Edward McGraw and Peter Larson presented "The Three C's of Net Zero Buiildings" on Thursday, December 8 at 11:30am to the Society of American Military Engineers at Fort Drum. Participants learned how to prioritize design strategies to create a net zero fossil fuel energy building; learn ways to minimize the amount of renewable energy required to achieve net zero fossil fuel building; learn the relative benefits of various energy efficiency strategies; and learn the operational implications of net zero energy buildings.
The presentation focused on how any building can perform at a net zero fossil fuel level, given a large enough renewable energy budget. Cost-effectively realizing net zero lies in minimizing a building’s reliance on renewable energy. Ashley McGraw has developed a process called Conserve Capture and Create, or “the Three C’s,” by which net zero becomes easier to achieve than ever before, with less renewable energy. This process has proven its validity in the design, construction, and operation of three net zero building additions.