Dedicated to advancing sustainable laboratories globally.
Decarbonizing the World's Labs
Laboratories have an outsized impact on carbon emissions due to their energy-intensive nature, so it is vital to understand the steps that lab owners, managers, designers, and engineers can take to help decarbonize them. To develop a roadmap to decarbonize the world’s high-tech research facilities, I2SL is creating the Labs2Zero program, comprised of a variety of options and information that address both the complexity of laboratories and the need to make them more efficient while reducing the emissions associated with their building and operations. To help launch the program, experienced professionals from the lab industry have volunteered their time and expertise on Technical Advisory Councils (TACs). Additionally, contributions from Sponsors help fund development of criteria and tools to support the Labs2Zero program components.
Labs2Zero recognizes that laboratories can be an integral part of an organization’s net zero emissions strategy. Benchmarking building performance data in the LBT compared to similar type labs, then generating Energy and Operational Emissions Scores is the first step; lab buildings can also be benchmarked for embodied carbon. The next step is getting an automated energy audit—for a fraction of the cost of an in-person audit—with a subscription to the Actionable Insights and Measures (AIM) Report software. Professional training and accreditation programs will provide assistance to users and promoters of the LBT, AIM, and other Labs2Zero tools. Eventually, certifying the results of a high-performing lab will verify and recognize labs that can serve as a model for other facilities.
To understand an existing lab’s energy performance, I2SL currently hosts the Laboratory Benchmark Tool (LBT). Developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and free to use, it stores data from approximately 1,400 lab buildings, the world’s largest lab building energy and emissions benchmarking database. Building off this successful tool, I2SL is creating several other key aspects of the Labs2Zero program:
Using data entered into the LBT, the Labs2Zero Energy Score provides quantitative, normalized scores based on energy use intensity (EUI), lab size, type, occupancy, and weather. Lab energy performance is rated from 1 to 100, where 100 represents the highest performance on a percentile basis. LBT users can also select a target Energy Score value and determine what their corresponding energy use intensity (EUI) levels would need to be to achieve it.
Labs entering data in the LBT can also receive an Operational Emissions Score showing how the greenhouses gases from their operations compare to other laboratory facilities in the LBT with similar operations and climate zones. The score is a 1-100 percentile ranking of a lab building’s location-based emissions, which means it is calculated using emissions factors for the building’s electric grid and all other energy utilities used at the facility.
The AIM Report is a global automated energy audit tool specifically designed for lab buildings that identifies and calculates potential savings for applicable energy conservation measures, producing results similar to those of a high-level energy audit for a fraction of the cost. It also includes implementation costs and case studies of proven technologies and techniques to reduce energy intensity in labs.
Based on life cycle assessment (LCA) data submitted by volunteers, I2SL’s LBT includes a database of LCA data related to the embodied carbon of materials used in the construction of new lab buildings and major renovations. LBT users can benchmark either existing lab buildings or those in the design stage against selected peer group buildings with similar characteristics in I2SL’s LBT.
Training and Accreditation Program
Individuals can receive in-person or online training on how to benchmark lab buildings and use the AIM Report software. Accreditations will include Labs2Zero Champions who will be trained on the basic program elements and promote Labs2Zero tools and trainings. Labs2Zero Experts will be technical professionals trained and tested on the LBT, AIM, and Labs2Zero scoring and be able to train others on these tools.
Design2Zero
For new lab construction and major retrofits, this service will allow building designers and engineers to select a desired energy and emissions score and receive the estimated EUI and greenhouse gas emission targets based on planned design characteristics. Design2Zero will provide suggestions on the best approaches to reduce energy and emissions to help achieve that desired score or rating, factoring in both estimated performance and costs.
Lab Emissions Performance Certification
To publicly recognize and celebrate those facilities leading the way in energy and emissions reduction, I2SL will develop a certification scheme to verify the labs’ performance on the scorecards and validate baseline lab safety requirements. Users can pay to both have their labs certified through this program and receive technical assistance from an accredited professional who has demonstrated knowledge through this program.
This program is overseen by the Labs2Zero Leadership Council, which consists of the following volunteers:
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Alison Farmer, I2SL
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Anthony Michetti, Cell Signaling Technology
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Brad Cochran, CPP Wind
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Chad House, Siemens Industry, Inc.
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Dan Diehl, Aircuity
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Dan Doyle, Grumman/Butkus Associates
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Deirdre Carter, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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Dirk Von Below, architect
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Eleni Reed, Alexandria Real Estate
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Gordon Sharp, I2SL
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Mario Don Porto Carero, EGNATON
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Phil Kelly, Ridge/I2SL UK
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Punit Jain, Cannon Design
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Shannon Horn, University of Colorado Boulder
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Thomas Smith, 3Flow
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Yvon Lachance, YLA Architecture
Creating and completing this program will require involvement across the sustainable laboratory community. Read more about how to sponsor or volunteer expertise for Labs2Zero.