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Woodburn’s Success High School, designed by Opsis Architecture, has received a Zero Energy certification through the International Living Future Institute. It was the first high school in Oregon to enroll in the Energy Trust of Oregon’s path to net zero program and the first Woodburn School District project to be awarded the Zero Energy certification by the ILFI.

The Zero Energy certification by ILFI is based on actual performance and awarded to green buildings where 100 percent of its energy needs on a net annual basis is supplied by on-site renewable energy sources, with no combustion. It is the only performance-based standard of its kind operating globally.

Opsis and its design team partner, Interface Engineering, designed the new school, which was completed in 2018, with a range of energy-saving features to achieve zero energy performance. Top performance features include a high-performance building envelope, a 251 kw-DC array comprised of 728 panels located on site by A&R Solar and a highly efficient mechanical and electrical system designed by Interface Engineering. The building’s variable refrigerating flow systems provide all the space heating and cooling for the building and offer high cooling and heating operating efficiencies. The efficient design of the building includes three heat recovery ventilators that recover energy from the building exhaust air to preheat incoming ventilation air. Additional energy-saving and sustainability strategies include the use of extensive daylighting controls in the commons and classrooms, occupancy-controlled power receptacles and the use of water saving products from dual-flush toilets to low-flow faucets.

Working closely with the school district and staff, Opsis designed the new 11,700-square-foot school around a unique alternative education program for grade 10-12 students not well served by a traditional high school setting.

The Energy Trust of Oregon worked closely with the school district, providing a range of technical assistance to maximize the efficiency and potential of the new building’s solar array to help reach its goal of generating as much energy as the school uses.