Trane Sets Benchmark for Energy Efficiency and Sound Reduction

Stealth™ air-cooled chiller delivers reduced energy consumption, improved flexibility and performance

Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, introduces the newest addition to its air-cooled chiller product portfolio, the Trane Stealth™ air-cooled chiller. Available in the 150-300 ton capacity range, Stealth air-cooled chillers deliver an industry-leading combination of part-load and full-load efficiencies and the lowest published sound levels for an air-cooled chiller in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry.

At the core of the Stealth chiller’s performance is AdaptiSpeed™ technology – the integration of a direct-drive, specific-speed screw compressor, permanent-magnet motors and third-generation Trane Adaptive Frequency™ Drive (AFD3).

Modular building has graduated into green building

This video was published a while back but it's worth watching again - particularly since modular housing and commercial modular construction have both become popular in the sustainable design and green building arenas. Architects are embracing the sustainable aspects of building in a controlled environment and specifying sustainable materials and owners are taking full advantage of the flexibility and time savings that are inherent to modular building.

 Consider modular...it has come a long way in the last decade.

HUD and Wells Fargo

Collaboration Will Focus On Investment In Communities

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that Wells Fargo Bank N.A., the National Fair Housing Alliance, 13 private fair housing organizations and Acting Assistant Secretary Bryan Greene have reached an agreement through which Wells Fargo will invest in efforts designed to help improve housing in minority neighborhoods that have been hard hit by the foreclosure crisis. As part of the agreement, Wells Fargo has committed to invest a total of $39 million in 45 communities across the country through various programs to support home ownership, neighborhood stabilization, property rehabilitation and housing development. 

First Leed-Certified Green Middle School Ribbon Cutting

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOLS BRINGS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING

EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

TO HARBOR GATEWAY NORTH/GARDENA AREA

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration for New

Environmental Charter Middle School Set for May 22

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 16, 2013 – Environmental Charter Schools’ (ECS) top priority has always been to provide excellent educational opportunities in underserved communities. It has never been content to stop there, however. The network of free public middle and high schools that prepares students for four-year colleges through experiential learning and by exploring the environment as a learning tool both inside and outside the classroom also is committed to being a good neighbor and engaged community partner.

Deficit in Nation’s Aquifers Accelerating

A new U.S. Geological Survey study documents that the Nation's aquifers are being drawn down at an accelerating rate.

Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008) comprehensively evaluates long-term cumulative depletion volumes in 40 separate aquifers (distinct underground water storage areas) in the United States, bringing together reliable information from previous references and from new analyses.

Video: Sustainable Building Materials Basic Training

Recycled glass is a sustainable material.

This video deserves a lot more views than the 3,000 it currently has - especially if you are in a learning
mode about green building materials and sustainable design. I will be sharing this video with anyone that inquires about using green building materials for a residential or commercial construction or renovation project.

If you are a builder or developer - ask yourself how sustainable your "projects, practices and products" are after watching this segment.

This is part 1 of 3 and lasts about eleven minutes. Enjoy and share...and thanks to Michael Amish for a great tool.

Matt Banes

Video - Sustainable Landscaping Facts

Part of green building is green landscaping and in this video Professor Doug Tallamy points out some of the most important reasons why specific plants and trees make up a truly sustainable landscape for any building, home or school.

It makes sense to landscape with a purpose!

Ford Launches Energy Efficient Lifestyle Giveaway

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2013 – Ford and the MyEnergi Lifestyle^® initiative have kicked off the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest with Katie Couric on her syndicated talk show “Katie.” Homeowners can enter this national contest for a chance to win a package that includes a Ford C-MAX Energi – America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle, new Whirlpool brand appliances, a SunPower solar power system and other home products designed to bring energy-efficient living to a typical American family.  The contest is now open and runs through June 9, with the grand prize winner to be announced this summer.

Prefabricated Bamboo Homes in Costa Rica

If you have been following our posts we have been covering Bamboo as a sustainable building product quite a bit lately and this video continues our hunt for more facts, figures and examples of building with this hearty grass.

Plus, and it's a big "plus" we are on location and publishing the iBuildgeen Blog from Marbella, Guanacaste, Costa Rica where green building with sustainable materials and eco friendly practices are part and parcel with living in this ecologically supercharged part of the globe.

Enjoy and "Pura Bamboo" from Matt

IKEA Surpasses 85% Solar

IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The 118,000-square-foot PV array consists of a 590.8-kW (DC) system, built with 4,220 laminated panels. IKEA Stoughton's program will produce approximately 695,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 479 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), eliminating the emissions of 94 cars or powering 60 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

This installation represents the 38th completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S., with one more location underway, making the eventual IKEA solar presence nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation of 38 MW. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015. This investment reinforces the long-term commitment of IKEA to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. Consistent with the company's goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 250,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns/operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe.

For the development, design and installation of the Stoughton store's customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, Inc., a national leader in solar electric system design and installation with more than 9,000 systems built across the U.S

"We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of improving the sustainability of our day-to-day business," said Frank Briel, store manager. "The Stoughton coworkers are excited to help contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar energy system. We appreciate the support of the Town of Stoughton, National Grid and REC Solar, our partners in this project."

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and aims to minimize impacts on the environment. IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material; incorporating key measures into buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, warehouse skylights, and water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, phasing-out the sale of incandescent light bulbs, facilitating recycling compact fluorescent bulbs, and by 2016 selling and using only L.E.D. bulbs. IKEA also installed electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores in the Western U.S.

HVAC ROI: beyond energy efficiency

(Dallas, TX May 7, 2013) When it comes to helping your customers get the most out of their HVAC investment, there's more to the bottom line than swapping out an old, out-of-date system for a shiny, new, high-efficiency model. While the new, higher-performing system will instantly result in monthly utility savings they can see, there's more to ROI than efficiency ratings and first cost.

