A Year of Operations: Utah Clean Energy’s Climate Innovation Center

In August 2024, we introduced Utah Clean Energy’s Climate Innovation Center as a model for ultra‑energy‑efficient retrofitted buildings. Now, after a more than a year of continuous operation, we invite you to a deep‑dive review of the successes achieved and the challenges navigated while running a Zero Energy registered building. Kevin Emerson will share how the team translated design intent into measured performance, covering energy use and demand management, solar generation and seasonal variability, occupant comfort and indoor environmental quality, and operations and maintenance practices. You’ll hear candid lessons learned and priorities for the coming year that keep this high‑performance building performing at its best.

Lunch will be provided. 

Presenters: Kevin Emerson, MSc - Building Efficiency and Decarbonization Director, Utah Clean Energy

Kevin is the lead for energy efficiency and building decarbonization programs, policy, and regulatory activities for Utah Clean Energy. For nearly 18 years he has worked to help shape utility energy efficiency programs, local and state policies, and other initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of Utah’s built environment.

Kevin previously served as a public member of Utah’s Uniform Building Code Commission, and co-chair of the Building Efficiency Committee for the State of Utah’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan. He currently serves as a board member of the Utah Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers, an associate member of ULI Utah.

Kevin graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Utah and an M.Sc. in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh

PARKING INFORMATION

There is no on-site parking at the Climate Innovation Center, only street parking. Ample 2-hour curbside parking is generally available along 400 East.

The Climate Innovation Center is located conveniently near several public transportation stops. The UTA TRAX Red Line runs along 400 South, and stops at the Library Station, just two blocks south of the Center. The Trax Blue and Green Lines stop at the Gallivan Plaza Station, just a few blocks west of the Center. In addition, UTA bus routes 2, 205, and 220 have stops less than a block away from the Center and bus routes 4 and 455 have stops along 400 South within about 3 blocks of the Center. We encourage visitors to use the rider tools available from UTA to plan your trip: https://www.rideuta.com/Rider-Tools/Schedules-and-Maps.

The Climate Innovation Center is also easily accessed with Green Bikes.If you are unable to use public transportation or find street parking, this website provides a list of the nearest paid parking lots.

If you are unable to use public transportation or find street parking, this website can provide locations of the nearest paid parking lots.