Reference Building Pathway

Credit 15E - GHG Emissions Reduction - Up To 20 Points Available

Up to 20 points are available where there is a specified reduction in the predicted energy consumption and GHG emissions of the proposed building. Points are awarded based both on improvements to the building’s façade, and on the project’s predicted ability to reduce its operating energy consumption and emissions towards ‘net zero’.

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We provide advice, support and information related to Reference Building Pathway, structure, timing and processes, at all stages of the project, leading to certification. This method applies to the energy modelling of Class 2 to 9 buildings. Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 buildings intending to demonstrate compliance with JP1 NCC 2019 using Verification Method JV2 will need to use this pathway.

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Conditional Requirements

Project teams must demonstrate that the operational greenhouse gas emissions from the Proposed Building are less than those of the equivalent Benchmark Building, and that the GHG emissions from the Intermediate Building are less than those of the Reference Building. The Benchmark Building represents a 10% improvement on the Reference Building’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The Reference Building is a building which achieves minimal compliance with the NCC Section J DTS provisions using a defined HVAC system type.Project teams targeting a 5 or 6 star rating must also meet the Conditional Requirement minimum point threshold as per Table 15.1 as outlined in 15.0

 

 

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Up to 20 points are available for this credit. Points are awarded independently for:

  • Improving on the building’s fabric (Intermediate Building energy model) against a Reference Building energy model (4 points) as per 15E.1,

  • Reducing the Proposed Building’s modelled emissions against the Benchmark Building energy model (16 points) as per 15E.2,

  • The procurement of Off-site Renewables as per 15E.3

  • The application of District Services as per 15E.4; and

  • Additional prescriptive measures contributing to carbon reduction (4 points) as per 15E.5.

Points are awarded on a continuous scale in accordance with Table 15E.

Table 15E: Points awarded for emissions reduction 

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Projects which have committed to procure Off-site renewable electricity can be rewarded for supporting grid-connected renewable energy supply infrastructure. Points available for off-site renewable electricity procurement are included in the maximum 20 points available under this pathway.

  • Projects must demonstrate that a supply contract is in place to procure 100% off-site renewable electricity for a minimum period of ten years immediately after Practical Completion.

  • For each point awarded for greenhouse gas emissions of the proposed building, 1.5 points will be awarded for the use of off-site renewable electricity.

  • Points are determined by the inputs of the Green Star – Design & As Built: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator

     

Where a project enters into a contract procuring less than 100% off-site renewable electricity or for a period less than ten years, the points benefit will be pro-rated.

Refer to the Fact Sheet: Renewables and Offsets in Green Star for additional details on acceptable Off-site renewable electricity procurement.

Points awarded under this credit element cannot count towards meeting the Conditional Requirement for 5 and 6 star ratings.

This credit allows projects with shared energy supplies to be rewarded for a reduction in GHG emissions. The intent of this approach is to also reward buildings which connect to low-carbon energy sources at a utility-scale.

This approach is intended to cover the procurement opportunities for energy and utility systems, including the following:

  • District thermal networks.

  • Shared combined heat and power systems.

  • Private wire networks with embedded renewable energy.

  • Grid connected low-carbon energy (e.g. biomass or biogas systems).

Projects must demonstrate that a supply contract is in place to procure 100% electricity from district services for a minimum period of ten years immediately after Practical Completion.

The maximum benefit that can be derived from district services is limited to the number of points awarded for the GHG emission reduction of the Proposed Building compared to the Benchmark Building.

Points are determined by the inputs of the Green Star – Design & As Built: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator

Refer to Shared Services and Low-Carbon Energy Supply Assessment Guidelines for additional details.

Other options may be available to projects through a technical question. Please contact the GBCA for more information.

A total of 4 points are presented as additional prescriptive measures. The prescriptive points are combined with the results of the Energy Consumption Reduction and Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction components of this pathway.

Further information is down below. 

1 point is awarded where project teams reduce their fossil fuel use and develop a transition plan to phase them out. The following conditions apply;

  • A transition plan has been developed showing how the building will transition away from the use of fossil fuels by 2030;

  • The commitment to this transition by 2030 is public; and

  • It is demonstrated the transition plan has been integrated into the design and operation of the building, including considerations within to accommodate any replacements or changes required for delivery of new services during the operational phase.

Refer to the Guidance section of this credit for further information on the requirements of the transition plan and its interaction with other credits within the Submission Guidelines.

2 points are awarded where no fossil fuels are burned on site to generate electricity, heating, or cooling;

Where a minor amount of fossil fuel (less than 1%) is used on site for purposes where it can be demonstrated that there are no commercial alternatives (e.g. cooking or emergency generators). Renewable Energy Certificates equal to these emissions for the period of ten years following practical completion must be purchased and retired upfront, or through a contractual agreement with the utility. The RECs purchased must be recognised directly support renewable energy generation in Australia. Refer to the Renewables and Offsets in Green Star Guide for more details.

1 point is awarded where the on-site storage complies with the following conditions:

  • A renewable energy storage procurement and use strategy has been developed to demonstrate the storage is sized to match the requirements of the building and that value will be provided to the project.

  • The stored renewable energy is used to reduce the evening peak electricity demand; and

  • A project installs and uses electricity storage such that renewable energy not used by the building is able to be stored and used by the building.

Refer Guidance section of this credit for information on calculating building energy use.

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