Oregon Projects Gets Help on Path to Net Zero

February 1, 2023

Daily Journal of Commerce

Adre, a real estate development company, is engaged in two projects with potential to be net zero. Hallova, Adre’s founder, received her grant for development of a framework for an eco-district and district-energy microgrid for one of those projects: Williams & Russell, in Portland.

“The Williams and Russell project is a multibuilding project with different partners involved,” Hallova said.

Through the fellowship, Adre is studying energy savings and carbon emissions reduction at a district scale. The firm is looking into net zero energy, net zero water and net zero waste.

The net zero principles being pursued are: using less materials, using mass timber, using no fossil fuels, electrifying everything, and managing waste efficiently. The concept is to explore this on a district scale rather than building by building. The research will be complete sometime this year.

Project challenges include costs to purchase and install systems as well as jurisdictional issues tied to water and waste management.

The other net zero project is for Parrott Creek Child & Family Services, a nonprofit that has been in operation for over 50 years. The organization is preparing to expand its Oregon City campus, and the project is expected to be net zero if rooftop solar panels are included. Adre is pursuing a solar and storage grant for the project.