.

The participants will report that their business is turning up faster than the general economy.

International uptake of LEED continues to expand, making it the dominant global green brand.

The proportion of total LEED registrations from outside the US has skyrocketed this year.

A new LEED International Roundtable is being convened in Chicago with representatives from 18 countries to discuss how to make LEED more appropriate and adaptable worldwide.

Increased adoption of sustainability as a major corporate driver.

Many corporations now have CSO’s (Chief Sustainability Officers) and are integrating sustainability into every aspect of their business model.

Evidence that LEED Certification is a value-added driver for commercial real estate.

Developers and brokers are seeing green projects sell or lease more quickly.

There is increased consumer awareness and expressed market demand for green building.

Emergence of LEED-EB O&M as a major force in the real estate market.

The proportion of LEED certifications for Existing Buildings is growing rapidly.

The “Volume” path of certification for LEED-EB O&M is taking off for portfolio clients.

Development of numerous web-based tools for applying sustainability.

The new Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) tool developed by USGBC will be introduced.

The new Sustainable Workplace tool developed for US General Services Administration by CTG and Noblis will be introduced.

Legitimization of GHG Emissions as a critical driver for public policy and private action.

Work continues to move towards defining “regenerative buildings” ... buildings that actually improve the environment, rather than just being “less bad”.

So those are my quick predictions. We will report to you what our perspective is at the end of the conference. CTG will be set up at booth 1635 in hall F2 - please drop by and see us!!

Contact: ctg@ctgenergetics.com

Why CA Prop 23 is wrong By Malcolm Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:23:00 +0000

Malcolm Lewis is Chairman and CEO of CTG Energetics.

Somebody asked me recently what I thought of California’s Proposition 23 – a ballot proposition that will be on the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot that will suspend AB 32 – the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act passed in 2006. This is an incredibly important issue, and I thought it worthwhile to share my thoughts with you.

In sort, I think it’s a really bad proposition that should definitely be a NO vote.

Why do I say that?

It is sponsored primarily by two oil companies, in a cynical attempt to avoid reducing their own pollution.

There is some evidence that the net economic impact of AB32 will be positive, not negative as Prop 23 assumes.

We need to be on a technical path to reduce emissions of CO2 and other GHGs, and without AB32 this won’t happen.

There are actually many new venture start-ups that are focusing on CO2 reduction technologies, but these will likely wither if AB32 is put on hold, since AB32 is creating the demand for CO2 reduction. One of those ventures that is really cool, as an example, takes the CO2 from the stack of a power plant, runs it through seawater, and produces cement by reacting the CO2 and the seawater! Since cement is one of the most ubiquitous building materials, and also one of the highest in CO2 generation in its manufacture, it’s a win-win.

Another venture produces cement from the Magnesium Oxide (MgO) that is a byproduct from pumping oil wells. MgO is a major chemical component of the brine that comes up with oil and the brine has to be separated and (currently) disposed of as a major pollution problem. By making cement, it eliminates both this pollution problem from the brine AND the pollution from CO2 emissions of manufacturing cement the old fashioned way, which is so energy (and CO2) intensive. Again, without the forcing function of an AB32 to put limits on CO2 emissions, it’s not clear if this would see the light of day any time soon.

Prop 23 is indexed to the unemployment rate, on the unproven premise that AB32 will somehow increase unemployment. Given the kinds of ventures described above, it seems likely to me that AB32 could be the catalyst for creating new industries in California that would be based upon a "clean technology" model rather than a "pollute and let someone else deal with it" model. It's arguable that the 5.5% unemployment rate that is the trigger in Prop 23 hasn't been seen in over 20 years, so this effectively kills AB32 rather than merely delaying it.

As an example of the kinds of positive impacts that AB32 is likely to have on fostering innovation and reducing negative impacts, it is instructive to look at the history of the Building Energy Efficiency Regulations that California has enacted over the past 32 years. Starting in 1978, the Title 24 Energy Efficiency Regulations have consistently raised the bar on requirements for allowable energy usage in buildings, and the result has been that CA is the only state in the US that has maintained its per capita energy usage at a flat number over the past 30 years, rather than continuous increases. In the process, it has spawned R&D on countless technologies for lighting, windows, heating and cooling, and others that have literally transformed the global markets for these products. It has also saved billions of dollars in avoided energy costs for CA consumers and businesses. But none of this would have happened without the forcing function of the Warren-Alquist Act in the mid-1970's that created the legislative basis for the Title 24 standards.

So these are the arguments that can be made, whether or not one believes in "climate change." But if you do believe that climate change might be impacted by man-made actions, of which CO2 emissions are by far the largest, then it makes sense to keep moving forward on AB32 as a precautionary step. If you go further (as 95% of the scientific community does based upon work over the past 20 years by the IPCC) and conclude unequivocally that there is a link between CO2 and climate change, then it would be foolhardy to derail AB32 by passing Prop 23. We are already way behind the curve in terms of taking actions that could bring the CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere back to the climatically sustainable value of 350 ppm, and without AB32 as a starting point, we will likely be unable to ever achieve that.

To me, this comes down in many ways to the famous argument to the atheist about the rational strategy for believing in God: if there is a God and you didn’t believe, you are doomed to eternal damnation; if there isn’t a God and you did believe, you probably led a better life than you otherwise would have. Substitute "climate change" for "God" in the above sentence and you get the point.

On a related theological perspective, it seems clear to me that mankind is violently disobeying the biblical mandate to be good stewards of God's creation.

Contact: ctg@ctgenergetics.com

Sustainability & Healthcare

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

In recent months, CTG has noticed steadily rising growth in the demand for sustainability services in the Healthcare sector, and in response the firm is adding capacity to support new projects. CTG has hired new staff to provide support for a growing portfolio of healthcare assignments, and we are now better positioned to provide healthcare clients with a broad range of services, including:

sustainability consulting

energy master planning

green operations and maintenance

commissioning

climate change planning

green building certification support

CTG is currently engaged in several major healthcare and research laboratory projects, and this experience has provided the firm with deep insight into the industry. We are aware that hospital and clinic owners and operators are under increasing pressure to control costs and develop competitive advantages. Many are embracing sustainability as a way to build and maintain more efficient facilities. Industry-wide efforts, such as the development of the Green Guide for Health Care and the adaptation of the LEED rating system from the US Green Building Council to include a new LEED for Healthcare system, have helped direct the focus towards green alternatives.

