Articles for July 20, 2009
ENERGY NEWSBRIEFS is a weekly current awareness service provided by the
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BUILDINGS
The following five case studies were featured in the May/June issue of GreenSource:
1. Alila Villas Uluwatu - Bali, Indonesia: "Sustainable Luxuriance: An Eco-Resort in Bali, Indonesia, sets a new standard for green vacation destinations without sacrificing comfort" was written by Cody Adams, Editorial Assistant, GreenSource. This is a case study of the interior of a resort, which, says the team lead designer of the project, is as sustainable as a traditional Balinese home. At first, it will rely on biodiesel generated from onsite waste for its energy needs, but, eventually, it will use wind power that is to be developed locally. Water supply comes from rainwater and recycled greywater, and sewerage is treated onsite. Indigenous plants are used for landscaping and local wood and copper is crafted into furnishings by locals. View this case study at http://greensource.construction.com/projects/2009/05_Alila-Villas-Uluwatu.asp.
2. Council House 2 - Melbourne, Australia: "Melbournes Great Experiment: Technological ambition and daring-do provide a wealth of lessons for aspiring green designers" was authored by Russell Fortmeyer, a former editor of GreenSource and of Architectural Record. He describes a cutting-edge effort that, in the opinion of some, perhaps, went over the edge. The building uses a number of successful techniques to save water and energy with a payback period of only five years. However, three technologies did not work out well -- roof-mounted wind turbines, a cogeneration system, and an onsite black-water plant -- and the lead designer explains why. See this case study at http://greensource.construction.com/projects/2009/05_Council-House.asp.
3. Elm Park - Dublin, Ireland: "Letting Nature Do the Work: Elm Parks buildings use natural ventilation and daylighting to radically reduce energy use even as they reinvent the suburbs with new ideas about density" was authored by Allyson Wendt, Managing Editor, BuildingGreen, LLC. The article explains why Dublins climate dictated the building be built facing east and west. It also describes the different approaches both to daylighting and to heating, cooling, and ventilation. Additionally, the advisability of density next to sprawling suburbs is addressed. This case study is at http://greensource.construction.com/projects/2009/05_Elm-Park.asp.
4. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore: "View from the Roof: This new school of art, design, and media at Nanyang Technological University preserves open space, while serving as a green icon for the community " by Aric Chen, describes the site-specific design of this arts and design school in a climate that has, at times, intense sunlight and, at other times, heavy rains. The engineering of the massive green roofs, planted with a special, high-density, highly absorbent grass, is discussed. To view this case study, go to http://greensource.construction.com/projects/2009/05_Nanyang-Technological-University.asp.
5. World Wildlife Fund - Zeist, Netherlands: "Where the Wild Things Are: From architectural shapes to mechanical systems, the WWFs Dutch Headquarters harmonizes with nature" by David Sokol, Contributor, GreenSource, describes the re-design of an abandoned cattle-breeding laboratory into the headquarters of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Thomas Rau, known as an avant-garde architect, was selected by the WWF for the job. He devised a truly unusual, but effective, heating and cooling system for the old building that competing designers would have completely dismantled. See this case study at http://greensource.construction.com/projects/2009/05_World-Wildlife-Fund.asp.
CHP (COMBINED/CLEAN HEAT and POWER)
"CHP Thrives in NYC: Twelve microturbines stand as one of the first examples of CHP operations in Manhattan," by Ed Ritchie, is a two web-page case study of the installation and interconnection of 12 microturbines for the CHP heating and cooling of a large, office tower in Manhattan. The microturbines are connected to the grid but, in the event of a grid power outage, can run independently off the grid in "island mode." View this case study, which includes information about financing, in Distributed Energy, May/June 2009, at http://www.distributedenergy.com/may-june-2009/chp-thrives-nyc.aspx.
"District Energy For Helsinki - A Highly Efficient Heating and Cooling Model," by staff, gives some background on the widespread use of district heating in Finland, how it is migrating from oil- and coal-fired to wood, peat, and gas-fueled, and how it is employing CHP (combined heat and power) for the ultimate energy savings and carbon reductions. The Vuosaari Plants A and B in Helsinki are highlighted. View this article in Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production, June 2009, at http://www.cospp.com/display_article/362684/122/CRTIS/none/none/1/District-energy-for-Helsinki---a-highly-efficient-heating-and-cooling-model/.
DATA CENTERS
"Rudolph/Libbe Companies and BHP Energy LLC to Build One of the Worlds Most Energy-Efficient Data Centers Using Capstone Turbines," by staff, describes a new data center for Syracuse University that is in the planning stages. The designers are promising a facility that is 50% more energy efficient than current data centers. Natural gas turbines will produce onsite all the heating and cooling power required by the facility. Waste heat will power chillers to create cold water for computer cooling. This is the kind of system that might be used at other data centers. See this article in Distributed Energy, June 2009, at http://www.distributedenergy.com/the-latest/rudolph/datacenter-bhpgem-green.aspx.
ENERGY EFFICIENCIES - FEDERAL FACILITIES
"Coeur DAlene Tree Nursery Enjoys Energy Savings," by staff, tells the story of the replacement for a failing refrigeration system that was essential to the growing of seedlings in the Regional Tree Nursery of the U.S. Forest Service (Northern Region). The first step in the process was an energy audit by an engineer from the Bonneville Power Administration. The new refrigeration system and associated lighting efficiencies and waste heat capture and reuse are described. Financing issues are also discussed. The entire new system has consistently experienced energy reductions of 80% for three years. This article is in the Spring 2009 issue of Femp Focus. To view it, go to http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/news/fempfocus.html, select the Spring 2009 issue, then either select the article title on the left frame or scroll to the top of page 5 of the issue.
HVAC (HEATING, VENTILATION, and AIR CONDITIONING)
"Fighting the Frost Factor: New HVAC Systems Reduce Load Demand with 200-400% efficiency," by Ed Ritchie, is a three web-page article explaining the decision to switch to all-electric, highly efficient, heat-pumps on a U.S. Army base where the housing was being privatized. The split system that was selected is well described. See this article in Distributed Energy, May/June 2009, at http://www.distributedenergy.com/may-june-2009/fighting-the-frost.aspx.
Past issues of Energy Newsbriefs are available at
http://www.energy.wsu.edu/library/newsbriefs.cfm.
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found at the home page of their web sites.
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