Wilde Lake Middle School

Building/Project NameWilde Lake Middle School Construction / refurbishment date01/08/2017 Building/Project Size9905.5 sqm

Building/Project Typeacademic Address 10481 Cross Fox Ln Colombia Maryland MD 21044 United States Region americas

Net Zero Operational Carbon

Buildings or developments that are verified and certified as “net zero operational energy and/or carbon.” The building should demonstrate the highest levels of energy efficiency with the use of either renewables generated onsite or renewable energy procured offsite.

Achieved Certification Scheme: ILFI Zero Energy
Energy Use Intensity (EUI) (kWh/m2/yr): 43.2 Onsite Renewable Production Intensity (RPI) (kWh/m2/yr): 82.9 Verification Year: 2018

Wilde Lake Middle School is Maryland’s first net-zero-energy (NZE) school. This was accomplished by the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels located on the roof and site. This project demonstrates that net-zero-energy goals are achievable for large projects with strict budgets.

All stakeholders were engaged in the design process from the beginning. School staff, community members, administrators and designers worked together to evaluate every aspect of the school’s design to ensure an effective end product. The WLMS community has embraced this new building and contributed to the success of this project.

The design and construction of this new middle school has achieved a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ‘Platinum’ designation. Overall reduction in energy consumption, combined with on-site renewable energy production, proved a winning strategy.

Other measures include:

• Ground-source geothermal system comprised of 112 400-foot deep vertical boreholes. All water system, with a single pump provided for fluid distribution. 71 two-stage water-source heat pump units for space conditioning throughout the classroom and assembly areas. Water-cooled VRF system for space conditioning within the administration areas.
• Three independent DOAS units headered into one DOAS system, each provided with enthalpy wheel and chilled/heating water coil. VAV terminal units modulated ventilation based on room C02 levels.
• Water is heated from a ground source heat pump.
• Whole building networked lighting control system is utilized to control sensors – occupancy and vacancy – relays, devices, and LED luminaries with digitally addressable drivers. Daylighting plays a strong role as well.

You can find out more about this case study at the ILFI website here.

OrganisationInternational Living Future Institution

Wilde Lake Middle School is Maryland’s first net-zero-energy (NZE) school.