Decarbonization and Electrification: A Roadmap to Federal Net-Zero

This resource proposes five broad steps for federal agencies to follow to decarbonize and electrify their building and fleet portfolios. Existing decarbonization resources and roadmaps were reviewed and their steps and processes were synthesized into these five broad steps that apply to federal portfolios. The steps - referred to more specifically as federal agency portfolio decarbonization action plan steps - include: 1. Collection and Assessment. Establish and/or review goals and targets, assemble relevant stakeholders and available data, inventory portfolio of buildings and fleets. Establish baseline energy consumption and emissions for each building and fleet within the portfolio. 2. Solution Development. Perform energy audits and other actions to identify potential energy and water efficiency and conservation measures (ECMs) and emission reduction measures (ERMs). Assemble a list of potential solutions and strategies tailored for the relevant context. 3. Prioritization Plan. Prioritize portfolio by key buildings attributes, or by individual building and/or fleets, crafting solutions which identify the most cost effective, and strategically optimal decarbonization and electrification strategies. Classify measures and prioritize solutions based on the following order: energy efficiency/ load reduction, electrification, carbon-free electricity, and innovative/emerging technologies. Evaluate decarbonization and electrification measures with multiple scenarios, with varying assumptions. Perform a cost-benefit analysis and estimate payback period. Consider auxiliary benefits. Note that innovative/emerging technologies, if cost effective, may be considered in the energy efficiency / load reduction and/or electrification categories. 4. Implementation and Training. Develop an implementation plan that identifies which measures will be implemented and where. Determine key personnel that must be trained and develop a training plan. Implement identified decarbonization and electrification measures, perform (retro)commissioning, and train facility staff. Ensure relevant documentation and resources are available to site staff. 5. Monitoring, Reporting, and Revising. Perform measurement and verification (M&V) to ensure measures are performing as expected. Performing ongoing performance monitoring is key to ensure implemented actions continue to align with goals and allows for the option to make revisions when they are not. M&V efforts for both building and fleet performance should be documented and reported annually. When revisions are required, the above process should be repeated, beginning with Collection and Assessment and the new actions should be again monitored and reported. Revisions should be documented, and lessons learned assembled. Relevant resources for federal agencies pertaining to each step are listed and discussed. Finally, financing options for identified ERMs are included.