Time: Thursday, 14/Aug/2025: 3:30pm - 5:00pm |
Location: Cripple Creek 2 |
This session explores innovative strategies to advance zero-carbon goals across diverse building typologies. The first presentation examines ENERlite's data-driven approach in the California Energy Commission’s Building Performance and Decarbonization Field Study, showcasing how energy modeling, automated calibration, and cost analyses inform policy and investment decisions for achieving zero-carbon targets in multifamily, office, retail, and supermarket sectors. The second presentation focuses on Model/Z’s innovative approach to productized modular construction, demonstrating significant materials waste reductions and embodied carbon efficiencies. Their modular strategy not only addresses affordable housing shortages in Los Angeles but also boosts local economies through job creation and workforce training. The third presentation details two industrial building projects in Montreal that attained Zero Carbon Building–Design v3 certification, comparing fully electric and partially gas-heated approaches. Together, these presentations provide practical, replicable insights into decarbonization pathways, from high-performance design and construction to informed policy and affordable housing solutions.
A Scalable and Sustainable Solution to the U.S. Housing Crisis: A Case Study on Locally Manufactured Modular Multifamily Housing
1National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Denver, Colorado, United States of America; 2Sola Impact, Los Angeles, California, United States of America; 3Model Z Modular, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
This study evaluates materials waste and embodied carbon emissions efficiencies in productized modular construction using Model/Z's 1-bedroom unit. We analyzed waste and emissions metrics from design to construction and compared them to traditional multifamily buildings.
Based in a local facility in Los Angeles, Model/Z addresses affordable housing shortages by producing 2.5 units daily. Our analysis shows productized modular construction reduces materials waste through precise prefabrication, new framing methods, workforce expertise, and reduced transportation needs.
This approach optimizes resource utilization and minimizes costs, offering scalable solutions for affordable housing while fostering economic opportunities through job creation and training programs.
Benchmarking Existing Buildings in California, Pathways to Zero-Carbon Buildings by 2045
ENERlite Consulting, Inc, United States of America
California's goal of achieving zero-carbon buildings by 2045 demands rigorous benchmarking and strategic interventions. This presentation explores ENERlite's contributions to the California Energy Commission’s Building Performance and Decarbonization Field Study, emphasizing energy modeling and benchmarking across multifamily, office, retail, and supermarket sectors. Utilizing tools like energy modeling and automated calibration, the study evaluates electrification, renewables, and efficiency upgrades. Economic analyses assess cost-effective decarbonization pathways, offering data-driven insights for policymakers and building owners. By integrating real-world performance data, this work supports California’s transition to a sustainable, zero-carbon building stock with informed policy and investment decisions.
Pathways to Zero Carbon Buidings in Cold Climates: Lessons from All-Electric and Hybrid Projects
Martin Roy and Associates, Canada
This presentation explores two industrial building projects in Montreal that achieved Zero Carbon Building–Design v3 certification from the Canada Green Building Council.
The first project is a fully electric warehouse expansion that achieved certification using four cold-climate heat pumps, resulting in 32% energy savings compared to NECB-2017 (aligned with ASHRAE 90.1-2016).
The second case study features a 471,000 ft² facility with partial gas heating that met the Zero Carbon threshold by reducing TEDI through a high-performance envelope and mechanical systems.
This session will compare both approaches, outlining key design strategies, certification steps, and lessons learned.