Press Release: 2024-11-06

Beta: Project Planning Pilot Expands

 



November 5, 2024



Amaya Sangurima, Building Decarbonization Fellow



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Engineers in hard hats inspecting piping on ceiling



MassCEC is pleased to announce the expansion of the Building Electrification and Transformation Accelerator (BETA): Project Planning pilot. BETA: Project Planning (formerly known as the BETA: Commercial Buildings Pilot) supports the decarbonization and electrification of Massachusetts’ commercial buildings sector (including multi-family buildings with 15 or more units). 



Why BETA?



BETA: Project Planning tackles the challenges that Massachusetts and communities around the world are facing with their building stock: 1) how to plan for the decarbonization of commercial buildings at scale , and 2) how to cost-effectively implement decarbonization and electrification projects. Often, building owners are motivated to start the electrification and decarbonization transition, but initial barriers prevent that process from beginning. That’s where BETA: Project Planning comes in. Program participants are first provided with no cost, in-depth building decarbonization assessments.  From the initial assessments, each participant then receives a customized strategic decarbonization plan that is aligned with routine capital planning considerations. The plan provides plentiful market resources that lead participants toward independent electrification implementation. 



The program serves a wide range of commercial building types. By testing our approach for assessments and planning and then producing case studies about them, the program will inform future projects at similar buildings. 



Where We Are Now



As of September 2024, the BETA: Project Planning team had completed 14 total assessments. Additionally, an in-depth Market Characterization Report was completed this year.



Reflections from our Partners



One of our engineers from RISE said:




Customers have indicated that understanding the phased approach and implementation of a chosen pathway over a period of time is extremely helpful for the facility towards meeting emissions targets. By allowing the customer to understand that all of these "high price tag" measures do not need to be done at the same time to remain compliant over the benchmark years (2025/2030/etc.), we can give the customer more confidence and motivate them more with what can be done rather than "sticker shocking" them.  




Another engineer contributed:




By completing a thorough walkthrough and observing the equipment/systems/and spaces with on-site staff, we’ve noticed that the visit often lends itself to teaching opportunities and uncovering things about their building they would not have otherwise noticed. There have been instances where discussions have enabled staff members to realize they can control equipment a certain (or better) way, identify a repair they need to make, or simply have a more developed working knowledge of the systems/site. 




Our partners at Slipstream further reflected:




There is still a deep interest in building performance standards even if sites are not located in BERDO [Boston] or BEUDO [Cambridge] jurisdictions. Owners really liked being able to see their building’s carbon performance and benchmark that against the BERDO targets to better gauge where they stand in the overall decarbonization picture.



For the state’s building stock to be efficient, climate resilient, and 2050-Ready, the unique challenges of decarbonizing larger commercial facilities must be addressed. BETA: Project Planning addresses these unique needs by supporting participants through extensive decarbonization assessment processes that prioritize the least-cost elimination of on-site fossil fuel use over time.  




Apply Today!



If you are interested in BETA: Project Planning or know of anyone who may be, please share with your network and/or apply today! Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis. If your building meets the criteria detailed in the pilot’s Program Manual and you're interested in decarbonizing your building, apply using our online Application Form. 



For more information, please see our flyer about the program.



Any additional questions? Please contact us at buildings@masscec.com.