News

IBEW / NECA Announce the Grand Opening of The Zero Net Energy Center

May 30, 2013 by Jeff Shepard

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) today announced the grand opening of the Zero Net Energy Center in San Leandro, California. The ZNE Center is the very first commercial building retrofit designed to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s requirements for a “zero net energy” building. The 46,000-square-foot ZNE Center officially opens its doors as the educational facility for over 2,000 apprentice and journey-level electricians in Alameda County and to serve as an industry-wide resource. In addition to being the very first retrofit of an existing commercial building that meets the U.S. Department of Energy standards for a “zero net energy” building, the ZNE Center also exceeds the State of California’s 2030 energy efficiency effort by meeting the zero net goal 17 years in advance. It also exceeds the energy conservation goals of the Obama administration’s Better Buildings Challenge.

“The building is a true 'game changer' for our industry,” said Victor Uno, Business Manager for IBEW Local 595, “We are proud to push the envelope in the areas of energy conservation efforts, renewable energy promotion, job creation, work-force training and labor-management cooperation.”

“We look forward to sharing with the attendees how we utilized new technologies, advanced building designs and innovative construction methods to achieve a dramatic and unprecedented 75% reduction in energy use when compared to similar existing commercial buildings in the country,” said Don Campbell Executive Director of NECA’s Northern California Chapter. “This energy savings lowers the ZNE Center’s carbon footprint by 175 tons of CO2 per year, equal to the carbon emitted by 30 passenger vehicles annually as well as a savings of 500 barrels of oil each year.”

The ZNE Center’s main function is as an educational facility to support over 2,000 apprentice and journey-level electricians in Alameda County and to serve as an industry-wide resource. “This remarkable facility is a shining real-world model for education and training,” said Byron Benton, Training Director for Alameda County’s JATC. “On May 30th we will celebrate the realization of our collective vision for a more sustainable world where young men and women will be trained for good paying jobs and new economy careers.”

The ZNE Center embraces innovative building design features and state-of-the-art technologies that enhance its capacity to reach zero net energy. These same building features are also incorporated into the curriculum for the education and training that will take place within the ZNE Center. With access to the most cutting edge technologies in wind, solar, solar thermal, lighting and building automation systems, apprentice and journey-level electricians and the industry at large will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to install, operate, maintain and improve upon renewable and energy efficient systems.