NYSERDA invites application from visionary enthusiasts for the Zero Emission Buildings Competition titled as Building of Excellence Competition in the USA. The NYSERDA Zero Emission Building Competition aims to accelerate the design, development, construction, and operation of very low or zero carbon emitting multifamily buildings. NYSERDA seeks proposals for projects that reduce their energy consumption as well as per capita carbon emissions in a manner which can be replicated at scale. Selected projects are eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 in direct funding. Further, they will receive support for initiatives focused on broad marketing and public awareness.

NYSERDA Zero Emission Buildings competition accepts proposals for multifamily projects that are in any one of the four following statuses: early design, late design, under construction, and post-completion performance optimization. Proposers must demonstrate

• how the project will generate interest in and demand for the construction of advanced clean energy buildings,
• their commitment to sharing information related to the project’s design, costs, and performance. This will help to support decision-making processes employed to achieve the desired outcomes
• architectural and urban design quality and innovation.

Proposers must also demonstrate how their projects provide superior financial benefits for owners. Further, they should demonstrate how their projects provide attractive, healthy, safe, and otherwise outstanding living environments for occupants. The competition intends to identify and select proposals for projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for success and replication

Prize + Award

The Buildings of Excellence competition is a $30 million competition with $10 million being offered in each of three rounds. This competition will recognize and reward handsomely to the winner of the competition. Further, NYSERDA will provide a cash award of $1,000,000 ($1 million) to the winner who best demonstrates their design, construction, and operation of very low or zero carbon emission multifamily buildings.

Eligibility

For a submission to be eligible, the project identified in the proposal must incorporate multifamily occupancy as the primary use. Also, the project must be or intend to be, located in one of the six investor-owned New York State electricity distribution companies and pay into the System Benefits Charge (SBC) at that site.

Further, Project eligibility is fuel-neutral. However, buildings in the projects must demonstrate low-carbon attributes to Zero Emission attributes. The proposer must be an owner or developer. Further, they should have the authority to select and direct all other members of the project team. The proposer must demonstrate their project team has the capabilities to perform and successfully complete the proposed project as a multidisciplinary and integrated project delivery team. While not encouraged, a proposer may elect to submit more than one proposal to the Competition.

A project can encompass one multifamily building or a portfolio of similar or related multifamily buildings. Further, these buildings can be of any height located on the same site

How To Enter

Applicants may register online for the competition. There is no Entry Fee to participate. While registering online. participants must submit their proposal and design.

Application Deadline

Participants wishing to enter the NYSERDA Zero Emission Buildings competition must submit all the required materials by June 4, 2019 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)