Energy and Atmosphere Guidelines
Required Guidelines
| E.1 | Energy Use Reduction by at Least 30% |
| E.2 | Renewable and Distributed Energy Evaluation |
| E.3 | Efficient Equipment and Appliances |
Recommended Guidelines
| E.4 | Atmospheric Protection |
Related Documentation
See Section 2-Form P-4 Energy and Atmosphere Documentation
Worksheets and Appendices
| Appendix E-1 | Suggested Implementation for all Energy and Atmosphere Guidelines |
| Appendix E-2 | Small Building Methodology (supporting information for E.1) |
| Appendix E-3 | Refrigerant Properties (supporting information for E.4) |
Overview
Energy consumption for building operations represents approximately one third of the total energy use in the State of Minnesota. This section of the MSBG provides guidance on mitigating both the cost of energy and associated ecological impacts which affect the state's economy. For each building, there are multiple paths to conservation. To further reduce impacts on the environment and to promote community economic development, this guide recommends the investigation of renewable and distributed forms of power generation using wind, solar and biomass technologies as well as other cleaner forms of hydrogen or hydrocarbon-based power generators. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems may be an appropriate solution for individual buildings or groups of State facilities.
Goal
To provide energy efficient buildings that reduce the State's expenditures on imported fuel and power and have the lowest reasonable environmental impacts resulting from energy generation and the use of refrigerants harmful to the atmosphere. A parallel goal is to support and enhance the State's building benchmarking activities for ongoing operations performance.
Objectives
- Design new buildings to use 30% less energy than code and encourage higher performance
- Provide building performance data for benchmarking activities
- Reduce plug loads and process energy through energy-smart purchasing practices
- Encourage the consideration of power usage from renewable energy and cleaner generation systems whether generated on-site or purchased from off-site, "green power" generated in Minnesota.
- Encourage the balanced consideration of Global Warming Potential, Ozone Depletion Potential and Atmospheric Lifetime in selecting refrigerants
- Help assure that long-term operations meet or exceed original design operating parameters