High performance development as distributed generation

The markets of renewable energy, distributed generation, manufactured systems, design and construction engineering, and sustainable development are fast approaching a crossroads, creating an environment to make high-performance development as distributed generation economically and technically feasible. Difficulties in siting of energy infrastructure in the United States and abroad further encourage the use of distributed and on-site generation. The economies of scale that are typically required when considering sustainable practices can be compared to designing large campuses of multiple building types. According to Arthur C. Nelson of the Brookings Institution, "by 2030 about half of all facilities in the USA will have been built after 2000, this generation has a vital opportunity to reshape future development." Developers and urban planners may finally have a key ingredient to creating sustainable cities: high-performance development as distributed generation. The design and construction of high performance development as distributed generation requires that complex structures and systems are integrated with the development to enable it to produce more electrical energy than it consumes. Energy usage can be minimized by using passive, low energy, and efficient building systems. Onsite power production can be maximized by the balance of distributed renewable and cogeneration energy resources corresponding to its geographic location. Existing strategies in sustainable development and green building guidelines are effective energy conservation measures. Existing technologies consisting of building integrated photovoltaic arrays, roof mounted vertical axis wind turbines, and combined heat and power systems can be integrated with a building automation system to provide a sustainable source of energy. Creating developments that have a long term net-benefit of electrical energy will be a powerful tool in providing a plentiful and consistent supply of electricity for future generations.