DES vs purchased heat for 1! building

The USGBC will be issuing the new DES guidance document in the next few days. Watch for that, it will clarify and simplify things. Your specific questions: 1) Does this definition apply for one building connected to a district heating regional plant? Ans - yes. Anytime you are getting steam, hot water, or chilled water from a source outside your project it is considered DES. 2) Is it correct we have to run 2 energy simulations Ans - this is the big change coming. In the new guidance you don't have to run it both ways, however, there is a cap on the number of points if you model a stand alone building. Stay tuned. 3) Is there any beneficial effect to use the virtual DES-equivalent plant scenario? Ans - if the plant is more efficient than the code minimums, yes. 4) Is there any beneficial effect to be connected to a 100% green district heating system? Ans - don't know what "100% green" means, but if it is more efficient than a conventional plant, it should help. If it something exceptional, be prepared to prove it to the reviewers.