As businesses consider the purchase of packaged HVAC units, tallying the total ROI—from first cost, setup and installation to ongoing service and maintenance—is the best way to determine which system will offer your customers the best return in the long run.

Here's what to look for when choosing or replacing an HVAC unit:

Easy installation
Did the HVAC manufacturer do its research to find out what the contractor needs in order to make the system easier to install? Simplifying the installation process is a win-win for both the contractor and the end user. It all comes down to less time spent on the job, and fewer subcontractors needed to get the job done—which in turn equates to less cost to the end user, and potentially more time for contractors to add another job to the day's roster. Look for intelligent controls that verify proper system setup with a guided menu that reduces complexity of start-up and commissioning, and keyed and color-coded wire connectors that simplify field sensor or thermostat installation and prevent miswiring. These features add up to a quicker and easier installation process, ensuring equipment is installed correctly and helping contractors get to the next job quicker.

Factory-installed options
Everyone benefits from features that help save time and money. Factory-installed options are another way HVAC manufacturers help contractors, as well as end users, save money. These add-ons are typically created to ensure the unit runs at its maximum capability and efficiency, offering peace of mind to the contractor and increased savings to the end user. Look for intelligent controls <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/products/commercial-controls.asp> that record and track the runtime of every major system component for quick and easy troubleshooting, and multi-stage air volume supply fan technology <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/landing/msav.asp> that provides customers with increased comfort and savings all year long.

Service and maintenance savings According to research, facilities in which proper HVAC maintenance is completed will use at least 15 to 20 percent less energy than those where systems are allowed to deteriorate. Performing regular preventive maintenance can keep equipment operating at peak efficiency, helping customers save time and money in the process. Look for:

* Hinged door panels that make units easier to service and eliminate the need for screws, which can come loose during service and cause rooftop penetration
* Units with slide-out blower motor compartments that provide quicker, easier access to the unit's belt, blower motor and coils
* An isolated compressor compartment that allows performance checks during normal compressor operation without disrupting airflow


Choose a reliable HVAC manufacturer
When it comes to selecting energy-efficient HVAC for light commercial buildings <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/products/packaged-rooftop-units/Landmark/> , Lennox Commercial is an industry leader. Lennox' 18 SEER Energence® units <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/products/packaged-rooftop-units/Energence/> are designed with comfort, reliability, efficiency and ease of use and service in mind, providing peace of mind to contractors as well as end users. For more information, visit www.lennoxcommercial.com.


About Lennox Industries Inc.
A worldwide leader in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems, Lennox Industries Inc. is based near Dallas, Texas. Deeply committed to helping consumers and businesses reduce energy needs and lessen their environmental impact, the company offers a wide range of resources for improving efficiency, including a selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified products. Lennox Industries is a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc. and is a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII." To learn more about Lennox International, visit www.lennoxinternational.com. To learn more about Lennox Industries, contact a Lennox sales representative or visit www.lennox.com <http://www.lennox.com/> .

Video: Sustainable distribution warehouse

This video shares sustainable building concepts that facility managers and building owners can use to incorporate into new construction or renovation of any type of distribution warehouse facility. It would be see more industrial centers around the globe incorporate these concepts.

Video: LEED School Campus Part 2

Here is Part 2 of a super informative video about a LEED certified school campus in Arizona. We had many re-Tweets and views after posting the first episode and think this one will net the same good reviews. Enjoy.

Video: Designing A LEED Campus Part One

This video is the next best thing to an in-person tour of a LEED certified green building project. The Architect does a great job of pointing out characteristics of the design and build that contribute to the overall "intelligence" of the structure - all of which have taken into consideration the hot, sunny and dry Arizona climate.

Video - What is Bamboo and why build with it?

Hello...this is Matt with today's green building video post. This video is helpful if you are considering bamboo as a building material for a home. The producer does a good job of explaining that bamboo is a sustainable and renewable grass - not a tree as many people believe. Happy Learning...

Hong Kong's First Zero Carbon Building - Video

This video was produced in 2012 but it's worth bookmarking for reference if you are a builder, architect or owner. Make note of the under-floor ventilation system combined with the over sized ceiling fans. I like the point the designer makes about cooling the body first. Now...is it affordable?

Posted by Matt Banes, iGreenBuild.com

How to Design and Build a Home in a Hot Climate

This video has some great insight if you are considering building in a hot climate. Pay close attention to the roof insulation advice.

Stay cool and enjoy this segment...Matt





This blog post was approved by iModular.com, a GBM Marketing, Inc. web property.

Green Roof Performance Monitoring

WEB-BASED WEATHER STATIONS TRACK PERFORMANCE OF GREEN ROOF DEMONSTRATION PLOTS AT AMHERST COLLEGE

BOURNE, MA, April 4, 2013 — Amherst College in Western Massachusetts has installed a series of research-grade, web-based weather stations to monitor the performance of two green roof demonstration plots for its new science center.

The college plans to cover the rooftop of the new building with vegetation to help offset interior cooling costs, and help the four-story, 250,000-square-foot facility blend in with its natural surroundings. The building, which is estimated to open in 2018, will house the college's various science departments and programs.

Green roofs are an increasingly-popular means to absorb rainwater, provide insulation, offer a habitat for wildlife, and lower urban air temperatures. Vegetation, which can completely or partially cover the roof, is planted over a waterproof membrane. These living roofs typically include drainage and irrigation systems.

Four web-based HOBO® U30 weather stations from Onset, a Massachusetts-based company, are being used to help track local weather conditions to determine the most prolific vegetation varieties for the college's proposed green roof.

The stations, which feature double-weatherproof enclosures, are outfitted with plug-in soil moisture and temperature sensors that were installed in the roof's soil matrix at various depths. They also include sensors for measuring air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, rainfall, barometric pressure, and solar-radiation data. The units are affixed to the top of an 8-foot shade wall, from which they transmit data wirelessly to the college's computer network via HOBOlink, a cloud-based data access service hosted by Onset. This allows for remote access to data on a 24/7 basis.

"Remote access to data is key to the success of this study because it eliminates sneaker traffic from the team's office in Boston to the site on campus," said Gregory Johnson, president at Vermont-based Kilawatt Technologies and consultant on the project. "In addition, members of the design team on the West Coast can access the data instantly."

The HOBO U30 weather stations can also be configured to send text and email alerts when measurements hit high and low values that exceed set tolerance.

The weather stations are collecting data from the demonstration plots every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, for the duration of the 2012-2013 growing season. The data collected by the stations will help determine specific air temperatures, humidity levels, and moisture levels that yield the healthiest plants, and gauge how the green roof is performing.

ABOUT ONSET
Onset is the world's leading supplier of data loggers. The company's HOBO data logger and weather station products are used around the world in a broad range of applications, including building energy performance monitoring, water resources management, and ecological and agricultural research. Based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Onset has sold more than 2 million data loggers since the company's founding in 1981. Visit Onset on the web at http://www.onsetcomp.com.

ABOUT KILAWATT TECHNOLOGIES
Kilawatt Technologies, based in Shelburne, Vermont, provides a data-centric, statistically-based, energy and environmental management program. The methods involve continuous trending and analysis of energy and interior environmental data for commercial, multi-family, and industrial buildings. Visit Kilawatt on the web at http://www.kilawatt.com.

Green Building Event 2013 - ISSP Conference Chicago

ISSP Conference 2013
May 8 -10, 2013
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Chicago, Illinois

ISSP is hosting its next face-to-face summit of ISSP members and other sustainability professionals from May 8–10, 2013 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Speakers from GRI, Alaska Airlines, The Nature Conservancy, Presidio Graduate School and other top flight organizations will address conference attendees. Sustainable Urban Communities, Integrated Reporting, Sustainability In the Industrial Sector and Green Architecture are just a sampling of the great content that will be presented.

In addition to a high quality agenda and a gathering of sustainability leaders from around the world, the program includes exciting pre-conference workshops, and the inauguration of the next class of inductees into the ISSP Sustainability Hall of Fame(TM), collaborative work on the ISSP signature Sustainability Lexicon Project(TM), and an interactive World Cafe that will help chart the future of the profession.

Check this page frequently for updates about the conference - http://www.sustainabilityprofessionals.org/issp-conference-2013 .

Registration discounts are available through April 1, 2013.
Register now!

Conference Registration and Hotel Reservations
We have arranged a special rate at the Hotel Knickerbocker for the days of our event. Click here to directly make reservations at the discounted rate for any of the nights of May 7 - 9 . If you wish to stay longer, contact the hotel directly at 800-621-8140 to make your reservations and let them know you are with the ISSP conference so that they apply the discount to the conference portion of your stay.

Sponsorship and Vendor Expo Opportunities
ISSP offers organizations of all types the opportunity to broaden their presence in the sustainability community via sponsorships as well as participation in a vendor expo to be held at the conference. ISSP is heavily promoting the event to its members and in cooperation with a variety of media partners. As a result, conference sponsors and their products and services gain visibility with thousands of people interested in the latest in sustainability. For more information about sponsorship and vendor expo opportunities, download the overview posted at the bottom of this page. Check out our great line-up of sponsors and expo vendors to date. Thanks to all of them for supporting the conference! Posted By Stephan Levitsky

Recycled Roof for Major Sports and Entertainment Arena

Here is a good example of how recycled materials can be used to renovate a roofing system on a high use, very visible sports arena in Boston. The question now becomes - how does the owner pass the energy savings on to the sports fans?

April 2013 CALGreen Workshop - Sacramento

Sacramento Workshop Coming Soon

March 21, 2013

Dear Colleagues:

Our April Workshop in Sacramento is coming soon. Register now and you can still obtain a registration discount.

July will bring publication of the latest changes to CALGreen, California's mandatory green building code, changes that will become mandatory in January. 

You won't have to wait that long to find out what this update will bring. On April 19, at the Green California Summit, code experts from the Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development will lead you through the latest developments.

This is your chance to hear directly from those involved in the development of the code - and to ask any questions you might have about CALGreen basics or how the code will evolve in the future. 

More Training and Free Concurrent Sessions

The Summit offers professional training on other topics, from changes in accessibility codes to meeting AB 1108's requirements for benchmarking energy use before building sale. For details, click here.

Your registration for professional training also gives you free access to the concurrent education sessions on April 18 and 19 at the 2013 Green California Summit, as well as the Expo, opening session on April 18 and the Leadership Awards reception on April 18. This is a great opportunity for you to get up to date on more than just CALGreen. Attend sessions organized by USGBC California, Clean Cities, the Institute for Local Government and more.

For details on these great sessions, click here. 

Register Now

You can register today at the Green California Summit registration page. Note: choose the "Professional Training" badge.

Session details:

Friday, April 19

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Sacramento Convention Center

1400 J. Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

SEATING IS LIMITED - REGISTER TODAY!

AIA continuing education credits available.

The session offers 3 AIA credits and .3 ICC credits. 

Registration is $105. Seating is limited.

LEED Gold Creates Great Work Environment

This video is a really good resource for any business owner or building owner considering renovation or new construction of a low rise office structure. I like the thinking behind the positioning of employees close to natural light sources for personal enjoyment of their work environment. So many other great concepts covered as well. Enjoy.

 

EPA Begins Construction of Groundwater Treatment System for Torrance Superfund Sites

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2013
Media Contact: Nahal Mogharabi, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov

EPA Begins Construction of Groundwater Treatment System for Torrance Superfund Sites

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the start of construction of a groundwater treatment system that will clean up groundwater contamination from past operations at the Montrose and Del Amo Superfund sites in Torrance, Calif. The treatment system is expected to be completed in 18 months at an estimated cost of $15 million and will be used to remove chlorobenzene, benzene and other industrial chemicals used to manufacture DDT and synthetic rubber from the groundwater.

