2024 Forum Program
Monday, May 20, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Embodied Carbon Summit Welcome Reception
City Lights Rooftop Bar
Exclusively for Embodied Carbon Summit attendees, join us Monday evening for light bites and drinks on the rooftop ahead of the Summit workshops on Tuesday.
Sponsored by CLEAResult
Thank you to our Embodied Carbon Summit Sponsor ClimateWorks
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
9:00 - 6:00 PM
Registration Open
Convention Foyer
Exclusively for Embodied Carbon Summit attendees, join us Monday evening for light bites and drinks on the rooftop ahead of the Summit workshops on Tuesday.
9:00 - 2:30 PM
Embodied Carbon Summit
A new Embodied Carbon Summit will be held the day before the Getting to Zero Forum. The Summit includes a networking reception, and two half-day workshops that feature opportunities for design building professionals to understand the embodied carbon landscape. Join industry leaders and executives to work together and advance efforts for getting to zero embodied carbon emissions.
Carolina A & C
10:00 - 1:30 PM
OFFSITEK Tour
839 Exchange Street, Suite E. Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
OFFSITEK is leading the transformation of the construction industry with their cutting-edge advanced manufacturing prefabrication process that delivers value to builders while streamlining all construction processes under-one-roof. Join us at their world-class automated facility for a tour and demonstration, and learn about efficient industrialized construction. Transportation will be provided, picking up from and returning to the Sheraton Charlotte. Sponsored by NREL.
Cost: $45
Registration Coming Soon
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Opening Plenary
Symphony Ballroom
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Symphony Ballroom Pre-function
Join us to kick off the 2024 Getting to Zero Forum and celebrate with friends both old and new.
Exhibits open.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
8:00 - 6:00 PM
Registration Open
Convention Foyer
Exhibits open.
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast + Exhibitor Showcase
Symphony Ballroom Pre–function
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Breakout 1 (Concurrent Sessions)
Breakout 1.1
From Policy to Action: Essentials of Building Performance Standards
Room: Carolina D & E
This session will provide a foundational knowledge of Building Performance Standards (BPS), explain the different stages of passing and implementing equitable BPS policy and explore how to access the BPS technical assistance network. The session’s panel of expert speakers from federal, municipal, and private sectors will provide examples of state and regional policy, describe effective strategies, how to leverage partnerships, and highlight opportunities to drive change.
Moderator:
Ben Rabe, New Buildings Institute
Speakers:
Kimberly Cheslak, PNNL
Billierae Engelman, U.S. Department of Energy
Sharon Jaye, Denver Office of Climate Action
Katie Bergfeld , D.C. Department of Energy and Environment
Poppy Storm, 2050 Institute
Breakout 1.2
Navigating the Journey to Net-Zero: Overcoming Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
Room: Mecklenburg 3
Join us for an insightful session delving into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by public and private building owners on their journey to net-zero. Explore the financing and policy measures that can persuade owners and developers to embrace sustainability and energy efficiency. Learn the tools and strategies needed to support the transition to net-zero like measuring and mitigating carbon footprints and embracing circular design principles in new construction to achieve our net-zero goals.
Moderator:
Tim Thiel, Covestro
Speakers:
Mark Bacon, Leyton
Vicki Worden, Green Building Initiative
Luke Lanciano, The Tower Companies
Peter Nelson, Salt Lake City Corporation
Breakout 1.3
Building for Tomorrow: Practical Strategies for Reducing Embodied Carbon and Sustainable Design
Room: Mecklenburg 3
In this session, speakers will showcase practical strategies for implementing embodied carbon reduction plans, from material selection to using infographics that demystify embodied carbon to engaging owners, design teams, and contractors throughout building design and construction processes. Learn how cost-effective applications and interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that address net-positive carbon, water efficiency, biophilic design, equity, and occupant health.
Moderator:
Remy Moorhead, Buck Moorhead Architect
Speakers:
Nicole Laky, King County Metro
Sarah Wood, Jacobs
Brian Meinrath, Atelier Ten
Baha Sadreddin, Microsoft
William Abrahamson, Grimm + Parker Architects
Amy Upton, Grimm + Parker Architects
Breakout 1.4
Building Decarbonization in Action: Case Studies on Emission Reduction and Innovation in Educational and Municipal Buildings
Room: Carolina A
Delve into the details of three dynamic public buildings projects. The modernization of the Silvio J. Mollo Federal Building showcases a holistic approach to reducing emissions and exemplifies existing building reuse. The City of San Diego’s ambitious goal of achieving zero emissions in municipal facilities by 2035 sparked a collaborative effort to prioritize reduction, leverage funding, and promote equity and resiliency. Hawaii’s Department of Education used passive design strategies and photovoltaic-powered units to create comfortable classrooms, foster equitable access to education, and reduce energy expenses statewide.
