06-02-2025 JDA Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. Sustainability Guidelines a. The combination of achieving a 100% electric building with a 50% efficiency improvement above current MN Energy Code (ASHRAE 90.1-2019), without including any renewable energy in the equation, is a high bar to achieve. For most commercial projects, this will only be possible through the inclusion of an on-site ground-source heat exchange (colloquially called “geothermal”) system until the District Energy system is brought online. The District Energy system will help significantly lower cost and schedule barriers towards projects achieving these two Sustainable Design Guideline goals. b. Additionally, the County should clarify how efficiency calculations are to be conducted for two conditions: i. For all projects, clear language should be added to the Sustainable Design Guidelines on which compliance path under MN Energy Code should be used for the efficiency calculations. Our recommendation is to use the Appendix G (Performance Rating Method) instead of the Energy Cost Budget Method, which excludes the ability to count savings from fan energy, plug loads, and exterior lighting towards the 50% goal. ii. For projects on the district energy system once built, the JDA and Consultant should review how district energy system efficiency is factored into energy modeling guidelines. Most energy modeling guidelines (including those reference within LEED) do not allow the district plant to count towards a project’s measured efficiency reduction; if this something projects should be able to count in the JDA and Consultant’s expectations, explicit guidance will be needed on how those calculations are to be performed. c. Achieving 120% onsite renewable energy will be very dependent on building massing and use type. While this is a very feasible goal for low energy intensity spaces and possibly low-density residential, multi-story and higher energy intensity use types (such as manufacturing) may struggle to achieve this goal due to the relationship of their increased EUI to available roof/site area.