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Net-zero-energy projects are becoming increasingly popular in Oregon among developers, architects, and contractors. Meanwhile, research is ongoing to refine those projects.

Energy Trust of Oregon is contributing to such efforts via its Net Zero Fellowship program. Grants are awarded to support research projects that advance net-zero design, address potential barriers, or help grow community involvement in Oregon and/or Washington. The grants provide up to $60,000 over approximately one year.

A net-zero building, by definition, is one that produces as much energy as it consumes. From a design and development standpoint, the idea is to reduce as much energy use as possible.

Energy Trust of Oregon is generally seeing buildings on their way to becoming net zero, according to Naomi Cole, a consultant who runs the Net Zero Fellowship program. Oregon already has a handful of net-zero buildings, including the PAE Living Building 鈥� now considered the highest-performing building in Portland, she said. Its systems meet the building’s energy needs entirely, capture and treat all its water, and more.

The Net Zero Fellowship allows individuals or firms to research their own projects and take a deeper look into possibilities for different types of buildings. Two fellowship grantees have researched net zero energy through their companies’ projects: Anyeley Hallova of Adre and Jean von Bargen Root of MWA Architects.

Researching large-scale possibilities

Adre, a real estate development company, is engaged in two projects with potential to be net zero. Hallova, Adre’s founder, received her grant for development of a framework for an eco-district and district-energy microgrid for one of those projects: Williams & Russell, in Portland.

鈥淭he Williams and Russell project is a multibuilding project with different partners involved,鈥� Hallova said.

Through the fellowship, Adre is studying energy savings and carbon emissions reduction at a district scale. The firm is looking into net zero energy, net zero water and net zero waste.

The net zero principles being pursued are: using less materials, using mass timber, using no fossil fuels, electrifying everything, and managing waste efficiently. The concept is to explore this on a district scale rather than building by building. The research will be complete sometime this year.

Project challenges include costs to purchase and install systems as well as jurisdictional issues tied to water and waste management.

The other net zero project is for Parrott Creek Child & Family Services, a nonprofit that has been in operation for over 50 years. The organization is preparing to expand its Oregon City campus, and the project is expected to be net zero if rooftop solar panels are included. Adre is pursuing a solar and storage grant for the project.

Potential for industrial projects

Jean von Bargen Root, principal and director of sustainability at MWA Architects, also received a Net Zero Fellowship grant. She has a passion for industrial architecture, and believes such projects deserve attention on energy conservation.

鈥淚ndustrial projects were kind of sidelined,鈥� she said.

As part of her research, von Bargen Root wanted to do a deep dive into the work being done at MWA, particularly regarding removal of barriers to net-zero industrial development. The firm teamed up with Convergence Architecture, a woman-owned firm based in St. Johns.

鈥淭hat was also a key part of our work 鈥� we wanted to team with a small business, either woman- or minority-owned,鈥� von Bargen Root said.

Changes in the Oregon State Building Code have become critical, von Bargen Root said. The 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code will be 鈥渇ully live鈥� starting April 1, she stated. This code is intended to regulate the design and construction of buildings for effective use of energy. Von Bargen Root hopes her research will help people navigate the new code.

The fellowship concluded in November 2022. A webinar will be available at Energy Trust of Oregon’s online education portal later this month. Also at the website, two documents resulting from the research will offer interviews and climate-related information as well as a design guide.

There are two challenges MWA faces with net zero projects: navigation of power generation issues with utility companies and actual achievement of net zero energy use as opposed to design for it. Also, securing power generation equipment can be difficult, von Bargen Root said.

MWA’s net zero projects include Bonneville Power Administration‘s McNary substation and the Portland Water Bureau‘s Interstate Maintenance Facility renovation. For the latter, MWA helped reduce power consumption at the campus. Currently, the firm is working on the water bureau’s Bull Run filtration project as well as a bus barn facility for the city of Pendleton; net zero targets exist for both.