Under EPA supervision, Montrose Chemical Corporation will build a water treatment plant, dig 11 wells, and install approximately 30,000 feet of underground piping. The completed system will draw contaminated groundwater from the aquifer, remove the industrial chemicals, and then return the treated water back underground. The treated water will not be served as drinking water, but will instead be re-injected to surround the contamination and prevent it from any further movement into unaffected groundwater areas.

Construction will take place on both public and private property. Wind screens and noise blankets will be used to control dust and noise generated during construction work. In addition, the construction team will use the best available dust control measures to protect construction workers and prevent migration of DDT-impacted dust outside of the work area. Dust and air monitoring will be conducted during all construction activities, and plans are in place to ensure that dust does not blow into residential areas or businesses.

Montrose Chemical Corporation of California manufactured the pesticide DDT from 1947 until 1982. Chlorobenzene was a raw material used in making DDT. The Del Amo Superfund site, located adjacent to the Montrose site, was formerly a synthetic rubber manufacturing facility that used benzene, naphthalene and ethyl benzene. Groundwater contamination from both sites has co-mingled and will be cleaned up by this single treatment system.

For more information and project updates on the Del Amo and Montrose Superfund Sites, please visit: www.epa.gov/region09/montrose

###

Stylish & Sustainable Green Building with Reclaimed Materials

I like the point about how reclaimed building materials have already offgassed....this is a really good video to watch for new and remodeling projects.

New Report Showcases Cost-Effective Green Building Benefits Throughout the World

World Green Building Council Showcases Cost-Effective Green Building Benefits Throughout the World

New Report Released Today Highlights Financial Value of Green Buildings to Business Communities

LONDON (March 6, 2013) — A new comprehensive report released this week from the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), highlights that there are a large number of compelling benefits from green buildings received by different stakeholders throughout the life cycle of a building.

The report, "The Business Case for Green Building: A Review of the Costs and Benefits for Developers, Investors and Occupants," examines whether or not it's possible to attach a financial value to the cost and benefits of green buildings. Today, green buildings can be delivered at a price comparable to conventional buildings and investments can be recouped through operational cost savings and, with the right design features, create a more productive workplace.

"This report synthesizes credible evidence from around the world on green buildings into one collective resource, and the evidence presented highlights that sustainable buildings provide tangible benefits and make clear business sense," said Jane Henley, CEO of WorldGBC. "From risk mitigation across a building portfolio and city-wide economic benefits, to the improved health and well-being of individual building occupants, the business case for green building will continue to evolve as markets mature. Indeed we have already seen this momentum grow globally where in more and more places, green is now becoming the status quo."

Key findings include:

• Design and Construction Costs: Research shows that building green does not necessarily need to cost more, particularly when cost strategies, program management and environmental strategies are integrated into the development process right from the start;
• Asset Value: As investors and occupiers become more knowledgeable about and concerned with the environmental and social impacts of the built environment, buildings with better sustainability credentials will have increased marketability. In fact, studies from around the world demonstrate a pattern of greener buildings being able to more easily attract tenants and to command higher rents and sale prices;
• Operating Costs: Green buildings have been shown to save money through reduced energy and water use and lower long-term operations and maintenance costs. The energy savings alone typically exceed any cost premiums associated with their design and construction within a reasonable payback period;
• Workplace Productivity and Health: Research shows that the green design attributes of buildings and indoor environments can improve worker productivity and occupant health and well-being, resulting in bottom line benefits for businesses;
• Risk Mitigation: Sustainability risk factors can significantly affect the rental income and the future value of real estate assets, in turn affecting their return on investment. Regulatory risks have become increasingly apparent in countries and cities around the world, including mandatory disclosure, building codes and laws banning inefficient buildings.

The report concludes that illustrating that by greening our built environment at the neighborhood and city scales, the green building industry can deliver on large-scale economic priorities such as climate change mitigation, energy security, resource conservation and job creation, long-term resilience and quality of life.

 "This report underscores that green buildings play a fundamental and cost-efficient role in tackling some of the immediate challenges of our times," said Rick Fedrizzi, chair of the WorldGBC and president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). "The WorldGBC is proud to continue to play a leadership role in the explosive growth of global green building industry as we all continue to create a world that will give people better, brighter, healthier spaces to live, work and play."

This report was produced in partnership with PRP Environmental along with the following sponsors: Skanska, Grosvenor, and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council/Estidama.

About the World Green Building Council

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is a network of national Green Building Councils (GBCs) from around the world, making it the largest international organization influencing the green building marketplace. Green Building Councils are member-based organizations that partner with industry and government in the transformation of their building industries towards sustainability through the adoption of green building practices. On the ground in over 90 countries, GBCs create change in their local markets as a way to globalize environmentally and socially responsible building practices.  Visit: www.worldgbc.org

Loyola building achieves LEED Silver status for its sustainability

The Loyola University New Orleans College of Law’s Broadway Building has achieved LEED Silver Certification for its environmentally friendly characteristics, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice, along with the Career Development and Law Practice Center and the Office of Law Skills and Experiential Learning, are located in the building.

Originally built in 1959, the Broadway Building, formerly known as the Dominican Conference Center and designed by Fernandez & Johnson Architecture, underwent a nearly $7.5 million renovation, which was completed in spring 2011. DonahueFavret Contractors Inc., was the general contractor on the project.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a certification developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to set a benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED Silver is the third highest level of achievement by the council and its Green Building Certification Institute.