Many healthcare providers are pursuing sustainability programs because government requirements are growing, and pursuing sustainability is viewed as an important risk management strategy. Some are interested in the cost savings realized through increased efficiency and lower utility bills. Still others view it as a logical extension of their core missions – green buildings are inherently healthier than their counterparts, so they recognize the value of treating patients in a sustainable facility.

As part of the services expansion, we are reaching out to industry contacts, setting up strategy sessions, hosting sustainability workshops, and providing gap assessment reports to help clients determine the appropriate path to sustainability. We are also eagerly anticipating the official launch of the LEED for Healthcare Rating System, and stand ready to help clients evaluate options for sustainability and pursue certification. If you have any questions about CTG’s expansion in the Healthcare sector, please feel free to contact us at 949-790-0010.

Contact: ctg@ctgenergetics.com

Climate Change Obligations By Matt Burris

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:56:00 +0000

As the topic of climate change becomes hotter and hotter, we at CTG are increasingly working with clients to help them understand their potential obligations under state laws such as AB 32 and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to engage in activities that are becoming commonly known as Climate Action Planning. As cities and counties update their General Plans, they are required to implement a climate change program in order to demonstrate how their communities will start transitioning to a low carbon future. What we have found is that there is a growing level of uncertainty as to what might be the appropriate scope of effort to in order to develop an appropriate emissions reduction program.

We are finding that there are generally three types of climate change programs that communities, colleges, and other organizations are developing. These types of programs are largely defined by their difference in detail of the input data, the type of verification or reductions (if any), and the nature of the implementation plan.

Policy Grade:

Policy grade programs include GHG inventories that are comprised of a minimum level of detail and statistical data rather than measured data. They present a vision, high-level policies, and measures for the reduction of emissions, but likely do not have a detailed implementation plan. Their purpose is to provide enough information to begin a dialogue on reducing GHG emissions and to establish new policies for reducing GHG emissions.

Regulatory Grade:

Regulatory grade programs present moderately detailed GHG inventories, specific emissions reduction measures with quantified emissions reductions potential, a clear foundation for project evaluation and approval, and clear guidance to the private sector on requirements and expectations. Their primary purpose is to assist communities with the review of development applications.

Registry Grade:

Registry grade programs present detailed GHG inventories with quantified emissions reductions potential, an implementation framework, a process for verifying reductions in accordance with the procedures of a selected registry, and steps for reporting reductions to a registry. Their purpose is to provide a program for reporting emissions reductions to an organization such as the Climate Action Reserve.

One of the key steps a community must undertake before committing to an emissions reduction program is to determine which program approach is most appropriate. Community leaders should consider what their needs are and how their emissions reduction program will be used when it is complete. Is the program meant to be mainly inspirational and begin a community discussion on how to reduce emissions? Is the program meant to provide a framework for regulating new development? Is the program meant to measure actual fuel use and emissions for reporting to the Climate Action Reserve? Additionally, communities should consider the tiering guidance of SB 97 to ensure a seamless connection with future CEQA compliance.

Communities should also consider the resources they can commit to an emissions reduction program. Very generally speaking, the level of detail involved in developing the emissions inventory and in analyzing the emissions reduction potential of various strategies correlates to the level of effort needed to complete the program. However, this is not always the case as data availability, community involvement, and political environment can also strongly affect the program development process and require additional effort.

As more communities draft emissions reduction programs, the industry will begin to better understand the process and the merits and limitations of the various grades of emissions reduction programs. As the economy recovers and communities begin implementing their emissions reduction programs, this discipline will take a leap forward, informed with the knowledge of which data works and which emissions reductions strategies are most effective, helping to reduce the level of effort needed to prepares these programs and increasing the overall sophistication Climate Action Planning.

-Matt

Matt Burris is a Director with CTG Energetics based in CTG’s Irvine office. He manages the firm’s climate services team and is currently leading efforts to develop emissions reduction programs for communities in State of California.
ctg@ctgenergetics.com

CTG is Hiring Energy Analysts & Mechanical Engineers By Greg Shank

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:42:00 +0000

CTG Energetics, Inc. (CTG) is actively looking for talented Energy Analysts/Modelers and Mechanical Engineers to join our growing team of sustainability consulting professionals.

CTG is working on some of the most significant green building projects in the world, and is recognized worldwide as one of the leading sustainability consulting firms. Our team has consulted on over 130 LEED certified projects, including 9 Platinum and more than 50 Gold-rated projects. We have completed projects throughout the US and in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

If you are passionate about sustainability, enjoy working in a collaborative team-based environment, gravitate towards challenging projects and creative solutions, and excel communicating with clients, CTG could be an excellent fit for you.

Positions we’re hiring for currently include:

Energy Analyst/Modeler
Commissioning Project Engineer

A few benefits of working for CTG Energetics:

Work for an industry leader – CTG has been in business since 1997, and in that time we’ve developed a solid reputation as one of the leading sustainability consulting firms in the world. CTG’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Malcolm Lewis is widely recognized as one of the most experienced leaders in the green building industry, and many of our team members serve in leadership positions in many trade organizations including USGBC and ASHRAE.

Raise the bar for technical excellence – at CTG you will find yourself working on some of the most interesting and challenging projects in the built environment today. CTG has a reputation for excelling on complex projects, and we are routinely requested to partner and propose on new high performance developments.

Work-life balance – We work hard and play hard. At CTG we recognize the value of taking time to relax and recharge with friends and family, as well as supporting time off for health reasons. We offer competitive vacation and holiday packages, and encourage employees to take advantage of time off.

Competitive compensation and benefits – We are committed to providing our team with a generous employment package which includes 401(k), Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), profit sharing and bonus potential, annual physical fitness benefit, and green transportation benefit.

Share in the company’s success - CTG administers an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) which provides employees with the valuable benefit of sharing in the future growth and success of our organization.

Opportunities for advancement – We believe in fostering employee development and have a strong culture of promoting leadership within the organization. Indeed, most of CTG’s senior management team has been promoted from within.

Staff diversity – We pride ourselves on fostering a diverse workforce, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds. More than half of CTG’s staff is female, including two of five senior team leaders.

