Energy and Atmosphere Guidelines
No. Guideline NEW BUILDINGS MAJOR RENOVATIONS
E.1 Energy Efficiency Required Required
E.2 Renewable Energy Required Recommended
E.3 Efficient Equipment and Appliances Required Required
E.4 Atmospheric Protection Recommended Recommended
E.99 General Project Data Recommended Recommended

 

Related Documentation

B3 Guidelines Tracking Tool

Appendices

Appendix E-0 Suggested Implementation for all Energy and Atmosphere Guidelines
Appendix E-1a Compliance and Reporting Instructions (for SB 2030 projects)
Appendix E-1b Building Performance Evaluation Guide
Appendix E-1c Building Strategy Checklist
Appendix E-1d Meter Plan Guidelines
Appendix E-1e Alternate Path Application Process for Adjusted SB 2030 Standard
Appendix E-1f Small Building Methodology for pre-SB 2030 projects
Appendix E-4 Refrigerant Properties

 

Overview

Energy consumption for building operations represents approximately one third of the total energy use in the State of Minnesota. This section of the B3 Guidelines provides guidance on mitigating both the cost of energy and associated ecological impacts which affect the state's economy. For each building, there are multiple paths to conservation. To further reduce impacts on the environment and to promote community economic development, this guide requires a minimal baseline of on-site wind or solar renewable energy and recommends the investigation of renewable and distributed forms of power generation using wind, solar and biomass technologies as well as other cleaner forms of hydrogen or hydrocarbon-based power generators. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems may be an appropriate solution for individual buildings or groups of State facilities.

Goal

To provide energy efficient buildings and renovations that reduce the State's expenditures on imported fuel and power and have the lowest reasonable environmental impacts resulting from energy generation and the use of refrigerants harmful to the atmosphere. A parallel goal is to support and enhance the State's building benchmarking activities for ongoing operations performance.

Objectives

  • Design Pre-MN2030 New Buildings and Major Renovations to use 30% less energy than code and encourage higher performance
  • For buildings subject to MN2030, design New Buildings and Major Renovations to meet the custom energy benchmarks of the MN2030 program.
  • Provide building performance data for benchmarking activities
  • Reduce plug loads and process energy through energy-smart purchasing practices
  • Design New Buildings and Major Renovations to source at least 2% of their MN2030 target or better final energy use from on-site renewable sources.
  • Encourage the consideration of additional power usage from renewable energy and cleaner generation systems whether generated on-site or purchased from off-site, "green power" generated in Minnesota.
  • Encourage the installation of on-site renewable energy systems to provide 2% of total building energy use, in accordance with Minnesota legislation
  • Encourage the balanced consideration of Global Warming Potential, Ozone Depletion Potential and Atmospheric Lifetime in selecting refrigerants
  • Help assure that long-term operations meet or exceed original design operating parameters