Clean Energy Question of the Week

IREC and our EMPOWERED partners are committed to providing you with up to date, reliable, and vetted information that meets your needs. Join us each week for answers to your clean energy questions provided by leading industry organizations. The answer to each question contains links to additional resources you can explore to learn more!
Check out this week’s question and answer:
Technological advancements have revolutionized the building construction and safety industry, resulting in increased efficiency and accuracy in achieving safe and resilient communities. Governments at various levels have incorporated digitization into their processes, such as online permit applications, payment of permit fees, submittal of plans, and digital plan reviews. Remote virtual inspections (RVI) have become increasingly popular in recent years and offer a valuable solution that offers numerous benefits for the building construction and safety industry, including increased efficiency, convenience, safety, accuracy, and consistency.
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The International Code Council (ICC) has developed a detailed publication, Recommended Practices for Remote Virtual Inspections (RVI), which provides comprehensive guidance on RVI implementation and administration, making it easy for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to incorporate these procedures into their inspection processes. You can also get access to a free checklist, Remote Virtual Inspection Protocols and Checklist for Residential Energy Code Inspections, which covers the process for inspecting residential projects complying with the 2018 or 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.
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High Performance Buildings
Technological advancements have revolutionized the building construction and safety industry, resulting in increased efficiency and accuracy in achieving safe and resilient communities. Governments at various levels have incorporated digitization into their processes, such as online permit applications, payment of permit fees, submittal of plans, and digital plan reviews. Remote virtual inspections (RVI) have become increasingly popular in recent years and offer a valuable solution that offers numerous benefits for the building construction and safety industry, including increased efficiency, convenience, safety, accuracy, and consistency.
Learn More:
The International Code Council (ICC) has developed a detailed publication, Recommended Practices for Remote Virtual Inspections (RVI), which provides comprehensive guidance on RVI implementation and administration, making it easy for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to incorporate these procedures into their inspection processes. You can also get access to a free checklist, Remote Virtual Inspection Protocols and Checklist for Residential Energy Code Inspections, which covers the process for inspecting residential projects complying with the 2018 or 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.
Implementing a building control system in the field can involve a mechanical engineer, controls engineer, controls technician, electrical contractor, testing and balancing contractor, and commissioning agent. Understanding the relationship between all these roles can go a long way toward helping a project go smoothly.
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In this CEU bearing course, you will learn how facility staff can participate during the controls implementation process and how an understanding of the implementation process can improve the long-term performance of the control system and the building in general.
Building electrification is the process of moving from fossil fuel-powered buildings to electric-powered buildings. Systems within the electrified building, such as space heating, water heating, cooking appliances, and laundry, would be powered by electricity. These are necessary steps for buildings to achieve 100 percent clean, renewable energy and align with state and municipal climate goals. Cities, counties, and states will have different approaches to policies and incentives toward implementing an electric-only strategy. Already, a quarter of U.S. homes are all-electric, and across the country many communities are adopting ordinances as an update to their adopted energy codes.
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The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, through this report, has put together examples of municipalities with some level of electrification requirements for new residential and commercial buildings, as well as specific proposed code language that any community can adopt to help reach zero carbon in new buildings. Check it out!
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As demand increases for efficient, resilient, and durable buildings, construction materials and technologies are rapidly evolving. There are multiple clean energy technologies that we will begin to see more widely on buildings as a result of the growing clean energy industry and federal funding.
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This five-minute video provides an introduction to grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEB) and associated clean energy technologies.
Bookmark this page and check back frequently. It will be continuously updated and we hope it will become your go-to place to learn about clean energy technologies, how to ensure safe operation of equipment and systems, associated safe work practices, and applicable codes.
Looking for further information about high performance buildings, energy storage, solar, and more? Visit the Clean Energy Clearinghouse for an expanded list of expert resources and CEU’s:
Have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future resources? Contact us at [email protected].
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) in partnership with the International Code Council, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, National Association of State Fire Marshals, Slipstream, FSEC Energy Research Center, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory assembled these resources to provide you with up to date, reliable, vetted information and training related to existing and emerging technologies.