Some of the environmental design features that contributed to LEED Silver Certification of the Broadway Building include:

• Building reuse: The building is a renovation of an existing building. By maintaining the original walls, floor and roof, the impact of construction on the environment is greatly reduced.
• Energy performance: The Broadway Building features the latest energy efficient components, including low-emittance glazed windows, energy efficient lighting systems with sensors that turn on for occupants, and efficient HVAC systems. These green characteristics reduce the building’s energy costs by 14 percent.
• Alternative transportation: Building is within a half-mile walking distance to public transportation, reducing pollution and land development impacts on the environment from automobile use.
• Water use reduction: All plumbing fixtures are low-flow fixtures, which use minimal potable water, reducing the building’s burden on the city’s water supply by 35 percent.
• Heat island effect: The building also uses dark, non-reflective surfaces for roofs, walkways and other paved surfaces, which help lessen the so-called heat island effect. Because of the heat island effect, ambient temperatures in urban areas are artificially elevated by 2 to10 degrees Fahrenheit. Loyola’s Broadway Building minimizes the effect through its reflective materials, providing shade and minimizing pavement.
• Recycled content: The project incorporated recycled building materials, thereby reducing the environmental impact of harvesting and processing virgin materials. Products with recycled content reduce solid waste volumes.

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED Certification is the most recognized global standard for high performance buildings that are efficient, cost-effective and better for occupants and the environment.

For more information, contact James Shields in the Office of Public Affairs at 504-861-5888.

 

Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs

Leveraging Building Energy Codes to Maximize Energy Savings
New study provides guidance to states exploring options to link utility efficiency programs with energy codes savings

LEXINGTON, MA , February 28, 2013 - As states increasingly look to utilities to play an active role in supporting building energy codes, a new report from a coalition of energy efficiency advocates, has been issued to provide guidance for how state regulatory commissions and energy offices can best develop and evaluate such efforts. 

The report, Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs, developed by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) Forum; the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT); and IEE, an institute of the Edison Foundation, provides in-depth guidance on program options, evaluation protocol, and regulatory considerations for efficiency program administrators and policymakers.

Utility-supported energy codes programs are generally in their infancy and face challenges to adoption and scalability, including the lack of uniform standards for crediting utilities with associated program savings. This report investigates evaluation mechanisms or “frameworks” used in states such as California, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and reviews potential hybrid approaches that balance considerations such as potential energy savings, resource requirements, cost-effectiveness, and defensibility.

“Building energy codes represent tremendous opportunities for states to meet their increasingly aggressive energy savings goals,” ” explained Susan Coakley, executive director of NEEP.  “Utilities and other administrators of ratepayer funded energy efficiency programs provide an ideal opportunity to both inform and support the development and implementation of codes. This report offers guidance for developing frameworks that connect the two by providing options for policy makers to allow the  utilities to claim  energy savings from code support effortless as part of their overall efficiency programs.”

Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits all approach, the report provides an overview of  the code and utility policy environment in 17 diverse states to help categorize the unique opportunities and challenges posed by local conditions.

“State and local building codes are a cornerstone of U.S. energy policy, so this is an exciting but relatively untested area of utility engagement” said Sarah Stellberg, manager of research and policy analysis at IMT. “Our goal for this report was to provide actionable guidance for policymakers, PAs, and regulators as they test the waters with new codes program activities.”

“Utilities are exploring every possible activity to affect energy efficiency within homes and businesses” said Lisa Wood, Executive Director of IEE, “and developing guidance on how to design, implement, and assess the performance of utility-supported building energy codes programs provides yet another cost-effective option for the electric utility industry to deliver energy savings to its customers.”

The Cadmus Group, Inc. (Cadmus) and its partners, Energy Futures Group, NMR, and Optimal Energy (the Cadmus team) performed the study and produced this research report with invaluable input from an Advisory Committee members including state PUC commissioners and staff, utility program administrators, non-governmental organizations, and regional efficiency organizations.

Download the report, Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs at http://neep.org.

###

ABOUT NEEP:  NEEP is a regional non-profit whose mission is to serve the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to accelerate energy efficiency in the building sector through public policy, program strategies and education. The Regional Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification Forum, a project facilitated by NEEP supports the development and use of consistent protocols to evaluate, measure, verify, and report the savings, costs, and emission impacts of energy efficiency and other demand-side resources around the region. Visit www.neep.org for more details.

ABOUT IEE: IEE is an Institute of the Edison Foundation focused on advancing the adoption of innovative and efficient technologies among electric utilities and their technology partners that will transform the power grid. IEE promotes the sharing of information, ideas, and experiences among regulators, policymakers, technology companies, thought leaders, and the electric power industry.  IEE also identifies policies that support the business case for adoption of cost-effective technologies.  IEE’s members are committed to an affordable, reliable, secure, and clean energy future.  For more information, visit www.edisonfoundation.net/iee

ABOUT IMT: The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, green building, and environmental protection in the United States and abroad. Much of IMT’s work addresses market failures that inhibit investment in energy efficiency. For more information, visit imt.org.

New Green Building Book Measures Sustainability of World's Greenest Buildings

This post was approved by the Senior Editor of www.imodular.com, a GBM Marketing, Inc. web property.

Media Registration for LIGHTFAIR International 2013 is Now Open

Media Registration for LIGHTFAIR International 2013 is Now Open

Click here for media registration now.

 

 

LIGHTFAIR is just two months away and we're looking forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

 

LIGHTFAIR® International (LFI®) will expand its product presentation and increase its scale in 2013 with the addition of two high-profile categories – solar power and software – occupying newly added Hall F space in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Convention Center.  The 2013 additions accelerate LFI's continuing growth as the world's largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference.  The new categories will advance its footprint to produce the largest trade show in LFI's 23-year history.

 

Pre-Conference

4.21.13 – 4.22.13

Trade Show & Conference

4.23.13 – 4.25.13

 

Click here for media registration now.

 

Helpful Links:

Hall F/What's New at LFI 2013?

Floor Plan

Exhibitor List

Conference Information

Keynotes

Hotel & Travel Information

Green Building Show EP 20 -- kitchen and bathroom trends

This post was approved by the Senior Editor of www.imodular.com, a GBM Marketing, Inc. web property.

