PALO ALTO, CA-Let's start with the premise that according to the U.S. Department of Energy, commercial buildings account for 35% of US (and 40% of Global) electricity consumption. Then, add on a regulatory structure in which the President is calling for a 20% reduction in energy consumption and a state (California for example) challenging (or possibly mandating) that all new commercial buildings be “zero net energy” by 2030 as a means to curb the adverse impacts of climate change. Finally, (and assuming I have not lost everyone), take a deep breath and consider the relatively benign question of how do we possibly get there?

“Zero net energy,” “net-zero buildings,” “zero net energy buildings” and a few other technical classifications all have a common foundation in designing, constructing and operating commercial buildings with substantial efficiencies that use no more energy over the course of a year than they produce from on-site renewable sources. Without disputing the veracity of the climate change debate (or the political issues associated therewith), few would argue (credibly at least) that energy reduction is not a lofty goal. Achieving this goal on any measureable scale, however, is not an easy task.

A few of the more substantive obstacles include: