Green Schools Conference: State Architect Discusses Grid Neutrality
PASADENA, Calif. — With the goal of achieving grid neutrality at all new schools, California State Architect David Thorman is working to change the way school administrators think about construction projects.
California, which has more than 1,000 school districts that serve more than 6 million students, spends $5 billion annually on new construction and renovation projects. With energy costs at about $1.43 per square foot, schools have the potential to save a total of $21.5 million annually if grid neutrality is achieved, plus the potential to make profits from selling electricity back to utilities, according to Thorman’s office.
There are four key steps to reach the grid-neutrality goal, according to Thorman: a comprehensive planning team, the most energy efficient designs, greater advances in energy-generating technology and innovative financing methods.
Thorman spoke with Green Building News about grid neutrality at the California Green Schools conference.
Q: Why is grid neutrality important?
A: I think it is important in terms of what the governor is trying to accomplish statewide, using green energy and getting away from the problems with the grid. The reality is, we have kind of a captive market because all school construction comes through my office. We process $5 billion worth of projects. During the sequence of design and construction we are one of those in-between points, so we have an opportunity to encourage more green building.
By working together as a team with the school districts and all the different players, I think we could have a tremendous effect. By having a goal for grid neutrality, people stop and ask themselves how they can achieve that. The important thing is that it’s getting people to start thinking on a different plane.
Q: Is your office doing anything to help facilitate the changes?
A: Part of what I’m hoping to do is to set up opportunities where we can start meeting with school districts and architects to help them find a way to achieve this. The biggest obstacle, obviously, is money. We are working closely with the Office of Public School Construction and we are looking at potential incentives and bond measures to help find the finances for the schools to achieve this goal.
It’s multi-pronged in terms of how to finance it and how to allow technology to be included and improved. Right now the Division of the State Architect is a barrier, and I want to take that barrier away so it’s easier to allow that technology to come in.
Q: Why is the DSA a barrier?
A: We are a big state bureaucracy. Any time you introduce a new technology, it has to go through a very careful process of evaluation. Our No. 1 responsibility is the safety of the kids, so we have to evaluate everything in terms of structure and safety.
Q: I was told there is a debate about how panels should attach to school roofs.
A: The panels weigh anywhere from 11 to 15 pounds per square foot, plus the structure. They have to tie into the structure of the building so they don’t break loose and fall. If there is a big wind you don’t want them to fall off the building and hurt someone. That is why it is so important to understand what the support structure is and how it ties into the building.
Q: And that is an area where the process is getting backed up?
A: That is one of the areas. In general, the whole solar industry is frustrated right now because of the time that it takes to get through DSA and the reviews. We are already meeting with the solar industry to figure out how we can streamline this whole process.
Q: Are there any more environment al initiatives on the horizon that will come out of your office?
A: Anything that has to do with the environment is fair game. We just completed training with 35 of our employees to get LEED-certified. There are another 25 that are going to be going through the same training. We are looking at all aspects of sustainability, energy, sustainable materials, and all of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools and LEED criteria.