Guidelines Home | v3.2r02 | v3.1 | v3.0 | v2.2 | Training | Documents | Previous Versions

Energy & Atmosphere Guidelines

Intent

To promote the design and operation of energy-efficient buildings to reduce expenditures on imported fuel, reduce the impacts associated with greenhouse gas emissions, minimize negative impacts of refrigerant selection, and ensure readiness for next-generation energy infrastructure.

Energy and Atmosphere	New Buildings	Major Renovations
E.1 Energy Efficiency	Required	Required
E.2 Renewable Energy	Required	Required for minimum project scope (see guideline)
E.3 Efficient Equipment and Appliances	Required	Required
E.4 Atmospheric Protection	Required	Required for new equipment procurement
E.5 EV Ready	Required	Required for minimum project scope (see guideline)

Overview

Projects meeting these guidelines reduce negative impacts of nonrenewable energy consumption through a combination of energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy generation. Projects meeting the SB 2030 Standard and two percent renewable-energy production requirement also help satisfy project energy demand through an increase in renewable energy generation. A minimum performance standard is implemented for installed equipment, including equipment associated with process loads that may fall outside the SB 2030 project scope. Ozone-depleting and environmentally-damaging refrigerants are avoided through the specification of lower-impact alternatives. Preparation for future rooftop or site-based renewable energy systems and electric transportation energy infrastructure allows projects to prepare for later integration by leveraging opportunities available to new construction and major renovation projects.

Objectives

Design, construct, and operate projects designated New Buildings and Major Renovations to meet the energy targets of the SB 2030 program.
Provide building performance data sufficient for benchmarking building performance.
Ensure that actionable performance data is available during occupancy so that long-term operations meet or exceed as-designed operating parameters and the project’s programmatic needs.
Reduce plug loads and process energy through energy-efficient purchasing practices.
Design New Buildings and Major Renovations to source at least two percent of energy use from onsite renewable energy sources.
Encourage development of additional renewable energy generation capacity.
Encourage implementation of resilient energy capacity.
Encourage balanced consideration of ozone depletion potential (ODP), global warming potential (GWP), exposure, and toxicity assessments in selection of refrigerants.

General Energy and Atmosphere Information

The following information is collected in the Energy and Atmosphere Section of the B3 Guidelines Tracking Tool, under Section E.0:

Final Design:

Energy and atmosphere strategies used, including narrative of measures taken to achieve objectives outlined above.

Closeout:

Updated energy and atmosphere strategies used, including narrative of measures taken to achieve objectives outlined above.

Availability of Campus-Scale Approaches

If needed to meet the SB 2030 Energy and Carbon Standard, renewable energy (RE) generation shall be evaluated per guidance listed in the SB 2030 Program Requirements.

As it is aligned with existing Minnesota legislation, the two-percent renewable energy requirement under E.2A is currently limited to the building site.