Nation’s Largest Net Zero Plus™ Commercial Building Retrofit Opens in Los Angeles
Monday, June 6th, 2016
The Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute includes demonstration center & living laboratory for emerging energy technologies
LOS ANGELES – June 3, 2016 – Today marked the dedication of the nation’s largest net zero plus commercial building retrofit, the Net Zero Plus Electric Training Institute (NZP-ETI) located in Greater Los Angeles. The 144,000-square-foot demonstration center and living laboratory on advanced and emerging clean energy technologies showcases the future of smart energy-efficiency design, microgrid system integration, energy storage solutions, building resiliency in the wake of natural disasters or grid interruptions, and a suite of integrated electrical technologies and controls. The center is also an educational facility that trains approximately 1,500 electrical apprentices, journeymen and contractors annually for careers at the forefront of the electrical industry.
The dedication program, which was attended by more than 500 Los Angeles government, business, and community leaders, featured Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Anthony Rendon, Speaker of the California State Assembly; Rear Admiral Mark Rich, Commander of USN Region Southwest; Len Hering, Center for Sustainable Energy CEO, RADM-USN, Ret.; Ali Zaidi, White House Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy & Science.
“This innovative program embodies all we are trying to accomplish in creating a more sustainable region: solar energy; energy efficiency; back up power; recycled materials; livable workplaces; green jobs; and economic opportunity for everyone,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “It is the largest net zero plus commercial building retrofit in the U.S. and a great example of how we can transform our existing buildings — and thanks to IBEW Local 11 and LA/NECA, 1,500 people will now be prepared to be part of the clean energy future and have access to good paying jobs.”
As defined by the U.S. Department of Energy, “a zero net energy (ZNE) is a building with zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site.” The NZP-ETI takes it a step farther, as it will generate more energy than it consumes each year. This excess energy, generated by an onsite photovoltaic solar array, can be stored in the center’s battery storage system or discharged back into the electric grid system.
“The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 and the Los Angeles National Electrical Contractors Association formed a partnership to develop the NZP-ETI with the mission to provide world-leading electrical training and have nationally recognized programs of excellence in training,” said Marvin Kropke, Business Manager of IBEW Local 11. “Through this partnership and in cooperation with utilities and private companies, IBEW Local 11 and LA/NECA are pioneering the Net Zero Plus program to transform commercial markets by employing the newest electrical technologies and training the most skilled workforce in the U.S.”
Commercial buildings account for nearly 65 percent of Los Angeles’s energy use and are responsible for vast amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. In the U.S., CO2 emissions from all building types are estimated to increase faster than any sector, with emissions from commercial buildings projected to grow the fastest. In California, new construction standards will require that all new residential construction be built at net zero energy by 2020 and all new commercial buildings be built to net zero standards by 2030.
The energy, environmental, economic and community benefits of this multi-million dollar retrofit include:
51 percent reduced total energy consumption
185,000 KWh/yr. more energy than consumed
520 metric tons/yr. reduction of CO2
1,500 individuals trained each year for long-term careers in the energy industry
A resource for architects, developers, and building owners to learn about the integration of advanced technologies
Enhanced grid stability and improved natural disaster and emergency response solutions
Maintenance of a goal of 50 percent veteran enrollment in each new apprenticeship class, as well as a comprehensive outreach program encompassing disadvantaged communities throughout Los Angeles County
“We are preparing the electrical industry of the future with transformational training to help them serve their customers with energy cost reduction strategies, realize new revenues, manage costs of reliability, invest in energy independence and achieve sustainability goals,” said Jim Willson, Executive Director of Los Angeles NECA. “Our member contractors and workforce are receiving classroom education and jobsite training as well as developing integrated energy solution capabilities in renewable energy, battery storage, and microgrids. This state-of-the-art training enables our contractors and workforce to design, safely install, and maintain complex energy systems.”
The NZP-ETI will earn the International Living Future Institute’s net zero energy certification and will be verified a net zero building by the New Buildings Institute. In addition, it was built to USGBC’s LEED Gold standard.
NZP-ETI project sponsors include One Source Distributors, Samsung SDI (Energy Storage Solutions), Square D by Schneider Electric, Milwaukee, and Sage Glass. The project development team includes PDE Total Energy Solutions, stok, O’Bryant Electric, Western Allied Corporation, Hutchens PR, Avery Energy Consulting and SimonGlover Architects.