Great workplaces – CTG maintains offices in Irvine, CA, Denver, CO, Oakland, CA, and Washington, DC. Current opportunities are available in CTG’s Irvine (central Orange County) and Denver (historic lower downtown Denver) offices.

I could go on, but I’ll leave it at this: we love our jobs and feel truly rewarded for the work we do. If you feel CTG could be a good fit for your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.

To learn more about available positions, please visit the careers section of our website at http://www.ctg-net.com/aboutUs/Careers.aspx. If you are interested in a position please email your resume along with references and a cover letter to careers@ctg-net.com.

Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you!

-Greg

Greg Shank is President of CTG Energetics, Inc.

CTG is an equal employment opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, medical condition, sexual orientation, citizenship, as well as any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws. In addition, CTG participates in an Affirmative Action Program.

LEED for Existing Buildings – We ALL Win By Lisa Stanley

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:13:00 +0000

Sustainable facilities. LEED EB. LEED Certified buildings. Greening operations practices. Why? Are you chasing a plaque? Competing with your peers? Another feather in your cap? Ego of the real estate owner? It’s not all about ego – but that does play a part. The good news – we are working with a win-win-win! The building owner, property manager, leasing agents and tenants crave the status of being associated with a LEED certified building. The result is that they are making changes to their day-to-day operations.

Even if getting a plaque is somewhat about ego, competition and prestige, that’s fine – chances are you also have a genuine interest in making a difference in the world. As a matter of fact, most people do want to have a positive impact on our environment and satisfy that ego. What I find so incredibly gratifying is supporting building teams as a green building consultant in this win-win-win concept. We all win when an office building chooses to invest in running a LEED EB certified facility: the building ownership and management team wins by showing that they rank among the best of the best and they get to put a “real” feather in their cap. The building owner wins because they will attract and retain more tenants at a higher rate. This clearly supports the owner’s goal in running the building as an investment by improving its value. The tenants also win – they reap the benefits of a comfortable and healthy workplace, and can promote the fact that they lease office space in a LEED certified “green” office building. And last, but most certainly not least, the environment wins.

We must focus on making the operations of our existing buildings more efficient and less toxic, and the good news is that Class A office buildings are getting on board. One by one they are reducing the amount of gas, electricity, and water consumed on site. They are reducing the amount of waste that hits the landfill, and they are reducing the amount of toxic chemicals on-site.

Simple low cost changes made to aerators, operating schedules, set points, and calibration plans are making a difference. As building systems reach the end of their useful life, more efficient systems are selected by building operating teams. Rather than routinely using the most toxic pest control chemicals once a month (because that is the way it was always done) buildings are taking more time to inspect and prevent pests in the first place.

Green cleaning is now common practice; two years ago a vendor thought I was crazy when I told them they had to use microfiber cleaning cloths rather than paper towels. Now it is common practice to not only see microfiber – but four colors: blue for glass, green for general cleaning, red for toilets & urinals in restrooms, and yellow for general restrooms cleaning. This is just one example of sweeping changes being made to the operations and maintenance practices in office buildings.

Little by little, the bar is being raised – and all are rising to the occasion. Here is to a win, win, win – let’s get those plaques on the walls!

-Lisa

Lisa Stanley is a Director with CTG Energetics. She leads LEED-EB certification efforts for portfolio and single-building projects for CTG. She is a former property manager for Cushman & Wakefield. Lisa is based in CTG’s Denver office.

ctg@ctgenergetics.com

Lessons from the field: LEED for Existing Buildings Volume Certification By Lisa Stanley

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:33:00 +0000

As the U.S. Green Building Council prepares to officially launch their Portfolio Program, I wanted to share some thoughts from my experience helping Cushman and Wakefield achieve 18 facility certifications under the pilot of the Portfolio Program.

The goal of the program as it relates to existing buildings is to scale the implementation of sustainable operations and maintenance practices so that multiple buildings within a company’s portfolio can pursue LEED certification in a streamlined and cost-effective way, while at the same time maintaining the rigor of the LEED rating system.

Cushman and Wakefield was one of 40 companies to participate in the USGBC Pilot Program for portfolio certification. The Pilot was launched in November 2006, and C&W joined in February 2008. When the company joined, 20 properties under their management were selected – a portfolio representing multiple clients and millions of square feet of commercial real estate.

Opportunities:
The opportunities posed by volume certification are obvious:

implement green policies company-wide,

impact a broad spectrum of facilities at once,

influence market trends for commercial real estate,

provide notable recognition for companies that embrace sustainability, and

pave the way for more companies and institutions to follow.

One of the greatest benefits to companies pursuing portfolio certification is the ability to take advantage of the opportunity to adopt practices and processes that will provide continuous and persistent savings. At CTG, we always stress the fact that sustainability is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

By implementing portfolio-wide green changes, organizations can position themselves to reap all the benefits of sustainable operations and maintenance (lower operating costs, increased asset value, prolonged equipment life, improved worker productivity, etc.) while also making the process for LEED re-certification much simpler and less expensive. In fact, we’ve found that facilities that pursue an ongoing certification maintenance program can save more than 40% in certification and consulting fees compared to pursuing certification as a one-time event.

Challenges:
Despite the obvious benefits of pursuing portfolio LEED certification, there are numerous obstacles to overcome. As a former portfolio manager for Cushman and Wakefield, I’m very familiar with some of the biggest challenges:

How do you facilitate standardized data capture across a nationwide (or worldwide) portfolio of buildings?

What is the best way to account for regional differences in operations and maintenance procedures (such as landscaping and waste management)

How can local incentives (such as tax breaks and utility rebates) effectively be applied to select buildings within a portfolio?

What we learned:
We knew that in order to enable a successful large-scale LEED EB O&M program we would have to develop a variety of tools, resources, and training programs to assist C&W. Indeed, one of the points of participating in the Pilot program is to identify and solve challenges posed by applying a rating system which has traditionally been based on single-building implementation to a nationwide, multiple-building certification effort.

One of the cornerstones of successfully rolling out volume LEED certification is a robust comprehensive training program. Because multiple buildings adopt changes all at the same time each and every team member at the building level must be trained to understand and implement the portion of the sustainable program that they are responsible for maintaining.
Each policy, procedure, and tracking tool – at a minimum – must be rolled out and integrated into the building operating team’s day-to-day structure.

