Community
Resilience:
Reliable BackUp Power
Community Resiliency
re·sil·ience
riˈzilyəns/
noun
noun: resilience; plural noun: resiliences
1. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
"nylon is excellent in wearability and resilience"
2. the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
"the often remarkable resilience of so many British institutions"
USGBC Community Resiliency
Priority
Work with policy makers and community stakeholders to
advance programs and policies that allow cities and
counties to:
________________________________________
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Better implement strategies to mitigate the effect of
disasters
Plan and prepare for inevitable events that will come
Leverage our knowledge, expertise, tools and
resources to rebound smarter, stronger and greener
Super Storm Sandy: How Well Were We
Prepared?
Super Storm Sandy: How Well Were We
Prepared?
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850 miles in diameter
8,100,000 number of
homes that lost power in
17 states
Death Toll approximately
125
$25 billion in lost
business
Making the City of New York (or any other
city; or community) More Resilient
NYC Building Resiliency Task Force – About
the Task Force

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USGBC NY Chapter (Urban
Green Council) lead the study
More than 200 volunteers, 45
meetings, 5000 hrs, five (5)
months
Leading experts in their fields
Real estate owners, property
managers, architects, engineers,
contractors, utility representatives,
city officials, code consultants, cost
estimators and attorneys
NYC Building Resiliency Task Force – Areas
of Focus

Stronger Buildings

Backup Power

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Essential Safety
Better Planning
Considerations in Choosing a Backup Power
System

Major considerations in choosing a backup power
system:
The reliability of energy source (solar, natural gas).
 The method of distribution within the building; prioritize
critical loads.

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There is also an additional consideration that goes
beyond engineering solutions:

Maximize the resiliency of the primary power source ;
constructed/locate it to provide reliable backup for the
duration of grid failure; above flood stage.
Maximize Resiliency of Primary Backup Power
Source
Many undamaged buildings in New York City could not be occupied because
electrical service panels and/or emergency generators were located in
basements that flooded during the storm surge of Sandy .
Considerations in Choosing a Backup Power
System
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Choose Reliable Backup Power (proven technology).
Make Effective Use of Cogeneration, CHP & Solar
Power During Blackouts (long term grid failures)
Prioritize Needs (establish Essential Safety power
requirements; identify Critical Loads)
Add Permanent Hookups for Temporary Generators
& Boilers (Community; Military)
AND ------
Solar arrays and battery backups can also
be used for Essential Safety systems

In Multistory or
Multi-Occupancy
Buildings keep
Stairwells and
Hallways Lit

Maintain Lighting for
Emergency Exits and
Paths
Solar arrays and battery backups can also
be used for Essential Safety systems

Provide Power to Water Sources not Able to Provide
Water by Gravity.
Maintain Power to Essential Safety Systems

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Keep Gas Stations Open!!
Avoid This with This
Proven Technologies: Distributed
Generation (DG) Options

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Cogeneration

Bio Mass / Bio Gas

Steam and Gas Turbines

Reciprocating Gas Engines

Fuel Cells

Microturbines
Proven Technologies: Microturbines
Proven Technologies: Microturbines
Solar Electrical Backup for Disasters? Not as Easy
as You Think!
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USGBC Gateway Chapter Roundtable Discussion:
Reliability of Solar Applications
Participants included: Rep from Urban Green (NY
USGBC), electrical contractors; energy consultants; reps
from Solar industry (installers & suppliers) discussed:
Use of Solar applications during extended power outages
 How do you design a solar system that could be used when
not connected to the grid?
 What are the barriers? Cost? Technology? Political (codes,
zoning)

Solar Electrical Backup for Disasters? Not as Easy as
You Think!

A sensible approach to emergency home backup
power considers:
 Conserve
energy; FIRST become energy efficient
before deciding on back up power source
 Identify critical loads; install a sub-panel
 Install a backup transfer switch
 Consider installing a reliable generator;
propane/natural gas.

Then consider a grid tied solar energy system with
battery backup
A Solar Array with Battery Backup; Picture of
the Future? You Decide!
THANK YOU!
Emily Andrews
USGBC-Missouri Gateway
emily.andrews@mobot.org
Mary Ann Lazarus
HOK & AIA
maryannlazarus2@gmail.com
John Aliberti
Engineered Solutions
jgaliberti@aol.com