Meeting/Event Information

Charles Eley is an architect, mechanical engineer and author with 40 years experience in energy efficient and sustainable design. His latest book is Design Professionals Guide to Zero Net Energy Buildings (Island Press 2016). During his career, Mr. Eley has made significant contributions to the California energy standards, ASHRAE Standard 90.1, and energy codes in Hong Kong, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and Australia. Mr. Eley worked as the lead consultant to the California Energy Commission to update the state energy efficiency standards for five code update cycles.

In addition to his energy codes and policy work, Mr. Eley has also developed a number of important technical manuals and publications. He served as the founding executive director of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, and was the technical editor of the CHPS Best Practices Manual. He has also developed a number of energy analysis software applications and has served as energy consultant for a number of landmark green buildings.

Mr. Eley currently writes, serves on non-profit boards, provides specialized consulting, and teaches classes on building energy efficiency and green technologies.

In his presentation, he will lay out the principles for achieving ZNE buildings and the issues surrounding their development.  ZNE buildings are practical and cost-effective ways to address climate change without compromising our quality of life. ZNE buildings are an energizing concept and one that is broadly accepted yet, there is little information on what is required to actually meet these goals. The presentation will show the goal is feasible and can be practically achieved in most buildings, that our construction industry is up to the challenge, and that we already have the necessary technologies and knowledge.  Plus 2020 and 2030 are around the corner, so plenty of opportunities to be on the forefront of the future buildings.