From Energy Efficiency to Sustainable Communities: Challenges and Achievements of a Program to Promote Building Design and Construction Based on Sustainability

Allen Lee and Richard Ogle, Quantec LLC
Alex Kim, San Diego Gas and Electric Company

Keywords

Abstract

Recognition that benefits of energy-efficient buildings extend beyond direct energy cost savings has grown in recent years; e.g., energy efficiency provides environmental benefits and can improve interior space livability. These benefits are recognized by the growing green building and sustainable development movements, which look more broadly at resource efficiency and environmental impacts of buildings and communities. However, transitioning from programs with a narrow focus on energy efficiency and its direct economic benefits to ones that address general resource efficiency, broader costs and benefits, and communities is challenging. This paper examines one of the first utility programs that has started to make this transition: San Diego Gas & Electric’s 2004-‘06 Sustainable Communities Program (SCP).

The SCP combines elements of two successful California new construction programs—Savings by Design and Energy Star. SCP’s goal was to produce sustainable energy savings by creating a network of energy-efficient demonstration projects incorporating clean on-site generation, water conservation, transportation efficiencies, and waste reduction strategies. Its longer-term goal was to help “mainstream” new technologies and sustainable design practices and pave the way for future code upgrades and implementation of a statewide SCP. SCP projects were required to be at least 30% more efficient than California’s 2001 Title 24 required, strongly encouraged to pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, and willing to consider installing renewable energy systems.

This paper reports on the intent of the two-year program, its leveraging of energy efficiency as a foundation for sustainable building design, program challenges, accomplishments, and lessons learned.