Page 97 - Designing for Zero Carbon-Volume 2_Case Studies of All-Electric Multifamily Residential Buildings

The common area garage lighting is low brightness when unoccupied, increasing in light level when a motion detector senses someone entering the space. All emergency lights have a battery backup system in case of a power outage.
On-Site Energy Storage: Batteries
As noted, there are batteries installed only for the emergency lighting. The local electric utility company, City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU), did not have a time-of-use rate schedule when the project was being planned and built, nor is one planned for the immediate future. The developer therefore opted not to install a battery array for energy cost savings and resiliency.
EV Charging
For added marketing appeal to potential tenants in this area, the developer installed four Level 2 EV charging stations7, two in the main garage and one each in the private garages serving the rear townhomes. Conduit was installed in the main garage for eleven additional Level 2 charging stations, in anticipation of future tenant requirements.
7 Level 2 charging stations are usually installed with a 220-volt outlet and are roughly four times faster charging than Level 1 charging stations. See: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/ Utilities/Sustainability/Electric-Vehicle/EV-Chargers-for-Homes
Designing for Zero Carbon: Volume 2
(Above) Excerpt from Sam- sung SmartThings website illustrating system features.
(Below) Electric car charging units in basement Garage.
THE PALO ALTO APARTMENTS CASE STUDY NO. 4 (Following Pages) Interior of
the penthouse apartment.
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