Q2 2023: Environmental Updates
BUILDING ENERGY AUDITS
Problem: local governments often lack the staff and resources to conduct energy audits on thousands of buildings. These cities will need new technologies to meet their building decarbonization goals.
Solution: a standardized language and tool for exchanging energy audit data that allows local governments and building owners to carry out a wide range of analyses and fulfill energy audit requirements.
National Renewal Energy Lab (NREL) has partnered with BuildingSync to create an online tool coinciding with The General Services Administration (GSA) announcement, on May 16th 2023, to roll out a pilot program for new requirements for procuring significantly lower-embodied carbon construction materials, such as concrete and steel, for federal buildings projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and private builders alike.
There is an online tool by BuildingSync that consists of two files and a reference sheet, which are all offered as free downloads. [9]
[9] Burns, J. (2023, May 17). NREL energy audit tool may help cities meet climate, building decarbonization goals. Utility Dive. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrel-energy-audit-tool-cities-climate-buildingelectrification-decarbonization/650535/