Moderator:
Emma Riccardi, New Buildings Institute
Speakers:
Steve Gross, Interface Engineering
Pauline Souza, WRNS Studio
Lindsey Hawes, City of San Diego, Sustainability & Mobility Department
Nikita Jathan, Atelier Ten
Ryan Ornberg, Krueck Sexton Partners
Breakout 1.5
Building a Sustainable Future in Residential Development: Offsite Construction and Equitable Decarbonization
Room: Carolina C
Explore the transformative potential of offsite construction and equitable decarbonization strategies in the residential building sector. Participants will delve into the environmental benefits of offsite construction, including reduced material usage, enhanced building performance, and contributions to decarbonization and material circularity. Explore real-world case studies and practical complexities faced by developers, contractors, consultants, and tenants in implementing sustainable changes. Engage in discussions on stakeholder engagement, policy effectiveness, and tools to move the market towards a more sustainable and equitable housing landscape.
Moderator:
Lauren Baldwin, RE Tech Advisors
Speakers:
Joseph Sollod, International Codes Council
Geffen Oren, Arup
Carolyn Sarno Goldthwaite, ClearlyEnergy
Pamela Brookstein, Elevate Energy
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Networking Break + Exhibitor Showcase
Room: Symphony Ballroom Pre–function
11:00 - 12:30 PM
Breakout 2 (Concurrent Sessions)
Breakout 2.1
Building Resilient Communities: Equitable Strategies for Heat Mitigation, Cooling Policy, and Inclusive Implementation
Room: Carolina D & E
Extreme heat threatens our collective resilience and individual well-being, disproportionately impacting low-income neighborhoods and BIPOC communities. Heat-absorbing infrastructure and limited green space increase temperatures which exacerbates health and equity disparities. In response, cities are exploring equitable ways to mitigate heat and reduce energy consumption. In this session, learn how to effectively engage local stakeholder groups, leverage federal funding, and use industry tools like third-party ratings to build healthier, more resilient cities.
Moderator:
Liepa Braciulyte, New Buildings Institute
Speakers:
Bahareh van Boekhold, ILLUME Advising
Megan Kemp, Healthy Air and Water Colorado
Laila Atalla, RMI
Sarah Schneider, Cool Roof Rating Council
Rev. Dr. Hanna Broome, NC Council of Churches
Breakout 2.2
Plug In, Turn On, Scale Up: Accelerating Electrification Retrofit
Room: Mecklenburg 2
Decarbonizing existing residential building stock requires strategies to overcome adoption barriers, a successful action plan, and the effective use of available resources. This panel of experts will provide guidance from the field on common challenges and how to identify solutions tailored to regional needs. Hear case studies and lessons learned about local electrification initiatives and gain insight on how to understand resident motivation, maintain customer satisfaction, manage successful transitions from fossil fuel heating to full electrification.
Moderator:
David Cohan, IMT
Speakers:
Greg Walker, Houser Walker Architecture
Paul Torcellini , NREL
Tracy Fuentes, PNNL
Julie Liu, Carta Electric Homes
Mark Brescia, Consolidated Edison
Breakout 2.3
A Comprehensive Exploration of Whole Life Decarbonization
Room: Mecklenburg 3
This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of key strategies and tools to reduce embodied and operational carbon in multifamily and single-family residential buildings through real-life examples. Discover how you can calculate emissions during different phases of a building’s lifecycle and how thoughtful material selection and collaboration throughout the design phase can reduce embodied carbon.
Speakers:
Hannah Rusnac, Holst Architecture
Michael Orbank, STO Building Group
Laurel Chadzynski, Dyer Brown & Associates
Remy Moorhead, Buck Moorhead Architect
Greg Hale, Regen Development Company
Breakout 2.4
The New Triple Bottom Line: Environment, Economics, Equity
Room: Carolina A
The session explores the intersection of policy and practice in advancing equity, sustainability, and net-zero energy projects for K-12 schools, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings. It features insights from industry experts to help navigate federal policies and the regulatory landscape to secure funding, reduce energy waste, and promote renewable energy integration. The session aims to empower participants to leverage industry tools, policy, and no-cost/low-cost energy efficiency opportunities using practical strategies and tactics to achieve net-zero energy and reduce energy costs.
