News
New design guide course for achieving zero-energy school buildings

A new eLearning course, Achieving Zero-Energy Building Design, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in partnership with ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is now being offered through each partnering organization’s eLearning platform.

Adapted from the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings, the new course establishes a set of energy performance goals for achieving zero-energy in all climate zones, in both site and source energy.

Starting with the fundamentals of zero-energy buildings, the course progresses through team-building strategies and project planning elements and concludes with modules dedicated to technical building science topics including building envelope, HVAC systems and plug loads.

“There are many incentives for schools to reach zero energy usage including budget benefits of lowered energy consumption and increased student performance due to a healthier learning environment. This course includes the information and real-life best practices needed to encourage practitioners and school administration officials to consider that zero energy school buildings are within their reach,” said Paul Torcellini, project committee chair, in a media release.

The eight-hour course consists of 12 modules with content that applies to commercial buildings, including case studies that focus on zero-energy K-12 schools. The format includes open-ended thought questions, reference lists for additional reading, real-life case studies, video testimonials from design professionals and separate learning paths for architects and engineers.

For more information on the course visit: elearning.ashrae.org/achieving-zero-energy-building-design.html