LEED v5
Existing Buildings
Energy and Atmosphere
Peak Load Management

EBOM-v5 EAc6: Peak Load Management 1 point

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To reduce the stress on the grid from peak loads, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase grid reliability, and make energy generation and distribution systems more affordable and more efficient.

Requirements

Option 1. Demand Side Management (1 point)
Participate in a demand response program and/or provide automated demand side management. For both Path 1 and Path 2, include the demand side management processes in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan and perform at least one full test of a demand response event or automatic load-shedding event.

On-site electricity generation and fuel combustion cannot be used to meet the demand side management criteria.

PATH 1. DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION (1 POINT) 
During the 12-month reporting period, participate in an existing demand response program with a utility or demand response aggregator. 

OR

PATH 2. AUTOMATED DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT (1 POINT)
Have in place a control system that automatically sheds 10% of peak electricity demand for a minimum of one hour in response to triggers denoting strain on the grid or high grid emissions. Examples include:

  • Data obtained through an API indicating high grid emissions
  • Peak demand tariff period, when the grid is operating in the highest demand window
  • Time-of-use rate when pricing is highest
  • Signal from a demand response aggregator 

OR

Option 2. Building Envelope Performance (1 point) 
PATH 1. LOW AIR LEAKAGE (1 POINT) 
Demonstrate a measured air leakage rate of the building envelope that is less than or equal to the maximum air leakage rates in Table 1 (for Path 1). Air leakage testing must have occurred no later than eight years before the end of the 12-month reporting period.

Table 1. Limits on Air Leakage Rates

Building Conditioned Floor Area (CFA)

Pressure Test Conditions Across the Building Envelope

Maximum Air Leakage

≥ 5,000 sq. ft. (465 sq. m.)

At pressure difference of 50 pascals (0.2 in H2O)

0.27 cfm/sq. ft. (1.4 L/s/sq. m.)*

At pressure difference of 75 pascals (0.3 in H2O)

0.35 cfm/sq. ft. 

(1.8 L/s/sq. m.)*

< 5,000 sq. ft. (465 sq. m.)

At 50 pascals (0.2 in in H2O)

2.5 ACH

At 75 pascals (0.3 in H2O)

3.4 ACH

NOTE: Complete air leakage testing using ASTM E779, ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380, ASTM E3158, ASTM E1827, or equivalent.
* For projects ≥ 5,000 square feet (465 square meters), air leakage is per square feet or square meters of building envelope area. cfm = cubic feet per minute; ACH = .
 

OR

PATH 2. REDUCED AIR LEAKAGE RATES (1 POINT)
Demonstrate a minimum reduction in air leakage rates of 25% through air leakage testing before and after alterations are implemented. Both air leakage tests must have occurred no later than eight years before the end of the 12-month reporting period.


 

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To reduce the stress on the grid from peak loads, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase grid reliability, and make energy generation and distribution systems more affordable and more efficient.

Requirements

Option 1. Demand Side Management (1 point)
Participate in a demand response program and/or provide automated demand side management. For both Path 1 and Path 2, include the demand side management processes in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan and perform at least one full test of a demand response event or automatic load-shedding event.

On-site electricity generation and fuel combustion cannot be used to meet the demand side management criteria.

PATH 1. DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION (1 POINT) 
During the 12-month reporting period, participate in an existing demand response program with a utility or demand response aggregator. 

OR

PATH 2. AUTOMATED DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT (1 POINT)
Have in place a control system that automatically sheds 10% of peak electricity demand for a minimum of one hour in response to triggers denoting strain on the grid or high grid emissions. Examples include:

  • Data obtained through an API indicating high grid emissions
  • Peak demand tariff period, when the grid is operating in the highest demand window
  • Time-of-use rate when pricing is highest
  • Signal from a demand response aggregator 

OR

Option 2. Building Envelope Performance (1 point) 
PATH 1. LOW AIR LEAKAGE (1 POINT) 
Demonstrate a measured air leakage rate of the building envelope that is less than or equal to the maximum air leakage rates in Table 1 (for Path 1). Air leakage testing must have occurred no later than eight years before the end of the 12-month reporting period.

Table 1. Limits on Air Leakage Rates

Building Conditioned Floor Area (CFA)

Pressure Test Conditions Across the Building Envelope

Maximum Air Leakage

≥ 5,000 sq. ft. (465 sq. m.)

At pressure difference of 50 pascals (0.2 in H2O)

0.27 cfm/sq. ft. (1.4 L/s/sq. m.)*

At pressure difference of 75 pascals (0.3 in H2O)

0.35 cfm/sq. ft. 

(1.8 L/s/sq. m.)*

< 5,000 sq. ft. (465 sq. m.)

At 50 pascals (0.2 in in H2O)

2.5 ACH

At 75 pascals (0.3 in H2O)

3.4 ACH

NOTE: Complete air leakage testing using ASTM E779, ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380, ASTM E3158, ASTM E1827, or equivalent.
* For projects ≥ 5,000 square feet (465 square meters), air leakage is per square feet or square meters of building envelope area. cfm = cubic feet per minute; ACH = .
 

OR

PATH 2. REDUCED AIR LEAKAGE RATES (1 POINT)
Demonstrate a minimum reduction in air leakage rates of 25% through air leakage testing before and after alterations are implemented. Both air leakage tests must have occurred no later than eight years before the end of the 12-month reporting period.


 

See all forum discussions about this credit »