In addition to providing staff training, CTG delivered the following tools:

Microsoft Excel-based applications for building-level credit compliance

Documentation tracking tools

Summary reporting for performance metrics

Customized procedures manual

Portfolio-level submittal package (including a portfolio report card, and summaries of portfolio performance by credit)

Results
Earlier this month, we received word from the USGBC that 18 C&W properties received final certification, including 4 Platinum and 7 Gold rated facilities. This accomplishment is the first of its kind for the Portfolio Program under the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system.

Looking forward
Based on our experience, the Portfolio Program was an extremely positive experience which represents a huge step forward in the practice of greening existing buildings. As the Portfolio Program opens to the public in an official launch this year we expect to see more companies with a portfolio of buildings begin to pursue volume certification strategies as opposed to limited one-off pursuits.

For any company considering portfolio certification, there are a few questions you should start off asking. Who from your staff is dedicated to supporting the program and how much time do they have to do so? How much money are you willing to invest in the tools and training programs required for your building teams?

We are excited about the official launch of this program, and interested to see how it is adopted by the market. If the early data is an indicator, we can expect to see more firms – particularly companies with large portfolios of Class A office space – pursuing volume certification and portfolio-wide sustainability programs.

-Lisa

Lisa Stanley is a Director with CTG Energetics based in CTG’s Denver office. She is a former Portfolio Manager with Cushman & Wakefield.
ctg@ctgenergetics.com

Thoughts on the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit By Malcolm Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:14:00 +0000

Well, here we are. The successor to Kyoto has finally arrived, and yet it’s a murky outlook. What will happen? Will mankind pull together to act for the well-being of the planet and all species, or are we doomed by self-interest and the "tragedy of the commons" to argue and temporize instead?

Of course, only time will tell, but there are some hopeful signs. Both the US and China have committed to specific reductions in GHG emissions, though not to the levels needed to achieve equilibrium. Both Barack Obama and Hu Jintao are scheduled to speak in Copenhagen, and one can only hope and pray that statesmanship will be more appealing than chest-thumping. It is possible that some progress will be made in setting global targets for national emissions reductions. And this would be far more progress than was achieved in Kyoto in 1997.

As we await the outcome of the Copenhagen discussions and negotiations, there is another story that needs to be told ... one that has been unfolding for the past few years and is accelerating. This is the story of the parallel efforts to reduce GHG emissions through enlightened actions of both private (non-governmental) and public (governmental) sectors to reduce GHG emissions through policy and actions that don’t require federal law or international agreement.

There is a widespread agreement among scientists and observers around the world that we need to reduce GHG emissions to the point where we can maintain a maximum of 350 ppm CO2 in the atmosphere. This has informed countless public and private programs to drive down GHG emissions from every possible source: power plants, buildings, transportation, and industry. These programs range from the State of California’s AB-32 Global Warming Solutions Act to the global network of activists at http://www.350.org/ to commitments by major corporations to reduce their carbon footprints.

The portion of this activity in which CTG is most active is the built environment (buildings, communities, and related infrastructure). We have been working for years in the area of carbon emissions reductions, pioneering techniques that can make this achievable both technically and economically. A summary of some of these activities includes:

CTG developed its Climate Ready™ services to aid property owners and managers to assess and manage the implications of climate change on real estate portfolios.
CTG developed one of the modeling approaches for assessing carbon mitigation strategies that was recommended by the State of California Attorney General's office for real estate project entitlements.
CTG is currently leading a statewide team under the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program to develop protocols for prediction and measurement of GHG emissions from buildings and land use, which it is anticipated will be the basis for the state's implementation of AB-32.
CTG performed the analysis underlying the inclusion in LEED of carbon weighting for LEED 2009, and is currently doing the same for LEED 2012.
CTG has provided support to many of its real estate clients in assessing the “carbon footprint” of their portfolios and determining economically viable ways to reduce those footprints.

The point of summarizing these activities is to make clear that the world doesn’t need to sit on its hands pending agreements reached in Copenhagen. There are many tangible and practical steps that can be taken (and are being taken) by individuals and organizations to reduce GHG emissions now. If you’d like more insight as to how, contact John Irvine at jji@ctg-net.com / 949-428-6267.

In our next post we’d like to offer ideas about what more can be done to reduce the impacts the built environment has on climate change.

-Malcolm

Malcolm Lewis is President of CTG Energetics

Greenbuild 2009 – Wow! By Malcolm Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:25:00 +0000

28,000 people traveled to Phoenix to attend Greenbuild in the midst of a major economic downturn! What is going on?

Well, the messages seemed clear:

Even though the overall market is down, there is a lot of activity and growth in the "green space".

As the markets come back, green will be much more prevalent in regulations, projects, and market demand.

What started as a focus of USGBC on making individual buildings "green" has now morphed to include:
- community scale development and re-development
- widespread public policy (at local, state, and national levels – around the world)
- climate change reductions (both mitigation and adaptation)
- green products and green supply chains
- transportation modes and policies
- green best practices for corporate sustainability.

» In other words, green is spreading out to encompass the entire real estate economy (and beyond).

Even as innovations continue, the green industry has become "mainstream" ... no longer the purview of early adopters and environmental organizations, but widely embraced across many industries and sectors as the new approach to business.
- In prior years, we have noted that it was clear that green building was not a fad but a major trend, and this was strongly reinforced this year, both in the hundreds of educational presentations and in the 1,800 exhibitor booths in the Exposition.
- There were countless presentations describing actual projects and policies that have been implemented, in the US and internationally.

The USGBC has seen its LEED Green Building Rating System become the de facto international standard for certifying green buildings, and the growth in the quantity of buildings and square footage enrolled in the LEED program is staggering. This is creating enormous opportunities for LEED, including:
- Much of the success and growth described above can be attributed to the successful uptake of LEED by the real estate industry. This has created extraordinary "brand power" of LEED that is truly transforming the practice of design, construction and operations of real estate.
- The need to document the benefits and savings of operating LEED-certified buildings.
  - This is being addressed through LEED’s new requirement that all LEED 2009 projects report their monthly energy and water usage to USGBC once operations begin.
  - The new USGBC Building Performance Initiative, which was announced at Greenbuild, will take this benchmarking effort mainstream.
- LEED-EB registrations this year now exceed LEED-NC registrations.

If you were at Greenbuild this year, what themes or trends did you notice? I welcome your comments and feedback, and am eager to learn what others took away from the conference.

