The energy grid is already complicated, and consumers acting as generators of energy adds more complexity. Passive building is an essential baseline for a new energy grid that is more sustainable and resilient. There is significant opportunity to make buildings part of the solution and help facilitate renewable energy. We must facilitate communication between and building response to grid signals. This is critical to optimizing energy and planning for the future.This presentation will demonstrate how ‘conservation-oriented’ Net-Zero buildings should be favored over ‘renewable-oriented’ because they: Decrease the mis-match between daily on-site energy generation and use, Depend less on the grid overall, Have the ability to shed space conditioning loads when called upon (demand response) and minimally impact comfort in the space. Instead of calling on new generation during peaks, demand response enables the demand side of the equation to optimize resources. Energy efficiency may lower the peak, but it doesn’t necessarily change the load shape. Passive buildings can shift and change the load shape! Passive buildings can allow for adjustments in space conditioning based on grid responses, and float through peak times with little to no impact on comfort. Grid integration strategies must include reducing overall electrical loads, flattening the daily electrical load curve, reducing the mismatch between on-site PV generation and energy use, deploying demand response systems, and controlling electric water heaters, and other major appliances