– The Next EPIC Challenge: Reimagining Affordable Mixed-Use Development in a Carbon-Constrained Future

Climate change and housing affordability present two of the most significant challenges facing California. The deadly and destructive fires of the past few years, as well as findings from California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, have highlighted the dire impacts expected from climate change on California if greenhouse gas emissions are not dramatically reduced. To avoid the most severe impacts of climate change, California has set aggressive policy goals to decarbonize its energy sector by 2045. Building decarbonization – primarily achieved through energy efficiency, onsite renewable generation and storage, and full end-use electrification – is a key strategy for realizing the state’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A number of California’s local governments are already pursuing ordinances that would require all new and existing buildings to be zero-emission by 2030 and 2050, respectively. Through its research and development investments, the CEC has supported the development of a number of promising technologies that can help support the feasibility of a zero-emission mixed-use development. Many of the technologies have benefits beyond their energy and emission savings that can help facilitate their market adoption. For example, advancements in solid-state lighting and heat exchangers are enabling lighting and HVAC products in novel new form factors; potentially opening a new set of design options for architects to increase the aesthetic appeal and functionality of buildings. In addition, market actors and stakeholders are pursuing promising innovations in architecture, planning, policy, technology, construction, and financing. To address both greenhouse gas emissions and rising housing costs, technology and non-technology innovations across these sectors will need to come together into new models capable of disrupting the housing sector so that all Californians have access to safe, healthy, affordable, and desirable living environments. This solicitation will be conducted as a two-phase design-build competition. The CEC may consider adding a third-phase grand prize challenge that will be awarded to the best of the four Build Phase projects to scale their design across the state. There is currently up to $12,000,000 available for the Design Phase portion of this solicitation. There is an additional $36,000,000 in funding available for the Build Phase of this competition contingent upon approval of the CEC’s 2021-2025 EPIC Investment Plan. This would result in a total of up to $48,000,000 planned for grants awarded under this solicitation.