Moderator:
Angie Ostaszewski, New Buildings Institute
Speakers:
Clair Hessmer, CLEAResult
David Huber, CLEAResult
Shuang Zhao, University of Alabama
Kate Mosley, U.S. Department of Energy
Phoebe Beierle, USGBC
Breakout 2.5
Empowering Clean Energy Futures through Education, Training, and Carbon Commitments
Room: Carolina C
This session emphasizes the need for education and innovative training across all stages to break down silos between practitioners and prepare the built environment workforce for designing, constructing, and operating next-generation zero-emissions buildings. It highlights the innovative internship program offered by the Energy Trust of Oregon to support industry alignment, reduce regional emissions, and create career opportunities. It explores how the Wildan Clean Energy Academy (WCEA) aligns its training programs with market needs, blending academic certification with on-the-job training for students, and delves into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Science Education programs that support professionals at all learning levels to prepare future designers and upskill current practitioners.
Moderator:
ML Vidas, Energy Trust of Oregon
Speakers:
Jaime Van Mourik, U.S. Department of Energy
Georg Reichard, Virginia Tech
Antuan Cannon, Willdan Energy Solutions
Naomi Cole, Konstrukt/Energy Trust of Oregon, New Buildings Program
12:30 - 12:45 p.m.
Networking Break + Exhibitor Showcase
Room: Symphony Ballroom Pre–function
12:45 - 2:15 PM
Lunch Plenary
From Innovation to Deployment: Breakthrough Technologies to Scale Building Decarbonization
Room: Symphony Ballroom
Get ready to hear about promising new technologies to decarbonize the built environment! In this dynamic pitch session sponsored by Breakthrough Energy, startup companies affiliated with Breakthrough Energy Ventures will present case studies of office and multi-family residential retrofit and new builds using climate tech innovation. The partner interventions will include lessons learned, challenges, opportunities, and strategies to drive further real estate sector decarbonization based on actual deployments. Audience members are invited to ask critical questions. The companies will be available for deeper discussion in the exhibit hall.
Emcees:
Nishant Bagadia, Breakthrough Energy
Brian Mayers, Breakthrough Energy
Sponsored by Breakthrough Energy
Pitching Companies:
Duncan Bruce, Blue Frontier
Stephanie Dorsey, Siemens Real Estate Services, North America
Alex Goodwin, enVerid
Deepinder Singh, 75F
Duncan Bruce, Blue Frontier
Scott Thomsen, LuxWall
Alex Goodwin, enVerid
2:15 - 2:30 PM
Networking Break + Exhibitor Showcase
Room: Symphony Ballroom Pre–function
2:30 - 4:00 PM
Breakout 3 (Concurrent Sessions)
Breakout 3.1
Future-Driven: Electric Vehicle Integration and Building Energy Codes for Zero Energy Communities
Room: Carolina D & E
How can we ensure that utility and energy regulations serve people and their communities while preparing buildings for the future? In this session, learn about the role of state legislators and grassroots advocates in shaping equitable energy policy, learn how to implement cost-effective EV-ready parking in multifamily buildings and workplaces, and gain an understanding of the current regulatory landscape. Walk away with educational resources and technical support for adopting stretch codes and building performance standards to achieve market transformation.
Speakers:
Rick Tonielli, ComEd
Charles Hua, Rewiring America
Lindsay Wiginton, Dunsky Energy
Breakout 3.2
How to Overcome Barriers to Decarbonization with Innovative Building Design and Emerging Technologies
Room: Mecklenburg 2
Building electrification reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves system efficiency, providing a critical pathway toward economywide decarbonization. However, increasingly frequent heat, smoke, and storm events, alongside decreasing grid dependability, create additional barriers to decarbonization. Emerging technologies and new approaches to building design can help resilient buildings overcome these barriers, promote the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies, and ultimately support better health and safety for building occupants.
Moderator:
Alexi Miller, New Buildings Institute
Speakers:
Michael Sontag, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3)
Mark Frankel, Ecotope
David Kaneda, IDeAs Consulting
Colin Lee, AESC
Breakout 3.3
Driving Down Carbon: National Trends and Strategies for Tackling Embodied Carbon
Room: Mecklenburg 3
Operational carbon in buildings has been decreasing for decades. The next step forward is to tackle embodied carbon with the same vigor. The Inflation Reduction Act and the billions of dollars earmarked for low embodied carbon material procurement will undergird these efforts. This dynamic session will provide attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at emerging national trends addressing embodied carbon, how this is being implemented at the federal level, and how this impacts manufacturers and construction.