-Malcolm

Malcolm Lewis is President of CTG Energetics

Energy Reporting Requirement Raises the Bar for LEED Green Buildings by Greg Shank

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:19:00 +0000

The new energy performance reporting requirements for LEED green buildings set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council has sparked a variety of reactions: joy, fear, misinformation etc. It seems like a good time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the new regulations and their importance to designing, constructing and operating more energy efficient buildings:

Q: Will my LEED building be decertified if it is an energy hog?
A: LEED buildings can be decertified for not reporting performance—not for poor performance. Being targeted as an energy hog is the most frequently repeated misunderstanding. The aim of the new rules is to evaluate buildings and learn from them. For example, what factors contribute to wasteful energy use that are not currently captured by LEED requirements? The aim is to improve performance by improving the USGBC LEED Rating System.

Q: Why is this data so important?
A: Collecting data is just the start. What counts is what you do with the data. Despite the tendency to immediately label a building as a high-performer or a hog, the greatest value is derived from reviewing daily, monthly, and annual trends to reveal performance slippage or anomalies. Some typical ways to benefit from the information:

Pinpoint when filters need changing or controls need calibrating

Discover HVAC equipment or lighting that is unnecessarily running 24/7

Use building performance data from the months immediately following Commissioning to establish a baseline/benchmark

Educate building occupants on the impacts of their behaviors

Q: How can my building perform poorly if it's achieved the LEED energy credits?
A: LEED-NC EA credit 1 requirements are based on a set of strict operating assumptions and rules to ensure apples-to-apples comparison of buildings across the country and throughout the world. The resultant energy model is effective at determining, on a percentage basis, the efficiency of your building's design compared to a minimally code-compliant building of the same size and shape. These models help designers compare, for example, the relative benefits of different glazing options versus lighting options, but they are not intended as predictors of actual energy use under real-world conditions.

Q: What about the Energy Star score as a predictor of energy performance?
A: Energy Star is a better measure of actual use, but it too has limitations. An Energy Star score of 90 means the building scores in the 90th percentile of a national database of buildings. That database of buildings is strong in some building types and regions of the country and weak in others. Furthermore, specialty building uses can dramatically skew results. For example, buildings with data centers need to take extra steps to properly account for the higher energy use intensity of those spaces to avoid skewing the building rating. Similarly, the presence of laboratory spaces in hi-tech or classroom buildings can dramatically influence the relevance of metrics that rely on "average" consumption data.

Q: How could my building end up way over code in losses?
A: There can be a number of reasons. The analysis has to include variables like equipment, occupancy and behavior. Some examples:

Metered use in identical apartments can differ by 100%, 200% or more based on occupant behavior and computer/TV equipment

Individual floors of a building with the same organization or tenant can vary by as much as three to one.

An on-site laundry facility in a hotel or hospital can increase the total energy use by 25% or more.

Q: Isn't this energy performance requirement just another administrative boondoggle?
A: Of course only time can truly answer that question, but there are clear opportunities to make this a worthwhile program. One hope is that this information will serve as a critical resource for future technical committees as they work to continuously improve the LEED Rating Systems and strengthen the connections between credit requirements and dependable performance. A second opportunity lies simply in the coordinated creation of an intelligent data set with regional and building-type diversity. This type of information has not been readily available from utilities or government agencies. Information is power, especially in this internet age, and it is highly likely that third party consultants and organizations will be able to leverage this information in 5-10 years in powerful ways to inform the design of buildings, systems, and equipment.

-Greg
Greg Shank is the Vice President of CTG Energetics

Cutting costs in existing buildings By Jim Meacham

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:29:00 +0000

CTG is excited to be attending this year’s IFMA (International Facility Management Association) annual conference, the World Workplace 2009 Conference & Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Along with my colleague Natalie Bodenhamer, CTG will be hosting a booth in the exhibitor hall, attending some of the presentations & workshops, and hosting a book signing at our booth.

Find out how industry leaders are cutting costs

One of the areas of focus at this year’s conference that we’re particularly excited about is related to cost cutting in existing buildings, and that it CAN be successfully accomplished - even in today’s challenging environment. In CTG’s practice of working with clients to green their facilities, the concept we emphasize is that sustainable changes can be implemented and significant savings realized at any point in the building lifecycle.

More and more owners and facility managers are embracing this concept. For every client and every building we work with there are always opportunities at any point in a building life-cycle and at a wide budget range to achieve a substantially more sustainable facility and yield significant savings to your organization’s bottom line.

The relationship between greening a facility and the resulting cost savings is an important focus. At CTG we’ve helped scores of clients develop programs that have generated surprising ROI, and part of our goal for attending the IFMA conference this year is to share these stories of savings and get more building owners and facility managers on board with a sustainable facilities program.

Some of the key points are:

• Sustainability can play a surprisingly positive role in scaling back operating costs.
• Choosing portfolio vs. single-building approach depends on your organization’s specific goals.
• Actual results are now available in recent case studies.
• Measures can be implemented at any point in a building lifecycle, and a wide range of budgets.
• Greening a building will prolong a building’s life, increase the asset’s value, and provide for a healthier, more comfortable working environment.

If you happen to be attending this year’s conference, please stop by and visit us - we’d like to hear about the challenges you’re facing. We’re at booth 1025, near the main IFMA booth in aisle 1000.

New book on cutting costs debuts at IFMA

At IFMA an important new handbook on smart cost-cutting makes its debut. Cut It Out, an exciting new approach to overall cost management is being released on October 7 and will make its debut at the IFMA World Workplace. According to the authors, "This handbook is designed for all those who face these management challenges in buildings today, it is the GPS for driving innovative cost reductions and it template for sustainable answers demanded by today’s environmentally minded occupants."

A book signing will be held by the authors at the CTG booth (1025) on Wednesday, 10/7 at 4 pm. Come and hear firsthand how leading organizations have structured, implemented and duplicated successful cost cutting projects and programs. Download a summary for the “Cut It Out” presentation series at: http://www.ctg-net.com

We look forward to seeing you at the conference. And if you’re not at the conference, feel free to give us a call or send an email anytime.

