Business Operations and Collaboration

KEYNOTE — Billions for Buildings: Transformational Federal Funding for Sustainable Projects

We have arrived at a pivotal moment as an industry—a moment when we have both tremendous willpower and resources to decarbonize and move toward a green economy. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act brought with it enormous potential, and we are now seeing that potential catalyzed into tangible and accessible financial products to support the clean energy transition.

Meeting a Building Where It's At: A Guide to Staged Electrification

In this session, we will discuss the capital plan and design of central plant upgrades at a 443,000 sqft multifamily building with over 500 apartments. The design includes chiller electrification, mechanical design to operate the chillers in heat pump mode for heating, water source heat pumps (WSHPs) that utilize condenser water from the chillers during the summer months, and a building management system (BMS) that integrates a sequence of operation (SOO) to engage gas-fired equipment only during peak periods.

Beyond Passive House: Emerging Research from NYSERDA BoE Early Phase Funding

NYSERDA's Early Design Support Buildings of Excellence partners will showcase three affordable Passive House multi-family projects, each featuring a variety of electrification and decarbonization strategies. Magnusson Architecture and Planning, Curtis+Ginsberg Architects, and Paul Castrucci Architects will present their ongoing research on electrification strategies, integrating renewable energy, the value add of ERVs, embodied carbon strategies, and calculations to meet zero carbon such as ILFI's Zero Carbon framework.

GGRF: Utilizing New Funds to Catalyze Investments in Multifamily Decarbonization

Together, Climate United and Power Forward were awarded nearly $9 billion through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund. This session will dive into two of the awarded coalitions to explore how use of these federal dollars can transform capital markets and create meaningful change in the multifamily sector.

Decarbonizing NYC Offices: Opportunities & Strategies for Success

Commercial tenant spaces are a critical component to compliance with Local Law 97. Join an insightful discussion between building owners, tenants, and legal representatives about driving decarbonization in leased office spaces by changing business-as-usual to prioritize energy savings and emissions reductions at key stages of the leasing cycle. These new practices endeavor to create more sustainable, efficient, and healthy workplaces that meet local and state regulations. The principles and strategies shared from these office examples can apply to other tenant types in mixed-use buildings.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings: How Smart Buildings are Decarbonizing NYC

While demand response has been around for decades, allowing utility companies to mitigate peak demand and generate revenue for buildings, we are seeing more opportunities for interactive demand management, resident participation, and electrification-enabling technologies. Battery storage, EV charging, and smart, connected devices are becoming more affordable thanks to growing technology options, consumer demand, incentives, and tax credits, presenting new opportunities for building owners and residents to participate in grid services and reduce loads, saving money and carbon.

NYCHA RAD-PACT: Generational Opportunities for Driving Change

NYCHA's Rental Assistance Demonstration Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (RAD-PACT) program leverages public-private partnerships to transition Section 9 Public Housing to Section 8 Project-Based Voucher subsidized housing. This restructuring is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to implement deep energy and capital needs improvements, while improving the health and quality of living for residents. This session will explore the decision-making process throughout the design, development, and scoping of one of the PACT clusters consisting of 7 buildings (410 units) in the Bronx.

Decarbonization with Intention: Democratizing Data to Dismantle Barriers in Retrofits

To ensure equitable decarbonization, we must engage existing communities, accelerate pre-construction planning, and streamline financial pathways. By leveraging public data, we can democratize information and automate a scope relevant to the people that need it most to participate in a just clean energy transition.

Engaging A Multi-Generational Workforce to Decarbonize the Future

This session will explore the challenges to, opportunities for, and results from accelerating cross-generational engagement in the pursuit of decarbonization.

After identifying some major generational differences, we will explore how BR+A accommodates these differences in our work.  We will look at communication styles, in-office engagement and remote working, project management, work schedules, and benefit programs. We will also look deeply at strategies related to employee retention, task assignment, and persity and inclusion.

Further Together: Unlocking the Most Benefit by Collaborating in Decarbonization

This session will deconstruct how collaboration is a key component in helping communities decarbonize. The Crescent Farms Community Solar Project, built atop two Staten Island churches, is backed by workforce development labor and strategic financing structures. The project is exemplary in integrating financing, design, and deep stakeholder engagement to increase accessibility of clean energy, especially in disadvantaged communities.
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