$300 Million Fund Announced to Finance Energy Solutions Projects for Commercial Buildings
Wednesday, October 28th, 2015
Fund Includes Custom Program for IBEW/NECA Net Zero Plus Energy Solutions Projects
LOS ANGELES – October 27, 2015 – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 and the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association announced today that a new $300 million Clean Energy Fund has been established to finance new energy solutions projects for their members and contractors by ReNewAll through its exclusive finance partner, Tritec Americas. ReNewAll is a clean energy financial solutions company and a project developer for IBEW Local 11 and LA/NECA.
The fund will finance energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy storage projects for commercial buildings, shopping centers, industrial facilities, multi-family housing, churches and lodging. Financing is available for projects in Greater Los Angeles and across the United States.
“This fund is a key component to our Net Zero Plus initiative and we are pleased with the growth it provides,” said James Willson, Executive Director of LA/NECA, “We are offering a full spectrum of energy solutions from energy efficiency upgrades to building or retrofitting net zero and high performance buildings. The Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute provides a highly-trained workforce of energy specialists, testing and demonstrating emerging energy technologies in our living laboratory, and now another avenue to finance these projects through ReNewAll’s programs.”
RenewAll specializes in assisting developers and building owners to finance projects, which are “cash-flow positive” from day one. Since July 1, 2015, ReNewAll has originated more than $35 million in project term sheets for NECA contractors in Southern California. A recent ReNewAll project that was completed with NECA and IBEW members is the retrofit of the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. This $7 million energy efficiency retrofit is the largest, most comprehensive PACE project in the U.S. It has led to annual energy, material and maintenance savings of $800,000 for the hotel.
“We will be offering multiple PACE project financing options as well as power purchase agreements (PPAs) and leases for NECA and IBEW members,” explained Joe Berney, President of ReNewAll. “ReNewAll’s various financing mechanisms allow contractors to deliver solutions to property owners for little to no out of pocket investment.”
Each year, IBEW Local 11 and LA/NECA train more than 4,000 men and women for careers in the electrical industry at the Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute in greater Los Angeles. Those trained at this facility are energy specialists prepared to design, develop, and manage solutions for today’s energy management challenges. The Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute is a 142,000 square foot national center of excellence in energy technology training, testing, and demonstration. It is currently undergoing a net zero retrofit, which will be completed in Q1 2016.
“ReNewAll is assisting us to develop large project pipelines and the growth of green jobs in Los Angeles,” said Dick Reed, President IBEW Local 11, “They are securing millions of dollars of work for our members and the contractors that employ them to provide smart energy solutions to our customers.”
For more information about this fund, please contact Joe Berney at (626) 869-8590 or joe@renewall.us. ReNewAll will provide same-day financing quotes for commercial projects.
About ReNewAll:
ReNewAll develops clean energy projects for building owners, schools, municipalities, contractors and the trades. In partnership with TRITEC Americas, ReNewAll provides PACE, PPA and Lease financing to businesses, non-profits, municipalities and NGOs. For NECA and IBEW members, their project development program includes identifying project leads, developing scopes of work, securing signed contracts and providing financing. For More Information, Please visit www.renewall.us
About TRITEC Americas:
TRITEC Americas, based in San Diego, California is the North American affiliate of the TRITEC Group, a global solar services company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with over 30 years of excellence in the solar industry. TRITEC Americas is a leading provider of PACE program and solar PV project financing and development services for the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market. Through its PowerNow® Commercial Solar Finance Program, TRITEC Americas develops, finances, owns and operates photovoltaic solar systems, which generate clean, predictable, affordable, renewable energy for its customers.
About The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 and Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Electrical Contractors Partnership:
Together, IBEW Local 11, which represents more than 13,000 workers, and LA/NECA, which represents more than 400 electrical contractors in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, is the second largest electrical labor union partnership of workers and contractors in the United States.
IBEW Local 11 and LA/NECA forged this partnership in developing the NZP ETI to provide world leading electrical training and have nationally recognized programs of excellence in training. Through this partnership and in cooperation with utilities and private companies, IBEW Local 11 and LA/NECAare pioneering the Net Zero Plus program to transform commercial markets by employing the newest electrical technologies and training the most skilled workforce in the United States.