-Jim
Jim Meacham is Director of Advanced Energy Systems at CTG Energetics

LEED in the Hospitality Industry By Ryan Gaylord

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:20:00 +0000

To some, the concept of a sustainable 17 million SF -resort development in the Las Vegas desert doesn’t make sense. Isn’t such a project inherently non-sustainable? The owners, developers, and design team for MGM MIRAGE sought to challenge this notion when they set out to build CityCenter. As designed, the vision for the project was to create the world’s largest environmentally sustainable urban community.

CTG was hired as the executive LEED consultant on the project to oversee the sustainability efforts of approximately 10 different architectural, planning, and design firms. As one of CTG’s project managers for this development, I’ve observed firsthand over the past three years the unique challenges and obstacles facing a resort of this size and scale. For example, when it came time to choose wood products for CityCenter, including cabinets, doors, countertops, casework, flooring etc., it became apparent that the global supply of wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was limited. Due to the immense size of CityCenter, multiple international vendors obtained FSC chain of custody certification in order to supply wood products to the project. Furthermore, these vendors changed their manufacturing processes to exclude resins containing urea formaldehyde, a toxic substance to humans. The list of examples for market transformation on CityCenter is endless, and the positive impact that this has made on the sustainability industry is immense.

The project will open to the public in December, 2009 – complete with hotels, residences, a casino, convention center, showroom, restaurants, and retail venues. The sustainability features of the project include cool roofs for 7 of the 8 buildings, water efficiency measures amounting to a 33% reduction in potable water use and an incredible construction waste diversion rate from the landfill of 94%. While CityCenter has not received certification yet, the project is targeting a combination of LEED-NC and LEED-CS ratings on 8 distinct projects.

LEED and Hospitality Projects

It’s certainly hard to define a one-size fits all green building rating system for all industries and building types. For example, the energy and water requirements of a hotel are dramatically different from that of a commercial office building. To this end, USGBC has continually developed their LEED Green Building Rating System to better evaluate buildings in different sectors.

In April of this year, USGBC introduced LEED v3 – the newest version of their rating system. The new system allows for more consistency between different rating systems, and credit interpretations are more likely to be considered project-specific (rather than the traditional model of precedent-setting). The new system also includes new credit weightings based on environmental impact, and regional credits, which can be achieved by addressing environmental issues specific to a project’s location.

On the 27th of August I’ll be visiting the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, CA to speak at the 1st Annual Green Hospitality Conference, an event sponsored by the Orange County Chapter of the US Green Building Council. The event will focus on issues specific to the hospitality industry and how hotels and resorts can cost effectively implement sustainability, and my presentation will focus on the newest version of the LEED Rating System, LEED 2009. Feel free to join if you can: http://www.usgbc-oc.org

There is a lot more to share on this topic, and more interesting stories from CityCenter, but for now I’ll keep it brief and hope you can join us at the Montage on 8/27!

-Ryan
Ryan Gaylord is a Green Building Consultant at CTG Energetics

Greening Future Generations By Karen Blust

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:38:00 +0000

What do you get when you combine broken toilets, used tires, old train tracks, and pieces of bamboo with 250 elementary school kids? Lots of questions, that's what!

For the second year in a row, I made a trip to a local elementary school to give a presentation to kids about green building and recycled products. Interest from teachers was particularly strong this year, so what started out as a small presentation with a couple classes was moved to the cafeteria and before I knew it there were nine 4th and 5th classes in front of me!

Hands-on, interactive presentations are always the best to keep everyone interested and demonstrate what's being said. After running through a slideshow about what green building is, we broke the kids into groups and showed them examples of different recycled and renewable products – counter tops made from old toilets and sinks; insulation made from cotton; carpets made from corn; and floor tiles made from cork.

It can be difficult to explain what a green building is, how it is better for the environment, and how recycled products can be incorporated. The hands-on portion was great, because it had the kids guessing and asking questions. The most pointed question of the day came from a 4th grade student: "What materials in my classroom are green?" Looking around, I noticed particleboard desks and vinyl flooring ... not many green products. I found a thin strip of cork above the whiteboard and pointed it out. The students seemed unimpressed. Why weren't their desks made of sunflowers and their floors made of toilets? That's a good question.

At the end, we left each of the kids with reusable shopping bags. The kids were tasked by their teachers to write letters to their parents about what they learned and how they were going to be friendlier to the planet. Now if only their schools could have desks made of recycled content, corn carpets, and bamboo floors ...

-Karen
Karen Blust is a Green Building Consultant at CTG Energetics

Carbon Mapping – Online Calculators By Noah Goldstein

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:55:00 +0000

Online calculators: Dipping our toes in the stream:

In the past few months, we have seen an explosion of online web calculators that model a plethora of sustainability-related issues, from carbon to water and beyond. The calculators typically enable users to enter data, and out pops some sort of metric, or number of the impact of their actions, lifestyle, or event. This post is the beginning of a series of posts referring and reviewing web calculators. Given the wide variety of topics and depth of these calculators, we will do our best to highlight the good, the bad, and the backbone of these web-tools. We would love to have your feedback, and of course any additional links that are relevant to the calculator. Happy Calculating!

For our first post on this thread, we are looking at the Community Footprint Tool, an online carbon mapping tool from JustEnvirons, a consulting firm run by C. Scott Smith. This tool allows people to enter a place in California (address, city, zip code, etc.) and examine the corresponding zip code’s carbon footprint in a variety of dimensions. For example, if I look up the new CTG office’s zip code (94612) in Oakland, I get this little map of downtown Oakland with the area code highlighted:

You also can use the “map indicator” pull-down menu to compare how each California zip code fares among 7 dimensions to the California Average. For example, if I pull down “Household electricity usage”, I get the following map, with big orange “+” signs for where electrify usage is above average, and big blue “-“ symbols where it is below the state average:

I also get an interesting table that enumerates the “map indicators” down to metric tons of CO2 equivalents (mTCO2e).

Why is this so interesting? For a number of reasons … first, it is a great introduction to per capita carbon footprints, and brings it down to a local level. People can connect to their zip code (not in a fuzzy way, the same way they connect to Pandas (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charismatic_megafauna), but we write it all the time (or at least we enter our zip code into a web page frequently). Second, this breakdown can show people what really goes on in their city. I had no idea that Oakland (or at least 94612) had so much carbon associated with manufacturing and driving – I assumed I lived in a more commercial, transit oriented city, with the double fists of ACTransit and BART crisscrossing the city. Lastly, and most importantly, these data illustrate how people can cut down on their Carbon footprint. Manufacturing notwithstanding, reducing driving and electricity conservation matter, and are tangible components of reducing one’s footprint.

