Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative

The Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative aims to achieve marketable net-zero energy commercial buildings by 2025. Net-zero energy buildings generate as much energy as they consume through efficiency technologies and on-site power generation.

The Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative (or Commercial Building Initiative) encompasses all activities that support this goal including industry partnerships, research, and tool development.

On this Web site you can:

Learn how the Department of Energy is working with alliances and partners to significantly improve commercial building efficiency and quality today
Get key design and evaluation steps for developing energy-efficient and net-zero energy buildings
Download energy simulation software, such as EnergyPlus, that helps designers and engineers see how a building will perform
Obtain more information about the Commercial Building Initiative, including research projects and goals.

For more information, e-mail:

Drury Crawley ; Terry Logee ; Alan Schroeder

You can also see full contact information including phone and address.

Photo of the exterior of a multi-story brick building.

Commercial Building Energy Alliances

Join one of the Alliances to help move your industry toward more energy-efficient building design and save your company money.

Photo of the backs of a man and woman standing arm-in-arm looking at a home.

Net-Zero Energy Research

Read case studies of net-zero energy buildings being built today. Also, learn more about definitions and energy supply options. Read more.

I want to...

Read case studies in the High Performance Buildings Database.
Find pre-computed design guides for 30% energy savings.
Hold a design charrette to significantly reduce energy use.

Printable Version

Quick Links

Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative

For more information, e-mail:

Commercial Building Energy Alliances

Net-Zero Energy Research

I want to...