Urban Green Council Releases Important NYC Study

This is a start with a goal. Measuring the progress is going to be another story. New York City Can Mitigate Climate Change through Buildings and Infrastructure NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 14 --- The country's largest city can feasibly reduce its carbon emissions 90 percent by 2050, according to a study released today by Urban Green Council. President Obama stressed the importance of building efficiency in his State of the Union, announcing a goal to cut energy waste from homes and businesses in half over the next 20 years. The timely study, 90 By 50, finds that by updating and streamlining the city's buildings and infrastructure, New York City can meet that goal and more, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to the levels identified by scientists as necessary to contain climate change. Issued in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and other unprecedented weather events that re-focused attention on building preparedness, 90 By 50 shows the dramatic role urban buildings can play in mitigating climate change. Buildings are New York City's greatest contributor to carbon pollution, producing 75 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation sector accounts for another 21 percent. Climate scientists say carbon pollution must be reduced 80 percent worldwide by 2050 to ensure a safe, sustainable environment. To do the study, a virtual New York City was created using key building types. The model was then adjusted to improve future buildings using currently available technologies like improved insulation, the use of heat pumps, and transportation electrification. The result: a building sector that is essentially free of carbon pollution. Environmental and urban leaders agree that our current infrastructure is unsustainable but disagree on the feasibility of finding a solution. 90 By 50 is the first study to tactically demonstrate how an American city can tangibly and affordably meet the challenges of climate change.  "The buildings we live in can play a crucial role in the sustainability of society and the planet. This study shows us that an energy-efficient and innovative New York is possible—and necessary. If New York—the complicated nerve center of the country—can do this without breaking the bank, any city in the world can," said Urban Green Council Executive Director Russell Unger. The study assumes that buildings will remain functionally the same as today, without sacrificing physical comfort. All tactics tested are either currently available or reasonably foreseeable. The cost of the changes is neutral when the economy and other factors are considered. About Urban Green Council Urban Green Council is the New York Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Its mission is to advance the sustainability of urban buildings through education, advocacy and research. The nonprofit is a trusted advisor to Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City government on building resiliency and efficiency. Urban Green Council recently convened the city's Building Resiliency Task Force in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and will release recommendations in June.

Copyright © 2012 Urban Green Council, U.S. Green Building Council New York Chapter. All Rights Reserved. 20 Broad Street, Suite 709, New York, NY 10005

 

Announcing March 13-14 High Performance Sustainable Schools Workshop

HIGH PERFORMANCE SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS: THE PROOF AND THE PROMISE

March 13-14, 2013

Marriott RiverCenter - Covington, KY

If you aspire to high performance buildings for your clients, for your
school, for your students-this workshop is for you.

This two-day workshop will demonstrate proven results of the high
performance building process in Kentucky schools and districts. Sessions
will be led by architects, engineers and facilities directors who have
successfully designed, built, operated and maintained high performance
school buildings.

Day one will include a tour of Turkey Foot Middle School, a net-zero ready
middle school featuring natural lighting, solar collection, insulated
concrete, rainwater harvesting and a green roof. The tour will include one
track for the design professional and one track that will focus on
educational opportunities.


REGISTER NOW: WWW.REGONLINE.COM/HPSS2013 <http://www.regonline.com/HPSS2013>

Lennox’ Environ™ Coil system now available on all Energence® rooftop units up to 25 tons

Lennox' Environ™ Coil system now available on all Energence® rooftop units up to 25 tons

Dallas, TX – (January 29, 2013) –Lennox has expanded the availability of its Environ™ Coil System to 4-, 6-, 13-, 17.5- and 25-ton Energence® rooftop unit models, completing the product lineup to 25 tons. The Environ Coil System will now come standard on Energence rooftop unit models, with the tube-and-fin condenser coil available as an option.

The all-aluminum Environ condenser coil offers a significant reduction in refrigerant charge requirements, with innovative technology that helps maximize reliability and sustainability. It uses up to 52% less refrigerant than a traditional tube-and-fin condenser coil, providing sustainable savings. Additionally, the coil's all-aluminum construction results in a significantly lighter unit weight - up to 59% lighter than traditional coils - shaving a total of approximately 149 pounds, for example, from a 15-ton rooftop unit. Less brazed joints, up to 20% less compared to that of tube and fin coils, decreases the potential for leakage, increasing the reliability of the system. Finally, a mounting configuration that uses rubber inserts, provides vibration dampening to prevent damage during shipping as well as isolation to protect against corrosion. A 3-year warranty is included with the Environ Coil System.

About Lennox Industries Inc.
A worldwide leader in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems, Lennox Industries Inc. is based near Dallas, Texas. Deeply committed to helping consumers and businesses reduce energy needs and lessen their environmental impact, the company offers a wide range of resources for improving efficiency, including a selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified products. Lennox Industries is a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc. and is a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII." To learn more about Lennox International, visit www.lennoxinternational.com. To learn more about Lennox Industries, contact a Lennox sales representative or visit www.lennox.com.

News: PV Power Plant for Concrete Manufacturer

5 acre ground mount system provides electricity to high-usage consumer; PPA guarantees electricity rate for 25 years

Dublin (Georgia), January 29, 2013. – MAGE SOLAR, a turn-key provider of optimally coordinated solar PV solutions, and Paradise Energy Solutions, an integrator company operating in nine North Eastern states, announced the completion of a 1.12 MW system for Martin Limestone Inc.

 

Martin Limestone, Inc. is a construction materials supplier providing aggregates, hot-mix asphalt, paving, and concrete products from plants in several locations throughout Pennsylvania. Staying cost competitive without compromising quality has been a huge challenge for the industry in general, especially as utility costs are continually rising. For its New Holland facility Martin Limestone decided to opt for a renewable energy system that would give it a long-term financial advantage. The site is home to a block and ready-mix manufacturing plant as well as warehouses, stores, and offices.