How did JustEnvirons do this? They took advantage of the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the rich data sets available by the California Energy Commission. The upshot is that this kind of easy interface can be generated easily for California, which is not only the fourth most energy efficient state but one of the most populous. Most of these numbers can be generated for all of the US, with the exception of the Manufacturing, Commercial goods, and Agricultural data. Many, but not all, states record these data. It would be great if these results could be compiled for cities, which they could; it is just a matter of time and effort. Also it would be great to compare two places side-by-side, adding on to other resources for relocating and quality of life (see http://www.bestplaces.net/city/). If you had the choice to live in a below-average carbon zip code, would you?

-Noah

Noah Goldstein is CTG’s Director of Spatial Analysis and Director of CTG’s new Oakland office

Follow-Up Thoughts on GreenBuild 2008 By Malcolm Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:47:00 +0000

There was a special celebration this past week in Boston as 30,000 people came together from around the world to attend GreenBuild 2008. The celebration was the 15th anniversary of the founding of the US Green Building Council, but it was so much more. It recognized that the “market transformation” envisioned by the USGBC through its LEED Green Building Rating System is well on its way. It expressed the global spirit of relief and excitement that the politics of fear and negativity and nihilism that have governed our environmental policies for many years are starting to give way to hope and optimism and renewal. It marked the transition from creating the first steps of a more sustainable future to gathering momentum towards broader implementation. It was a clear sign of the transition of sustainability and green building from an avant garde fringe movement to the center of the action in the real estate industry.

Some of the impressions and experiences of the week:

The context of the economic meltdown especially gave us the chance to see this as a time of opportunity to do things differently.
Sustainability was shown in numerous case studies and examples as an effective antidote for the failed policies of the old economy.
There were practical examples of the “triple bottom line” that combines economics, environment, and the human spirit in successful sustainable projects.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu talking about “you Americans are a crazy (in the positive sense) and wonderful people [for taking the bold step of electing Obama]” and about the necessity of man’s stewardship of God’s creation.
Major building product manufacturers declaring GreenBuild as the show they plan to exhibit at in hard times.
Systems thinking making clear that transportation and buildings are inextricably linked and must be thought about together rather than separately.
Green chemistry and biomimicry demonstrated as the basis for whole new classes of materials that are environmentally preferable and economically preferable.
That LEED is just one step forward in the huge challenge we need to meet for reducing our carbon footprint and bringing our settlements into harmony with nature.
At the very moment that the auto industry is on its knees, people gathered to re-vision human settlements that are walkable and appropriately located and powered renewably.
Major real estate portfolio managers describing new approaches to “greening” their entire portfolios.
Examples of using the carbon offset needs of a global manufacturer to improve the energy and economic performance of low-income housing in New Orleans and elsewhere.
Discussions of how to share case studies of entire “carbon positive communities”, as the way forward globally for meeting the demand for human development that is also sustainable.
Examples of regenerative development that restores habitats to natural conditions last seen hundreds of years ago, while also supporting human settlements and economic industry.

You could almost hear the sounds and feel the seismic shocks of change, as the old ways of the real estate industry are being discarded and replaced with new paradigms – still meeting all the conventional metrics of economic cost and value, yet doing so in ways that improve the environment and uplift the human spirit. [No, this transformation isn’t done, in fact it is only just beginning and there will be many hard fights ahead…but it is clearly and indisputably happening in very tangible ways and in measurable scales.]

So that’s the short version of GreenBuild 2008. It was a profound experience, because of the times we are in (of economic turmoil and political change) and because of the huge cumulative transformation that is taking place in the real estate and building world. It portends great things for the future, and I came away being very inspired, excited, and confident that CTG is doing the right things at the right time.

-Malcolm

Malcolm Lewis is the President of CTG Energetics

Is Green Building a Movement or a New Core Discipline? By Greg Shank

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:58:00 +0000

There have been many moments of visioning, inspiration, and goal-setting during this year's GreenBuild Conference. Behind those public announcements, however, is a fascinating dialogue that is examining the future of green building standards and advocacy. I've spoken with many people this week who feel strongly that green building will eventually become the norm, and we won't need to label it green any longer. There are also many who feel there will always be a need to push the global construction industry towards higher levels of achievement related to environmental impact, health, and social equity.

I find myself solidly in the latter group, arguing that new disciplines are emerging within the global industries that plan, permit, design, construct, operate, and renew our built environment. What are these new disciplines? I certainly don't have all the answers, but here are some possibilities:

1. Visualization and Spatial Modeling – a new crew of professionals is emerging that blends knowledge of architectural design with basic engineering and energy to provide project teams with an integrated picture of the context and performance of the project throughout its lifecycle.

2. Construction Integrators – I would argue that construction management, as a trade, needs to be replaced with construction integration. The old model of employing team members to watch over the handoff of information from architect to contractor does not meet the needs of high performance building projects. The future lies in professionals that can coach the teams all the way through and connect designers and builders at critical intervals.

These ideas just scratch the surface of how green building professionals might evolve into core pieces of every project in the future. Stay tuned for more ideas or share your own!

-Greg

Greg Shank is the Vice President of CTG Energetics

Progressive Products, Policies Championed as Greenbuild 2008 Opens By John Irvine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:29:00 +0000

Greenbuild 2008 opened Tuesday evening in pointed contrast to the financial doom and gloom clogging the media. Close to 30,000 attendees are expected, up from last year’s 22,800. An additional 15,000 participants worldwide will watch via web hook-up. This largest-ever Expo of firms showing green building related wares and skills sends a clear message: tough financial times haven’t deterred the producers of green products and services. Design firms, contractors and consultants are here en masse, alongside exhibitors offering everything from waterless urinals and high efficiency HVAC systems to LED lighting and pervious paving. More than 1,600 firms are exhibiting—a 33% increase over the 2007 conference.

The keynote speech Wednesday morning by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu was an inspiration. Archbishop Tutu thanked the green building movement for helping save the planet, noting that “caring for our earth home is becoming part of the texture of our morality. Not caring is like not caring about egregious human rights violations.” The 1984 Nobel Laureate lavished praise on the green building movement: “You are the cat’s whiskers ... wonderful, fantastic people.” He lauded the US more broadly for electing Barack Obama to the presidency -“He’s an incredible guy” and adding (with feigned jealousy), “He’s not only young but handsome!” In his closing remarks, Archbishop Tutu left the audience with a simple yet profound request: “Please help make this a more caring world.”

