Energy & atmosphere

Question 1

district energy system (DES)

Answer 1

district energy system (DES) a central energy conversion plant and transmission and distribution system that provides thermal energy to a group of buildings (e.g., a central cooling plant on a university campus). It does not include central energy systems that provide only electricity.

Question 2

revenue-grade meter

Answer 2

a measurement tool designed to meet strict accuracy standards required by code or law. Utility meters are often called revenue grade because their measurement directly results in a charge to the customer.

Question 3

upstream equipment

Answer 3

a heating or cooling system or control associated with the district energy system (DES) but not part of the thermal connection or interface with the DES. Upstream equipment includes the thermal energy conversion plant and all the transmission and distribution equipment associated with transporting the thermal energy to the project building or site.

Question 4

Enhanced Commissioning

Answer 4

INTENT
To further support the design, construction, and eventual operation of a project that meets the owner’s project requirements for energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability

This credit applies to:

New Construction (2-6 points) Core and Shell (2-6 points) Schools (2-6 points)
Retail (2-6 points)
Data Centers (2-6 points)
Warehouses and Distribution Centers (2-6 points) Hospitality (2-6 points)
Healthcare (2-6 points)

Question 5

Fundamental

Refrigerant Management

Answer 5

INTENT
To reduce stratospheric ozone depletion.

This prerequisite applies to:
New Construction Core and Shell Schools
Retail
Data Centers
Warehouses and Distribution Centers Hospitality
Healthcare

Question 6

Building-Level Energy

Metering

Answer 6

INTENT
To support energy management and identify opportunities for additional energy savings by tracking building-level energy use.

This prerequisite applies to:
New Construction 
Core and Shell 
Schools
Retail
Data Centers
Warehouses and 
Distribution Centers 
Hospitality
Healthcare

Question 7

Minimum Energy Performance

Answer 7

INTENT
To reduce the environmental and economic harms of excessive energy use by achieving a minimum level of energy efficiency for the building and its systems.

This prerequisite applies to:
New Construction 
Core and Shell Schools
Retail
Data Centers
Warehouses and 
Distribution Centers 
Hospitality
Healthcare

Question 8

Fundamental Commissioning and Verification

Answer 8

INTENT
To support the design, construction, and eventual operation of a project that meets the owner’s project requirements for energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.

This prerequisite applies to:
New Construction 
Core and Shell Schools
Retail
Data Centers
Warehouses and
Distribution Centers 
Hospitality
Healthcare

Question 9

Optimize Energy Performance

Answer 9

INTENT
To achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic harms associated with excessive energy use.

This credit applies to:
New Construction (1–18 points) 
Core and Shell (1–18 points) 
Schools (1–16 points)
Retail (1–18 points)
Data Centers (1–18 points)
Warehouses and Distribution Centers (1–18 points) Hospitality (1–18 points)
Healthcare (1–20 points)

Question 10

Demand Response

Answer 10

INTENT
To increase participation in demand response technologies and programs that make energy generation and distribution systems more efficient, increase grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This credit applies to:
New Construction (1–2 points) 
Core and Shell (1–2 points) 
Schools (1–2 points)
Retail (1–2 points)
Data Centers (1–2 points)
Warehouses and Distribution Centers (1–2 points) Hospitality (1–2 points)
Healthcare (1–2 points)

Question 11

What is the Minimum reduction in peak electricity demand?

Answer 11

Minimum reduction = 10% × Peak demand

Question 12

demand response (DR)

Answer 12

a change in electricity use by demand-side resources from their normal consumption patterns in response to changes in the price of electricity or to incentive payments designed to induce lower electricity use at times of high wholesale market prices or when system reliability is jeopardized

Question 13

demand response (DR)

Answer 13

event a specific period of time when the utility or independent service operator calls for a change in the pattern or level of use in grid-based electricity from its program participants. Also known as a curtailment event.

Question 14

load shedding

Answer 14

an intentional action by a utility to reduce the load on the system. Load shedding is usually conducted during emergency periods, such as capacity shortages, system instability, or voltage control.

Question 15

peak demand

Answer 15

the maximum electricity load at a specific point in time or over a period of time

Question 16

permanent peak load

Answer 16

shifting the transfer of energy consumption to off-peak hours, when demand for power is lower and energy is therefore less expensive

Question 17

Renewable Energy

Production

Answer 17

INTENT
To reduce the environmental and economic harms associated with fossil fuel energy by increasing self-supply of renewable energy.

This credit Applying to: 
New Construction (1–3 points) 
Core and Shell (1–3 points) 
Schools (1–3 points)
Retail (1–3 points)
Data Centers (1–3 points)
Warehouses and Distribution Centers (1–3 points) Hospitality (1–3 points)
Healthcare (1–3 points)

Question 18

What sources are allowed for ELIGIBLE RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS?

Answer 18

Allowable sources for renewable energy include the following:
· Photovoltaic
· Solar thermal
· Wind
· Biofuel (in some cases)
· Low-impact hydroelectricity
· Wave and tidal energy
· Geothermal energy (in some cases)

Question 19

a biofuel is used in a cogeneration plant that produces both electricity and heat, both of these energy uses count as renewable energy. A biofuel used in a boiler to produce heat also qualifies. However, not all biofuels meet the intent of this credit. What type of biofuels are ineligible?

Answer 19

The following biofuels are ineligible:

· Combustion of municipal solid waste
· Forest biomass waste other than mill residue
· Wood coated with paints, plastics, or laminate
· Wood treated for preservation with materials containing halogens, chlorine compounds, halide compounds,
chromated copper arsenate, or arsenic; if more than 1% of the wood fuel has been treated with these compounds, the energy system is ineligible

Question 20

What is EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE for Renewable energy?

Answer 20

EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE

Renewable energy must account for 15% of total energy. For Core and Shell projects, the threshold is 10%.

Question 21

district energy system (DES)

Answer 21

(DES)
a central energy conversion plant and transmission and distribution system that provides thermal energy to a group of buildings (e.g., a central cooling plant on a university campus). It does not include central energy systems that provide only electricity.

Question 22

solar garden

Answer 22

a shared solar array or other renewable energy system with grid-connected subscribers who receive credit for the use of renewables using virtual net metering. Also known as a community renewable energy system. (Adapted from solargardens.org)

Question 23

Enhanced Refrigerant Management

Answer 23

INTENT
To reduce ozone depletion and support early compliance with the Montreal Protocol while minimizing direct contributions to climate change.

This credit applies to:
New Construction (1 point) Core and Shell (1 point) Schools (1 point)
Retail (1 point)
Data Centers (1 point)
Warehouses and Distribution Centers (1 point) Hospitality (1 point)
Healthcare (1 point)

Question 24

Green Power and Carbon Offsets

Answer 24

INTENT
To encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the use of grid-source, renewable energy technologies and carbon mitigation projects.

This credit applies to:
New Construction (1–2 points) Core and Shell (1–2 points) Schools (1–2 points)
Retail (1–2 points)
Data Centers (1–2 points)
Warehouses and Distribution Centers (1–2 points) Hospitality (1–2 points)
Healthcare (1–2 points)

Engage in a contract for qualified resources , for a minimum of five years, to be delivered at least annually. The contract must specify the provision of at least 50% or 100% of the project’s energy from green power, carbon offsets, or renewable energy certificates (RECs).