101 Series: Continuous Insulation (10/4, 12pm ET / 9am PT)
March 3, 2023

Now Available: Beta Version of OCEC Tool Developed by Skylar Swinford

Now Available: Beta Version of OCEC Tool Developed by Skylar Swinford

Skylar Swinford has developed the open-source OCEC tool (Operational Carbon Embodied Carbon tool) which draws upon data from (1) the BEAM Estimator[1] (for estimating A1-A3 upfront carbon emissions), (2) the eGRID emissions factors in ASHRAE 189.1: Standard for the Design of Green Buildings[2] (for estimating operational carbon emissions using retrospective electricity emissions factors), and (3) the NREL Cambium Tool[3] (for estimating operational carbon emissions using projections for future electricity emissions factors). 

OCEC provides a single-page dashboard for rapid comparison of the operational and embodied emissions of two side-by-side building cases. It is an early design tool that integrates the upfront emissions from the building enclosure, mechanical system, PV system, and energy storage of a building with a tally of that building’s operational emissions. It also evaluates the impact of refrigerant leakage on overall building emissions, which varies depending on the size of heat pump necessary for a given building. 

For more background view this Passive House Accelerator LIVE presentation:

Download the full slide deck from Skylar's, Dan Whitmore's, and Zack Semke's presentation about OCEC at PhiusCon 2022 here.

Author
Passive House Accelerator

Passive House Accelerator

Passive House Accelerator LLC is a catalyst for zero carbon building.

Weekly Newsletter

Get the latest passive house news, trends, & insights delivered straight to your email inbox.