Earlier in the morning, Founding Chair and CEO Rick Fedrizzi marked USGBC’s 15th anniversary proceedings with a call for the green building industry to create 2.5 million jobs in five years. These workers would form “the backbone of the new economy” by performing energy audits, weatherizing homes and optimizing the performance of building systems. Rick said this endeavor to bring about cleaner air, lower carbon emissions and a higher quality of life was our “moonshot challenge.” He predicted schools, homes and office buildings would become “mini-utilities” by generating more energy than they consumed. The result would be large, green livable cities - which is where half the Earth’s population resides. Rick’s conclusion: “We are revolutionary green.”

-John

John Irvine is CTG’s Director of Client Services.

Greenbuild 2008 Kicks Off! By John Irvine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:19:00 +0000

With the opening of the expo yesterday at 5:30, this year’s Greenbuild conference is off to a great start!

If you’re attending the conference, please drop by our booth - #1340.

Please feel free to attend sessions presented by CTG directors Chris Pyke and Gail Stranske.

Wednesday, 11/19 12:00-1:00 PM EST – Specialty Update, Room 157B - Engaged Offsets: Environmental Action Meets Social Justice – CTG Director of Energy Services Gail Stranske will address LEED requirements for the Energy & Atmosphere section with respect to buildings that are connected to district networks for heating or cooling. Her session will review new USGBC guidelines and provide professional advice on implementation.

Wednesday, 11/19 4:00-5:30 PM EST – Session GR04, Room 210AB - Engaged Offsets: Environmental Action Meets Social Justice – CTG Director of Climate Change Services Chris Pyke will discuss the emerging concept of “Engaged Offsets,” an alternative to traditional carbon offset programs.

John

John Irvine is CTG’s Director of Client Services

Don’t just offset. Engage with offsets. By Chris Pyke

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:35:00 +0000

We’re starting to understand the rules of the road for our transformation to a low carbon future: First, reduce energy demand. Next, use energy efficiently. Seek our clean energy supplies. However, we’re also learning that these steps often leave us short of carbon neutrality. To achieve carbon neutral operations, it is often necessary, at least in the short term, to seek offsite emissions reduction, also known as carbon offsets.

Offsets can be valuable and economically important tools for achieving real emissions reductions. They help address the reality that the costs of squeezing that last 10% of carbon out of a project are often much greater than the costs of eliminating the first 10%. This means that we can stretch our emissions reduction dollars by attacking the “first 10%” from many projects. This kind of thinking leads economists to call offsets “efficient” and, in theory, allows us to reduce the cost of achieving emissions reductions.

However, this kind of thinking also turns emissions reductions into a commodity. Carbon as corn, soy beans, or pork bellies. However, a ton of carbon is not always just a ton. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions often come attached to important co-benefits. For example, they can reduce monthly energy bills for low-income households, reduce traditional criteria air pollutants, and support broader environmental and restoration protection efforts, such as lake acidification.

Used strategically, offsets can be used to reduce emissions and achieve important social and economic objectives, such as increasing housing affordability or improving schools. This is basis for an important new sustainability strategy: engaged offsets. With engaged offsets, emissions reductions are targeted at projects or populations with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases and serving a larger purpose.

CTG recently completed a demonstration project in the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans. CTG designed and implemented an engaged offset program that targeted a low-income community recovering from Hurricane Katrina. CTG worked with Toyota Motor Sales, USA to characterize the carbon footprint of its tradeshow operations. CTG then arranged for a donation from the company to a small non-profit organization called Hope Has a Face. This donation provided funds for solar hot water heaters to be purchased and installed in renovated housing units and a community center. Over the life of the units, the project will offset over 1,200 metric tons of carbon emissions and save residents thousands of dollars in energy bills. This win-win situation reduces impacts on the planet and helps a community that really needs it. The engaged offsets model can be applied anywhere to link entities that desire emissions reductions with those that would benefit from measures to create them.

Learn more at Greenbuild. Listen and join the discussion on Wednesday afternoon (11/19) at session GR04 Engaged Offsets: Environmental Action Meets Social Justice. Or, contact Chris Pyke for more information cpyke@ctgenergetics.com.

Chris

Dr. Chris Pyke is CTG Energetics' Director of Climate Change Services

Welcome to our new blog! By Malcolm Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:30:00 +0000

Greetings from CTG! Thank you for visiting our new blog – we’re very excited to launch this new tool to communicate with you.

One of the challenges of the green building industry is keeping up with all the changes that affect us. From technological advances to new legislation and regulations, the pace and volume of information is intense. CTG strives to share with current and future clients our knowledge and perspectives about what is changing, how it affects strategy, and what opportunities are created. This blog is designed to address these challenges.

The 2008 Greenbuild conference in Boston next week is an excellent example. Between the workshops, speakers, educational sessions and expo it would be impossible for just a couple of people to capture all this information. CTG is sending 24 people to the conference this year so we can cover and collaborate on all topics. Our team will be using this blog to share information on topics ranging from the new LEED 2009 rating systems to sustainable communities to carbon offsetting and more.

Specifically, CTG’s Director of Climate Change Services, Dr. Chris Pyke, is contributing as a panelist this year in a session entitled “Engaged Offsets: Environmental Action Meets Social Justice.” Chris will be discussing how the relatively new concept of “engaged offsets” – an alternative to traditional carbon offset programs - was recently implemented in a program in New Orleans. He'll share how the program resulted in a significant reduction of GHG emissions while providing an incredible amount of social benefits. As a follow up to this session, Chris will share his thoughts on this blog.

Whether you're attending the Greenbuild conference or not, I encourage readers visit this blog often and subscribe to the feed. We'll be covering a wide range of topics from the conference, but in the coming weeks and months content will encompass many different areas. I look forward to future topics such as how the economy factors into a strategy for sustainability, and what effects the new Federal administration and regulations will have on our clients and our industry. I invite you to share any thoughts, questions, or opinions you have by replying to this blog.

More to come – thanks for reading!

Malcolm

Malcolm Lewis is the President of CTG Energetics