Developer Connections Summer 2020

Supporting our customers through COVID-19

Since the COVID-19 pandemic heightened in March, SMUD’s been active on many fronts to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and customers.

In order to ensure our most vulnerable residential and business customers continue to have access to power, we quickly suspended power shut-offs for non-payment and have subsequently extended it through January, 4 2021. We also modified our energy assistance rate to better serve qualifying customers. We’re showing our support throughout new “Stay Well” campaign reminding our customers and community that we’re here to help.

Over the next few months, we’re reviewing our business priorities to ensure our rates remain competitive in light of the challenging economic conditions. See the latest COVID-19 updates.

Go electric!

SMUD is actively promoting electrification by encouraging customers to shift from using fossil fuels for space and water heating needs to using heat pump technologies. This allows for more renewable energy use and potentially maximizes heat recovery in a building. With the benefits of implementing electric heat pump technologies, a building owner can maximize on heat recovery in their building instead of rejecting that valuable heat outdoors.

Here’s how it works. In general, it’s more efficient to “move” energy (such as with a heat pump) than it is to “make” energy (such as with electric resistance or burning gas). For example, a multifamily apartment building could incorporate a central heat pump water heater designed to extract heat emitted from vehicles and surrounding air in a parking garage, then “move” that heat into their domestic water. Or, an office building could incorporate a variable refrigerant flow system with heat recovery to “move” cooling and heating energy within a building before exchanging energy with the outdoors.

SMUD supports induction cooking for commercial kitchens and central or standalone heat pump water heaters for projects with incentives and technical guidance on your electrification projects. The possibilities are endless. Reach out to SMUD staff in the Advanced Commercial Solutions department for next steps on how we can support you and your design team to further optimize your building. We can be reached at 1-916-732-5095 or IntegratedDesign@smud.org.

Transmission line upgrade

In April, we finished the first phase of a large upgrade to an existing SMUD transmission line in Sacramento that will continue the delivery of reliable power to our customers. Phase II of the project starts in early 2021. After completion of the project, we’ll be better equipped to meet future demands for electricity and to bring more renewable resources to the Sacramento area.

Introducing SMUD’s new Neighborhood SolarShares Program

Register today to learn about the program and how to apply.

Please join SMUD for an online information session on the new Neighborhood SolarShares program, which provides utility-scale solar power to new homes permitted under the 2019 Building Standards Code. In February, the California Energy Commission approved Neighborhood SolarShares as an option for builders to comply with the mandate that all new low-rise residential buildings in California be solar-powered.

Participants will learn about the program, how to participate and the timeline for launch. Prospective participants, members of the design community, local governments, other program administrators and interested individuals are welcome to attend.

Online information session attendance options:

Wednesday, July 15, 2020 from 10-11 AM – Register here
Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 10-11 AM – Register here

Upcoming industry related workshops

Transforming how we build: demystifying net zero energy & carbon neutrality - online class

Thursday, July 9, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Skype meeting

This online presentation will bring clarity to owners, designers, builders and operators about the theories and realities of achieving net zero energy and carbon neutrality across a variety of project types. Beginning with an overview of current industry standards and code requirements, we’ll explore the subtle nuances of varying definitions and viewing audiences. Tools, resources and organizations to aid in the pursuit of net zero and carbon neutrality will be identified to demonstrate and assess value at every stage of the design-build-operate lifecycle. Multiple project examples will be provided that address a diversity of vision, solutions and lessons learned. AIA credit will be provided.

2019 Title 24: Envelope - online class

Thursday, August 13, 2020 | 8:30 a.m. – noon | Skype meeting

California’s 2019 Title 24 Energy Standards took effect on January 1, 2020. Martyn Dodd, principal of EnergySoft, will cover the numerous changes to the building envelope residential and nonresidential sections including updated retrofits, acceptance test requirements and forms.

Transforming how we build: meeting climate change goals with FastOx® gasification – online class

Thursday, August 20, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Skype meeting

Integration of Yolo County’s sustainable waste management practices and the Sierra Energy’s FastOx® waste to energy technology paves the path to zero waste for the waste industry, while lowering cost and generating fuel. Sierra Energy has developed a technology that eliminates waste and generates salable products and syngas. FastOx® gasification breaks down waste at the molecular level, via ultra-high heat, converting it into energy-dense syngas and inert stone and metals without burning. AIA credit will be provided.

Register now

2019 Title 24: Mechanical - online class

Thursday, September 10, 2020 | 8:30 a.m. – noon | Skype meeting

Too many times, excellent designs are just not performing as predicted. Nancy Clanton will discuss the many issues discovered during multiple post occupancy evaluations (POE), have led to “lessons learned” including luminaire selection and locations, lighting control systems, BAS coordination, daylighting design and shading, and most important – on going training for the operation and maintenance staff. Please note, this session will be a webinar held via Skype. SMUD has put temporary precautionary measures in place to help reduce the risk of spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). We’re committed to continuing to support our community, but out of an abundance of caution, we’re restricting SMUD’s hosting of in-person events and classes, for the safety of our employees and the public.

Register now

Transforming how we build: embodied carbon of building materials - online class

Thursday, September 17, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Skype meeting

Embodied carbon, the emissions from making the materials of our built environment, is a larger source of global warming than we thought. And getting to zero by 2050 to avert our 1.5-degree tipping point means reducing embodied carbon is more urgent than ever. Luckily many of the tools and resources are here to tackle embodied carbon head on, but they aren't widely used or understood by the building community. This session will get you started.

Register now