Changing Face of ZNE and Responsible Grid Citizenship

The symposium on the Changing Face of ZNE and Responsible Grid Citizenship will take place on October 17th, 2018 in San Francisco, California, US in person and online. More than ten years ago the California Energy Commission (CEC) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) established aspirational goals of Zero Net Energy (ZNE) for all new residential construction by 2020 and all new nonresidential and highrise residential construction by 2030 with half of existing buildings being renovated to ZNE by 2030.

Over the past decade these goals have evolved and the steps to achieve them have been discussed, debated, and fleshed out. The definition and implementation path for ZNE, the metrics to be employed, and role of the electric grid and utility infrastructure have all evolved over time and continue to evolve. More recently, awareness has grown that ZNE is not a goal in itself, but simply a step towards deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonization of the California economy is now seen as essential to achieving the state’s 2050 greenhouse gas targets.

A group of exceptional speakers will discuss topics related to state policy as well as building design and operations essential to moving to ZNE and beyond toward an efficient, low-carbon California. Speakers include, Pierre Delforge, Charles Eley, Erik Kolderup, Hormoz Janssens, Rachel Kuykendall, Dr. Aoife Houlihan Wiberg, and Tom Williard.