The Future of Grid-Interactive Buildings In South Landing

THE CHALLENGE

Utilities and buildings are increasingly challenged to efficiently achieve zero and carbon-free outcomes. The South Landing Eco-District exemplifies how innovative utility-building partnerships and advanced technologies can transform urban developments into sustainable and grid-interactive, setting a benchmark for future projects nationwide.

Avista, one of the largest utilities in Eastern Washington and Idaho, partnered with Edo and McKinstry to transform land initially earmarked for a substation into a net-zero district energy campus. This innovative development, encompassing two buildings totaling 200,000 square feet with the capacity to expand to six, aims to achieve net-zero energy and enhance grid reliability and decarbonization.

THE SOLUTION

South Landing served as the foundation for Edo, which developed the technology to integrate with building systems and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and connect them to the grid, unlocking efficiency and flexibility for the site. Edo’s technology enables optimal control of a complex central plant and DERs.

Edo’s solution provides the utility with visibility into the real-time load potential across buildings, allowing them to monitor and make informed decisions about energy distribution and management. Additionally, Edo can curtail load as needed, reducing or shifting energy usage in specific buildings to manage demand, prevent overloads, and enhance grid stability.

By deploying a comprehensive data and control strategy across all building assets and connecting them to the grid, the solution maximizes asset value for building owners while ensuring occupant comfort and productivity. Edo eliminates the guesswork in building operations, seamlessly integrating building and utility systems for efficient energy management.

THE RESULTS

Energy Efficiency

Edo helped the building owner secure a $1.5 million energy efficiency rebate by achieving an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 26 kBtu/ft2, significantly lower than the weighted baseline of 93 kBtu/ft2 for similar buildings.

Demand Flexibility

Economically dispatches assets based on forecasted loads, using thermal and battery storage to reduce building load during peak events or supply power back to the grid. The building has significant solar generation, and by self-consuming that solar generation, Edo can maximize the value of the PV for the building owner.

South Landing Features

Achievements

Vision and Origin

Creates new agreements and data-sharing practices between the utility, building owner, and tenants, challenging the traditional energy value chain of energy suppliers and end-use consumers.

Performance and Outcomes

Demonstrates significant energy consumption reductions, improved EUI figures, utility incentives, and advanced demand flexibility capabilities.

Utility Perspective

Enhances the utility’s resource portfolio with Eco-Districts participating as balancing, reserve, and arbitrage resources.

Advanced Technologies

Utilizes advanced IoT sensors, data visualization, and machine learning for optimal energy management.

Tenant Engagement

Encourages energy-efficient behavior through restructured leases and active tenant education.