The following is a list of suggested areas for innovation credits. It is not meant to be an exhaustive or restrictive list, and innovations not on the list may also be candidates for the innovation credits.

• Mini Environments: Minimize the space that has rigorous environmental requirements. Use specially enclosed spaces to keep areas requiring tight environmental controls as small as possible. One example is the provision of a clean bench for a process instead of the use of an entire cleanroom.
  
  
• Displacement Ventilation: A low-pressure air distribution system in which incoming air originates at floor level and rises to exhaust outlets at the ceiling. Incoming air is delivered to interior rooms by way of floor-level vents. This incoming air displaces upper air, which is exhausted through ceiling-level vents. Air pollutants generated within the building are removed at source and are not recirculated. In addition, heat generated by ceiling level lights is removed, and thus heat is not included when estimating building cooling loads.
  
  
• Optimized Utility Services: Use equipment without excessive utility service requirements (e.g. high pressure), or provide stand-alone utility services. For example, equipment that requires high-pressure compressed air, water, or steam, or excessively chilled water should be avoided when equipment requiring less intensive service are available to the owner/occupant. Often excessive requirements are driven by low equipment first-cost, but put a significant burden on the laboratory's utility infrastructure. One piece of equipment can dictate the utility service delivery set-point with significant energy impacts. Where lab equipment may dictate utility service set-points, consider stand-a-lone utility systems (e.g. a dedicated chiller).
  
  
• Design for Flexibility and Modularity: For example, the use of interstitial floors.
  
  
• Design for Catastrophic Events: Innovative design that minimizes the release of hazardous chemicals into sanitary sewer and storm water during a catastrophic event such as a fire, flood or earthquake.

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