Moderator:
Efrie Escott, Schneider Electric
Speakers:
Amie Lewis, New Buildings Institute
Graham Higgins, Nuveen Green Capital
Josh Jacobs, WAP Sustainability
Torey Brooks, EPA
Breakout 3.4
Beyond Design: Sustaining Net Zero Building Performance through Operational Excellence
Room: Carolina A
Design and implementation are pillars for achieving net zero building performance. In this session, panelists will make the case to place equal, or greater, importance on the operational tools, analytics, skills, and knowledge required to maintain net zero performance. This discussion will pull back the curtain on high-efficiency heat pump systems, a building’s decarbonization potential, and the smart building infrastructure needed to access and control all forms of building performance data.
Moderator:
Breana Wheeler, BREEAM USA (BRE)
Speakers:
Craig Stevenson, AUROS Group
Donny Walker, Newcomb & Boyd
Breakout 3.5
Meaningful Equity in Decarbonization: Empowering Frontline Communities for Climate Justice
Room: Carolina C
People who live in frontline communities, mostly BIPOC and low-income communities, experience the first and worst negative impacts of climate change. However, climate policies have rarely been centered on their needs. This session will explore key measures to ensure that building decarbonization supports climate justice like engaging community stakeholders, pairing zero-emissions standards for space and water heaters with locally-focused policies, and connecting frontline communities with economic opportunities.
Moderator:
Maggie Kelley Riggins, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Speakers:
Megan Leary, Emerald Cities Collaborative
Leah Louis-Prescott, RMI
Rajiv Ravulapati, Institute for Market Transformation
Marnese Jackson, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Networking Reception + Exhibitor Showcase
Room: Symphony Ballroom Pre–function
Join us to celebrate the growing building decarbonization movement.
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Dine Arounds in Charlotte
Meet new friends or connect with old colleagues at one of our Dine Around Dinners hosted by friends of the Getting to Zero Forum. These organized pay-your-own-way dinners offer a chance to experience some of Charlotte’s stellar culinary options. Sign up and choose from Capishe: Real Italian Kitchen, Tupelo Honey, MOA Korean BBQ, or 7th Street Market.
Thursday, May 23, 2024
8:00 - 2:15 PM
Registration Open
Convention Foyer
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast + Exhibitor Showcase
Room: Symphony Ballroom Pre-function
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Breakout 4 (Concurrent Sessions)
Breakout 4.1
Cultivating Energy Codes: Innovation and Collaboration for Achieving Zero Emission Buildings
Room: Carolina D & E
Delve into model energy codes that drive energy efficiency in new residential and commercial buildings and how the current trajectory of those codes impacts zero emission building goals. This session will review and evaluate alternative paths forward, discuss recent reach codes analysis of existing residential buildings in California, and explore public and private sector stakeholder recommendations for persuasive incentives to encourage net-zero commercial development in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Speakers:
Matt Abele, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
Speakers:
Michael Waite, ACEEE
Sarah Hazel, City of Charlotte
Chris Perkes, Urban Land Institute
Alea German, Frontier Energy
Ada Shen, Frontier Energy
Breakout 4.2
Unlocking Net-Zero Funding: Strategies for Successful Collaboration and Implementation
Room: Mecklenburg 2
Despite the availability of federal, state, utility and private funding to advance sustainability and decarbonization initiatives, challenges persist in accessing these resources. In this session, learn how local, state, federal, and private partnerships can lead to the co-development and implementation of effective zero-energy codes by aligning federal decarbonization objectives with local needs. Improve your strategic approach to securing funding by learning more about common financing hurdles and how to overcome them through expert guidance and lessons learned in real-world scenarios.
Moderator:
Erin Beddingfield, U.S. Department of Energy
Speakers:
Salmeron Barnes, Aureus Earth
Steven Nadel, ACEEE
Stella Carr, International Codes Council
Breakout 4.3
Harmonized Resilience: Grid-Responsive Housing and Microgrids
Room: Mecklenburg 3
To keep pace with state and national climate goals, buildings must become grid resources that can morph load profiles to accommodate variable renewable generation, facilitate cost-effective grid decarbonization, and ensure a reliable power system. Simultaneously, the changing climate increases the risk of extreme weather and power outages. What are the best approaches to achieve these outcomes and what barriers stand in the way of widespread adoption? Explore real-world scenarios to gain valuable insights and shed light on complex considerations.
Moderator:
Scott Hackel, Slipstream
Speakers:
Wesley Lau, Interface Engineering
Sahar Abbaszadeh, Arup
Xinxin Hu, RMI
Breakout 4.4
Revitalizing Community Spaces: Case Studies in Net-Zero Renovations with Equity and Resilience in Mind
Room: Carolina A
Discover how to overcome the challenges of renovating different types of commercial buildings while prioritizing social equity and resilience. This session will provide unique case studies on the design and construction of three net-zero carbon renovations, highlighting the significance of data-driven tools to justify funding decisions, innovative heating and cooling design, and why renovations have a head start on achieving net-zero embodied carbon.