 

But rather than investing in and securing financing for a solar system that would cover nearly 50% of the energy needs for the New Holland Concrete facility, the company chose to engage in a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sunstream Energy. Sunstream Energy, a sister company of Paradise Energy, is leasing five acres of land on New Holland Concrete’s property where it has installed the 1.12 MW solar farm. In return, Sunstream Energy sells the generated electricity to New Holland Concrete under a 25-year fixed rate.

 

"As a business this project allows us to lock in reasonable long-term electric rates using a clean, renewable power source without a significant upfront investment," comments Jeff Detwiler, chief executive officer of Martin Limestone, the owner of New Holland Concrete. "The system also generates the highest amounts of power during our peak production times."

 

The 4,480 MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules are mounted on 8 rows of ground mounts and are expected to generate 1.5 million kWh annually, enough electricity to power about 150 homes. Paradise Energy built the system, one of the county’s largest, in only four months and will continue to monitor it for optimal maximum power production. Since the MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules are warranted to produce 0 to +5 W tolerances only, the system is engineered to generate the highest energy yields possible. Additionally MAGE SOLAR’s signature 30-year 80% power output guarantee ensures some of the longest ROI periods in the industry.

 

"This project created numerous jobs during the construction phase,” said Tim Beiler, CEO of Paradise Energy Solutions. “It is mutually beneficial to the investor, Sunstream Energy, and to the end user of the electricity, Martin Limestone.  I have been thrilled with the cooperation from all parties involved to make this project happen, helping to create a bright and sustainable future for the community."
 

Financing for the system was made possible in part by the Department of Treasury’s 1603 grant program which covered 30% of the project costs, as well as favorable bonus depreciation rules for solar energy systems. The system was commenced at the end of December 2012. 

 

 “The Martin Limestone installation is a particularly great example of the role renewable energy systems play as a valuable economic tool,” adds Joe Thomas, President and CEO of MAGE SOLAR USA. “They have the power to leverage competitiveness and manage operating expenses for the long-term even for high energy users like Martin Limestone. Our sincere thanks and appreciation also go to our partners at Paradise Energy for executing this project so swiftly and competently.”

Limestone, a construction materials supplier based in East Earl, PA. © Paradise Ener

MAGE SOLAR – The Sun on Your Side

MAGE SOLAR USA, headquartered in Dublin, Georgia, specializes in complete solar systems and provides high-quality photovoltaic modules, intelligent mounting systems and high-performance brand inverters. As a subsidiary of the international MAGE GROUP, it uses the Group’s 40 years of know-how to develop optimally coordinated system solutions. A competent partner network guarantees profitable solar energy systems for customers throughout the Americas and in 21 more countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In 2011, the company generated U$280 in sales with around 180 employees.

www.magesolar.com

www.linkedin.com/company/mage-solar-projects-inc
www.facebook.com/magesolar                           

www.twitter.com/mage_solar

 

Paradise Energy Solutions

Paradise Energy Solutions, LLC is an experienced and qualified solar energy contractor with offices in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.  They are a fully licensed and insured Solar Energy Contractor in Pennsylvania (PA), New Jersey (NJ), Maryland (MD), Delaware (DE), New York (NY), Massachusetts (MA), Ohio (OH), and Illinois (IL).  They are also an “Approved Solar PV Installer” under many state rebate programs in the states listed.   Paradise Energy has 45 employees and has installed a total of over 5 megawatts of solar-power as of the end of 2012.  In addition, Paradise Energy Solution’s CEO Tim Beiler, as well as Larry Beiler, Manager of PA Operations, have earned the industry's leading recognition of expertise as a certified installer of solar electric systems (aka "photovoltaic" or "PV" systems) and certified technical sales from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

 

www.paradisesolarenergy.com

www.linkedin.com/company/paradise-energy-solutions-llc
www.facebook.com/ParadiseEnergySolutions                 

www.twitter.com/paradisesolar

 

 

About Sunstream Energy

Sunstream Energy, a sister company of Paradise Energy Solutions, is a growing investment company that specializes in large Solar systems. Owned and operated by four brothers, they have more than a megawatt of solar production.

 

About Martin Limestone

Martin Limestone, a division of New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc., is a mining, manufacturing, and paving construction company based in East Earl, PA.  Their construction materials are produced for agricultural and industrial uses as well as the construction of roads, homes, athletic facilities and corporate and industrial buildings throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Climate Change and Coastal Land Use: A Game Changer for the Business of City Building

WASHINGTON (January 24, 2013) – The impact of climate change will play a greater role in shaping coastal development in the years ahead, influencing decisions on what is built and rebuilt, where and how it is built, and how it is insured and financed, according to insurance and real estate professionals speaking at a global policy and practice forum hosted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

The increased frequency of property casualties associated extreme weather events, including severe hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, storm surges, and drought-fueled fires, as well as significant sea level increases are changing how property risk is valued, noted the panelists.  The changes in both extreme weather events and risks are compelling the real estate industry to explore new development practices that implement adaptive measures that better protect both the built and natural environment.  Increased climate risks are also raising awareness of the need for more investments to make existing buildings more energy efficient and reduce the carbon emissions associated with buildings.

"For the real estate industry, the risk posed to urbanized coastal areas by climate change has become a global issue with dramatic local ramifications. It's one of several drivers – along with economic, demographic and societal changes – that are necessitating a different approach to coastal development in the twenty-first century," said ULI Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips. "Whether necessitated by reasons related to market demand or environmental concerns, rebuilding presents an opportunity to reduce risk in the future, enhance livability, restore natural resources, and increase community resilience." 

