Maija Krizmane
Maija Krizmane

USGBC Research Fellow, CHP engineer, M.Sc. Heat, Gas and Water technologies, focused on efficient energy production and distribution on different levels and scales.

Energy Efficiency Performance of LEED-EB Projects
04 Aug 2014 • openbook 2 minute read
In a recently published post, I analyzed the energy efficiency achievements of a sample dataset of LEED for New Construction 2009 projects in the United States. LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) and LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating system achievements are …
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Energy Efficiency Design Goals for LEED-NC Projects
21 May 2014 • openbook 2 minute read
Every LEED for New Construction project achieves a minimum level of energy efficiency that significantly exceeds requirements of advanced energy codes, typically ASHRAE 90.1 and California Title 24.  Almost every LEED-NC project does more with design features intended …
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Improving Passive House Certification Based on Post Occupancy Evaluation
28 Apr 2014 • openbook 2 minute read
Passive House is a widely used building certification program focusing primarily on residential energy efficiency. The vast majority of these projects are in Germany, though a handful of Passive House projects have been certified in the United States (with additional pr …
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The Most Sustainable Projects in Latvia
10 Mar 2014 • openbook 1 minute read
As a visiting fellow through the Council on International Educational Exchange, one of my roles at USGBC is to help expand upon GBIG's representation of international green building activity – especially within Eastern Europe. For that reason, I am excited by the rece …
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GBIG Zero Net Energy Buildings Collection
20 Feb 2014 • openbook 2 minute read
Earlier this year the New Buildings Institute released their ZNE 2014 Status Update detailing the achievements of 32 ‘verified’ zero net energy buildings across the U.S., and pointing towards an additional 180 “ZNE Emerging” and “Ultra-low Energy” buildings …
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GM reduces data center energy consumption by 70%
22 Nov 2013 • openbook 1 minute read
General Motors claims that energy consumption in their newly built Detroit data center will be 70% less than comparable data centers using conventional technologies. The building received LEED Gold certification, a rating rarely achieved by data centers across the U.S. …
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Your Handy Guide to Building Energy Disclosure Mandates
09 Oct 2013 • openbook 2 minute read
The past decade has seen energy rating and disclosure mandates become increasingly common as legislators and policymakers realize the large energy imprint of commercial buildings - in U.S. commercial buildings account for 19% of energy related carbon emissions. However, …
LL84 requires many NYC to disclose yearly energy performance data

Turn Streets Green to Cut Air Pollution
17 Sep 2013 • openbook 1 minute read
Vegetation on our streets, including trees, plants and green walls, could reduce nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in the air, dramatically improving air quality, according to a study from researchers at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. Effectiveness of …
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Modeling Passive Systems for Hospitals
18 Jun 2013 • openbook 2 minute read
With their need for ventilation, heating, cooling, and lighting, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, it's no wonder hospitals use more energy than any other major building type. What if you could configure a hospital, using passive and low-energy systems, and achieve …
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