Portland Community College Newberg Center: Newberg, OR

Ground Zero

As the first step toward what could be an entirely net zero energy campus, Portland Community College Newberg Center is a proving ground of sorts for the college. It is demonstrating the effectiveness of energy-efficient techniques, such as daylighting and natural ventilation, and revealing some systems that need further tuning to reach optimal operation. Expanded heating and cooling setpoints and engaging users in energy-saving behaviors such as wearing seasonally appropriate clothing also help reduce energy use. The center has not yet reached net zero energy status, but operators expect that it will soon as they examine why the air-to-water heat pump is using more energy for heating than expected.