Section 2: Individual LEED Credit Reviews
LEED Credit EA-6:
after 1997 or 1998, depending on the
location).
Green Power
Green-e certified power is available in some parts
of the United States through local utility companies
or competitive electricity service providers. In
Intent:
these areas, green power is purchased through a
contract between the building owner or manager
Encourage the development and use of grid
and the green power supplier.
source, renewable energy technologies on a net
zero pollution basis.
In areas where green power is not available
through these means, users can purchase Tradable
Requirement:
Renewable Certificates (TRCs), also referred to as
"green tags" or "renewable energy certificates."
Provide at least 50% of the buildings electricity
TRCs can be structured as a "lump sum" one-time
from renewable sources by engaging in at least a
purchase, based on the projected energy use of a
two-year renewable energy contract. Renewable
facility. The purchase of a TRC by an electricity
sources are as defined by the Center for
user covers the additional costs to displace fossil
Resource Solutions (CRS) Green-e products
fuel energy with renewable energy. TRCs do not
certification requirements.
involve changes with the local utility company or
(1 point)
electricity service provider.
While the costs for green power vary based on the
supplier, location, and quantity purchased, the
Cost Impact: Not Applicable
premiums generally range from 1.252.5
cents/kWh. For multiyear contracts or very large
1
2
3
4
5
purchases (e.g., greater than 8,000 MWh/year), the
cost premium per kWh may be as low as 1 cent.
GSA
No
Low
Moderate
High
Standard
premium,
premium
premium
premium
Basis for Cost Assumption
(no cost)
psble svgs
(<50K)
(50-150K)
(>150K)
Although GSA does purchase green power for
Practical Applications
some of its facilities, the determination is made by
regional managers on a case-by-case basis. Overall,
Green power, as defined by the referenced Green-e
the credit was considered an operational issue
program, is electricity that meets the following
(rather than a construction cost issue) outside the
standards:
scope of this study. Credit EA-6 has not been
included in any of the Courthouse or Office
One or more of the following renewable
Building scenarios.
resources generates at least 50 percent of the
electricity: solar electric, wind, geothermal,
For reference purposes, calculations were
biomass, small hydro facilities, or certified
performed to estimate the costs of achieving this
low-impact hydro facilities.
credit for the Courthouse and Office Building
If a portion of the electricity is nonrenewable,
models, using an assumed green power premium of
the air emissions to produce the power are
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.02/kWh. The premiums ranged fromequal to or lower than those produced by
approximately ,000 to ,000, depending on
conventional electricity generation.
the calculated energy use of the building (see
There are no specific purchases of nuclear
Additional Considerations below).
power.
The product meets the Green-e new
renewable requirement (i.e., the renewable
generation facility must have come on-line
GSA LEED COST STUDY
88
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