From Building Decarbonization to Campus Decarbonization: Lessons, Pitfalls, Results
To meet their Climate Action Goals, campuses are moving beyond individual net-zero buildings to portfolio decarbonization. An owner–architect–engineer panel shares planning-stage lessons and pitfalls: integrating decarbonization goals throughout the planning and capital budget process, integrating carbon-neutral systems in all new work, electrification as the prerequisite to decarbonization, and coordinating early with the utility to expand capacity. We will explore cost-effective sequencing that pairs load reduction with disconnecting selected buildings from steam, incorporating heat recovery and limited-space solutions. We will also address capital scale, end-of-life-driven phasing, and near-term actions, including all-electric guidelines and utility negotiations.
Session Chairs
Session Speakers
Apply strategies for integrating decarbonization and utility modernization into overall campus planning and strategic planning.
Identify common triggers that drive campus decarbonization sequencing (end of life, renovation, precinct dependency, demolition) and explain how they affect timing.
Identify the conditions under which buildings should be converted off steam versus connected to precinct or central plants, and describe the anticipated effects on peak demand and electrical capacity.
Prioritize near-term actions for capital projects by outlining a basic plan for utility coordination, incentive use, and all-electric design requirements.
This session is pre-approved for 1.5 credit hours toward AIA (LU|HSW), LEED (BD+C, ID+C, O+M), MA CSL, and NARI certification. Those who attend a full day of the conference are additionally eligible for credit toward Phius and RESNET certification.