We previously discussed how electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) can help you collect Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits. Since then, the United States Green Building Council, the organization that administers LEED, has released the latest version of the environmental accreditation: LEED v4.1. New projects are classified under BD+C (Building Design and Construction) and existing projects are classified under O+M (Operations and Maintenance) for the purposes of LEED certification. Let’s look at how installing EVSE can support your building’s accreditation in LEED v4.1.
LEED EV Charging Infrastructure BD+C: New Construction
For the LEED BD+C category, installing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure or preparing parking spots to accommodate EV chargers in the future is worth one LEED point in the Location and Transportation subcategory.
Option 1: Install EVSE
Ready to install EV chargers in your new construction project? You can receive one point if you meet these requirements:
Install charging stations at 5% of all project parking spaces or at least two spaces, whichever number is greater.
Clearly identify and reserve the parking spaces for EVs to use for charging.
Ensure that your equipment complies with all relevant local safety standards.
The installed chargers must provide a minimum Level 2 charging capability at 208 - 240 volts or greater for each parking space.
The chargers must meet ENERGY STAR certified criteria and be capable of responding to time-of-use market signals (ie your equipment should be demand response-ready).
Option 2: Construct make-ready infrastructure for EVSE
Not ready to install EV chargers at your building? Under LEED, your building can still get one LEED point for adding make-ready electrical infrastructure.
10% of all parking spots, or at least six spaces, must be made EVSE-ready, whichever number is greater.
To make parking spots EV charger ready, each spot must have a dedicated electrical circuit with sufficient capacity to host a charger.
Each circuit should have a conduit and wiring sufficient to provide at least Level 2 charging capability and end at an electrical box or enclosure that is located near the parking spots that are being readied for EV chargers.
In addition, architects and engineers can also incorporate their EVSE into LEED Grid Harmonization for more points.
LEED Grid Harmonization for BD+C and O+M
BD+C projects that are pursuing a Grid Harmonization credit in the Earth and Atmosphere subcategory can gain up to two LEED points. The intent of Grid Harmonization is to “increase participation in demand response technologies and programs that make energy generation and distribution systems more affordable and more efficient, increase grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” according to the LEED website. To be eligible for these available LEED points, your building must participate in demand response programs that incorporate electrical load shedding or shifting.
Demand response
Demand response uses incentives to try and shed electricity load from an electrical grid, or to shift electricity load to an alternate power source. The International Energy Agency says this about demand response programs: “Demand response is based on two main mechanisms: price-based programmes (or implicit demand response), which use price signals and tariffs to incentivise consumers to shift consumption, and incentive-based programmes (or explicit demand response), which make direct payments to consumers who shift demand as part of a demand-side response programme.” There are three different ways to earn Grid Harmonization LEED points, each with their own specific criteria, which you can see on LEED’s Grid Harmonization for BD+C page. For a maximum of two points, buildings can select Case 1, Case 2, Case 3, or a combination of Cases 2 and 3.
Case 1: Demand Response Program Available and Participation (2 points)
With the first option, buildings can earn two points for participating in an existing demand response program and adhering to all necessary requirements. You must:
Design a system with the capability for real-time, fully-automated DR based on external initiation by a DR Program Provider. Semi-automated DR may be utilized in practice.
Enroll in a minimum one-year DR participation amount contractual commitment with a qualified DR program provider, with the intention of multiyear renewal, for at least 10% of the annual on-peak electricity demand.
Develop a comprehensive plan for meeting the contractual commitment during a Demand Response event.
Include the DR processes in the scope of work for the commissioning authority, including participation in at least one full test of the DR plan.
Include the DR program and any installed technologies in the building systems manual or include in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan if the project is not pursuing EA credit Enhanced Commissioning.
Initiate at least one full test of the DR plan.
Case 2: Demand Response Capable Building (1 point)
Not ready to join a demand response program? Buildings can earn one point for instead building infrastructure in place to join future demand response programs or dynamic, real-time pricing programs. You must:
Install interval recording meters and have equipment capable of accepting an external signal.
Develop a comprehensive plan for shedding at least 10% of the annual on-peak electricity demand.
Include the DR processes in the scope of work for the commissioning authority, including participation in at least one full test of the DR plan.
Include the DR program and any installed technologies in the building systems manual or include in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan if the project is not pursuing EA credit Enhanced Commissioning.
Contact local utility representatives to discuss participation in future DR programs.
Case 3. Load Flexibility and Management Strategies (1-2 points)
Case 3 can be done in addition to joining a demand response program or as an alternative to joining one. You must:
Analyze your building’s annual load shape and peak load and compare it to the load shape and peak load of the regional electricity grid to identify the best value load management strategies that the building can provide.
Implement one or more load flexibility and management strategies and install interval recording meters and equipment capable of accepting an external signal.
Peak Load Optimization: demonstrate that strategy reduces on-peak load by at least 10% as compared to peak electrical demand referenced to the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 compliant case (1 point)
On-site thermal and/or electricity storage: demonstrate that strategy reduces on-peak load by at least 10% as compared to peak electrical demand (1 point)
Include installed technology in the scope of work for the commissioning authority. Include load flexibility and management strategies and installed technologies in the building systems manual or include in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan if the project is not pursuing EA credit Enhanced Commissioning.
Contact local utility representatives to discuss participation in future DR programs and to inform utility of building load flexibility and management strategies.
The Grid Harmonization criteria for O+M for existing buildings is essentially the same as for the BD+C category and can be found on the LEED O+M: Existing Buildings Grid Harmonization page. Buildings claiming the point for EV charging and the grid harmonization points must tie the EVSE into the demand response program or load flexibility and management strategies.
How does LEED work?
LEED has four levels of certification. To achieve certification, projects earn points for various green building initiatives across subcategories such as the aforementioned Location and Transportation or Earth and Atmosphere. The LEED certification levels are:
Platinum: 80+ points
Gold: 60-79 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Certified: 40-49 points
If you installed EVSE as part of your new or existing building project, and then incorporated EV charging into a demand response program, you could earn up to three points to use for your building’s LEED certification.
Conclusion
In addition to being better for the environment, LEED certified buildings also have a higher resale value and lower operational costs than non-LEED buildings, according to the US Green Building Council. Installing electric vehicle chargers in your parking lot for customers and employees is an easy way to gain a valuable point toward certification, which in turn tells customers, employees and investors that your business is serious about sustainability. To get started on EVSE installation, please contact Blink Charging today.