By Julie Janiski and John Swift
Partners at Buro Happold Boston
BOSTON–Aggressive decarbonization in the built environment is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One solution to support this goal is all-electric buildings that are connected to electrical grids supplied by renewable energy sources. Buro Happold has developed a preliminary study of new construction typologies in various US cities to inform sustainable engineering solutions. The feasibility study identifies high-performance envelopes, heat recovery, heat pumps, system and grid resiliency, and grid carbon factors as critical variables. Together, these readily available and cost-effective solutions will reduce or eliminate any additional strain to the electrical grid.
Many buildings, particularly in cold climate, rely on fossil-fuel sources (e.g. natural gas) for heating and hot water. The impact of an all-electric building is typically based on transitioning these heating and domestic hot water loads from fossil fuels to electric, and energy-intensive buildings can introduce additional factors like humidification, additional plug load demands, and additional water heating demands.
The feasibility study conducted by Buro Happold includes cold climates and intensive building types like labs, in addition to warmer climates and other sectors: office, higher education, and multifamily. For a holistic evaluation of an all-electric solution, Buro Happold has studied the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, technology, and impact on project cost and the electrical grid. For this reason, these four impact categories are referenced throughout the study.
· Greenhouse gas emissions
· Grid resiliency
· Technology
· Cost
Here are three critical takeaways from the project-based Buro Happold studies:
Grid carbon factors. All-electric buildings are aligned to many state and municipality goals for carbon neutrality and a cleaner grid. Carbon footprints across the US today vary considerably by state and region. (see graphic)
Technology and loads. Buro Happold’s studies include an evaluation of three heating technologies in five US cities, illustrating that on a per-unit of heat generated, a heat pump has a lower carbon footprint today through 2050. (see graphic)
Costs. All-electric buildings are becoming increasingly cost-competitive. Key cost factors to evaluate include space requirements and impacts to usable space, capital cost, utility and maintenance costs, as well as the potential for offset costs for projects pursuing zero-carbon targets.
Implementation of an electric heat pump, based on a per-unit basis using current cost rates in Boston, shows a marginal increase in cost according to Buro Happold’s research, significantly less than the almost five-fold increase in cost of electrical resistance heating. (see graphic)
This feasibility study is the first evaluation that represents some of Buro Happold’s work to date, which we are sharing to contribute to the dialogue within the building industry on decarbonizing the built environment. There are many items to be introduced, challenged, or developed for the next version, including but not limited to:
· Other locations outside of Boston
· A list of key resources
· City-scale all-electric studies
· Existing building evaluations
· Other topics critical to climate action agenda (e.g. embodied carbon and social equity).
This study represents the efforts of dozens of engineers and consultants at Buro Happold, as well as discussions with industry peers, collaborators, and clients. These conversations and intermural collaborative efforts are critical, and should continue for the foreseeable future. Sharing data and methodology will make a future of a sustainable, all-electric building sector possible.
Julie Janiski, CPHC, LEED AP, is a partner with global consultancy Buro Happold. From the firm’s Boston office she leads integrated teams of engineers, designers, analysts, and subject-matter experts to deliver the highest performance projects, delivering projects across every scale – from design of individual buildings to city planning and drafting policy – and in all major sectors.
John Swift, P.E., CEM, LEED AP, is the science and technology practice leader and partner at global consultancy Buro Happold. For more than 25 years he has delivered solutions for research, commercial and academic facilities that require effective and reliable infrastructure for the optimization of occupant health, safety, and comfort while minimizing energy and water consumption.