Speakers:
Sam Culpepper, Southface Institute
Nancy Hanright, Boston Medical Center
Jess Farber, CMTA
Neil Muir, Arup
Monami Waki, Arup
Breakout 4.5
The Confluence of Zero: Embodied, Operational, and Grid Carbon Transformation Through the HERS Indices and New Modeling Software
Room: Carolina C
In the past ten years, there has been a 1,000% percent increase in homes achieving net-zero energy. This session will use real-world data to demonstrate how to achieve zero energy and carbon homes. Explore the nuances of time of use and load management, load spreading and sharing, energy storage, and bidirectional grid communication, while emphasizing the value of the HERS Index prioritizing load reduction as a primary strategy. RMI will share their new Green Upgrade Calculator that analyzes the financial or climate impacts of various green home upgrades.
Speakers:
Christopher Haringa, Adobe Energy Management
Ryan Shea, RMI
Ryan Meres, RESNET
Jacob Racusin, New Frameworks
Andy Buccino , Northeast HERS Alliance
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Networking Break + Exhibitor Showcase
Room: Symphony Ballroom Pre–function
11:00 - 12:30 PM
Breakout 5 (Concurrent Sessions)
Breakout 5.1
Changemaker Charette: Coordinating Strategies for Successful Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Programs
Room: Carolina D & E
Join us for an interactive journey to uncover strategies for developing grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) programs and projects. GEBs have the potential to provide substantial benefits to developers, property owners, occupants, ratepayers, utilities, and the grid. However, designing and administering GEBs is complicated, with policy barriers, technology limitations, and/or customer uncertainty making it a challenge to combine and optimize distributed energy resources (DER), energy efficiency, and demand flexibility. Experts from the policy, implementation, and procurement realms combine their insights to moderate this charette.
Speakers:
Scott Hackel, Slipstream
Ann Collier, Smart Electric Power Alliance
Breakout 5.2
Financing Sustainable and Equitable Development for Long-Term Impact Efficient Buildings Programs
Room: Mecklenburg 2
One of the most frequent questions asked during the design process is how to persuade clients to invest in more sustainable and equitable development projects. Often, the decision hinges on finances. From affordable housing to hotels, this session’s panelists will highlight real-world examples of how financing considerations impact long-term affordability and health outcomes as well as building design. Learn how to advocate for resilient and sustainable design with long-term results in mind.
Moderator:
Todd Nedwick, National Housing Trust
Speakers:
Kareem Mirza, Subterra Renewables
Tricia Baker, PACE Equity
Lexi Tengco, Multistudio
Teresa Jan, Multistudio
Breakout 5.3
Innovations for Grid-Interactive and Resilient Affordable Housing
Room: Mecklenburg 3
Two common barriers to building electrification include how to renovate without requiring costly upgrades to the building’s electrical infrastructure and how to make buildings a grid resource instead of adding to peak demand. Through two innovative case studies, understand the challenges of bringing resilient, grid-interactive buildings to affordable housing and how to provide a better life to building occupants through advanced technologies. Walk away with key strategies to reduce overall building electrical loads while also improving comfort, air quality, and resilience.
Speakers:
Josh Mullen, BrainBoxAI
Geoff Hancock, WattTime
Jon Heller, Ecotope
Sahar Abbaszadeh, Arup
Breakout 5.4
Policy Wonks and the Chocolate Factory: Moving from Ingredients to Recipes of Equitable Electrification
Room: Mecklenburg 3
How do you make equitable electrification? In this session, learn about all the ingredients, from technical aspects like upfront and operational costs to tenant rights. Explore problem statements that illustrate various stakeholder personas involved in electrification projects and analyze their available resources and constraints with real-world examples. The session will conclude with participants collaboratively mapping the necessary policies, programs, and resources to ensure an equitable and efficient outcome.
Speakers:
Farhad Farahmand, TRC Companies
Chelsea Kirk, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy
Breakout 5.5
Strategic HVAC Decarbonization: Getting it Right for Sustainable Long-Term Impact
Room: Carolina C
More details coming soon.
12:30 - 12:45 PM
Networking Break + Exhibitor Showcase
Room: Symphony Ballroom Pre–function
12:45 - 2:15 PM
Closing Plenary – Lunch Plenary
Room: Symphony Ballroom