The forum, "Resilience and Risk in Coastal Regions," held January 16-17 in Washington, D.C., included representatives of the federal government, local governments, investors, property owners and leading members of the insurance and reinsurance industries.  Among the panelists' observations and predictions:    

• Mark-to-market pricing could be replaced by "mark-to-future" pricing that reflects external factors such as a community's sea wall height and internal factors such as whether the building mechanical systems are elevated in a building. "This century will be about high volatility and huge uncertainty…Planning will be stepped up for events related to climate change, and buildings will be assessed for what will break."
• Population growth and the rise of the global middle class is accelerating the urbanization of coastal cities worldwide, increasing their vulnerability to high losses of life and property damage from catastrophic storms.
• In the U.S., compromised infrastructure systems are adding to the risks faced by these rapidly growing areas. "Reinsurers and insurers are facing increasing losses around the globe, and what it boils down to is how to deal with uncertainty going forward."
• Risk assessments are being adjusted to account for the fact that storms originating off the coast are increasingly having a major effect on geographic areas far beyond the initial landfall point, reaching places where buildings are not constructed to the same standards as those on the coast.
• Several lessons resulted from Hurricane Sandy that can be applied to urban planning for the future:  1) Critical infrastructure (such as electricity grids) should be restructured to provide more individualized service on a block-by-block basis, so whole communities do not lose power at once; 2) Land uses need to be reevaluated, in terms of which areas should not be rebuilt or rebuilt differently; 3) Consideration should be given to elevating water and sewer systems to factor in sea level increases; and 4) a new system of infrastructure financing, such as an infrastructure bank, is needed to generate funds to upgrade and build more weather-resilient systems.
• The carbon footprint of buildings will increasingly affect property values and the availability of financing. Tenants seeking to lower their own carbon emissions will choose to lease space in high performing buildings, even if the rent is more expensive. "Carbon is the new asbestos for real estate; and it's on everyone's balance sheet."
• Property insurance underwriting is being driven by the desire for market share, which is causing many companies to be heavily exposed in areas inadequately prepared to withstand natural and manmade disasters. More programs are needed to incentivize cities to implement adaptation measures.
• The costs of business interruption are often far higher than those for replacing properties and repairing damage, but business interruption is seldom reflected in policy coverage. In addition to the vulnerability of their own locations, companies need to gauge the risks posed by the locations of partners such as parts suppliers. As storms become more frequent and intense, long-term economic losses will eclipse property destruction as the major threat to urban prosperity. 
• More and more coastal areas are being affected not just by major storms, but by "non-event" weather that is flooding heavily built-up shorelines. A more balanced approach is needed that reflects the likelihood of future damage (and thus avoids rebuilding in the most disaster-prone areas), but which also recognizes that coastal real estate is a key economic driver. One likely outcome: greater use of the waterfront as open space, which creates value for the entire community but can also act as a protective barrier to storm surges.

Observed forum keynote speaker Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund: "Finding solutions to climate change is not an easy path, but a necessary path. We must keep talking about these issues, because we have paid a heavy price for our silence."

About the Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

 

ASHRAE Seeks Input on Revisions to Data Centers in 90.1 Energy Standard Scope

ASHRAE Seeks Input on Revisions to Data Centers in 90.1 Energy Standard Scope

ATLANTA – Addendum cs to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is open for advisory public review from Jan. 4-Feb. 3, 2013. The addendum proposes changes to definitions for computer rooms and data centers in Standard 90.1 to create a distinction between facilities covered by 90.1 and those which are intended to be under the scope of ASHRAE Standard 90.4P, Energy Standard for Data Centers and Telecommunications Buildings, proposed by ASHRAE in late 2012.

The definition proposed for computer rooms more closely aligns with ASHRAE Standard 100, Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). In addition, the definition is consistent with Uptime Institutes' "Tier Standard: Topology" and the Telecommunications Industry Association ANSI/TIA-942 class rating for low-risk Tier I data centers. High risk data centers such as those designed as Tier II or greater per ANSI/TIA942 or ones with mechanical cooling system redundancy are expected to be covered by the 90.4P standard now under development.

Steve Skalko, chair of the Standard 90.1 committee, said with the development of Standard 90.4P feedback is needed from the industry to clarify the scope and definitions of each standard. Energy conservation requirements for high risk data centers, initially covered by Standard 90.1-2010, are expected to be detailed in the 90.4P standard. Computer rooms, which can include low-risk data centers, would remain under the scope of Standard 90.1.

"The costs and approaches used in determining appropriate HVAC applications used to achieve energy efficiency are different," he said.

Computer rooms, which by the proposed definitions include low-risk data centers, are usually associated with electronic equipment spaces that are not considered risks and therefore money is typically not spent to install levels of component and systems redundancies. Computer rooms may be ancillary functions and add loads in a larger building and often are served from the same central cooling plants.

Computer rooms are designed to provide local data processing and information storage for in-house end users and clients, which the owner has deemed very low risk. Risk choices are made to reduce total life cycle costs associated with not only system selection and operation, but potential failures, business interruptions, continuity plans and overall company specific business model features like staffing requirements, according to Skalko.

By comparison, data centers designed as Tier II or greater per ANSI/TIA942 or ones with mechanical cooling system redundancy carry more risk, he said. Industry studies indicate downtime associated with such risk can cost tens of thousands of dollars a minute, with the potential to negate both past energy savings and future business viability in a single act. The demand for data centers has grown, as the electronic equipment needs have evolved with the huge demand for data processing services and storage in the age of digital devices.

A data center has the function to support the electronic equipment that commonly provides services to outside or external clients, hence the heightened awareness of risk and risk mitigation approaches employed. Data centers can support everything from an individual enterprise all the way to hosting services on the internet and must provide maximum operational run time on a 24-7 basis. These facilities are built with multiple levels of component redundancy, providing at least an N+1 mechanical cooling capacity redundancy, if not greater, as well as operational resiliency (increased staffing hours and expertise), Skalko said.

To comment or to learn more, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow's built environment today.