Becky Constantine, Marc Costa, Alfonso Ceja, Amy Whitehouse
Abstract
The Living Empowerment House marks a groundbreaking venture in urban development, creating the world's premier zero-carbon, affordable, replicable, grid-responsive, and equitable multifamily living space centered around transactive energy. Comprising two mid-rise mixed-use buildings housing 237 units, the project employs wood-framed modular construction and subterranean parking, integrating with the Santa Ana community's main thoroughfare.
This visionary project incorporates cutting-edge sustainability features, including 2.5 megawatt hours of battery storage and 945 kilowatts of solar photovoltaics. With a remarkable 22 percent reduction in peak demand, the development achieves island-able functionality from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on high-demand days. The design budget, initially projected at $177 million, was optimized to $151 million through modular construction and decentralized mechanical systems.
The Living Empowerment House represents a harmonious convergence of regulatory expertise and innovative engineering solutions, adeptly navigating the complexities of mixed-use development. Achieving 100 percent on-site self-consumption during peak demand hours underscores the success of passive load reduction strategies, decentralized mechanical equipment deployment, and creative use of subterranean parking for oversized batteries. Modular footprints and strategic use of state and federal incentives enhance the cost-effectiveness.
Addressing regulatory and operational intricacies, the project employs master metering for the building and private metering for units. Large, distributed energy resources, streamlined billing, and tenant rewards contribute to operational efficiency. Prioritizing community engagement, especially with low-income residents, through informational programs, data initiatives, and an electric vehicle program fosters inclusivity. Revenue generation via a microgrid controller connected to a virtual power plant program ensures financial viability.
The Living Empowerment House, led by Innovative Housing Opportunities, and involving Studio One Eleven, Arup, Winston Engineering, Community Electricity, ForStrategy Consulting, The Energy Coalition, and the Technical Advisory Committee, exemplifies a transformative approach to sustainable, economically viable, and community-centric urban living. This pioneering project sets a new standard for environmentally conscious urban development.
